Information About Harishchandragad Fort

Ancient forts and monuments are the best source to peek into history. They are the living testimonial to architecture and carving art of our people. One of the oldest forts that is worth exploring is the Harishchandragad fort located in Ahmednagar, Mahrashtra. It's one of those few forts that have found a mention in Matsya Purana, Skanda Purana, and Angi Purana, ancient holy texts. The hillfort is believed to be built in the 6th CE by the Kalachuri dynasty.  Traces that lead to the microlithic man have been found here.

Place of Interest 

Harishchandragad fort is 4671 feet above the sea level. Its imposing structure and height made if formidable. The surrounding jungle with flourishing wild life also added to its strength.

Some attractions one shouldn't miss are:

Harishchandragad Pond

This is the fresh water pond that served the water needs of the occupants. What's amazing about this pond is the availability of water throughout the year. Until a few years ago, the water from the pond was potable, but due to the negligence of tourists, it has become contaminated. The water is cold even in the summer. At the bank of the pond are small temples where Lord Vishnu was worshiped.

Harischchandreshwara Temple 

Precision and creativity in carving can be best experienced by visiting this temple. Monolithic rocks were carved out for the construction of the temple.  The temple is 16m in height with caves and water ponds around it. River Mangal Ganga is believed to have originated from one of the ponds near the temple.

Kedareshwar Cave

There are several caves inside the fort with idols of Lord Vishnu built during the 11th century. Some are good for spending a night while others are filled with water.  The Kedareshwar cave is towards the right of Harishchandreshwara Temple. Inside the cave is a 5 ft. tall Shiva Linga surrounded by waist-deep ice-cold water.

There are a few sculptures carved in the cave. To make it a sanctum, four pillars touching to the ceiling of the cave are erected. Sadly, out of the four pillars, only one is standing firm. Legends say that the four pillars represent the four era and the broken three pillars testify the end of three. Eras. And when the fourth pillar too is broken, it would be the end of Kalyug, and eventually the end of the world.

Kokan Kada

This is the second highest point of the fort from where one can enjoy a panoramic view of the Konkan region. There is an overhang that attracts trekkers. One can literally see the cloud falling towards the pit falls and then being thrown up vertically at the height of 50 feet as if a wall of thick cloud is rising from the border of the cliff without touching the land.

Taramati Peak

This is the highest point of the fort also called as Taramanchi. It's at the elevation of 1429 metres from the sea level. A bird's eye view of the surrounding Naneghat and other forts near Murbad can be enjoyed from here. A glimpse of Siddhagad fort near Bimashankar and Napta twin peaks can be caught from Taramati Peak.

Shivaji Maharaj's Death - Myths and Actual Reasons

Before writing about Shivaji Maharaj's Death - myths and actual reasons. We would like to introduce our great king in few words.

It takes centuries for the God to create someone who can rule millions of hearts and leave behind a massive legacy for the people to be inspired for generations. When He finally succeeds, the person creates a history with his/her valour, foresightedness, ideas, beliefs, principles, chivalry, and secularism. One such persons that could easily fall in this league is none other than the most beloved Maratha warrior king fondly called Shivaji Maharaj. Born to Jijabai on February 19, 1627 in Pune, Shivaji Maharaj is a national hero pan-India and the only king who is deified by the people of Maharashtra. And why shouldn't he be considered a god given all that he did for the freedom of the state.

The Rise of a Legend

Shivaji Maharaj was greatly inspired by his mother, Jijabai, and his teacher, Dadaji Konddev. These two people were instrumental in making him the man of great virtue. It was their teachings that instilled in him good morals. Since childhood, his mother sowed the seeds of patriotism in him and motivated to be a great warrior who could protect the poor and fight against the tyrants. With the guidance and backing from his mother, he established a band of soldiers at the tender age of 12. At 15, he took an oath to establish Hindavi-Swarajya and gave it a shape by capturing the Torna fort at 16. Thereafter, he constructed and captured several forts to fulfill his oath.


Shivaji Maharaj's Death

There have been many controversies over Shivaji Maharaj's death. Several scholars and historians have different opinions. None of them have found any concrete evidence to affirm their speculations though. Some say he died from being ill with fever and dysentery, while others believe that he was poisoned by his ministers or most probably his wife, Soyarabai since she wanted her 10-year-old son, Rajaram to sit on the throne as Sambhaji, Shivaji's eldest son, was in Panhala fort, Kolhapur at the time of his death.

There are also rumours that powerful Brahmins along with some minister may have conspired against Shivaji Maharaj since he loathed casteism and wanted to abolish the age-old discriminatory systems. His ideas and concepts of secularism also didn't go well with the upper caste people. The Mughals also spread a rumour about a curse of the Sufi saint, Jan Muhammad of Jalna to be the reason for Shivaji Maharaj's death. But then cursing people is no way of attaining Sufism.

Date of Demise

Shivaji Maharaj breathed his last on 3 April 1680 in Raigad on Hanuman Jayanti at the age of 52. The reason for his death was quoted blood dysentery, which is a medical condition that arises after consuming contaminated food, or intake of poison mixed in food.

Conclusion 

Whether Shivaji Maharaj died of poisoning or from illness is tough or rather impossible to affirm it. More than his death, we should contemplate on the ideas and principles he lived by and be inspired to imbibe the same passion and love that he had for his state and country. He may be not around with us physically, but is and will remain alive in our hearts forever.