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Satmala Range
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Satmala (pronunciation:[sɐtmaːla]) is a mountain range which runs across Nashik District, Maharashtra. They are an integral part of the Sahyadris range within Nashik. These peaks are visible from a greater part of the district and form prominent landmarks. The highest of them is Dhodap (1,451 metres). Dhodap hill is the third highest hill peak in Maharashtra after Kalsubai and Salher and 29th highest peak in the Western Ghats. At the eastern side of this range lies the Chandvad range. There is a range with the same name Satmala in Telangana.
Key Information
The most important range of Nashik is the Satmala range. This range looks like a necklace placed along Nashik. It passes right through the center of the city. From Saputara to Vani, from Chandwad to Manmad is the spread of Satmala range.
There are in total 14 forts on Satmala range.[1]
- On the way to Saputara from Nashik, lies Hatgad fort (3656 ft. form M.S.L) which is around 6–7 km before Saputara. This fort can be easily recognized from the road. The top is not very tall, but there are many historical remains of the fort seen even today.
- Moving towards Vani from Hatgad fort, one sees two forts standing next to each other. They are Achala (4062 ft. form M.S.L) and Ahivant (4024 ft. form M.S.L). The Pimpri-achala village on this route is the base village at Achala. The view from the top of Achala is outstanding with the Taula mountain on the south and Ahivant and Saptashrungi towards its east.
- The next fort is Ahivant which is seen towards the right side of the road, proceeding towards Nanduri. This fort can also be approached by a way from Achala. The spread of Ahivant is quite large.
- Adjoining it is Mohandari.
- Saptashrungigad (4659 ft. form M.S.L) is one of the famous religious destinations for Nashik. The fort right in front of Saptashrungi is Markandya (4370 ft. form M.S.L). Vehicles are available till the foothills of Markandya from Vani. Once in a year on an auspicious occasion thousands of devotees visit this fort.
- After this stands the twin fort of Rawlya Jawlya (4056 ft. form M.S.L). On a large plateau base are seen the twin fort standing tall. Kanhergad (3582 ft. form M.S.L) is at a convenient distance from here. One can reach here by catching a Kalvan bus from Nashik via Nanduri. This fort has marked its importance in history by the name of the brave Ramaji Pangera.
- Next is Dhodap (4769 ft. form M.S.L) which can be easily recognized due to its peculiar shape. Seeing the map of Nashik, one can easily identify Dhodap right at the center which is near the National highway at 7 km from Vadalibhoi. Dhodap is a fort rich in heritage with its fortification, bastions, caves and water tanks. It has all those important elements which would mark it an important fort in history.
- After Dhodap is the fort of Kanchana (3722 ft. form M.S.L) on the Satmala range. This fort is a thrilling trekking destination for those who love adventure.
- Koldher (3209 ft. form M.S.L), Rajdher (3579 ft. form M.S.L), Indrai (4495 ft. form M.S.L) and Chandwad (3611 ft. form M.S.L) are the important forts of Chandwad region. All these forts are at their best during the monsoons.
- The Satmala continues in Manmad with the Habdi pinnacle and the twin fort of Ankai-Tankai.
- Gorakhgad, Kanakgiri, Mesana and Katra are also of due importance.
- Satmala range further continues to Ajanta and this part is known as Ajanta range.
The best season for visiting the Satmala range is July to February. During March to June, the area becomes very dry due to extreme summers.
List of Peaks
[edit]| Photo | Name | Elevation in meters | District | Significance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dhodap | 1472 | Nasik | 2nd highest peak in Nashik. | |
| Saptashrungi | 1,264 | Nasik | It is a site of Hindu pilgrimage. |
References
[edit]Satmala Range
View on GrokipediaGeography
Location and Extent
The Satmala Range, also known as the Satmala-Chandwad Range, is located in Nashik District, Maharashtra, India, where it serves as a northern extension of the Western Ghats, or Sahyadris. Centered around the coordinates 20°23′25″N 73°54′31″E, the range forms a prominent east-west ridge across the Deccan Plateau, distinguishing it from the more irregular northern hills by its relatively even elevation of about 2,000 feet (610 meters). The range extends from near Saputara along the southern Maharashtra-Gujarat border to Manmad in the north, passing through Nashik city, with an approximate length of 200 km. Its eastern boundary adjoins the Chandvad Range, while it continues northeastward into the Ajanta Range, collectively forming a continuous ridge that historically divided regions like Khandesh from Ahmednagar. In terms of regional hydrology, the Satmala Range acts as a critical watershed divide, separating the Tapi River basin to the north from the Godavari River basin to the south. Northern rivers such as the Girna and Mosam drain into the Tapi, while southern ones like the Kadva and Darna flow toward the Godavari and its tributaries, influencing water distribution across the plateau.[4][6]Geology and Topography
The Satmala Range originated as an integral component of the Deccan Traps, a vast continental flood basalt province formed by massive volcanic eruptions spanning the Cretaceous-Paleogene boundary around 66 million years ago.[7] These eruptions involved the outpouring of tholeiitic basalt lavas over the ancient Indian landmass, creating a thick sequence of flows that covered much of west-central India.[8] In the Nashik region, where the Satmala Range is prominently located, this volcanic activity during the Cretaceous-Eocene period deposited layers of basalt integral to the range's structure.[9] The geology of the Satmala Range is dominated by horizontal layers of basalt, the hallmark rock type of the Deccan Traps, which exhibit classic trap formations leading to a trappean topography of flat-topped hills and mesas.[9] This stepped landscape arises from differential erosion of the resistant basalt flows, producing rugged crags and escarpments that define the range's silhouette.[9] The topographical features include steep escarpments rising abruptly from surrounding plains, elevated plateaus, and intervening valleys, with the range's elevations varying from approximately 600 meters in lower foothills to over 1,400 meters at higher peaks. Soils in the Satmala Range primarily derive from the chemical and physical weathering of basalt under the region's tropical monsoon climate, yielding fertile black cotton soils (regur) in the valleys that retain moisture and support agriculture.[9] On steeper slopes, lateritic soils predominate, formed through intense leaching and iron oxide accumulation, which contribute to the range's reddish hues and influence local vegetation patterns.[9] Seismically, the area falls within Zone III of India's zoning system, indicating low to moderate risk due to its position near the stable Precambrian Indian craton, which dampens wave propagation through the basaltic bedrock.[10]Peaks and Forts
Major Peaks
The Satmala Range is characterized by several prominent peaks that rise sharply from the surrounding plateau, contributing to its rugged topography. The highest peak is Salher, reaching an elevation of 1,567 meters, which is the second-highest peak in Maharashtra after Kalsubai and the site of the state's highest fort.[11][12] Other notable peaks include Dhodap at 1,472 meters, recognized as the third-highest in Maharashtra, Saptashrungi at 1,264 meters, Markandeya at approximately 1,300 meters, and Ikhara at 1,280 meters.[13][14][15] These peaks vary in prominence, with Salher exhibiting about 600 meters of topographic prominence, enhancing its distinct silhouette against the skyline.[16]| Peak Name | Elevation (m) | District | Prominence (m) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Salher | 1,567 | Nashik | 600 |
| Dhodap | 1,472 | Nashik | 631 |
| Saptashrungi | 1,264 | Nashik | N/A |
| Markandeya | ~1,300 | Nashik | N/A |
| Ikhara | 1,280 | Nashik | 303 |