Kandhar Fort Nanded

55 kilometers from Nanded stands the Kandhan Fort. Once an epitome of the region, the fort is currently in ruins, and its grandeur is nowhere to be found. But its location on the bank of the river Manya amidst all the green dressed mountains makes it worth all the attention. In fact, it's because of the attributes like location, area (24 acres), and wide ditch around made it extremely difficult for the rulers to conquer it. Apart from its strong structure, the fort is known for its spots like Jinsi Gate and the Machali Gate.

Do make a point to run fingers over the walls of the fort as they carry the carvings done by many dynasties, except Rashtrakuta sculptures. Also, worth noticing is a clock tower, which gives a fair idea that the place was once surrounded by the common market area outside the fort as well as the presence of ten temples around it. Lal Mahal and Darbar Mahal are worth a visit. A beautiful water tank with fountains and the surrounding garden remnants suggest the royalty experienced by the medieval Sultans.

Amongst the all the heritage structures in the fort, the most charismatic has to be the Ambar Khana and Sheesh Mahal. The Sheesh Mahal is a double-storied building probably constructed at the same site where the Rashtrakuta Royal Palace existed. The Sheesh Mahal appears to be the Rani Mahal of the Tughlaq and Bahmani sultans.

Also, the fort features many sculptures. Amongst them, the most noteworthy remains the huge ‘yaksha vastupurush’ sculpture of a man measuring 60 feet in height.