While wandering around the forts of Yavatmal district, small forts like Raver, Kayar, Durg, Kalamb can be seen but these forts are not mentioned anywhere. Locals know this fort but others are unfamiliar with it. The main reason these forts are unfamiliar is that the nearby passes have been destroyed or are on the verge of being destroyed. One such fort, which is getting destroyed with the passage of time, can be seen in Durug village near the town of Kalamb taluka. Kalamb town on the Yavatmal-Nagpur highway is 23 km from Yavatmal city. Durug is a small village with a population of 30-35 houses at a distance of about 1 km from the city. There is a small dam about 1 km behind this village. If you have a private vehicle, you can reach this dam. ... There is a temple of Maruti in the forest within 2 km from the wall of this dam. As the villagers walk to this temple, there is a dirt road to get there. Except during monsoons, a jeep like vehicle goes to this temple. It takes half an hour to cover this 3 km distance without a vehicle. A winding path leads from this temple to the Durug fort on the neighboring hill. Due to the movement of villagers to and from the temple on the fort, a path is formed. As this area is densely forested and wild animals abound, one should not attempt to visit this fort alone. Also, since it is a forest area, it is necessary to get the local guides from the village. After 10 minutes on the way to the temple, we reach the ruined gate of the fort. Due to the dense forest surrounding the fort, this fort is divided into both ground and forest fort types. Before entering the fort, on the left side of the road, a rampart made of stone can be seen. Our entrance to the fort is through this narrow path from the west. Instead of the door, we see only the stones of the arch. As the fort ceased to be used long ago, the ramparts have turned into rubble. Although the ramparts have fallen into ruins, this rampart remains and is on all sides of the fort. The premises of the fort are spread across about 30 acres. A trench has been created at that place. There are bastions in some places in the fort and they are also made of stone. The path leading from the door leads us to the Jagadhami temple. In some places this temple is mentioned as Bhavani temple. There are some stone carvings in the temple premises and the construction of the temple shows that it is ancient. At present there is no water facility anywhere in the fort but there is a big water well at a distance outside the fort behind the temple. One hour is enough to see the entire fort. The history of the fort is not available anywhere. The information about the fort is read as follows. There was a fort of Gondaraja at Kalamb. Kalamb was invaded by Mughal Sultans. In it, the entire fort was destroyed by slaughter, torture, looting. Besides, in an old document written by Moreshwar Kunthe, there is a fort near Kalamb. Records of Bhavani being a Hemandpanti temple are found here.
© Suresh Nimbalkar