Torna Fort is a large fort located in Pune district in the state of Maharashtra, India. And it is about 70 km southwest of Pune in the Sahyadri mountain range.It is historically significant because it is the first fort captured by Shivaji Maharaj in 1643, at the age of 16 forming the nucleus of the Maratha Empire. The hill has an elevation of 1,403 meters (4,603 ft) above sea level, making it the highest hill-fort in the district. This fort is believed to have been constructed by the Shaiva Panth, in the 13th century.Torna fort is also called Prachandagad. Shivaji renamed the fort ' 'Prachandagad' ' as Torna, and constructed several monuments and towers within it.
IN AND AROUND TORNA FORT:
On the fort you could see various places like, Zunjar Machi, Budhla Machi, Kokan darwaja, Kothi Darwaja, Bini Darwaja, Menghai Goddess temple, Toranjai Goddess temple,Sadar.
IDEAL TIME FOR VISIT:
Though the best season to visit Torna fort is just after monsoons, summers show an entirely different shade of the fort diametrically opposite to what you will find just after monsoons.
Torna ranges from medium - difficult level
HOW TO REACH:
From Swargate bus station in Pune, take a state transport bus with route 'Swargate - Velhe - Ghisar'. This bus will drop you at Velhe in around 1hr 45mins. It will be good to start in early morning for the fort. 6.30am bus will be very good option to reach early to the fort.
Velhe is the base village of the fort and the trek up to the fort will approximately take 3-4 At Velhe you can park your vehicles Near the police station and start trekking. and Fort could be seen within 2hours.
Velhe is the base village of the fort and the trek up to the fort will approximately take 3-4 At Velhe you can park your vehicles Near the police station and start trekking. and Fort could be seen within 2hours.
Best Route from Pune to Torna
Pune - Satara HW - Nasrapur - Adoli - Velhe – Torna
Best Route from Mumbai to Torna
Mumbai - Pune Ex way - Pune Bypass Rd - Warje - Khadakwasla - Khanapur - Velhe - Torna
Best Route from Kolhapur to Torna
Kolhapur - Satara - Surur - Shirwal - Nasrapur - Velhe – Torna
FOOD FACILITIES:
There is no hotels etc on the fort. At the base of the climb you could have something to eat at the local shop, but the type of food is limited, and it is best to bring your own food. The climb to the top can be tough for some people, so bringing along nutritious food is highly recommended.
There is no source of drinking water on top of the fort, so it is strongly advisable to bring drinking water, energy drinks, glucose drinks to avoid fatigue.
There is no hotels etc on the fort. At the base of the climb you could have something to eat at the local shop, but the type of food is limited, and it is best to bring your own food. The climb to the top can be tough for some people, so bringing along nutritious food is highly recommended.
There is no source of drinking water on top of the fort, so it is strongly advisable to bring drinking water, energy drinks, glucose drinks to avoid fatigue.
STAY AT TORNA FORT:
The Mangai Devi Temple on top of the fort is a commonly used shelter on the Torna fort however its best to carry your own sleeping bags and tent.
10-15 people can stay. There However trek gets over within 6 hours, so mostly you do not need to stay on the fort.
if you are planning to go during the winters as it gets really cold during night time.
TREKKING FROM RAJAGAD FORT:
You can also go for a 2 day trek which is via Rajgad fort. You will have to go to Rajgad first and then walk along the ridges of Sahyadri Mountains to reach Torna. This ain't a tough road but will take approximately 6 - 7 hours
RETURN FROM TORNA FORT:
From the base village Velhe you will get Maharashtra State Transport buses every one hour. Last bus is at 5pm. Apart from ST buses, local Jeep-Taxies are available till Nasarapur.
There are a few vehicle operators who ply their 8-10 seaters from Velhe village to the highway, from where a state transport bus can be taken back to Pune. These operators, however, will charge much more than you would end up paying if you took a state transport bus back to Pune.
10-15 people can stay. There However trek gets over within 6 hours, so mostly you do not need to stay on the fort.
if you are planning to go during the winters as it gets really cold during night time.
TREKKING FROM RAJAGAD FORT:
You can also go for a 2 day trek which is via Rajgad fort. You will have to go to Rajgad first and then walk along the ridges of Sahyadri Mountains to reach Torna. This ain't a tough road but will take approximately 6 - 7 hours
RETURN FROM TORNA FORT:
From the base village Velhe you will get Maharashtra State Transport buses every one hour. Last bus is at 5pm. Apart from ST buses, local Jeep-Taxies are available till Nasarapur.
There are a few vehicle operators who ply their 8-10 seaters from Velhe village to the highway, from where a state transport bus can be taken back to Pune. These operators, however, will charge much more than you would end up paying if you took a state transport bus back to Pune.
