Kavnai Fort

Kavnai Fort is a hill fort located near Kavanai village in Igatpuri Taluka of Nashik district, Maharashtra. It was originally built by the Mughals and later ceded to the Peshwas by the Nizam under a treaty following the Battle of Udgir in 1760. The British army captured it in the early 19th century without much resistance. The fort sits atop a small hillock with a roughly triangular shape and covers about 6 acres.

While much of it is in ruins today, notable features include a small pond near a temple dedicated to Goddess Kamakshi, remnants of old houses, bastions, and stone water cisterns. The ascent involves a steep final climb using rock-cut steps and a metal ladder. From the fort, visitors can enjoy panoramic views of nearby forts and mountain ranges like Kalsubai, Bhaskargad, Harihar, and Tringalwadi.

The fort is easily accessible from Igatpuri and serves as a popular trekking destination amidst the scenic Sahyadri hills. Historically and culturally, it is tied to the Maratha and Mughal eras, with the Kamakshi temple renovated by the Peshwas who also offered gold and silver ornaments to the deity, still used in festivals today.