1. Sudhir Bhau wrote, “Torch Mohatsav is organized during Navratra festival at Pratapgad of Shivray. Thousands of Mavals light torches on the fort in the heavy rain. Sudhir Nazare captured some moments of paying homage to Maharaj by playing drums.” You see sunrise pic. Pranams to Surya.
2. U see the mavals playing drums outside temple i.e. inside the fort. Note light torches. Pratapgarh Fort is 24 kms from Mahabaleshwar, about an hour’s drive. “The famous minister Morepant Pingale on the command of Shivaji Maharaj to control the rebellious satraps of the surrounding Javali Basin built Pratapgad Fort in 1656.” Fort has a Tulja Bhavani Mandir.
3. Panoramic view of celebrations. Fort is at a height of 3,543 feet. “It is believed that Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj was blessed with a shining sword at the temple of Goddess Bhavani here.”
4. Pranams to Bhavani Devi.
5. From this point the Marathas kept a watch on the approaching enemy. Right of pic see road that takes u to the fort and cars parked. It was monsoon time so cloudy.
6. A view of the watch point from the bottom of the hill. Top of fort is a statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. “Pratapgad consists of two forts - an upper fort built on the top of the hill and a lower fort immediately below on the south and the east. Surrounding areas can be easily taken guard from the fort on almost all the sides.” There is a Mahadev Mandir in the upper fort.
7. Close up of watch point. Get a great view from here.
8. Enjoy the clouds, awesome.
9. Sunset time, higher point of fort.
10. View from fort. In the monsoons the whole area is super, worth visiting.