Siddheshwar Temple near Machnur Fort near Mangalwedha on the way to Solapur

Wednesday, November 23, 2016

Siddheshwar Temple in Machnur is located around 37 KM away from Pandarpur. One has to travel on the Bijapur Umadi Pandarpur Road to reach Mangalwedha. From Mangalwedha one has to travel on the Sangola - Mangalwedha - Solapur Road to reach the temple

Siddheshwar Temple and Machnur Fort are both located in Machnur.

Entrance to Siddheshwar Temple in Machnur Village

The temple premises was flocked with devotees who had come from all over Maharashtra.

As I entered the Temples premises, I heard a megaphone playing devotional songs.

Old temples in Siddheshwar Temple premises in Machnur Village

There are many small temples in the Siddheshwar Temple premises. All the temples are historic.

I located four diya stands and they were very beautiful. I have seen beautiful diya stands at Achara near Malvan too. And the tallest of them all at Shankaracharya Mandir in Vasai.

Diya Stand at Siddheshwar Temple premises in Machnur Village

Diya stand at Siddheshwar Temple premises in Machnur Village

At the other end of the Siddheshwar Temple premises there is another door. there are stairs leading to the riverbed. River Bhima. As it had dried up, one can visit the temple premises. This temple is also historic, most of the time I believe it is submerged under water, like the Palasdeo Temple.

Old temple in Siddheshwar Temple premises in Machnur Village

Nandi wilt horns of Gold atSiddheshwar Temple premises in Machnur Village

There are no hotels here. Most people who visited the temple travel in private vehicles. Could not spot shared rickshaw nor State transport bus here.

The temple is made of black stone The same stone is used in the construction of the Machnur Fort.

Old temples in Siddheshwar Temple premises in Machnur Village

Of of Siddheshwar Temple premises in Machnur Village, from River Bhima

The Siddheshwar temple walls are designed like a fort walls. The carving on the temple was beautiful. I saw a statue of Nandi, but the horns of which where made of Gold like metal. I have seen statues of Nandi, but this one was quite unusual.

Devotees at Siddheshwar Temple premises in Machnur Village

We then headed off to see the Solapur Fort in Solapur. 

Please do click on the highlighted words above to read about those explorations. 

Machnur Fort near Mangalwedha on the way to Solapur

Saturday, November 19, 2016

Machnur Fort is located around 37 KM away from Pandharpur. One has to travel on the Bijapur Umadi Pandharpur Road to reach Mangalwedha. From Mangalwedha one has to travel on the Sangola - Mangalwedha - Solapur Road to reach Machnur Fort.

Machnur Fort and Siddheshwar Temple are located in the village of Machnur.

Fortification of Machnur Fort near Mangalwedha on the way to Solapur

Machnur Fort is tagged on google maps, so just follow the directions and you won't get lost. There are no signboards, but you can rely on the locals for help.

Fortification of Machnur Fort near Mangalwedha on the way to Solapur

We decided to visit the fort first.The moment we parked the car near the fort entrance it started drizzling. But it stopped soon there after.

Main Entrance to Machnur Fort near Mangalwedha on the way to Solapur

The fort walls were very short in height. There was a small door like structure to enter it. The fort walls were made of stone. The fort was square in shape it had fortification on three sides. There was no fortification on the side facing River Bhima. There is a  sheer drop there. So be careful. Due to the drought situation in Maharashtra, the riverbed was dry.  

Structure within Machnur Fort near Mangalwedha on the way to Solapur

There is nothing much to see in the fort premises, except for a mosque like structure near River Bhima. There is a unknown tomb near the mosque like structure. The Siddheshwar Temple can be seen from the fort premises.  

Fortification of Machnur Fort near Mangalwedha on the way to Solapur

The fort can be viewed by walking on the fort walls. Since they are small in height, one can easily climb them. It took us around 30 minutes to see the entire fort. There is plenty of wild vegetation in the fort premises along with ant farms. So beware for the red ants. You might just be invading their homes.

River Bhima riverbed from Machnur Fort near Mangalwedha on the way to Solapur

This fort was built by Aurangzeb in around 1615 AD to protect himself from his enemies.

Siddheshwar Temple from Machnur Fort near Mangalwedha on the way to Solapur

Ant hills at Machnur Fort near Mangalwedha on the way to Solapur

We then walked to the Siddheshwar temple located near the Machnur Fort.

Please do click on the highlighted words above to read about those explorations. 

Wada on the way to Pandharpur from Piliv via the Satara Pandharpur Road

Wednesday, November 16, 2016

After visiting Piliv fort, we took directions from the local and landed onto the Satara-Pandharpur Highway, which was to take us to Pandharpur. We were to rest there for the night.

Wada on the way to Pandharpur from Piliv 

En route, we located this fortified structure on our right hand side. Now this was not on our itinerary. But we still decided to pay it a visit. Parked the car outside it, we entered the stone walled premises via the Maha Darwaza or the Main Door.

Maha Darwaza to Wada on the way to Pandharpur from Piliv

The Main Darwaza had a small Chor Darwaza or Small Door in it. The wooden door was decorated with nails, that are 5 inch long, currently they are totally rusted. When the fort was attacked by the enemies, the enemy could enter the fort either by climbing the walls or the main door. History states that Elephants were used to attack and break open the Maha Darwaza, hence the nails to injure the Elephants.

It was a land fort and the walls were not very tall. Like the Ahmednagar Fort in Ahmednagar. The fortification was intact. The fort was square shaped.

Maha Darwaza and Chor Darwaza

Raigad Fort, Vasai Fort have got great Maha Darwaza's.

There was just one house in its premises. The current owner of the Wada stays in that small house. They are the descendants of the Nimbalkar's.

Stone tablets at Wada on the way to Pandharpur from Piliv

There is a old well, near the house. The well is around 50 feet deep but no water within it. There are a couple of old structures in the Wada premises. We saw a granary too.

The descendants had unearthed a sword and musket gun. Not sure how many more historic treasures are buried under ground.

We also located grinding stone,  rock cut stone artifacts here. Similar to the ones we saw at Tural Hot Water Springs on NH66.

Old structures within Wada on the way to Pandharpur from Piliv 

The time was now 6:45 PM and we had to reach Pandharpur.

On the Satara-Pandharpur Road, we were greeted with lighting and thunder. Finally came the rain to cool down the soaring temperatures. How I love and cherish the smell of the soil.

Artifacts at Wada on the way to Pandharpur from Piliv

Now we had to search for a place to stay for the night. We tried the local government guest house. But it was full. Through past experience, we have never got to stay in a Government guest house.

We got ourselves room's in Hotel Laxmi Palace, at a cost of Rs 700 for non AC. The AC ones cost Rs.1000. The rooms were okay, but not that great.

Current residents at Wada on the way to Pandharpur from Piliv

Ate some street side chinese food and omlette pav. But nothing beats the street side chinese food we had at Wai, what say Manohar.

Well at Wada on the way to Pandharpur from Piliv

That night it rained so heavily that the power conked off. We had to keep the balcony door open so that the chilly breeze could come in. Good we didn't take the AC room, as it would  have been a complete waste of money.

Unearthed Musket Gun at Wada on the way to Pandharpur from Piliv

Unearthed Sword at Wada on the way to Pandharpur from Piliv

Next morning woke up, had breakfast at Kamat's located on the Satara-Pandharpur Road. The food was not at all tasty. First time ever, it didn't live up to the brand name. We then headed off to see Machnur Fort. 

Please do click on the highlighted words above to read about those explorations. 

Piliv Fort located on the Satara Pandharpur Road on the way to Pandharpur

Monday, November 14, 2016

Piliv Fort is located around 32 KM away from Akluj fort. i.e around 45 minutes of travel time. Piliv fort is located on the Satara Pandarpur Road. If we visit, then we should reach the fort by 5:30 PM.  We decided to take our chances and head over to see the fort.

Directions available on Google maps. We followed the directions.

The roads are very narrow and in bad shape, they will test your car suspension. Bad roads, increases the time to visit the fort.

Bastions of Piliv Fort

Finally around 5:40 PM after asking locals residing near the fort premises, we were near the fort. The fort walls were intact and in good condition. The bastions looked amazing. Someone has also gone ahead and constructed a shop using the fort wall as one of the walls of his shop. How stupid of him to destroy the national monument.

Bastions and Entrance to Piliv Fort

There is a very small door to enter the fort premises. There was a SUV parked there with a cover, covering it. Not sure why.  

It is small fort, having many bastions,  the stones used in fortification remind me of the forts in Delhi.

Entrance to Piliv Fort

We climbed up the fort walls to get a better view of the fort from the inside and outside. We located a hand cannon. It was heavy to lift. I was able to lift it for a few minutes though. That is the only cannon on the fort premises.

Structures within Piliv Fort

There are people staying in the fort premises. Similar to Mahim fort and Vasai fort. Not sure if they are staying legally or illegally. I guess, the SUV parked near the fort entrance, belonged to one of the people residing in the fort premises.

Hand Cannon at Piliv Fort

The fort takes around 30 minutes to see. The fort smells of nilgiri due to the nilgiri tree in the fort premises. 

Fortification of Piliv Fort

Piliv Village lies at the base of the fort. It is a small town. The narrow roads are packed with people and vehicles. Not sure if there is a public mode of transport to reach the fort premises. 

Fortification of Piliv Fort

Again I am not aware of the history of this fort.

Bastion at Piliv Fort

The time was now 6:15 PM. We were tired. We were on the hunt for a place to stay for the night. Pandharpur was our closest bet. Pandharpur was around 40 KM away on the Satara-Pandharpur Road. 

Please do click on the highlighted words above to read about those explorations.