Visapur is Lohagad’s bigger, higher and quieter twin. It sits on the same plateau above Malavli near Lonavala, about 1,084 m high, and was built by the first Peshwa, Balaji Vishwanath, between 1713 and 1720 to guard Lohagad. From Bhaje village the climb takes about 2 hours, and the fort’s long ramparts take at least as long again to walk.
Why Visapur matters
Visapur was built much later than Lohagad, but the two forts share one story. Under the Treaty of Purandar in 1665 this hill went to the Mughals. In 1713 Kanhoji Angre took it, and in about 1720, after talks with Peshwa Balaji Vishwanath, he handed the forts of the area to Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj. The present fortifications of Visapur date from this time.
Being higher than Lohagad was meant to be its strength. In the end it was Lohagad’s undoing. On 4 March 1818, British troops took Visapur, set up their guns on it and shelled Lohagad, and the Marathas abandoned Lohagad the next day. The British then blew up Visapur’s gates and spiked its cannon so it could never be used again.
How to reach Visapur
- By train: to Malavli on the Pune–Lonavala local line. Bhaje village is about 2 km from the station.
- By road: take the Malavli exit and drive to Bhaje village, about 65 km from Pune and 105 km from Mumbai.
The routes
| Route | Start | Time to the top | What it is like |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bhaje | Bhaje village | About 2 hours | The most popular route; shorter but more adventurous, with water running down the path in the monsoon |
| Gaimukh Khind | The col between Lohagad and Visapur | About 45 minutes | Best if you have just climbed Lohagad |
| Patan | Patan village | About 2.5 hours | A longer jungle walk |
What to see on Visapur Fort
- The ramparts. Visapur is huge. Walking the whole fort takes 2 hours or more.
- The blasted gates. What is left of the gateways the British destroyed in 1818.
- The spiked cannon. The British hammered nails into its barrel when they left.
- Rock-cut cisterns, guardhouse foundations and the citadel hillock.
- The view of Lohagad. Stand on the side facing Lohagad and you can see exactly why the British gun position worked.
Tips for your visit
- Start early, especially on monsoon weekends.
- Carry plenty of water. There is little shade on the plateau.
- Wear shoes with grip for the wet rock on the Bhaje route.
- Do not climb waterfall sections in heavy rain.
- No litter, no writing on walls.
Places near Visapur
- Lohagad Fort, its twin, a UNESCO World Heritage fort.
- Karla Caves, across the valley, with the great prayer hall.
- Bhaja Caves, at the foot of the Bhaje route, in my list of caves near Pune.
