Shanakar Temple, Ajinkyatara Fort, Satara shubhangipaseband.blogspot.in shubhangipaseband.blogspot.in shubhang...
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Shanakar Temple, Ajinkyatara Fort, Satara
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| shubhangipaseband.blogspot.in |
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| shubhangipaseband.blogspot.in |
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| shubhangipaseband.blogspot.in |
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| shubhangipaseband.blogspot.in |
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| www.switch2life.com |
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| Southern Gate, Ajinkyatara Fort, Satara |
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| God "Maruti" idol at the main gate of the fort |
Coordinates 17°24′N 73°35′E
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Type Hill fort
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Height 1,356 metres (4,400 ft) ASL
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Site information
Owner Government of India
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Controlled by
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Open to yes
the public |
Site history
Built by
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Materials Stone, Lead
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In use
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Battles/wars
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Garrison information
Past
commanders Shivaji |
Occupants Chattrapati Shahu
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Intoduction
Ajinkyatara ( meaning "The Impregnable Star") is a fort on one of the seven mountains surrounding the city of Satara in the Sahayadri Mountains of Maharashtra, India. It is a 16th Century fort and now also holds the television tower for the city of Satara. This fort has been the place where several pivotal moment in Maratha history took place.
The fort is located at Ajinkyatara Mountain, which is 3,300 feet high. As the fort is in the higher altitude, visitors can enjoy a magnificent view of the entire Satara city.
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History
In 1708, Shahu Maharaj won Ajinkyatara, which remained with the Marathas till 1818. The Ajinkyatara fort is a major historic place of Maharashtra, and was very vital as one could keep watch over the entire South Maharashtra.
This was the place where Tarabai was imprisoned by Shahu.
The fortress is also mentioned in Nathmadhav's novel Veer Dhaval, in which the eponymous protagonist, a vassal of the Chalukyas, is the rightful master of the fort (and takes final possession of it at the novel's end) which has been under the misrule of his uncle Chanda Varma, who usurped the fort after murdering the protagonist's father Keerti Varma.
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Major Features
There are two entrances on Satara side of fort. One entrance is in good condition. Both bastions still exist. At the right side of the entrance there is Hanuman temple. This is the best place to stay for. Water is not available on the fort. On the way towards left side we see Mahadev temple. Opposite to it there is office of Prasarbharati and two towers. After moving further, we see a board reading–‘way towards “Mangaladevi temple”’ on the left side.
Here we find the palace of ‘Tara Rani’ and one big storeroom. At the end of this road there is Mangaladevi temple. Opposite to it is the Mangaladevi bastion. Many sculptures are found around the temple. There are two entrances at the North. The way to these entrances is from Satara-Karad road. Near the entrances there are three lakes. After seeing the fort we can come down by same way. From fort we can see plateau of Yavateshwar, forts of Chandan-Vandan, Kalyangad, Jaranda and Sajjangad. It takes one and the half hours to see the fort. |
Ways To Reach
One can easily reach Ajinkyatara by road,train or plane.
· By road-It is 2 hrs from Pune, 4 hrs from Mumbai and 3 hrs from Kolhapur.
· By train-Nearest station-Satara road and Major station-Pune.
· By plane-Nearest airport-Pune and Nearest International Airport-Mumbai.
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Accommodation Facility
At Hanuman temple for 10 to 15 people
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Food Facility
One should arrange food for own.
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Drinking Water Facility
Not available during summer and winter.
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Time To Reach
One hour approximately (from Satara)
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Map
