Thread by @OldWonk

If this photo of the Murud Janjira fort in #Maharashtra has you awestruck, the thread below may interest you. #Diwali #Diwali2021 🧵👇

(Image taken from the internet, help with credits if you know)

Mountain (and naval) fortifications, known in Marathi as किल्ले (Kille) have been an important part of the ascendancy of the Maratha Empire under the leadership of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. #Diwali #Diwali2021

To name a few - Torna, Singhagad, Lohagad, Pratapgad, Ajinkyatara, Raigad and Shivneri dot the Sahyadri ranges while Janjira, Sindhudurg, Vijaydurg look over the naval frontiers. More than 350 of them, each with its own story.

No wonder then that they find a prominent place in the Diwali festival celebrations in the state of Maharashtra. A tradition that is slowly waning out to, primarily due to lack of interest among the parent lot of the day. #Diwali #Diwali2021

Fort making is an art and one such artist in Pune is Amit Manolkar in #Pune. Every year Amit puts in the hard yards beginning with a paper sketch. On some years he creates a replica of an existing fort, on others he lets his imagination do the job. #Diwali #Diwali2021

Next step is to gather the "material" - stones, bricks, soil, cement, old pipes and whatever works. Jute bags or old cotton bedsheets for the layering. Ideation is a daunting task even for adults! 😛 (Amit on the left in the third pic)

A dash of paint and then some cement for making water holes and setting up the area around the fort. In the mountains, an entire ecosystem of villages, markets et all would come up around these forts. #Diwali #Diwali2021

Brightly coloured figurines made of mud/plaster adorn the forts. Now a days ready made door arches and high pedestals for sitting Shivaji Maharaj on the fort are a common feature. A visit to the Kumbharwada area in Pune is a feast for the eyes in this season. #Diwali #Diwali2021

This year I was not able to be around for the fort making in our housing society but glad to see the kids making the effort to build one without much supervision. Sharing some pics from last year's effort. Will add this year's pics soon.

#Diwali #Diwali2021

Fort making is an excellent opportunity for parents to connect with children without any digital interface. Some local politicians also facilitate competitions and provide for space/raw materials. This tradition needs our collective attention least it dwindles away into oblivion.

As luck would have it, came across this beautifully done replica of Murud Janjira fort in my locality. The effort gone in creating this is commendable!

#Diwali2021 #Diwali #Pune