While wandering around the forts of Marathwada, we get to see very few forts except a few hill forts and the exceptional ground forts in each district. These forts and fortresses have been in good condition till recent times due to the rule of the Nizam in this area during the pre-independence period. In Hingoli district we can see a fortress on a small hill. Some of these forts are now being converted into temples as it becomes difficult for the owner of the fort to maintain these forts which are private property after the land is depleted. Kanifnath ground fort on the bank of Yedrai Dam at Holgira is one of them. This fort is known as Kanifnath Fort because of the Nathpanthi shrine inside this fort. Although this fort is in Hingoli district, it is more convenient to go there from Jintur in Parbhani district. ... The distance from Hingoli to Holgira is 60 km and the distance from Jintur to Holgira is 30 km. looking at the transport system in this area, one should preferably use a private vehicle to travel here. About 2 kms outside Holgira village, in the distance is the fort on the banks of the water bulge of Yedrai Dam. The total area of the fort is 5 acre and sometimes there are signs of a citadel outside the fort. The height of the ramparts is about 25 feet and the entire work of them is made of stone. There are four Gate in four directions to enter the fort and there are five bastions in total. Inside the door there are steps leading to the ramparts and one can walk around the entire fort from the ramparts. In the north-western part of the fort, overpasses are built along the coast and in one of these overpasses there is a subway leading out of the fort. In the center of the fort is a temple of Dattatraya resting on a stone arch and surrounding it are the Samadhi temples of Navnath. Apart from this, there is a Shiva temple inside the fort and Nandi is arranged on a stone porch in front of the temple. As the fort is located on a high ground, the surrounding villages and the water reservoir of Yedrai dam spread in the distance can be seen from here. Half an hour is enough to see the entire fort. Although the history of the fort itself is not known, according to the information given by the locals, the Razakar army of Nizam had camped in this fort during the Hyderabad independence struggle. The independent soldiers of the surrounding area resisted them and took control of the fort and chased them away.
© Suresh Nimbalkar