Devagiri Fort, Aurangabad

Visitor Infromation

  • Famous For: Fort, Indian history and heritage, one of the seven wonders of Maharashtra
  • Entry Fee: Indian Nationals- INR 10/- per person, Foreign Nationals- INR 100/- per person
  • Visiting Time: The fort is open from 8.00am to 6.00pm on all days of the week (including Saturday and Sunday)
  • Visiting Duration: Take out a good 2 to 3 hours of your time while visiting the fort as it has a lot to say about the Indian heritage.

Also known as Daulatabad fort, Devagiri fort is located in Daulatabad town, Maharashtra. It is also famous as one of the seven wonders of Maharashtra namely- Ajanta Caves, Lonar Lake, Kas Plateau, Raigadh Fort, Daulatabad Fort, Global Vipassana Pagoda and Chatrapati Shivaji Terminals. It was built by king Bhila, who was the first of the Yadav kings. The fort has an impeccable defense system to be safer during the war times and many techniques to confuse the enemy armies.

Devgiri Fort
Photo by cool_spark, CC BY 2.0

Traveler’s Tips

  • Plan your trip in a way that you reach early in the morning when it’s peaceful and pleasant.
  • There are many stairs (around 400 in number) to be climbed to reach the fort, hence consider the medical conditions of yourself or anyone on the family or group.
  • Wear sports shoes or other comfortable footwear. Wearing heels for ladies are not at all recommended.
  • Carry a water bottle, umbrella and some light snacks while you are on a tour to the fort.
  • There are restaurants right in front of the fort, where you can relax and fill your tummy with exciting food after the visit.
  • It is recommended to hire a personal guide, who will help you to cover all important facts and places of the fort.

Things to Do

  • The fort is built on a hill top, hence you can view sunrise and sunsets from the hill.
  • Visit the cannons used during the wars.
  • Take a look at the confusing, narrow pathways.
  • See the stepped walls.
  • Visit the Bharat Mata temple.
  • Elephant tank is a must watch.
  • Chand Minar and Aam Khas Building can also be seen.
  • Royal hammam, Chini mahal, Rang Mahal and the Andheri are some of the other things that you can witness during your trip to the fort.

Availability of Guides

The guides are very much available and it is advisable to hire one. You may also look for a guide to the fort which is available when you reach the place.

Best Time to Visit

The ideal time to visit the fort is during winters, i.e. between October to February and during monsoon season, i.e. between June to September. During this time of the year, the weather is mostly pleasant and favorable for a trip in Aurangabad and then Devagiri fort.

It is not advised to plan any trips during summers as the climate is extremely hot and dry. The temperature ranges between 38 to 44 degrees during hot and sunny days. The addition is humidity, which makes your trip even more unsustainable and unpleasant.

How to Reach

Aurangabad is very well linked with all means of transport and travel routes. The nearest Railway station is Aurangabad Railway Station itself, which is around 15 km. from Daulatabad fort. If you like to travel by bus, then Aurangabad has its own bus stand, which is approx. half an hour drive from the fort. The nearest airport is again, Aurangabad itself, 22 km. away from the Devagiri fort.

Interesting Facts and Trivia about Devagiri Fort

  • The fort was built in 12th century on an isolated hill top.
  • It is said that nothing has been changed in the fort by the time it was build. It is the same way it was built and has been intact for so long!
  • It is also said that whosoever lived in the fort, had inhabited the fort by fraud and cheating.
  • There are many secret passages and puzzles, that lead to the ways which have no or distant ends.
  • The fort represents uncanny defense system used at that time during wars.
  • The entrance and exit of the fort is same, to confuse the enemies.
Devgiri Fort Daulatabad
Photo  by Jean-Pierre Dalbéra, CC BY 2.0

Nearby Attractions

  • Chini Mahal
  • Ajanta Caves
  • Ellora Caves
  • Jain Temple
  • Bhadra Maruti
  • Bibi Ka Maqbara
  • Aurangabad Caves
  • Aurangzeb’s Tomb
  • Panchakki
  • Siddharth Garden
  • Chatrapati Shivaji Museum
  • Goga Baba Hill

Nearby Restaurants

  • That Baat
  • Kream n Krunch
  • Swad
  • Indiana
  • Hotel Panchwati restaurant
  • Sai Ram Dhaba
  • Ambience Restaurant
  • Zoom Dhaba
  • Marmalade
  • Tinus Dhaba
  • Maharaja Restaurant
  • Sher – E – Punjab Restaurant
  • Bageecha

It is very interesting to see how the rulers of ancient India survived during the war times and made their kingdom safe. Devagiri fort is a perfect example of master techniques and architecture used during that time for the safeguard of their castles and kingdom. With its huge walls and impeccable structures, it calls for maximum population to visit and preserve the Indian heritage to pass on.

About Rohit

An architect by profession, Rohit Agarwal is a curious traveller, seeking out the minutest detail about the places he travels to, and that’s what one will find in his writings. His writings have appeared in various blogs, he’s currently trying to bring forth as many different places a traveller who shares the same level of curiosity like him would like to visit through his writings.

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