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{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2017}}
{{Use Indian English|date=July 2017}}
{{Infobox military installation
| name = Kalavantindurg
| native_name = कलावंतीन
| partof = Maharastra
| location = [[Raigad District]], [[Maharashtra]]
| image = Kalavantinicha Durga.jpg
| image_size = 300px
| caption = Kalavantin Durg
| pushpin_map =India Maharashtra#India
| pushpin_mapsize =300
| pushpin_map_caption =Shown within [[Maharashtra]]
| coordinates = {{coord|18.982840|N|73.219892|E|type:mountain_region:IN_scale:100000|format=dms|display=inline,title}}
| type = Hill fort
| code =
| height = 686 M(2250 Ft)
| ownership = Government of India
| controlledby = [[File:Flag of the Maratha Empire.svg|border|33x30px]] [[Maratha Empire]] (1657) <br>{{flagicon|India}} [[Government of India]] (1947-)
}}
'''Kalavantin Durg''' is a {{convert|2250|ft|m|0|abbr=on}} high summit located in the [[Western Ghats]], near the [[Prabalgad]] fort in the [[Raigad district]] of [[Maharashtra]], India. It is also known as Kelve Teen, Kalavantinicha Sulka, or Kalavantin [[pinnacle (geology)|Pinnacle]]; alternative transliterations include Kalawantin, Kalavati, and Kalavanti. It is a popular trekking destination.

== History ==
There is a series of steps leading to the top of the pinnacle, but little is known about the history of structure. According to local guides, it was built for a queen called Kalavantin in the 15th century, around the same time as the neighbouring Prabalgad.<ref name="Amrita_2017"/>

In Marathi language the word "Durg" means fort. Although it is called as "Kalavantin Durg", there is no fort. Kalavantin is a pinnacle which was used by the ruler to have watch on surrounding area.

<gallery caption="Rock-cut steps of the Kalavantin Durg" mode="packed">
Kalavantin viewed from Prabalgad (6780831661).jpg
... Kalavantin Durg (6780844175).jpg
Kalavantin Durg (6780448549).jpg
KALAVANTIN DURG (FORT).jpg
... Kalavantin Durg (6780844745).jpg
</gallery>

== Trekking ==
The trek to the top of the Kalavantin Durg is considered one of the most challenging ones in the [[Western Ghats]]. The summit is accessible via a 3 km (2 mile) hike from the Thakurwadi village in [[Karjat]] [[taluka]]. After Prabalmachi village (2 km; 1¼ miles from Thakurvadi), the hike route diverges into two paths: the shorter one towards Kalavantin Durg, and the longer one towards [[Prabalgad]] fort.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.cntraveller.in/story/11-monsoon-treks-around-mumbai-and-pune/ |title=11 monsoon treks around Mumbai and Pune |author=Pranjali Bhonde |publisher=[[Condé Nast Traveller]] |date=13 June 2017 }}</ref> The route to the Kalavantin top is a roughly 60-degree incline, and involves climbing rock-cut steps that are as high as 2 feet.<ref name="Amrita_2017">{{cite news |url=https://www.livemint.com/Leisure/GDI5oyEOs5HuW8rv1agIbL/Mumbai-to-Karjat-Hike-in-the-wilderness.html |title=Mumbai to Karjat: Hike in the wilderness |author=Amrita Das |newspaper=Mint |date=30 March 2017 }}</ref>

=== Accidental deaths of trekkers ===
In December 2016, 27-year old Hyderabad-based trekker Rachita Gupta Kanodia died during a trek to Kalavantin Durg and Prabalgad. Her body was found around 10 days after her death. She had earlier climbed the Kalavantin Durg in September, and is suspected to have fallen off from the Prabalgad peak.<ref name="Rachita_2016">{{cite news |url=https://www.mid-day.com/articles/hyderabad-trekker-found-dead-panvel-peak-mountain-climber-prabalgad-fort-kalavantin-durg-news/17810195 |title=Trekker from Hyderabad found dead at Panvel peak |publisher=[[Mid-Day]] |date=10 December 2016 }}</ref>

In February 2018, 27-year old Pune-based trekker Chetan Dhande fell to death while 15 feet away from the top of the Kalavantin Durg.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/pune/student-dies-after-falling-into-gorge-at-prabalgad-fort/articleshow/62867630.cms |title=Student dies after falling into gorge at Prabalgad fort |author=Umesh K Parida |newspaper=The Times of India |date=10 February 2018 }}</ref> Several other climbers witnessed his fall, and his body was discovered nearly four hours later.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/pune-news/pune-trekker-dies-after-falling-into-700-ft-gorge-in-panvel/story-uGr1aHNto3VLg5oHXU5pBM.html |title=Pune trekker dies after falling into 700-ft gorge in Panvel |author=Ashish Phadnis |newspaper=Hindustan Times |date=10 February 2018 }}</ref>

After Dhande's death, the local administration instituted new rules to ensure safety of the trekkers. According to the new rulers, each trekker had to register with the administration by paying an entry fee of {{INR}} 20, and providing their personal details. No entry was allowed in the area during dark hours of 5pm-6am. During other hours, the entry was allowed only when accompanied by a local guide, which would cost {{INR}} 50. The administration trained 50 local villagers as guides. The trekkers were also banned from using plastic bags or plastic bottles.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/pune-news/now-if-you-want-to-trek-to-prabalgad-kalavantin-forts-near-pune-you-have-to-follow-these-strict-rules/story-5B2ceWbVYAnEQ2yJkh9sTK.html |title=Now, if you want to trek to Prabalgad, Kalavantin forts near Pune, you have to follow these strict rules |author=Ashish Phadnis |newspaper=Hindustan Times |date=2 July 2018 }}</ref>

== References ==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* {{commons category-inline}}
* [http://gigapan.com/gigapans/171386 250 Megapixel image of Kalavantin].

[[Category:Hills of Maharashtra]]
[[Category:Forts in Raigad district]]
[[Category:Rock formations of India]]

Kalavantin Durg - Revision history

Bot at 10:37, 1 February 2022