Mohandar(Shidaka)
Range
Satmaal
Altitude
1188m
Difficulty
Hard
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About Mohandar(Shidaka)
Discover Mohandar Fort (aka Shidka Fort) Part of the Satmaal Range (Nashik District), this is one of 18 forts spread East to West. Key Feature: The Needle Hole * Instantly recognizable by its unique needle hole\! * **Folklore:** Said to have been formed when Goddess Saptashrungi kicked the mountain or shot an arrow while chasing the demon Mahishasur near Vani. * **Science:** Formed by the erosion of the mountain’s weak parts. * **Climbing:** The needle eye can be climbed (requires gear, 40m rope minimum, 15m patch has proper holds).Location: * 13 km from Saptashrungi Fort * 5 km from Ahivantgad Fort2-Day Fort Itinerary (Private Vehicle): * **Day 1:** Visit Achala and Ahivant forts. * **Overnight Stay:** Maruti Temple (Daregaon village) OR Mohandari village ashram veranda. * **Day 2:** Visit Mohandar fort.
Best time to visit
Best Time to Go: Nov - Mar!
Places to See
Explore the Fort's Eastern side: remnants of the fortification wall are visible. Head West to find a large, non-potable water tank on the plateau. Western Edge: Look for a devastated wall structure and the needle eye hole below, marked by a saffron flag. Inside the Fort: Pass two dried water tanks near the eastern entrance. Further on, spot house structures and three more non-potable water tanks. A bastion and fortification wall sit in the cleft between the fort and the adjacent hill. Views from the Fort: * West: Ahivantgad * East: Kanhera * South: Saptashrungi, Markandya, Rawlya-Jawlya, Dhodap * North: Abhone village, Chanakapur damNearby Landmarks (Nanduri-Abhona road): * Near Mohandari village turn: 6 Veerghals (5' high each). * Mohandari junction: 4 Veerghals and a snake sculpture.
Journey & Transport
Time to Reach
2 hours from Mohandari Village
How to Reach
Get to the Fort! Access starts at the Mohandari village ashram. **Coming from Nashik:** Nanduri village is after Vani on the Nashik – Saputara road. Take the road from Nanduri towards Abhona. Look for the Mohandari village diversion 3.5 km from Nanduri. **3 Routes to the Fort (East-West Spread):**1. **Needle Eye Hole Climb:** Hike from the village to the 'needle eye hole.' Use proper climbing techniques to cross over. Continue with the hill on your right/valley on your left. (1.5 hours) 2. **Western Edge Trek:** Hike from the village to the 'needle eye hole,' then proceed to the western edge (hill right/valley left). Cross the pass to the village's opposite side. Continue with the hill on your right/valley on your left. *Note: Less-trailed route with scree and thorny bushes.* (2 hours) 3. **Eastern Cleft Entry:** From Mohandari village, head east to the cleft between the fort and the adjacent hill. Climb through the cleft to enter the fort from the eastern side. (1.5 hours)
Facilities
- StayStay: Mohandari Village Ashram Veranda Available.
- FoodFood: Nanduri Village (5 km)
- WaterFort tanks lack drinking water.