SADA SHIV MANDIR/BADA DEV MANDIR DEVGARH FORT CHHINDWARA MADHYA PRADESH

Madhya Pradesh, called as kubera ka khajānā attributes this title to the unrivalled, undiscovered treasure hidden in its many splendid forts. One of the grandest forts built at the zenith of the Gond dynasty is the Deogarh or Devgarh Fort at its capital city of Deogarh.

Built in the 18th century by King Jatav and perhaps modified by the successive king, Bakht Buland Shah, this fort was the focal point of many important dynasties of Central India. This fort has been mentioned in Mughal literary works like Badshah Nama written during the time of Akbar.

Located in the ancient Chhindwara district, this fort is said to have been built by cutting a large rocky mountain. The fort stands at about 650 metres from the ground designed to take advantage of the vantage view.

There is a gate in the north that leads into the fort which is surrounded by a deep moat all-round. According to historians, this fort was considered to be one of the most spectacular as well as safest forts ever built and deemed to be the pride of the tribal kingdom. There was even an underground passage connecting Devgarh with Nagpur which could have been used by kings and queens to make a safe exit if the fort was attacked.

There is a temple dedicated to Chandi Mata situated in a bastion of the fort. There are 11 such bastions connecting the strong walls of the fort. There is also a samadhi of Raja Dhurva within the fort complex. Descendants of the royal family visit the Devgarh Fort every Dussehra.