Alang Fort (also known as Alangad or Alang) is a fort located in the

Kalsubai Kalsubai () is a mountain in the Western Ghats, located in the States and union territories of India, Indian state of Maharashtra. Kalsubai is the highest peak in Maharashtra and is located in Ahilyanagar district in Akole Taluka. Its summit, si ...

range of the Western Ghats mountains,

Nashik Nashik, formerly Nasik, is a city in the northern region of the Indian state of Maharashtra situated on the banks of the river Godavari, about northeast of the state capital Mumbai. Nashik is one of the Hindu pilgrimage sites of the Kumbh ...

, (

Maharashtra Maharashtra () is a state in the western peninsular region of India occupying a substantial portion of the Deccan Plateau. It is bordered by the Arabian Sea to the west, the Indian states of Karnataka and Goa to the south, Telangana to th ...

India India, officially the Republic of India, is a country in South Asia. It is the List of countries and dependencies by area, seventh-largest country by area; the List of countries by population (United Nations), most populous country since ...

). Alang Fort, Madangad Fort, Kulang Fort, and the trek connecting them are known as Alang, Madan, and Kulang (AMK). Alang Fort is regarded as one of the most difficult places to reach in the region. As the Maharashtra Culture Government website notes, "Alang-Madan-Kurland is one of Maharashtra's most challenging treks, especially because of its challenging stretches of water and dense forests." This route is suitable for experienced mountaineers. While the forts are difficult to access because of heavy local rains and poorly marked trails, they remain a popular tourist destination. The fort is situated on a large natural

plateau In geology and physical geography, a plateau (; ; : plateaus or plateaux), also called a high plain or a tableland, is an area of a highland consisting of flat terrain that is raised sharply above the surrounding area on at least one side. ...

. Inside the fort are two caves, a small temple, and 11 water

cisterns A cistern (; , ; ) is a waterproof receptacle for holding liquids, usually water. Cisterns are often built to catch and store rainwater. To prevent leakage, the interior of the cistern is often lined with hydraulic plaster. Cisterns are disti ...

. The two caves can accommodate up to 40 people. Remnants of historic buildings are spread throughout the fort. To the east of the fort lies Kalasubai, Aundh Fort, Patta, and Bitangad; to the north,

Harihar Harihara ( also called ''Harihar'') is a city in Davanagere District in the Indian state of Karnataka. It is the administrative headquarters of the Harihara Taluk. Harihara is famous for Harihareshwara temple. Harihara is situated on the banks ...

Trymbakgad Trymbakgad Fort/Brahmagiri Fort ( ) is a fort located 30 km from Nashik, in Nashik district, of Maharashtra, India. This is an important fort in Nashik district. It is located on a hill adjoining the famous Trimbakeshwar temple. History ...

, and

Anjaneri Anjaneri, one of the forts in the mountain range of Nasik- Trimbakeshwa. Anjaneri is located 20 km away from Nasik by Trimbak Road. It is a popular for Digmbar Jain caves, Temples and trekking spot, especially in the rainy season. Histo ...

, and to the south,

Harishchandragad Harishchandra Fort is a Forts in India, hill fort in the Ahmednagar district of India. Its history is linked with that of Malshej Ghat, Kothale village and it has played a role in guarding and controlling the surrounding region. History The fo ...

, Aajobagad, Khutta, and

Ratangad Ratangad is a fort in Ratanwadi, Maharashtra, India, overlooking the locale of Bhandardara, one of the oldest artificial catchment area. This fort is located in the Ahmadnagar district of Maharashtra. It is on the boundary of Ahmadnagar and T ...

. Due to the remote nature of this trek, even experienced climbers are advised to carry sufficient amounts of food and water to sustain the round trip.

Access

Access to Alang is via the village of Ambewadi — while

Kasara Kasara is a census town in the Thane district of Maharashtra, India. The town is located on the busy Mumbai– Nashik route, which is one of the four major routes that lead into Mumbai. Kasara is served by a railway station on the Mumbai Subur ...

Igatpuri Igatpuri ( ɡət̪puɾiː formerly known as Egutpoora) is a town and a Hill Station. It is also a municipal council in Nashik District in the Indian state of Maharashtra. It is located in the Western Ghats and served by Igatpuri railway station ...

is reached by train or bus. There is a bus service from

Ghoti Ghoti is a creative English respelling of the word ''fish'', used to illustrate how confusing spelling and pronunciation in the English language can be. Explanation The word is intended to be pronounced in the same way as ''fish'' (), using the ...

to Ambevadi , available at 7:30 a.m, which takes around three hours to reach the fort. From Ambevadi, one can see Alang, Madan, and Kulang. The bus travels the ridge between Alang and Madan from where the fort is visible. To the left is Alang and to the right is Madan. Alang fort is accessible from Ghatghar via Ghoti- Bhandardara. From there, in 2 hours, one can reach the third cavern by way of Bhandardara from Udadvade. Another way is by way of Bhandardara from Udadvade Gaon. It leads to the plateau, and then connects to the second route.

Gallery

File:Alang Steps.jpg File:Alang view with caves.jpg File:Alang_Curvature.jpg File:Alang Construction.jpg File:Water storing on Alang.jpg File:Anang Cave.jpg File:Mandan from Anang cave.jpg File:Close door on Alang Fort.jpg File:Anang Madan Kulang - 3 forts range.jpg File:Sunset from fort Alang.jpg

References

{{Forts in India Forts in Nashik district Forts in Maharashtra

Access

Gallery

See also

References