Korigad Fort

Korigad Fort is a historic hill fort located approximately 20 km south of Lonavala in Pune district, Maharashtra, near the planned township of Aamby Valley. Standing at an elevation of roughly 923 meters, its construction likely predates 1500 CE. The fort was incorporated into the Maratha kingdom by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in 1657 and later captured by the British in 1818. It features intact perimeter walls, two lakes, ancient temples, and cannons on a flat plateau.

Visitors can expect an easy trek of about 1 to 1.5 hours via stone steps from Peth Shahpur village to reach the fort's flat plateau. At the summit, visitors can explore completely intact fort walls with a walkable perimeter of approximately 2 km, two lakes, and temples dedicated to Korai Devi, Vishnu, and Shiva. Six cannons are present, including the Laxmi Toph near the Korai Devi temple. The site offers panoramic views of the Sahyadri ranges, Pawna Lake, and neighboring forts like Tung and Tikona.

The fort's exact construction date is unknown but likely predates 1500 CE. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj incorporated it into the Maratha kingdom in 1657 along with Lohagad, Visapur, Tung, and Tikona forts. In March 1818, Colonel Prother captured the fort for the British after igniting stored ammunition during a siege.

The fort houses a temple dedicated to its patron goddess Korai Devi, which has been recently renovated and features a 3-foot-high Deepmala. Smaller temples dedicated to Vishnu and Shiva also exist on the premises, making it a site of religious significance alongside its military history.