Type                               Bankot is a hill fort.     

Difficulty level              Bankot is easy to trek in Ratnagiri. 

Height                           Bankot is 300 ft (91 mtrs) above sea level.     

Base village / District / Taluka -  Bankot / Ratnagiri / Madangad, Maharashtra, India.

Despite the fact that a steady history about Bankot or Bankot post is even now escaping us and the cause of this fortress is still speculative, a concise history can at present be followed about this stronghold.

The stronghold was known to be under the control of Adilshahi and later in 1548, the Portuguese took control over it. Later, Marathas, under the capable authority of the extraordinary Kanhoji Angre took control over Bankot.

They rechristened the fortification as Himmatgad. It is a chronicled spot in light of the fact that it was the first residency in the Southern piece of Konkan shoreline of British in the year 1756 Bankot turned into the piece of Bombay Presidency.

Bankot post is the fundamental fascination here. Separated from this notable fortress the adjacent town of Velas town can be a treat to your eyes.
The genuine inventor of this fortress is not known to anybody yet it has remaining here for quite a while what is known is that it was under the responsibility until mid-sixteenth century and after that in the year 1548 Portuguese caught this fortification from Adilshahi tradition as Portuguese were reinforcing all through the coastline.

At the same time, Marathas then battled with the Portuguese and assumed control over the fortress under the courageous pioneer named Kanhoji Angre. The Marathas renamed the post as Himmatgad. After Angre for quite a while, the fortress went under the control of the British because of some inward partition and the stronghold was again named Fort Victoria by the British.

Yet when the British saw no profits to hold the responsibility for stronghold as far as business or decision they provided for its proprietorship again to Peshwas. Because of its area, this spot could never witness any critical recorded occasions amid its lifetime aside from seeing different ownerships.

If we see the structure of the fortress it is fit as a fiddle. There a well in the premises that is said to be profound. Like different fortifications in the area this post likewise has a fabulous door entryway enlivened with various outlines.

As you enter the door you move ahead to a patio that is said to be the spot where execution by performers performed for the leader of the stronghold. Presently the remaining parts of the fortress can be investigated as a large portion of the structure is currently harmed because of its age, absence of upkeep and use.

Time to reach the top

It takes around 1 hour from the base village.

Minimum Duration 

1 day.

Best time to visit the fort

Any time you can visit Bankot fort.

Water Availability 

No, water is not available on Bankot fort.

Accommodation Availability

No, shelter is not available on Bankot fort.

Ganesh temple, carvings, Water tanks, Nagarkhana, Ramparts, Bastions we can also see the secret door near the Bastion.

Way from Pune to Bankot Fort

Pune to Bankot By Bus

From Pune there are ST (State Transport) buses / Volvo buses available to Mangaon, which is 153 kms from Pune, it takes 2 hrs 40 min from Pune, From Mangaon there are buses or private transport available to reach Bankot village, which is 87 kms from Mangaon. 

Pune to Bankot By Train

From Pune junction there is train available to Mangaon, which is 197 kms from Pune junction, it takes 7 hrs from Pune junction, From Mangaon there are buses or private transport available to reach Bankot village, which is 87 kms from Mangaon. 

Pune to Bankot By Road

Route of Pune to Bankot Fort 

Pune – Paud – Mulshi – Nizampur – Mangaon – Goregaon – Madangad – Bankot fort.

Way from Mumbai to Bankot Fort

Mumbai to Bankot By Bus

From Mumbai there are ST (State Transport) buses, local transport available to Mangaon, which is 143 kms from Mumbai, it takes 2 hrs 50 mins from Mumbai, From Mangaon there are buses or private transport available to reach Bankot village, which is 87 kms from Mangaon. 

Mumbai to Bankot By Train

From Mumbai there are trains available to Mumbai, which is 175 kms from Mumbai. From Mangaon there are buses or private transport available to reach Bankot village, which is 87 kms from Mangaon. 

Mumbai to Bankot By Road 

Route of Mumbai to Bankot fort 

Route of Mumbai to Bankot fort - Mumbai – Khopoli – Pali – Indapur – Mangaon – Goregaon – Madangad – Bankot fort.

Harihareshwar temple

Harihareshwar Temple complex has two nearby sanctuaries. The more diminutive Kal Bhairav sanctuary is required to be gone by in the first place, before entering the principal Harihareshwar sanctuary.