Bhavangad Fort/Bhondgad

Bhavangad Fort, also known as Bhondgad, is a historic hill fort located about 3 kilometers from the village of Kelve in Palghar district, Maharashtra. Built in 1737 under the leadership of Chimaji Appa during the Maratha campaign against the Portuguese, the fort was constructed to help capture the nearby Fort Bassein and curb Portuguese control in the region.

The fort was made quickly using black basalt stones, sometimes without lime mortar, and served strategic purposes including guarding transport routes and monitoring surrounding areas. Although now in ruins, remnants like the bastions, outer walls, a temple dedicated to Bhavangadeshwar, and a rock-cut water cistern remain visible.

The fort has a west-facing entrance built in the Gomukhi style and is surrounded by natural beauty with mango and cashew trees nearby. It played a significant role in the 18th-century Maratha-Portuguese conflicts and was later captured by the British in 1818. The archeological and cultural significance, along with annual festivals at the temple, keep the historical legacy of Bhavangad alive.