BHAVANI MATA TEMPLE PRATAPGARH MAHABALESHWAR MAHARASHTRA

At a distance of 25 kms from Mahabaleshwar stands the majestic Pratapgadh housing the tomb of Afzalkhan at the toe of the fort. There is a temple of bhavani mata, the idol of worship of King Shivajiraje Bhosle. There is a statue of Shivaji Maharaj inside the fort called Bale killa. The Fort is the place from where the history of the Maratha Emperor Shivaji turned into a decisive course. This is here that Afzal Khan met his death. The Pratapgarh Fort is 900 m above sea level. It is 24 km west of Mahabaleshwar. The fort from a distance gives the appearance of a round topped hill. The wall of the lower fort forms a sort of a crown round the brow. The Fort was built in 1656 and it is a maze of ponds, chambers and long dark paths. Some of the paths lead to trap doors and the doors open to a 100 meter fall.
Pratapgarh Fort.