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Udgir fort in Latur district in Maharashtra

Wednesday, November 22, 2017

Udgir Fort is located in Udgir city, in Latur district in Maharashtra.
After visiting Kharosa Caves we traveled after taking directions from Google maps to reach, Udgir city. It took us around 75 KM i.e around 2 hours to reach Udgir city. The time was now 8 PM on my watch. Now we had two things on our agenda. Place to sleep and eat for the night.
Udgir fort in Latur district in Maharashtra
Udgir city was like a oasis for our trip. it was self contained, there were banks, shops selling articles, eateries, hotels, railway station and ST bus stand here.
This structure is located near the entrance to Udgir fort
Sadly it was a night before Holi (Indian festival of colors),  due to the Govt. Guest being full, we couldn't get a place to stay there and hence we had stayed at Sai Residency. We paid Rs.800 for non AC rooms.
Chinese cusine at Hotel Famous in Latur
We then had dinner (Chinese Cusine) New Famous Hotel. The food was just perfect for us. After the Wai roadtrip, this is the second time we have had fantastic Chinese food on roadtrip.

Like Paranda fort, Ausa fort, Kandhar Fort, Udgir fort too has a moat around it. 
Fortification of Udgir fort in Latur district in Maharashtra

Fortification of Udgir fort in Latur district in Maharashtra
The next morning, we left for Udgir Fort. We reached the fort premises around 8 AM. As it was Holi (Indian festival of colors) the fort was closed. We were not aware of it. Once you enter Fort Maha Darwaza, there are two ways there, one leads to the fort (has metal Darwaza but under lock and key), the other leads to the Samadhi of Udgir Maharaj. The Samadhi is around 60 feet below sea level. There is a series of steps that lead to it. There is a small cave here and a huge well next to it. We were accompanied by a bunch of Police Inspectors and they advised us not to photograph the place.
Darwaza at Udgir fort in Latur district in Maharashtra
As there is a temple in the fort premises, entry to the temple is only allowed. We did check with a florist, he said to wait till 9 AM and check if the fort caretaker comes around. We might get lucky.
Structure at Udgir fort in Latur district in Maharashtra
The fort is open from 9 AM to 5PM all days. There is no entry fee. If it is a festival then need to check if the fort would be open.
Luck was by our side, the caretaker did come, we checked with him, he informed us that the fort would be closed as it was Holi. Bad news again. We did ask him, if we could make a exception for us as we had come from Mumbai to see this fort. To which he said that he needs to check with his Supervisor. We understood that we would have to bribe our way in the fort premises.
Cannon at Udgir fort in Latur district in Maharashtra
Cannon at Udgir fort in Latur district in Maharashtra
Luck was by our side again. We paid him Rs.100 to see the fort. We had the entire fort to ourselves.
Fortification and structures within Udgir fort in Latur district in Maharashtra
Like Paranda and Ausa fort, this is a land fort  with a moat around it for defense purposes. The fort has got two levels of fortification.
History states that this fort was built in the12th century by the Bahamani rulers. It has changed hands a couple of times after a series of battles.
Cannon at Udgir fort in Latur district in Maharashtra
We like always climbed up the walls to see the fort in entirety. The fort is in very good condition. Not sure if maintenance work has been carried out or not. There are a couple of structures within the fort premises also. They are not named nor the caretaker aware of their historical significance. The structures within the fort have grafitti all over them. Why do people love to spoil history, is something which I am not to get an answer to?
Bastion at Structure at Udgir fort in Latur district in Maharashtra
The bastions of the fort, had cannons with great artwork.
We also saw this structure which was painted white in color. It had Mughal styled architecture within it.. Sadly the white was covered with graffiti.
Structure at Udgir fort in Latur district in Maharashtra
The fort has got wells within it. Water from the same is not portable. We were also able to locate this miniature version step well. I have seen a similar step well at Badlapur too.
Structure at Udgir fort in Latur district in Maharashtra
Structure at Udgir fort in Latur district in Maharashtra
Pigeon House at Udgir fort in Latur district in Maharashtra
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Another interesting find was this structure painted in white, when we went inside, we understood that it was a Pigeon House. Meaning, pigeons from the areas around were kept here. When some news needed to be sent to the neighbouring areas, a pigeon which belonged to that area, was sent with the message tied to its leg. This is faster than POST too. This makes me think, how fast our ancestors were, we are smart today only due  to technology.
Structure at Udgir fort in Latur district in Maharashtra
Me, The caretaker, Manohar and a security guard at Udgir fort in Latur district in Maharashtra
After paying the bribe and taking a few group photos we then departed to see the next fort, Kandhar Fort. Udgir fort took us around 45 minutes to explore.
Structure at Udgir fort in Latur district in Maharashtra
Stepwell at Udgir fort in Latur district in Maharashtra

There is no provision for food and water on the fort premises, but it is available in plenty in Udgir city, a couple of minutes away from the fort. 

After exploring the fort we departed to Kandhar Fort.

That's Me at Udgir fort in Latur district in Maharashtra

NOTE: Please click on the words in large font in the blog to read about them. 

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