Discovering historical places to learn about the truth and beauty of a country has interested me for years. As I was a new resident of the lovely city of Pune, my friends and colleagues suggested me to visit the famous Pratapgad Fort. Located in the Satara District of Maharashtra, this hotspot had witnessed the well-known Battle of Pratapgad, fought between Maharaja Shivaji and Afzal Khan. The fort was built to defend the banks of River Nira, River Koyna and the Par Pass. The saffron flag at the fort proudly indicates the reign of the Maharaja Shivaji-led Maratha Empire in the bygone days. Lying at a distance of 140 kilometres from Pune and a height of 1080 metres above sea level, the Pratapgad Fort was everything a traveller can expect from a ‘fort’. The majestic and imposing structure of this monument was simply awe-inspiring. The outstanding scenery you get to see from the top of this fort is mind-blowing, to say the least. The best time to visit the Pratapgad Fort is post the monsoons! The cool breeze accompanied with lush surrounding greenery will win your heart. Enjoy the bird’s eye view of two beautiful Indian villages as well.
Situated at a convenient distance from the Pratapgad Fort is ‘Shivkalin Khedegaon’. This fantastic museum and a ‘hidden gem’ highlights the traditional village life existing during Maharaja Shivaji’s reign. The permanent exhibition features life-like statues of people belonging to diverse trades. Furthermore, there are statues of children playing games, domestic animals and lots more! I could explore the old-style house of the village head constructed in those times. Thankfully, photography is permitted in Shivakalin Khedegaon, so I ended up taking innumerable remarkable pictures! Some of which are visible on my Instagram account: https://www.instagram.com/ad.travelust/ . The entry fee proves to be quite reasonable for the experience you get inside! After spending an hour in the museum and realizing how creative can an artist be, I headed back to Pune with a travel-centric satisfied feeling.
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