Salher Fort Information | Salher Fort Information in English

 Salher Fort Information | Salher Fort Information in English

• Location :

Salher Fort is located on the Maharashtra–Gujarat border in Satana Taluka of Nashik district in the state of Maharashtra.

• Other Names of Salher Fort :

Salgiri, Shailgiri, Mahendegiri

• Height :

The average height of this fort from sea level is about 1567 meters / 5141 feet.

• Although Kalsubai is considered the highest peak in Maharashtra, Salher Fort holds the honor of being the highest among forts and due to its towering height it is considered the crown (Jiretop) of all forts.

• Travel Routes to Visit Salher Fort :

• From Mumbai, Nashik is about 166 km away, while from Pune it is about 120 km. From there you have to reach Satana. Salher Fort is located about 50 kilometers from Satana.

• From the Gujarat side, if you are coming via the Surat route, then

Navsari – Ahwa – Pandava – Mahardara – Babhulne – Aliyabad and then turn south towards Waghambe via Salherwadi, from where you can reach Salher Fort.

• From Satana side, you can reach the fort through the route

Dangsoudane – Salher – Salherwadi.

• From Nashik side, you can reach the fort through the route

Nashik – Dindori – Vani – Nanduri – Mohadari – Abhona – Kanashi – Karanjkheda – Sakode – Salherwadi.

• Routes from the Base of the Fort :

• From Waghambe :

While walking towards the fort from Waghambe, after passing the Salher–Salota pass, while climbing the fort you will encounter four gates. From here you can reach the top of the fort.

• Salherwadi Route :

This is a straight route, and while climbing the fort from this side you will come across six gates.

• Maldar Route :

From Maldar also the route goes towards the fort through the Salher–Salota pass, but this route is generally not used frequently.

• Parking Area :

While going towards the fort from Salherwadi, you first reach a parking area. There are many hotels at this place where refreshments are available. You can also park your vehicles here.

• Footpath and Veergal :

While walking on the trail towards the fort, you will see a Veergal (Hero Stone) on the way. It is a sculpture of a warrior holding a shield and throwing a spear. It was probably built in ancient times in memory of a warrior who achieved victory in battle.

• Bhavani Devi Temple :

While walking on the route, a little distance to the left side, you can see the temple of Goddess Bhavani.

• Steep Rock-Cut Stairway Route :

While moving ahead and climbing the fort, a very steep ascent begins. It is an extremely difficult stairway route. These steps are carved directly into the hard rock.

On one side there is a sheer vertical cliff, and the steps have been carved into the same rocky cliff.

• Ganesh Sculpture :

On the way, a sculpture of Lord Ganesh carved into the steep rock can be seen. Lord Ganesh, the remover of obstacles, was probably carved here to ward off difficulties and troubles that might come upon the fort.

• First Gate :

After climbing up, the first gate appears. Its doorway frame is still intact today. On the arch above it, a lotus flower, which is considered a symbol of Hindu deities, is carved. Other decorative carvings can also be seen here.

• Stairway Path :

From the first gate, the stairway path continues upward again. On the sides, at some places there are fortification walls, while at some places the climb becomes difficult.

• On this route, there are six gates placed one after another at short distances. The structure of these gates was built using ancient Hindu architectural principles. Hindu religious symbols can be seen on these gates.

• The fort has sequential strong gates and a path running parallel to the fortification walls.

• Mountain Caves and Parallel Path :

After crossing the third gate of the fort, a tall vertical rocky cliff appears and beside it there is a narrow path. Through this path one can move towards the upper part of the fort.

While walking on this path, caves carved into the mountain rock and water cisterns can be seen. The number of these rock-cut cisterns and caves is estimated to be around 20 to 21.

The stones removed while carving these caves were probably used for building the protective fortification walls, structures and gates of the fort.

• Fourth Gate :

The fourth gate of the fort is also constructed in a similar manner to the other gates. However, at this place an inscription can be seen carved on the arch of the gate.

• Ruins of the Mansion (Wada) :

After reaching the upper part of the fort, a structure can be seen. At this place the remains of steps and foundations are visible. These are the remains of buildings from that period.

During that time, meetings of commanders, officers, the fort chief and other staff were probably held at this place.

• Spacious Courtyard :

At the top of the fort, a large and spacious courtyard can be seen.

• Water Cisterns :

The stones required for constructing the fort were taken out from the lower parts. In the places from where stones were removed, water cisterns were formed.

The water in these cisterns used to fulfill the drinking and daily needs of the people living on the fort.

• Rock-Cut Residential Rooms :

On the fort, rock-cut rooms carved into the stone can be seen. These were used as residential quarters. Even today these rooms are in good condition.

• Hanuman Temple :

Inside one of the rock-cut chambers on the fort, a statue of Lord Hanuman (Sankatmochan Hanuman) can be seen. This idol probably served as a source of inspiration and courage for warriors during difficult times.

• Gangasagar Lake :

During the medieval period, the Gangasagar Lake was constructed to fulfill the water needs of the fort. Its structure is very beautiful.

This lake is located at the higher part of the fort. Even during the peak summer season, it contains a large amount of water.

In the middle of the lake, there is also a pillar built to measure the level of the water.

• Renuka Devi  Temple :

Near the lake, we can see the Temple of Goddess Renuka. The upper spire (Kalash) part of the temple appears to be damaged. Inside the sanctum (garbhagriha) there is an idol of the goddess, and nearby an idol of Lord Ganesh can also be seen.

It is believed that Lord Parashurama, the son of Renuka Devi, resided at this place and he himself established the goddess here. Beautiful carvings can also be seen on the pillars outside the temple.

• Yajna Altar :

At some distance from the temple on the fort, there is a Yajna altar (Yajna Vedi). In ancient times, holy rituals such as Homa and Havan were performed at this place.

• Parashurama Temple :

According to belief, Lord Parashurama conquered the entire earth and donated it to the Brahmins. After that, to create a new land for himself, Parashurama came to Salher Fort. Here he performed penance for some time and from this place he shot an arrow from his bow which pushed the sea back and created new land, which is known today as the Konkan region.

The place from where he released the arrow and where he performed his penance is believed to be Salher Fort. At the summit of the fort, one can see the Parashurama Temple, where sacred footprints (Paduka) and an idol of Lord Parashurama are present.

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• Historical Information about Salher Fort :

• Salher Fort is located on the border of the states of Maharashtra and Gujarat.

• In ancient times, Lord Parashurama is believed to have resided at this place. After donating the entire earth, he performed penance here to establish his own residence. From this high mountain he shot an arrow which pushed the sea back and created the Konkan land, after which he moved to the Konkan region.

• This fort is also known by the name Mahendgiri. It is also believed that Lord Ramchandra, Lord Hanuman and Sugriva once resided at this place.

• Many Hindu dynasties ruled this region. The Gavali (Gawli) kingdom once had authority here, and because of that the fort was also called Gavaligad.

• In 1340 AD, a king named Nagdevaraja captured this fort from Mahesh, the Gavali king.

• According to records in the Ain-i-Akbari, in 1609 AD the ruler of Salher sent his army to assist the Mughals when Malik Ambar of Ahmednagar attacked Surat.

• In 1636 AD, Aurangzeb became the governor of the Deccan. In 1637 AD, he conquered the Baglan region and captured Salher and Mulher forts, renaming Salher as Sultangad.

• During the medieval period, this region was ruled by Babhul Raja, and the region later came to be known as Baglan after his name.

• During the time of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, the territory of Maharashtra was administratively divided into several provinces such as:

Pune, Maval, Wai, Satara, Karad, Panhala, South Konkan, Thane, Bindur, Kolar, Trimbak, Karnataka, Vellore and Baglan.

• In 1663 AD, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj captured Salher and Mulher forts, thereby expanding the Swarajya.

• All the wealth obtained from the first sack of Surat was brought into Swarajya through this route.

• In 1665 AD, according to the Treaty of Purandar, Salher Fort had to be returned to Emperor Aurangzeb.

• Between 3 December 1670 and 11 January 1671, the Marathas recaptured Salher Fort and brought it back into Swarajya. At that time the Mughal fort commander Fatunkhan was careless. The Marathas climbed the fort using rope ladders, and during this attack the Mughal commander was killed.

• The wealth from the second sack of Surat was brought through the route

Surat – Bardoli – Dang – Bahava – Salher – Mulher – Satana – Talwan – Vani – Dindori – Nashik – Sinnar – Junnar – Pune – Rajgad.

• Great secrecy was maintained during this mission. However, near the pass ahead of Salher, a battle occurred between the Marathas and the Mughals. On the Mughal side were Ikhlas Khan and Behlol Khan, while on the Maratha side Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj himself and his prominent commanders were present.

• At that time the loot was sent ahead through the Vani route, while the Marathas fought a fierce battle with the Mughals and defeated them. In this battle Shivaji Maharaj obtained 6000 horses, 125 camels, 6000 bullocks and other treasure.

• After this, the fort remained under the control of the Mughals for some time and the Marathas for some time.

• Later, the fort came under the administration of the Peshwas.

• After the British rule, the fort came under the control of the Government of Independent India.

Thus, the history of Salher Fort is very important and glorious.