On the top of Ballalgad, you will see a stone monument of the martyrs, also known as Veergahl in Marathi. Compared to the other structures this stone monument is different in many aspects. It depicts a mighty soldier riding a horse. The horse is of a special breed called ‘Kathiyawari’. It has a carving of Sun and Moon, which gives it an interesting look. It’s really worth watching such beautiful monuments that have been made in honor of the mighty soldiers who laid their lives in war.
The highest point of Ballalgad has been built with four bastions (buruj) and the fort parapet wall, which are still intact. The fort wall measures up to 15 feet in height and 5 feet in width. It has been built with huge stones. One can see two major reservoirs, which have dried over the period of time. No one is sure of the purpose these reservoirs were made for, whether it was meant to save water, food or ammunitions.
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| Ways To Reach : |
Kaalji is a village at the foothill of Ballalgad fort. To visit this fort you need to travel around 130 kms by the Mumbai - Ahmedabad national highway and reach Talasari. Further to it the village Kaalji is at a distance of 19 kms (from Mumbai it’s 149 kms). However, there is no signboard located on the roadside to locate this village. It can be recognized through a road on the left side of the highway which leads to a local village school. The hill opposite to this school has the way to reach Ballalgad fort.
If you wish to expedite by Train, you need to go to any one of these railway stations as - Talasari, Achhad, Bhilad or Sanjan. Further you can board an auto or a private van which will drop you till the Kaalji village. After a walk of 5 minutes you will reach the local school which will finally take you to the hill which goes towards the fort.
You will notice a bore well near the school; the water of this bore well is safe for drinking. It’s advisable to a carry ample stock of drinking water as there is no water available on the fort.
Ballalgad is on the hill right behind the Kaalji village. There is a huge tree ‘GHORAKH CHICHA’ (African Baobab) near the local school, there a narrow way on the right of this tree which needs to be avoided. Alternately, you need to continue walking through the trails on the left side which will help you to reach the top of the fort in just 10-15 minutes.
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| Accommodation Facility : |
| Available in Kaalji village. |
| Food Facility : |
| Nil. Available in the hotels on the highway. |
| Drinking Water Facility : |
| Nil |
| Time To Reach : |
| 10-15 minutes from base village. |
| Best Season To Visit : |
| September to March |
