ABOUT MYSELF AND MY MOTIVE

About Myself and My Motive :
My name is Nilesh Bhutambre (I am called "Bhau" by those close to me, especially by everyone in my village).  After completing my graduation I wanted to do business, but because of lack of capital investment it was hard for me to start a business in my village. But by God’s grace I found my way, and I am now employed as a Computer Operator & Programming Assistant at CEERI Unit, (a Central Govt. institute for research & development in the field of electronics) CSIR Madras Complex, Chennai. My village is quite ancient as well as beautiful. It is situated half-way up a mountain (such a plateau is called a "machi" in Marathi) at the base of the fort Prabalgad. Because of the two forts Prabalgad and Kalavanti and the natural beauty  of the surrounding regions, many visitors and fort-enthusiasts were attracted to this place.
 To fully explore this area at least two days are required. However, until now, visitors have faced problems in finding food and lodging. Some visitors used to come for one day picnics or they would spend the night sleeping outdoors on the grass and eating whatever they could bring or manage to obtain. It was hard for ladies and families to stay here.
  In order to provide a solution to this problem, I resolved to start a Kalavantin Durg and Prabalgad Dharshan  Guide, Lodging and Food service to help visitors. This was my motivation. I have chosen my own home as the base of operations for this service.
Suggestions and feedback about the services provided by this venture are most welcome. Your suggestions will help us improve the service experience that we provide to other tourists like you. 
Please e-mail your suggestions to: neel.nilesh0506@gmail.com  or kalavantinprabalgad@gmail.com
You can contact me through my mobile-phone at 08056186321 (Please remember to add the "0" at the beginning.)
Visit My Webpage :-http://prabalgad.jigsy.com/
You are also welcome to read our blog to learn about news & updates from our side:  http://prabalgad.blogspot.in/

GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATION OF FORT

Geographical Location of Fort:

Fort Muranjan or Prabalgad can be seen from Mumbai-Pune express highway. On the East side of fort you will find Ulahas River, Matheran, on the west side Gadhi River, Chanderi and Peb forts, the city of Mumbai, on the south side, the Patalganga river, Manikgad and on the north side, the Karnala fort. You can experience the twinkling lights of Mumbai city, Rasayani, Panvel and nearby areas from the height.Do you want to enjoy this ancient and naturally beautiful trek?

Do you want to enjoy this scenic trek to ancient areas of historical significance? Do you want to experience this fabulous, exciting spot? Then let me tell you about this place which will make you forget your age. You can experience the chilled air, forceful wind which is far better than AC. Have a bath under the natural shower of waterfall and you will definitely forget zakuni, and sauna baths. Experience the sunset from the peak of hill it and will show you its different shades on the water of river. Experience the twinkling lights of Mumbai city, Rasayani, Panvel and nearby areas from the height. So come, experience this exciting package of fun, happiness and refreshment and that too not far from Mumbai city.

How to Reach To the Fort?

This fort is visible from Mumbai- Pune highway. There is a way to fort from Shedung village which is at the point where the Kalamboli-Mumbai bypass road meets the Mumbai-Pune highway. 6 seater Minidor auto-rickshaws are available from Gandhi Hospital and Old Panvel to Thakurwadi. For a group of 10 people the auto-rickshaw (Minidor) fare  is around Rs. 200 to 250. Another choice is to catch the hourly State-Transport bus at the Panvel Bus Depot. The bus fare from Panvel to Thakurwadi bus is Rs. 14 per person. Thakurwadi is the terminal stop of this bus, and from Thakurwadi onwards you can complete your journey to the   fort on foot.

HISTORY OF PRABALGAD AND KALAVNTI DURG

PrabalGad (fort):

This fort was built to keep an eye on the ancient ports of Panvel and Kalyan situated in North Konkan. From the study of the caves in this fort it is estimated that it belongs to the time of Buddha. The Shilahar and Yadav dynasties made it an army camp because of the strong man-made caves engraved in this fort and named it ‘Muranjan’. It was built at the time of the Bahamani Empire. Afterwards it came under the Nizam Shahi dynasty of Ahmednagar. When the Nizam Shahi dynasty was on the verge of collapse, Shahaji Raje came to their support, but the Mughal emperor Shahajehan and Adil Shah of Bijapur both sent their army separately to defeat Shahaji. When Shahaji came to know this, he moved his army to fort Kondhana and fort Murumbdev. He then requested help against the Mughal and Adilshahi forces from Siddhis of Janjira, but was refused. So Shahaji tried to get help from the Portuguese in the city of Chaul, but failed again. Finally Shahaji, with his wife Jijabai and son young Shivaji moved on Muranjan fort along with army. Later in 1636 Shivaji left Muranjan fort. In the same year 1636  the Agreement of Mahuli was made according to which the North Konkan went under the Mughal Empire who granted authority to Adilshaha of Vijapur to rule the area in return for tribute. Shivaji grabbed this opportunity. He defeated More of Javli and captured the Javli area. At the same time a brave Sardar of Shivaji, Abaji Mahadev won the area of Kalyan, Bhiwandi and Rayri. That time fort Muranjan came under swarajya of Shivaji. Shivaji changed the name of this fort from “Muranjan" to "Prabalgad" (Prabal means "strong"). Later on, in 1665, according to Treaty of Purandar, Prabalgad was one of the twenty-three forts which were handed over to the Mughal empire. The Mughal Sardar Jaysingh placed a Rajput named Kesarsingh Hada in charge of the fort Prabalgad. In 1658, the Marathas under Shivaji re-took the fort once again. The Mughal Sardar Kesar Singh committed suicide realising that defeat was imminent. The Rajput ladies in the fort commited Jauhar (self-immolation) to escape dishonour. The mother and son of Kesar Singh who had hidden themselves in the fort were granted freedom by the order of Shivaji. In the investigation of the fort great amount of wealth was found.
Prabalgad Bhatkanti:
The flat top area of the fort is covered by dense forest. There is a Ganesh Temple at the top. There are also some scenic ruins of old buildings and a few water tanks. In order to explore them you will need a local guide. The British Government wanted to develop Prabalgad as a hill station like Matheran but were thwarted in this plan on account of the difficulties caused by the lack of water which, though sufficient for the existing residents, would not have met the requirements if more people had come to stay as per their plan. Because of the dense forest it is not always easy to find paths for walking, but if you persevere and reach the   top of the fort you will be rewarded with a panoramic view of the of different points of Matheran, the neighbouring hill-station.
Kalavanti Durg (Fort):

This fort is just opposite to Prabalgad. It is also visible from Mumbai-Pune highway. According to stories, the fort was built for a queen named Kalavanti. Steps leading up to the fort have been cut into the rock face of the hill. From the peak of this hill you can see Matheran, Chanderi, Peb, Ershal, and Karnala forts, and also the Mumbai city. The Adivasi People of Machi-Prabal village observe the custom of dancing on every Holi (Shimga) Festival at the top of Kalavantin  fort. These people have a long-standing relationship with this fort and it has become a part of their heritage. 

CONTACT US

Contact us

Dear Guest,

        Thanks for visiting our page, we are looking forward to see you at the Prabalgad and Kalavantin Durg Tour.

Please contact the following members if you require any further details :-Mr.Nilesh Bhutambara-    Mob:-08056186321 Dial with “zero"  (Inquiry, For All Informaton ) 

Mr.Sandip Bhasma-         Mob:-9028570190 ( Tour Guide )

Mr.Namdew Bhutambara-Mob:-9209461474 ( Hotel And Lodging Service )

Mr.Balu Bhutabmbara-    Mob:-8879473282  (Hotel And Lodging Service )

Mail-ID  :       kalavantinprabalgad@gmail.com

Mail-ID  :       neel.nilesh0506@gmail.com

Website   :        http://prabalgad.jigsy.com/ (More Information and Booking )

Blog       :         http://prabalgad.blogspot.com/ ( Blog In Marathi language)