Description:
Escape to the hills. Just 20 kms from the industrial city of Kolhapur, Panhala provides the ideal get-away as a hill station. This imposing fort, is built 400m above plain on the Sahyadri mountains. With its hoary heritage, Panhalgad provides the right locale. It was from here that Shivaji beleaguered for over four months, escaped one rainy night to Vishalgad, while his faithful general Baji Prabhu Deshpande laid down his life holding down the forces of Sidi Johar at a narrow pass, since christened Pavankhind.
About 76 km northwest of Kolhapur is Vishalgad, situated on a mountain. The road passes through thick wood. The fort is separated by a deep narrow river. It is a vast fort as the name suggests and its steep cliffs separate it from adjoining land, making it nearly impeccable to win over. Today, the fort is known to people as a place of Malik Raihan Dargah.
