Bhuleshwar

Bhuleshwar is famous for the Hindu Temple of Lord Shiva, situated around 55 kilometres from Pune. The temple is situated on a hill and was built in the 13th century. There are beautiful carvings on the walls. The temple is significant not only from architecture point of view, but also mythologically. It is believed that it was here that Devi Parvati danced for Lord Shiva and thereafter, both of them went to Kailas and got married.
Originally , it was a fort called as Mangalgadh.

This place is very crowded during Mahashivratri. Tawny Eagles migrate here from Pakistan and Indian Himalayan areas during Winter in Himalayas but summer in Maharashtra.
Bhuleshwar is one of the ignored places in Pune region

Bhuleshwar Sculpture Detail : This place has a shivling below which you put Indian Sweets. It is said if they disappear your wish will be granted. Mostly it has been observed that no matter how much amount of sweet you put it disappears.

How to Reach There : One can go there by two ways.

• Pune – Solapur Highway (55 Kms) : Take Pune – Solapur Highway and drive towards Yavat village, take right turn 2 K.M. before Yavat village, and drive approx. 8-10 Kms to reach Bhuleshwar Temple. It is located on the top of the hill, The road is in bad condition.
• Pune – Saswad (50 Kms) : Take Pune – Saswad Road from Hadapsar, From Saswad
  there is a left turn after crossing Saswad Stand.

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Sarasgad

“Fort…the essence of an entire kingdom. A country without its forts is a country which turns to ruins, its people become un-sheltered with just one invasion of an enemy. If the country is destroyed, what is left to be called as a kingdom?”

– Chhatrapati Shivaji Raje

Sarasgad is village situated near Pali in the Indian state of Maharashtra. Pali lies along the Lonavala-Khopoli road and is 110 kilometres from Pune.

Pali is also a famous temple of Lord Ganesh. It comes under the famous Ashtavinayak temples of Maharashtra.

Sarasgad stretches out in the north-south direction, to the east of Pali. From both ends of the fort one can reach the top.

A very huge wall of Sarasgad is at the north south border of Pali.

This fort was mainly used to keep a check on the surrounding regions. From fort, ‘Pali’ and all surrounding areas can be seen. Shivaji Maharaj brought this fort under Swarajya and spent 2000 Hon (the prevailing currency) for its reconstruction. Till independence this fort was under Bhor Sansthan.

Sightseeing :

Near the main entrance we see a triple curtain wall. Going rightwards and ascending 15 steps we see the ramparts. To the left there is a big water tank. Next to it was a gallery. Further there is another way to the fort. Near this is a water tank named ‘Moti Haud’. If we go at right, we have to ascend 15 steps and then we reach the base of citadel.
Base of Citadel : Here we see a very big water reservoir. To its left is the tomb of Shahapeer. Near to it few small lakes are seen. In a cavern nearby we see ‘Shivlinga’. Here a few can stay. At the right side of the tank we see silos, armory, jail and residences. Here also 10 to 12 people can be accommodated. Next to it is the way towards citadel.
Top of Citadel : On the fort we see Kedareshwar temple and a lake nearby. Two bastions are there to keep watch on surrounding areas. From citadel we can see the mountain of ‘Tin Kavdi’. We can locate Sudhagad, Tailbaila, Dhangad and Korigad. We also see Paligaon, River Amba, hot water reservoirs of ‘Unheri’, Konkan and Jambhulpada. On Vaishakh Poornima (full moon day), the villagers celebrate the festival of Shahapeer. Many people go to Kedareshwar temple on ‘Maha Shivratri’. Sarasgad is one of the favorite places of the trekkers.

How to reach :
We can go to fort through ‘Dindi Darwaza’. This is the only way to the fort. One should alight at Pali and go to the fort through ‘Dindi Darwaza’. Go to left from backside of the temple. This way heads straight to the bastion of the fort. There is a room at the base of the bastion. It was residence of the guards. From here ascend about 96 steps and go at the main entrance of the fort. Opposite to it is a gatehouse.

Accommodation Facility :
About 7-8 people can be accommodated at silos or the gatehouse. But very few prefer this.

Food Facility :
None. Cooking on site is very much advised.

Drinking Water Facility : There are many cisterns on the fort. The water reservoir near the tomb of Shahapeer at the base of citadel is mainly used for drinking purpose.

Time To Reach : 1 hour from Pali to Dindi Darwaza

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