Salher Fort

Salher Fort

Height : 5141 Feet 

Fort Range : Balaghat

District : Nashik

Difficulty : Medium

HISTORY OF SALHER FORT :

Salher Fort came under the Swaraj after 1671. Later it was attacked by Mughals in 1672. The battle done for Salher fort is the most important battle which changed the views of all the kings by telling that the Maratha not just only able to fight by surprise attack known as Guerrilla Tactics but are also able to fight Face to Face. The battle was so Fierce that around 1 Lakh soldiers fought in which around 10,000 Maratha's lost there life, but made there name throughout history leading victory to Maratha's  & establishing the milestone to create Maratha Empire & increase its fame. 

The Mughals who were lead by Ikhlass Khan & Bahlol Khan who were send with a cavalry of around 20000 horses, Elephants & Camels with a total of around 50 to 60000 Mughal & Rajput men's were send to Salher to defeat Shivaji By Emperor of Delhi Aurangzeb, made there base camps under Salher fort. But with unmatched bravery & strategy maratha's attacked with under the leadership of Moropant Peshwe, Pratabrao Sarnaubat with head Sardars Anandrao Makagi, Vyankoji Datto, Rupaji Bhosale, Siddhoji Nimbalkar, Khandoji Jagtap, Godaji Jagtap, Santoji Jagtap, Manaji More, Visaji Bhallal, Mukund Bhallal, Nagnath & Suryaji Kakde with a army of around 30 to 40000 Maratha's, Salher Battle was won by Maratha's. It is said the battle caused dust to rise around 3 km high causing confusing between the troops by making unrecognizable to each other in battle.

But during the battle Sardar Suryaji Kakde was shot by a cannon & lost his life. After battle around 6000 horses & 700 camels, 150 elephants,Weapons & Gold ornaments & coins were captured Loot in the battle. Such big battle was never before won by Maratha's. Which later lead to capturing Mulher fort & establishing Maratha reign over all of Baglan region. 

Till 18th century fort was in Maratha Empire under Peshwa which later went to British Rule. 

WHATS THERE TO WATCH AT SALHER FORT :

1. Salher Fort is the highest Fort among all forts built in Maharashtra & the 2nd highest peak after Kalsubai in Sahyadri Range.
2. While climbing via Salherwadi route one might came across a stone idol of a person helding a Shield & Spear in both of his arm on the way, considered to be of Suryarao Kakade a brave soldier of Swaraj who lost his life being hit by a Cannon ball in the battle of Salher with Mughals.(Click Here to see the Image)
3. There are around 9 Entrance doors you will come across during the trek, 6 Entrance Door while Ascending from Salherwadi route & 3 Entrance doors while asending from Waghambe route. 
4. While climbing via Salherwadi route after passing through around 3rd entrance during climb you will come across water tanks and after 6th Doors you will come across A Yagna of Yagnadevi.(Click Here To see the Image)
5. Around 3 to 4 minutes from Yagnas you will come across Gangasagar Lake (Click Here To see the Image) near it you can find the roofless Temples of Renuka Devi & Ganesha.(Click Here To see the Image)
6. From lake a route leads to the top of the peak where you will come across a caves (Click Here To see the Image)& a Maruti temple in the cave(Click Here To see the Image), moving ahead at top you will come across Parshurama Temple at the toppest peak of the Fort consisting of his idol & Footsteps. (Click Here To see the Image)
7. From top o the peak one can see Baglan region as Fort was important for trade as it join the Dang, Baglan & Gujarat regions. To East one can see Mangi-Tungi Peaks, Dhamanya fort, Salota Fort, Hargad Fort, Mulher Fort, Moragad Fort & in North-East lies Haranbari Dam.
8. Now moving ahead from Gangasagar Lake you will come across two twin Water cisterns (Click Here To see the Image)some distance ahead you will come across a Door for decending which leads to Excavated caves in the rock which are supposed to be around 18 to 20 caves & two doors more, this route leads to Salota Fort & Waghambe village.

FACILITIES :

1. Water Facilities is available on the fort from water tanks & Gangasagar Lake.
2. One can stay in caves which are between 18 to 20 excavated in the rocks. 
3. Parking Facilities is not available via fort but mostly vehicles can be parked near the hotels at the base of the village.
4. Food Facilities is not available on Fort but can be arranged on the hotels at Salherwadi Village but still you have to carry the food to the Fort.

BEST TIME TO VISIT ON FORT :

Fort can be accessed in all months but Best time to visit the fort is before July and after the month of September. If you are planning to visit in rainy season just consider that the peak is most of the time covered in clouds so photographs or shooting of fort may depend on your Luck. 

HOW TO REACH SALHER FORT ? :

Salher Fort is situated near Salherwadi village, But it can also be reached via Waghambe village which lies before Salherwadi.

• To reach Fort via personnel vehicle-

1. From Mumbai - Kasara Mumbai Agra National highway - Satana - Taharabad - Waghambe Village - Salherwadi Village.
2. From Gujarat - Daang - Taharabad - Waghambe Village - Salherwadi Village.

• To Travel Via public Transport-

There are no direct buses to reach Salher village. So you have to take it by route by route.

1. First reach Taharabad via S.T. Bus. If traveling from Mumbai/ Pune you have to Take Bus from Nashik to Taharabad via Satana.
2. Then take Bus or Jeep From Taharabad via Mulher village to Waghambe village.

TIME REQUIRED TO COMPLETE THE TREK :

Salher Fort is climbed via 2 routes-

1. From Salherwadi village which is considered to be tiring, but this route is best for the ones who want to do 2 day trek of Salher & Salota Fort which is right next to Salher fort. 
2. From Waghambe village which comes before Salherwadi village. One can climb Salher Fort within 2 - 3 hours via this route.

CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE IMAGES OF SALHER FORT