Tikona

किल्ले तिकोना

TIKONA

Fort Type: Hill forts
Fort Height: 3580 ft.
District: Pune
Base Village: Tikonapeth
Time to reach from Base village: 1 hour
Grade: Easy

Fort Description:

This fort is also known as Vitandgad. We all know Lohgad and Visapur. Fort Tikona is located just behind them. This region is known as Pawana Maval.
The region of Bor Ghat and vicinity has many routes that connect western coast to the cities on Deccan plateau. These routes during their times were protected by these forts. There are Lohgad, Visapur, Tikona and Tung. These forts used as guardians of various routes near by. Also the caves near by these forts need protection, so these forts also played a role of protector of these caves. (Bedse Caves, Karle Caves, Bhandara and Bhaje caves). Although the routes near by are now a days referred as OBSOLETE, they were very important trade routes during history.The caves here belong to the Buddhist era, it is said that these forts must have been constructed around 1000 AD.
Nizamshah captured this fort in 1585. There is very little evidence available about how long this fort stayed with Nizamshah, but Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj captured this fort in 1657 alongwith Lohgad, Visapur, Mahuli, Songad and Karnala. Fort Tikona, due to its location, gives complete control over Pawana Maval. In year 1660, Netaji Palkar was assigned a task of ensuring security of this fort. With the Purandar treaty, this fort was surrendered to Mughals. But as the treaty was broken in year 1670, Marathas were able to capture this fort.
Chatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj and Aurangzeb's son (Akbar) had a meeting and Akbar was invited to stay on this fort. But the weather on the fort didn't suit him. In year 1818, British and Maratha had a fight on this fort. During this fight, the fort was damaged to a larger extent and till today it remains in a very critical condition!
This is a very small fort and you can see the entire fort within an hour. After you enter the fort, take a left turn and you will see a water tank and a cave. 10 to 15 people can be accomodated here. But during rainy season it's not suitable to stay. Also, as the entire fort can be seen in an hour, trekkers prefer not to stay on this fort. Go ahead from this point you will see a stair-case, this stair-case can be tiring as it's almost as high as 3 floors at a stretch. We can see water tank and fortification. This entrance is quite fascinating and a great example of construction. Going further ahead you will see a way going towards your right. This route will take you to the top of the fort. You will see a Mahadev Temple, a water tank and remaining fortification.
From this spot, you can see Lohgad, Visapur forts towards your right (if you are facing to the west side) and fort Tung can be seen. Fort Tung can be easily identified with its unique PEAK. You can also see the Pawana dam, Bhatrahi hill, Morse Hill ,Jambhuli Hill and the entire Pawana region. This will give you an idea about the strategic position of this fort and its importance during history.

Must See:
1. The Entrances 2. Caves 3. Mahadev Temple 4. Carving of Lord Hanuman 5. Water tanks

How to reach?
1. From Pune by local train
Get down at Kamshet and from Kamshet proceed to Kale Colony. You will find a bus from here to Kale colony as well as you can find private vehicles that will take you to Kale Colony. From Kale colony, you will get a vehicle to reach to the base village i.e. Tikonapeth. Also from Kamshet, you will be able to catch a bus at 8:30AM to Paud or Morse. This bus will drop you at Tikonapeth.
2. From Pune by your own vehicle
You can either follow the same route till Kamshet and then take above route to reach to Tikona or else try the following route. I love this route as it goes through hilly regions and villages. From Pune come to the Chandani Chowk. From Chandani Chowk, proceed to Paud. At Paud Bus Stand, take immediate right turn and keep driving on this route till you see the familier site of Fort Tikona. Reach Tikonapeth within 1.5 hours from Pune and start your trek.

Food and Drinking water
Food is not available. You need to carry your own food.

Drinking water
It's my advice to carry water with you rather than depending on the water available here.

Accommodation
10 to 15 people can be accomodated in the cave, except in the rainy season.