Sajjangad, Hill fort in Satara district, India
Sajjangad, formerly called Aashwalayangad, is a hill fort in the Satara district that sits 914 meters (2,999 feet) above sea level and combines temples, ponds, and old stone structures. Within the walls, open courtyards spread between religious buildings, while paths lead to covered halls and memorials that draw pilgrims and visitors alike.
Rulers from the Bahamani dynasty built this fortification between 1347 and 1527, before Shivaji captured it in 1673 and recognized its strategic value. After the death of Samarth Ramdas in 1681, the site shifted from military stronghold to a religious center that continues to draw pilgrims today.
The site preserves the shrine of Samarth Ramdas, where pilgrims gather daily to hear readings from his writings and visit the rooms where he meditated. Devotees bring flowers and light oil lamps as they walk the paths he is believed to have walked centuries ago.
The complex lies roughly 16 kilometers (10 miles) from Satara and requires a climb of around 300 steps to reach the main entrance. Visitors should plan to arrive early in the morning or late afternoon to avoid the heat and allow enough time to explore the grounds.
A trust runs accommodation for pilgrims inside the walls, where meals are served at no charge. The water in the ponds on the grounds is said to never run dry, even during the driest months of the year, according to local tradition.
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