Narayangad Fort | Junnar | Gadachi Wadi Khodad | Narayangaon | Easy trek in Pune

Fort Type: Mountain Fort

Fort Height: ~2850 ft

Location: Junnar Taluka, Pune

Base Village: Gadachi Wadi (Khodad)

Time (Base to Fort): 30 minutes

Trek Category: Easy

Endurance Level: Low

Nearest Railway Station: Pune

Date: 25 February 2024

How to reach Narayangad Fort of Junnar

Jai Shivray, today's journey will be to Narayangad Fort in Junnar. I had started from Pune-Kharadi. The distance is about 90 kilometers. I had started alone. Via Shikrapur, Malthan, I reached directly at the base of the fort, that is, at Gadachiwadi-Khodad. The fort is only 11 km away from Narayangaon bus stand. The vehicle goes directly to Mukai Devi Temple at the base, and there is also a parking space nearby. 

Mukai Devi Temple

I took darshan of Goddess Mukai, parked the bike, and started the trek.

Fort Exploring

The entire path to the fort is made of steps, more than half of which are newly constructed steps, and the last stage also has stone-carved steps. Before reaching the fort, I saw a path going to the right. I stopped for a while to have someone with me, and at exactly the same time, a trekker friend, Praful, who had come to see the fort, also wanted to go the same way.

Devdatt Cave

We both took the path on the right side with some caution, because the path was a bit difficult. There is Devdatt Cave. After seeing the cave, we came back on the path of the carved steps. We shared some experiences with each other, chatted, and then Praful went down. I walked a few more steps and reached the fort. The fort extends east-west. I first went east. On the way, I saw some water tanks and a group of tanks. 

Water Tanks

There is also a tomb (samadhi) sculpture nearby. I headed towards the high part on the eastern side. A saffron flag has been planted at the very end.

Samadhi Sculpture

I came back to the middle of the fort. Now I headed towards the western side. Here too, I saw some water tanks and some historical and construction remains on the way.

Water Tanks

Historical Remains

Seeing that, I headed towards the Hastmata Devi temple situated at the highest point of the fort. I found this to be the only place in the entire fort that had shade. I had darshan of the goddess and sat there for some time.

Hastmata Devi Temple

After seeing the beautiful view of the surrounding area, I started my return journey. I reached the base again in ten to fifteen minutes.

Click here, Narayangad, to watch the YouTube video of this trek.

Click here Pune to read other blogs from the Pune district.

Marathi Version

Jai Shivray