Narnala Fort is a hill-fort complex in the Melghat foothills of Akola district, Maharashtra, set inside the Melghat Tiger Reserve and reached through the forest village of Shahnur, near Akot. It is one of Vidarbha’s larger forts, and today you tour it with a forest guide rather than on a casual walk-up trek.
Narnala Fort, in Akola district, Maharashtra, is a three-part hill fort inside the Melghat Tiger Reserve, approached through Shahnur village near Akot. The Maharashtra Tourism department traces its first fort to the 10th century, and its ornate Mahakali gate carries a Persian inscription dated 1487.
Key takeaways
- Narnala Fort sits in Akola district’s Melghat foothills; the Maharashtra Tourism department dates the first fort to the 10th century AD and names it after a ruler called Narnal Singh.
- The complex has three linked forts: Jafarabad (east), Narnala (centre) and Teliagarh (west), according to the Amravati divisional administration.
- The best months are October to February, when the air is cool enough for walking the ramparts, per Maharashtra Tourism.
- Access is through Shahnur village: Akola to Akot is about 45 km and Akot to the fort about 22 km, per the Amravati divisional administration.
- The Mahakali gate is the fort’s showpiece, with carved balconies and stone lattice, and a Persian inscription recording a repair by Fatehullah Imad-ul-Mulk in 1487.
- The fort lies within the Melghat Tiger Reserve, so a forest guide, entry formalities and vehicle rules apply; reconfirm timings and fees with the Forest Department before you go.
About Narnala Fort
Narnala Fort is a hill fort in the Satpura foothills of Akola district, in Maharashtra’s Vidarbha region, and is also recorded as Shahnur or Shahnoor Fort. It is not one fort but a group: the Amravati divisional administration describes three linked forts, Jafarabad on the east, Narnala in the centre and Teliagarh on the west.
The fort’s early history is not firmly documented. The Maharashtra Tourism department dates the first fort to the 10th century AD, credits the Gavli kings, and says it is named after a Rajput ruler called Raja Narnal Singh. The Amravati divisional administration instead credits Gond rulers of roughly the same era. Treat the founding story as uncertain.
What is better anchored is the medieval layer. According to the Maharashtra Tourism department, later rulers included the Yadavas, the Rajgonds of Devgarh-Nagpur, the Bahmani Sultanate, the Farooqui and Imad Shahi dynasties, the Mughal emperor Akbar and the Marathas. The fort’s Persian inscriptions, including the one on the Mahakali gate, tie it firmly to the late-15th-century Imad Shahi period.
The Maharashtra Tourism department lists six large gates and twenty-one smaller ones, 360 watchtowers and nineteen water tanks, four of which hold water year-round. Older fort-survey accounts count the gates and bastions differently, so treat these as the official figures rather than a settled census.
Best time to visit Narnala Fort
October to February is the best time to visit Narnala Fort, when the weather is cool and suited to trekking and sightseeing, according to the Maharashtra Tourism department. The monsoon greens the hills but makes trails slippery, and summer is hot, often above 35°C, so early-morning visits are advised then.
Because the fort is inside a tiger reserve, forest-safari access follows the reserve calendar, which typically narrows during the peak monsoon. Confirm current opening dates with the Forest Department before planning a monsoon trip.
| Season | Months | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Winter | October–February | Cool and dry; the recommended window for walking the fort and ramparts. |
| Summer | March–May | Hot, often above 35°C; visit early morning or late evening. Good for wildlife near water. |
| Monsoon | June–September | Lush landscape but slippery trails; reserve access may be restricted. |
How to reach Narnala Fort
You reach Narnala Fort through Shahnur village near Akot in Akola district: from Akola city it is about 45 km to Akot and about 22 km further to the fort, according to the Amravati divisional administration. National Highway 53 (the old NH6) runs through Akola, so the town is the practical gateway.
By air: The nearest major airport is Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar International Airport at Nagpur, around 250 km away, per the Maharashtra Tourism department; from there you continue by train or road. By rail: Akola Junction, on the Mumbai–Nagpur–Howrah route, is the convenient railhead for Shahnur, per Maharashtra Tourism; travellers coming from Pune can also pick up a train to Akola, and our Maharashtra travel guide sets out the wider rail map.
By road: From Akola or Akot, hire a taxi to Shahnur. The last leg to the fort is on a narrow forest road; from Shahnur you continue by a permitted vehicle with a forest guide rather than on foot. A longer onward loop can take in the hill station of Chikhaldara, the best-known tourist base inside Melghat.
| From | To | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Nagpur airport | Akola | about 250 km |
| Akola city | Akot | about 45 km |
| Akot | Narnala Fort (via Shahnur) | about 22 km |
Things to see at Narnala Fort
The highlight is the Mahakali gate, the fort’s most ornate entrance, known for its carvings, projecting balconies and stone lattice work, according to the Maharashtra Tourism department. Fort-survey accounts record a Persian inscription on it noting a repair by Fatehullah Imad-ul-Mulk in 892 AH (1487 AD), which fixes part of the fort to the Imad Shahi period.
Inside, the Maharashtra Tourism department points to hidden chambers, old mosques and the remains of palace buildings, along with the fort’s armoury, which includes a gun it names the Kadak Bijli cannon. Trek accounts also describe a very long cast-iron cannon, often called the Nau-gaji (“nine-yard”) gun, near the inner palace area.
Water is a theme here: the fort holds nineteen tanks, four of them perennial, per Maharashtra Tourism, and the larger reservoirs sit within the walls. Because the three forts, Jafarabad, Narnala and Teliagarh, spread across the ridge, you cannot see everything on foot, and parts are toured only by vehicle under forest rules.
| Spot | Why go | Time needed |
|---|---|---|
| Mahakali gate | The fort’s showpiece: carved balconies, lattice, 1487 Persian inscription. | 30–45 min |
| Palace and mosque ruins | Remnants of the medieval garrison town within the walls. | 30–45 min |
| Cannons and bastions | The armoury, including the Kadak Bijli gun and a long cast-iron cannon. | 20–30 min |
| Water tanks and lakes | Perennial reservoirs that supplied the garrison. | 20–30 min |
| Outer forts by vehicle | Teliagarh and the Jafarabad side, seen on the forest drive. | 1–2 hr |
A suggested day plan
Narnala is comfortably a full-day trip from Akola, and most visitors do it as a day outing rather than an overnight stay.
- Early morning: Leave Akola or Akot by taxi for Shahnur; complete forest entry formalities and pick up a guide.
- Late morning: Enter through the gate sequence to the Mahakali gate, then the palace and mosque ruins and the nearer water tanks.
- Midday: Carry water and a packed lunch; shade and facilities inside are limited.
- Afternoon: Take the vehicle route to the outer parts of the ridge and the lakes, staying in the vehicle where the guide requires because of wildlife.
- Evening: Return to Shahnur and drive back to Akola, or continue toward Chikhaldara if you are extending the trip into Melghat.
Where to stay
There is no major hotel cluster at the fort itself, so most travellers base in Akola city or stay inside the reserve near Chikhaldara. Akola has the widest choice of ordinary hotels and is the simplest base for a day trip to the fort.
Inside Melghat, the Forest Department and the Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation operate rest houses and resorts around Semadoh and Chikhaldara, which also work as a base if you are combining the fort with a safari. Book government accommodation well ahead in the October–February peak.
| Type | Where | Indicative per night |
|---|---|---|
| Budget | Akola city hotels, basic rooms | ₹900–₹1,800 |
| Mid-range | Akola business hotels; MTDC/forest resorts near Chikhaldara | ₹2,000–₹4,500 |
| Higher-end | Better Chikhaldara resorts in season | ₹5,000+ |
These are planning bands, not quoted tariffs; check current rates when you book.
Food to try
There are no reliable eateries inside the fort, so plan to carry food and water. Eat well in Akola or Akot before you set out, and treat the fort day as self-catered.
Akola sits in the Varhadi (Vidarbha) belt, known for spicy, robust cooking. Look for Varhadi thali (a regional platter), savji-style mutton and chicken (a dark, fiery Vidarbha curry), zunka-bhakar (a gram-flour dish with millet flatbread) and pohe (flattened-rice breakfast). Carry extra drinking water in the dry months.
Budget breakdown
A day trip to Narnala Fort from Akola is inexpensive, with taxi hire usually the largest line. The figures below are planning estimates to size a trip, not quoted prices; reconfirm fares and any forest charges locally.
| Item | Indicative cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Taxi (shared, round trip) | ₹600–₹1,200 | Per head if 3–4 share; full-day Akola–Shahnur–Akola. |
| Forest entry and guide | Reconfirm locally | Collected by the Forest Department at Shahnur; fees not verified for this guide. |
| Food and water | ₹150–₹300 | Packed from Akola/Akot. |
| Buffer | ₹200 | Tips, incidentals. |
Assumptions: a small group sharing one taxi, a single day, no overnight stay. An overnight near Chikhaldara adds the lodging bands above.
Permits and rules
No special inner-line or restricted-area permit applies to Narnala Fort for Indian visitors. What does apply is the forest regime: the fort lies inside the Melghat Tiger Reserve, so you enter through Shahnur with a forest guide, pay the Forest Department’s entry charges, and follow vehicle and movement rules on the drive.
Fort-survey accounts (dated January 2019) report that the fort is closed on Tuesdays and open roughly 8 am to 5 pm, with the day split into guided sessions; these may have changed, so reconfirm with the Forest Department. Standard reserve rules apply: no plastic litter, no leaving the vehicle where the guide forbids it, and no disturbing wildlife. Confirm any photography or drone restrictions before you fly anything.
Practical tips
Treat Narnala as a half-remote forest outing rather than a town monument. A few things make the day smoother:
- Cash: Carry enough cash for forest charges and the taxi; do not rely on card or UPI acceptance at Shahnur. Draw money in Akola or Akot.
- Network: Mobile coverage is patchy inside the reserve; download maps offline and tell someone your plan.
- Medical: The nearest hospitals are in Akot and Akola; there is no clinic at the fort, so carry a basic kit.
- Footwear and water: Wear sturdy shoes for the stone ramparts and carry at least one to two litres of water per person, more in summer.
- Timing: Start early to finish the walk before the midday heat and to allow time for the vehicle route.
- Solo and women travellers: Go with the forest guide, stay with your group on the drive, and aim to be back at Shahnur well before dusk.
Nearby places
Narnala pairs naturally with the rest of Melghat and with Akola’s own sights. If you are building a longer Vidarbha trip, our Maharashtra travel guide helps you string these together.
| Place | Distance (approx.) | Why go |
|---|---|---|
| Akot | about 22 km | The taluka town and last proper base before the fort. |
| Akola city | about 45–70 km | Regional hub, railhead and the main place to stay and eat. |
| Chikhaldara | within Melghat | Vidarbha’s hill station and the usual base for Melghat safaris. |
| Semadoh | within Melghat | Forest/MTDC lodging and a tiger-reserve tourism zone. |
Frequently asked questions
Where is Narnala Fort?
Narnala Fort is in Akola district, Maharashtra, in the Satpura foothills of the Vidarbha region. It sits inside the Melghat Tiger Reserve and is reached through Shahnur village near Akot, about 45 km from Akola city and roughly 22 km from Akot, per the Amravati divisional administration.
Who built Narnala Fort and when?
The origin is not firmly documented. The Maharashtra Tourism department dates the first fort to the 10th century AD and credits the Gavli kings, while the Amravati divisional administration credits Gond rulers. A Persian inscription on the Mahakali gate records a 1487 repair under the Imad Shahi dynasty, which is the better-anchored medieval date.
What is the best time to visit Narnala Fort?
October to February is the best time, when cool, dry weather suits trekking and sightseeing, according to the Maharashtra Tourism department. Summer is hot, often above 35°C, so visit early. The monsoon greens the hills but makes trails slippery, and forest access can be restricted, so reconfirm opening dates.
Do I need a permit or guide for Narnala Fort?
No inner-line permit applies, but because the fort lies inside the Melghat Tiger Reserve you enter through Shahnur with a Forest Department guide and pay the department’s entry charges. Vehicle and movement rules apply on the drive. Reconfirm current timings, any closed day and fees with the Forest Department before you go.
How do I reach Narnala Fort by train or air?
The convenient railhead is Akola Junction, on the Mumbai–Nagpur–Howrah route, per the Maharashtra Tourism department; from there, continue by taxi to Shahnur via Akot. The nearest major airport is Nagpur’s Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar International Airport, about 250 km away, followed by road or rail to Akola.
Is Narnala Fort the same as Shahnur Fort?
Yes. The Amravati divisional administration records Narnala Fort as also known as Shahnur or Shahnoor Fort, the name linked to its Mughal-era rebuilding. The complex is made up of three linked forts, Jafarabad on the east, Narnala in the centre and Teliagarh on the west.
Last updated and sources
Narnala Fort suits travellers who like big, little-visited forts and do not mind a forest-reserve outing with a guide. Come between October and February for the easiest walking weather, and treat it as a full day from Akola.
Last updated: 30 October 2026. Fees, timings and permits change — reconfirm with official sources before you travel.
Sources: Maharashtra Tourism department, Narnala Fort page (maharashtratourism.gov.in/fort/narnala); Maharashtra Tourism department, Melghat Tiger Reserve page (maharashtratourism.gov.in); Amravati divisional administration, Narnala Fort (amravatidivision.gov.in); Amravati district administration, Melghat Tiger Reserve (amravati.gov.in); fort-survey account, durgbharari.in (durgbharari.in/narnala). Accessed September 2026.
