Harishchandragad in Akole Taluka of Ahmednagar district is a favorite fort of the fort lovers. Kunjargad (Kombadgad), Bhairavgad (Kothale), Kaladgad, Bhairavgad (Shirpunje) forts were built in ancient times to keep an eye on the various routes leading to this fort. These forts were built surrounding Harishchandragad. Out of these four forts, Bhairobagad aka Bhairavgad was built on the main road from Kothale village in Nagar district from Harishchandragad to Tolarkhind. Considering the overall structure of the fort, this fort must be contemporary with Harishchandragad. A tributary of the Sahyadri runs east from Malshejghat. This mountain range is known as Balaghat. Starting from Harishchandragad, this line divides Pune and Ahmednagar districts. In this range, Bhairobagad aka Bhairavgad fort is located east of Harishchandragad. ... Kothale village at the foothills of this fort can be reached from Mumbai via Malshejghat via Otur-Bamanwada-Kotul-Vihir or Mumbai-Ghoti-Bhandardara via Rajur fork. There are five hills to the west of Kothale village, the first of which is Kothale, the second and third are unnamed hills, the fourth is Bhairobagad and the fifth is Gadhvacha Dongar. Bhairavgad is the chariot of God and the hill next to it is the donkey that pulls the chariot. Bhairoba on Bhairavgad is the deity of the local people and this fort is known as Bhairobagad in the local region. Every year in the month of Chaitra, there is a pilgrimage to Bhairobagad. As Bhairobagad Kalsubai - Harishchandragad is in the sanctuary area and devotees come to the fort, the forest department has made necessary facilities at the fort. Iron ladders and ramparts have been installed at some of the dangerous places. From Kothale village, an unpaved road built by the forest department leads to Tolar gorge. At the foot of the fort, there is a rusted sign pointing towards Tolarkhind, and next to it, the forest department has put up a big sign saying “Harishchandragad Kalsubai Sanctuary”. A little further along this road is a cement shelter built by the forest department on the left. In front of the shelter is an idol of a local deity under a tree. From here a steep footpath leads through the fields to the forest of the mountain. After entering the forest through this path, you have to climb up the ruined stairs. The dense forest has been formed right from the beginning of the footpath to the very top of the fort. In about half an hour we reach the steep steps of the fort. The forest department has installed a small ladder en route. When you go up this ladder, there is a water cistern on the left side of the sidewalk. The water in it is drinkable. After seeing this cistern and climbing the stairs for about 5 minutes, you can see another cistern carved in the rock. There is a broken cistern next to it and the forest department has built two benches in it. In front of this cistern, there are some steps built and a big ladder. At the foot of the ladder, which is about forty feet high, you can see the carved steps. After climbing this ladder and going a little further, we cross another small ladder and reach the top of the fort. The top of the fort is narrow and is spread over 3 acres from south to north. On entering the fort, on the right side, there is a square structure with Bhairoba idol on it. Beside it is some idols and hero stone and in front, there are 2 water cisterns carved in the rock. Behind these cisterns are two stone deepmaal. The forest department has installed iron fences in dangerous places. From here, Harishchandragad and the Taramati peak above it are visible. On the left side of the fort, there are five joint cisterns carved in the rock, and in front, there is a Gadhvacha Dongar higher than Bhairavgad. At the end of Bhairavgad between these two hills, some remnants of fortifications can still be seen. This is where your fort round ends. It takes about half an hour to see the fort. From Bhairavgad, Kunjargad aka Kombad fort, Balubai Dongar, Karkai Parvat, Harishchandragad, and Tolarkhind, Bhairavgad of Shirpunje, Ghanchakkar Dongar and Pabargad are visible. There is no facility to stay on the fort but it is possible to stay in the temple in Kothale village. Bhairavgad is mentioned in history, but there are six to seven forts of the same name, making it difficult to refer to it in history.
© Suresh Nimbalkar