#8# Fort # Rang Mahal (Chandwada) (Ahilyabai Holkar)

 

MightyHikers

Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj & Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj ki jai.....

Indrai fort (Chandwad)

 

LOCATION: 244 kms from Mumbai, 282 kms from Pune, 79 kms from Nashik, 37 kms from Manmad. BEST TIME TO VISIT: September or you can travel any time throughout year.

 

Rang Mahal (Chandwada) (Ahilyabai Holkar)

Built by Maharani Ahilya Bai Holkar in the 18th century, the palace is located in Chandwad taluka surrounded by mountains.

 

The palace has famous network of subways to different popular locations like Goddess Renuka Temple and a well near Vinchur built by Maharani Ahilya Bai as a safe passage from enemy.

 

The Grandiose and magnificence of the Palace is exceptional and it is being restored structurally by State Archaeology Department. The premise also houses a stepwell and two in the north and south of the wada, both of which are around 20 by 20 metres.

 

It also has a huge old style warehouse that were used to store grains. The palace is known for its wood carved pillars and decorative facade. Chandwad region is also known for Chandraprabhu caves which holds a special importance in Jains. Other historical places located in Chandwad include Kala Ram Temple, Chandreshwar Temple, etc.

          

          

History:

Ahilyabai Holkar was the Rajamata and later the ruling queen of Indore within the Maratha Confederacy. She established Maheshwar (in Madhya Pradesh) as the seat of the Holkar Dynasty.

A beloved figure of Indian history, she is renowned for good governance, social welfare, and humanitarian work along with religious, educational, and cultural advancements.

 

 She contributed to the growth of Indian architecture through the commission of various temples, Ghats, and Dharmshalas. Ahilyabai's Matha, or charitable endowments, spread across India. Remembered as a Sadhvi, or holy woman,

 

After the deaths of her husband Khanderao Holkar, father-in-law Malhar Rao Holkar, and son Male Rao Holkar. Ahilyabai undertook the affairs of the Holkar dynasty. She defended Indore against invasions and personally led armies into battle, with her brother-in-law Tukoji Rao Holkar serving as her military commander.

How to reach Rang Mahal (Chandwada):

By Road:

 

Base Village for Rang Mahal Chandwada is Chandwada.

 

- Best route for folks from Mumbai and Pune would be from come to Nashik or Manmad.

 

- Take a bus from Manmad to Chandwad, will cost you Rs-50 and get down at Renuka Devi temple and form there you can start your trek to Chandwad fort.

Don’t forget to visit Renuka Devi temple, Chandreshwar temple in Chandwad town.

 

By Train: Manmad station which is around 24 kms.

 

By Air: Mumbai airport which is around 240 kms.

 

# Forts of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj & Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj ki jai.....

1.      https://mightyhikers.blogspot.com/2025/07/kothaligad-peth-fort-karjat.html (Budget Trip: 250 (Public transport).

2.      https://mightyhikers.blogspot.com/2025/07/dhak-bahiri-fort-kamshet.html

3.      https://mightyhikers.blogspot.com/2025/07/sarasgad-fort-pali.html

(Budget Trip: 400 (Public transport).

4.      https://mightyhikers.blogspot.com/2025/07/31-murud-janjira-fort-murud.html

5.      https://mightyhikers.blogspot.com/2025/07/vasota-fort-vyaghragad.html

6.      https://mightyhikers.blogspot.com/2025/06/29-fort-asherigad-fort-palghar.html

                      (Budget Trip: 200 (Public transport).

7.      https://mightyhikers.blogspot.com/2025/06/22-fort-mahuli-fort-bhandar-durg.html 

(Budget Trip: 200 (Public transport).

8.      https://mightyhikers.blogspot.com/p/28-fort-tringalwadi-fort-igatpuri.html

9.      https://mightyhikers.blogspot.com/p/visapur-fort-lonavala.html

10.  https://mightyhikers.blogspot.com/p/tung-fort-kathingad-lonavala.html

11.  https://mightyhikers.blogspot.com/p/tikona-fort-vitandgad-lonavala.html

12.  https://mightyhikers.blogspot.com/p/lohagad-fort-lonavala.html

13.  https://mightyhikers.blogspot.com/p/korigad-fort-lonavala.html

14.  https://mightyhikers.blogspot.com/p/mightyhikers-chhatrapati-shivaji_21.html

15.  https://mightyhikers.blogspot.com/p/nhavigad-fort-ratangad-fort-baglan.html

16.  https://mightyhikers.blogspot.com/p/bhaskargad-fort-nashik.html

17.  https://mightyhikers.blogspot.com/p/harihar-fort-harshagad-fort.html

18.  https://mightyhikers.blogspot.com/p/rajgad-fort-pune.html

(Budget Trip: 300 (Public transport).

19.  https://mightyhikers.blogspot.com/p/torna-fort-pune.html

           (Budget Trip: 300 (Public transport).

20.  https://mightyhikers.blogspot.com/p/ankai-and-tankai-manmad.html

(Budget Trip: 400 (Public transport).

21.  https://mightyhikers.blogspot.com/p/rang-mahal-chandwada-ahilyabai-holkar.html

(Budget Trip (Range Trek include Rang Mahal, Chandwad, Indrai and Rajdher Fort and camping): 700 (Public transport).

22.  https://mightyhikers.blogspot.com/p/indrai-fort-chandwad.html

23.  https://mightyhikers.blogspot.com/p/rajdher-fort-chandwad.html

24.  https://mightyhikers.blogspot.com/p/chandwad-fort-chandwad.html

25.  https://mightyhikers.blogspot.com/p/mightyhikers-chhatrapati-shivaji_22.html 

           (Budget Trip: 300 (Public transport).

26.  https://mightyhikers.blogspot.com/p/malhargad-killa-sonori-or.html

(Budget Trip: 150 (Public transport).

27.  https://mightyhikers.blogspot.com/p/chhatrapati-shahu-palacekolhapur.html