PRATAPGAD FORT

Made famous by the Maratha leader Shivaji, the fort, built in 1656, was the scene of a decisive encounter between the latter and Afzal Khan, a general dispatched by the Ahmednagar ruler to subdue the rebel. Afzal Khan was killed in the clash and Shivaji became a significant force in the political power of the time. The temple of Goddess Bhavani is located on the eastern side of the lower fort. It consists of a hall and an altar. The latter, made of black stone, is the image of the goddess and is surmounted by a small spire, or shekhar.