Vishalgad Fort, Kolhapur, Maharashtra India

Vishalgad also is called Khelna or Khilna was one of the important forts of Shivaji and Maratha Empire. The name ‘Vishalgad’ meaning grand fort in Marathi, was given by Shivaji after annexing it for the Maratha Empire in 1659.The fort is about 1130 metres that is 3630 feet.

How the fort is known to people as place of Malik Raihan Dargah. A Sati Mandir is there in memory of Ambadevi the queen of King Rajaram I , who burned as Sati after the death of her husband. The Samadhi or tomb of great warrior Baji Prabhu Deshpande who fought until death with Siddi Masood, commander of Adilshaha who was perusing Shivaji at the time when he escaped from siege of Siddi to fort Panhala and was rushing to Vishalgad.

He was about to capture Shivaji in Ghod Khind, a narrow pass 15 km short of Vishalgad Baji Prabhu stood there as a wall. Siddi succeeded to pass the Khind only after his death, by the time Shivaji was reached Vishalgad. Baji Prabhu alongwith his brother Fulaji who also killed that time were cremated here afterwards. Regular bus service is there from many cities in nearby area.

Vishalgad Fort includes several temples and other buildings inside its premises. However most of these buildings are in a ruined condition at present. Some of the temples are Shri Nrusinha Temple, Amruteshwar Temple and Sati`s Vrindavan. The fortress also includes samadhis dedicated to Phulaji Prabhu Deshpande and Baji Prabhu Deshpande who served valiantly under Chatrapati Shivaji. The tomb or dargah of Hazrat Malik Raihan is also located in the vicinity of Vishalgad Fort.