अहिवंत किल्ला
अहिवंत किल्ला - Ahivant Fort established in the Satmala Hill Range on the westernmost region. Ahivant Fort is the adjoining Achala Fort. Ahivant Fort is 55 km from Nashik, Maharashtra. Mohandar Fort, Ahivant Fort, Achala Fort are situated nearby with Achala Fort and Mohandar Fort built to defend the Ahivant Fort. Captain Briggs from the British East India Company explained the Fort as a big mountain and shapeless hill, remarkably bleak and unhealthy.
Ahivant Fort Information
Ahivant Fort Information
- Ahivant Fort Height 4024 feet above sea level
- Ahivant Fort Type Hill Companion Fort
- Ahivant Fort Distance from Mumbai 234 km
- Ahivant Fort Distance from Pune 275 km
- Ahivant Fort Distance from Nashik 58 km
- Ahivant Fort Trek Duration two hour one way
- Ahivant Fort Trek distance 4 km one way
- Ahivant Fort Trek total ascent 1382 feet from Bilwadi
- Ahivant Fort base village height 3080 feet from Bilwadi
- Ahivant Fort Water and Food are available at Base village only.
- Ahivant Fort Trek Difficulty Moderate
How to reach Ahivant Fort
Ahivant Fort nearest town is Vani 44 km away from Nashik, Vani has good availability of hotels. Daregaonwani is the base village located 13 km from Vani. The trekking trail starts from the hillock north of the Daregaonwani Village. Ahivant Fort Trek route is comprehensive and safe, and it lacks tree cover along the trekking path. You will reach the entrance gate of the fort in about two hours. Please carry your packed lunch and drinking water for this trek. There are caves along the way on this trek, but lack of potable water on the fort makes night stay difficult. Local villagers will provide night stay and food organizations at a fair price.
The second trekking route for the Ahivant fort starts from Ahiwantwadi village. It is the shortest and safest path. You can drive till Bilwadi hamlet you will reach the col easily, from here a modest ascent of one hour to arrive at the top of the fort. Vani - Daregaonwani: If you are travelling using a local bus, you can board ST Bus till for Vani via Nashik ST Stand. From Vani, you can catch another ST to Daregaonwani. You can follow the directions mention above for completing the trek.
Places to see on Ahivant Fort Trek
Places to see on Ahivant Fort Trek
- Fort hill is in ruins now; It has a more massive plateau to the companion fort Achala. You will need a few hours to explore it.
- Relics of old palaces, Shivlings at few places, temple with a statue which resembles Saptshrungi and few lakes.
- If you ascent from Dare village side you will find two entrance ruins structures.
- There are two caves to explore one near the northeast region of the fort, and second, near the southern direction suitable for a stay, you can find a water tank a few minutes away from this cave.
Ahivant Fort History
Adil Shah had control over Ahivant Fort in the year 1636. Moghul Emperor Shahjahan committed Shaista Khan to win all the forts in the Nashik district, and Cavalier Alivardi Khan won the Ahivant Killa for Shaista Khan. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj won the fort from Moghuls in the year 1670.
Aurangzeb Moghul Emperor assigned his chieftain Mahabat Khan to conquer the Ahivant Fort. Diler Khan, along with Mahabat Khan, began the campaign from both sides of the Avihant Fort. The assault happened extremely fierce that the Ahivant Fort yielded to Moghuls. Achala Fort consequently surrendered to Moghuls. In 1818 Fort was resigned to Colonel Briggs with the other 17 forts following the fall of Trymbak Fort.
