Manikgad (Raigad)

Manikgad Fort (Raigad)
Raigad district, Maharashtra
Manikgad fort from Katkarwadi
Manikgad Fort (Raigad)
Coordinates	18°49′33.3″N 73°11′34.9″E / 18.825917°N 73.193028°E / 18.825917; 73.193028
Type	Hill fort
Height	1876.64 feet
Site information
Owner	Government of India
Open to the public	Yes
Condition	Ruins
Site history
Built	1700 (approx)
Built by	Sarkhel Kanhoji Angre
Materials	Stone
Demolished	1818

Manikgad is a mountain fortress and temple in Gherakilla Manikgad, India. Located among rolling hills, the temple is a popular hiking spot. Manikgad was built to oversee the trade route from Maval (Pune) to coastal ports. The fort is situated near Vashivali (Rasayani MIDC), which is 27 km from Panvel.

The fort was built by Sarkhel Kanhoji Angre, to whom it was ceded in 1718 by Peshavas.^[1]

Only ruins of the fort remain. A big rock-cut cistern on the fort is called the "Darya take". A small shiva linga and a few small rock-cut cisterns are present. The Ganesh gate is the only standing structure. A circular trench is cut in the rock for lime mixing. Other nearby forts include Karnala, Prabalgad, Chanderi, Malang gad, Irshalgad, Sondai, Lohagad, Visapur, and Sankshi.

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  Sunrise in summer
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  Hanuman gate
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  Rock cut water cistern
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  Fortification