Chandan Fort, Mountain fort in Satara district, India.
Chandan Fort sits on a hillside of the Sahyadri mountains at about 3,800 feet (1,160 meters) elevation with stone structures and fortified walls throughout. The southern area still shows roofless stone rooms, water cisterns, and military bastions that reveal how the fort was built and used.
A ruler of the Shilahar Dynasty built the fort around 1191, then Shivaji, the Mughals, and Chatrapati Shahu Maharaj each took control at different times. Each ruler made changes that reinforced its role as a strategic location in the area.
A shrine honoring Gaus Pak Baba displays Arabic inscriptions on the fort grounds, while an older Hindu temple nearby houses two stone lingams. These sacred sites remain active gathering places for pilgrims who visit throughout the year.
Visitors can reach the fort by three different paths, with the Ibrahimpur route being the easiest at about one hour of walking from the base village. The best time to hike is after the monsoon rains clear, when the paths are dry and views are open.
The fort holds a rare stone carving with geometric patterns near its entrance that dates to the early period of construction. This decorated marking is often missed by hikers, even though it shows the skill of craftspeople from that era.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
