Padargad

Padargad is a small fort east of Karjat, once used to keep watch. Little is known of its past. Local people say it was more a signal post than a fort, used to track enemy movement along the Ganapati Ghat road, and it may have guarded the Maval area of the Maratha country. Records say Aurangzeb built it, together with Tungi fort, while capturing Kothaligad.

It lies on the Bhimashankar trek route, but its height and difficult ascent keep most trekkers away. From the base village of Khandas, 31 km from Karjat, the Ganpati Ghat path leads to the hamlet of Padarwadi, and from there a narrow track runs south to the pinnacle. The last section, a narrow gully locally called the chimney, is attempted only by experienced climbers with proper gear. The fort has a large cave and a few dry rock-cut cisterns, and the slender peak is known as Kalavantin's pinnacle.