What To Know Before You Go To Tikona Fort - One Day Trip Near Pune

Tikona Fort also known as Vitandgad is the 3850 feet (1091 meter) high and dominant hill fort in Maval in western India. It is located near Kamshet around 60 km from Pune . Village Tikona-Peth is based at foot hills of fort. The hill is pyramidal in shape and the name Tikona means "triangular"

Location: Tikona Peth (Gavhande) village, Kamshet, Near Lonavala, Maharashtra, India Best Time To Visit: July to January is the best time to visit the fort. Monsoon season is the ideal time to visit Tikona fort. Difficulty Level: Tikona fort trek falls under easy grade trekking routes. Elevation/Formation: 3850 feet (1091 meter) above mean sea level.

The shape of the fort is triangular and looks like a pyramid from long distance. This is one of the good trekking spots near Pune and Mumbai in Maharashtra. The fort attracts large number of hikers and adventure enthusiasts in the monsoon season.

The trek route is not risky and is an ideal for beginners. Just be cautious in the heavy monsoons when route becomes muddy & slippery. Trek route begins with bit steep but steady height gain from a small forest and he wonderful scenery all along.

Keeping beautiful ranges of Sahyadri and Gheravitandgad on back, we reach on trunk like plateau. After crossing plateau, there is a small stone walkway. After climbing this walkway, we have to walk along a long trail with hills on left side. Lord Hanuman statue carved in stone en-route trail.

Closer view of hill after plateau while climbing Tikona Fort. This trekking route is wonderful when we see beautiful mountain ranges of Sahyadri on east side

Beautiful Ridge and scenic ranges of Sahyadri on East side of Main Tikona Fort.

On the way to Tikona Fort, there is one lord Hanuman’s temple known as Chapetdan Maruti. It named because of Lord Hanuman's pose to slap the devil that is at his feet. Lord Hanuman is carved in stone and colored in vermilion red.

First look of Balekilla (The Uppermost and most important part of fort ) of Tikona Fort along trek route.

After Lord Hanuman temple, we can see some ruined fortification and Vetal darwaja (door). After few minutes walk, here is a temple named Lord Tuljadevi Mandir. There is a small water pond at the base of temple. You can read fort history and map on board which is situated near the temple.

Near Tuljadevi Temple, there is a remnant of a stone grinder, the kind pulled around by animals. Traditional stone grinders are generally used to grind grains for people living in fort in ancient time.

A cave constructed by Satvahana before final steps to reach to the first gate of Tikona Fort.

After cave, we find steep steps which leads you to the fort entrance gate of Tikona Fort. The steps are quite slippery in the monsoons. Also, each step is much bigger than a regular step and broken at many places.

After climbing of steep steps we raech to main entrance gate to bastion (Balekilla) of Tikona Fort. This giant and mammoth entrance is a special attraction. This picturesque entrance gate is a best example of fort architecture.

Glimpses of main entrance gate from top of Tikona Fort

A small temple of Lord Trimbakeshwar on top of Tikona Fort is final destination of this amazing trekking. One can finish this beautiful trek route with the blessings of Lord Trimbakeshwar.

A lake and two water tanks on the top of fort and beside temple may be used to store drinking water for people living on fort.

A beautiful view of Tung Fort form the top of Tikona Fort

History of Tikona Fort: The construction of this fort was done by the Shilahar Dynasty Kings. In 1585, the fort was won by Malik Ahmad Nizam Shah of the Nizam dynasty. Later on in 1657, Shivaji Maharaj won it along with other forts like Lohagad, Visapur, Mahuli, Karnala, Songad and Tala. The fort was mainly used for keeping an eye over the Mawal Region.

History of Tikona Fort: In 1660, Dhamale family ‘Deshmukhs’ of Maval Region took the responsibility of the security of the fort. Again in 1665, Mughal Sardar Jaysingh attacked the Maval region but remained undefeated. The fort was surrendered to Mughal Sardar Kubad Khan as per the Treaty of Purandar. However, later on the fort was recaptured by the Marathas.

Routes for Trek To Tikona Fort from Pune and Mumbai: The most common and preferred trek route starts from the Tikona Peth village. You can easily reach this village by taking private vehicles from Kamshet railway station on Lonavala-Pune railway line. Another route is from Bedase Caves which is easily accessible. Its a quiet offbeat trek route.