Bot at 19:42, 28 September 2022

2022-09-28T19:42:54Z

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{{unsourced|date=June 2018}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2018}}
{{Use Indian English|date=June 2018}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name = Dhodap
| native_name = धोडप
| settlement_type = Hill Fort
| image_skyline =
| image_alt =
| image_caption =
| nickname =
| image_map =
| map_alt =
| map_caption =
| pushpin_map = India Maharashtra
| pushpin_label_position =
| pushpin_map_alt =
| pushpin_map_caption =
| coordinates = {{coord|20|23|8.1|N|74|01|51.2|E|display=inline,title}}
| subdivision_type = Country
| subdivision_name = [[India]]
| subdivision_type1 = [[States and territories of India|State]]
| subdivision_name1 = [[Maharashtra]]
| subdivision_type2 = [[List of districts of India|District]]
| subdivision_name2 = [[Nashik]]
| subdivision_type3 = [[List of talukas of India|Taluka]]
| subdivision_name3 = [[Chandwad and kalwan]]
| established_title = 
| established_date =
| founder =
| named_for = Dhodambe
| government_type =
| governing_body =
| unit_pref = Metric
| elevation_footnotes =
| elevation_m = 1472
| footnotes =
| official_name =
}}

'''Dhodap''' ({{lang-mr|धोडप}}), is one of the hill forts in [[Maharashtra]] state in [[India]]. Situated in [[Chandwad]] taluka in the [[Nashik]] district. the fort is 4829 ft (1472 mt) above sea level. It is the site of the second highest fort in the Sahyadri mountains after [[Salher]]. Dhodap hill is the second highest hill peak in [[Maharashtra]] after [[Kalsubai]] and [[Salher]] and the 29th highest peak in [[Western Ghats]].

==Location==
The base village is called as Dhodambe from where one can start to climb the fort.

The fort is 55 km to the Nashik, about 3 km from Hatti Village, 16 km from [[Abhona]] in the [[Satmala]] range, Nasik region of [[Sahyadris]].

When travelling from Nashik to Malegaon on highway NH-3, one can see this fort from a distance, from villages Shirwade-Wani, Khadak-Jamb, Vadali-bhoi and Sogras. One simple route is Nashik to Wadali bhoi (50 km) and Wadali bhoi to Dhodambe (8 km). This fort is also accessible from village Hanmantpada in Devla taluka (15 km) which has simple and easy access to the fort. The fort is recognizable for its typical shape.

==Parts of the fort==
[[File:View of Dhodap from Otur.jpg|thumb|Dhodap from Otur]]
[[File:View of Dhodap from Hatti.jpg|thumb|Dhodap from Hatti]]
[[File:Cow of Stone.jpg|thumb|"Cow of stone"]]


The top of the fort was built using a combination of dressed stone and brickwork. There is a tank with an idol of Lord [[Hanuman]] and a tunnel 5m wide. The fort has a pointed cliff named Shembi. One can find caves at the base. One end of the fort shows a domical structure. The eastern face shows a fearsome cliff named [[Ikhara]] which is ideal for rock climbers.

One temple situated in one of the caves is in good condition. A few other caves are also seen around and are quite big in size. Also the trunk of Dhodap fort is in good condition.

One of the most interesting things is that there is a "cow of stone" moving inside this hill. It's heard by the peoples in the nearby villages that on every Vasubaras, this cow moves inside by the distance of four grains.

==History==
The fort played an important role during the [[Peshwa]] period. It was here that [[Raghobadada Peshwa]] hatched a plot against [[Madhavrao Peshwa]].

During return travel from the second invasion from Surat (1670 CE), Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj had visited here, presumably for keeping the treasure. A few days later, the battle of Dindori took place between the Maratha forces and Mughal forces.

==Tourism==
This fort is a good site for trekkers and adventurous tourists to visit. Accommodation can be arranged at the base village with the help of local villagers. Enough drinking Water is available at the top. However, carry enough water while climbing this fort.

===Routes===
One can climb the fort from two routes, from the Dhodambe village side and from the Deola side.
From [[Pune]] the route can be as Pune to Nashik (road/rail, 202 km) - Dhodambe (road, 40 km) - Hatti (road, 3 km).

==See also==
*[[List of forts in Maharashtra]]

{{Forts in Maharashtra}}

[[Category:Forts in Maharashtra]]
[[Category:Tourist attractions in Nashik]]

Dhodap - Revision history

Bot at 19:42, 28 September 2022