Sinhagad, the Lion Fort, stands on top of a steep hill near a telecommunications mast, is 24 km south-west of Pune and makes an excellent day trip from Pune. It was the scene of another of Shivaji's daring exploits. In 1670 Shivaji's general, Tanaji Malusre, led a force of men who scaled the steep hillside in the dark and defeated the unprepared forces of Bijapur. Legends about this dramatic relate that the Maratha forces used trained lizards to carry ropes up the hillside! There are monuments at the spot where Tanaji died, and also at the place where he lost his left hand before his death. Though the fort is largely ruined, there are a number of old bungalows up here, including one where Gandhi met the freedom fighter, Tilak, in 1915.

How to reach there:

The Pune city bus leaves for Sinhagad village very frequently.

Accomodations:

Hotel Sagar Plaza.

Hotel Blue Diamond.

Hotel Executive Asoka.