Dhodap
| Dhodap धोड़प | |
|---|---|
| Hill Fort | |
  Dhodap | |
| Coordinates: 20°28′40″N 73°55′30″E / 20.47778°N 73.92500°ECoordinates: 20°28′40″N 73°55′30″E / 20.47778°N 73.92500°E | |
| Country | India |
| State | Maharashtra |
| District | Nashik |
| Taluka | Kalwan |
| Named for | Dhodambe |
| Elevation | 1,472 m (4,829 ft) |
Dhodap (Marathi: धोड़प), is one of the hill forts in Maharashtra state in India. Situated in Kalwan taluka in the Nashik district. the fort is 4829 ft (1472 mt) above sea level. It is the site of the second highest fort in the Sahyadri mountains after Salher. Dhodap hill is 3rd highest hill peak in Maharashtra after Kalsubai and Salher and 29th highest peak in Western Ghats.
Location
The base village is called as Dhodambe from where you can start to climb the fort.
The fort is 42 km to the Nashik, about 3 km from Hatti Village, 16 km from Abhona in the Satmala range, Nasik region of Sahyadris.
When you are travelling from Nashik to Malegaon on highway NH-3, you can see this fort from distance, from villages Shirwade-Wani, Khadak-Jamb, Vadali-bhoi and Sogras. One simple route is Nashik to Kalwan (70 km) and Kalwan to Otur (8 km). The fort is recognizable for its typical shape.
Parts of the fort
The top of the fort was built using a combination of dressed stone and brickwork. There is a tank with an idol of Lord Hanuman and a tunnel 5m wide. The fort has a pointed cliff named Shembi. You can find caves at the base. One end of the fort shows a domical structure. The eastern face shows a fearsome cliff named Ikhara which is ideal for rock climbers. One Temple situated in one of the caves is in good condition. Few other caves are also seen around and are quite big in size. Also Trunk of Dhodap fort is in good condition.
One of the most Interesting thing we came across is that there is "Cow of stone" moving inside the this hill. It's hear by the peoples in the nearby villages that on every "Vasubaras", this Cow moves inside by the distance of 4 grains.
History
The fort played an important role during the Peshwa period. It was here that Raghobadada Peshwa hatched a plot against Madhavrao Peshwa.
During return travel from 2nd invasion from Surat, Ch. Shivaji had visited here, presumably for keeping the treasure. Few days later, the battle of Dindori took place.
Tourism
This fort is a good site for trekkers and adventurous tourists to visit. Accommodation can be arranged at the base village with the help of local villagers. very little Water is available at the top. Therefore, carry enough water while climbing this fort.
Routes
One can climb the fort from two routes. One from Dhodambe village side and other from Deola side. From Pune the route can be as Pune to Nashik (road/rail, 202 km)- Dhodambe (road, 40 km) - Hatti (road, 3 km).
simpal route from otur tal kalwan dist nashik nashik to kalwan 72 km kalwan to otur 8 km