What to expect
Highlights
- The eight-pointed star (Vauban-style) fort plan.
- The central rainwater tank and old gun emplacements.
- Panoramic Western Ghats views from the ramparts.
Manjarabad Fort
Manjarabad Fort stands on a hilltop near Sakleshpur, built by Tipu Sultan in 1792 to guard the Shiradi ghat route to the Malabar coast. Seen from above, it forms a striking eight-pointed star on a Vauban-style European plan.
Practical guide
Plan Manjarabad Fort
Typeheritage
Nearest baseSakleshpur
Best timeOctober to February for clear views
Time needed1 to 1
EntryFree or nominal
Nearest town/baseSakleshpur
DistrictHassan
Place typeheritage
Time needed1 to 1.5 hours.
Manjarabad Fort stands on a hilltop near Sakleshpur, built by Tipu Sultan in 1792 to guard the Shiradi ghat route to the Malabar coast. Seen from above, it forms a striking eight-pointed star on a Vauban-style European plan.
The low granite ramparts enclose a central rainwater cistern and gun positions, and the walls give sweeping views over the surrounding Western Ghats — the fort’s geometry is best appreciated from an elevated angle or a drone-eye photo.
Visiting
Manjarabad Fort — at a glance
TimingsDaylight hours
Best timeOctober to February for clear views; lush after the monsoon
Entry: Free or nominal
Getting there: ~6 km from Sakleshpur off NH-75, then a climb of steps
Uneven walls and open drops with few railings — watch your footing in mist or rain.
Getting there
How to visit
- ~6 km from Sakleshpur off NH-75; a short drive plus a climb of stone steps from the road to the fort.
- Entry is free or nominal; wear good shoes for the steps and uneven ramparts, and go on a clear day for the views.
Distance by road
- Bengaluru185 km
- Mysuru120 km
- Mangaluru170 km
- Chikkamagaluru55 km
- Madikeri (Coorg)115 km
Road km to Hassan; ghat roads and traffic vary — allow extra.
Timing
Best time
October to February for clear views; the surrounding hills are lush and misty just after the monsoon.
Weather in Manjarabad FortSeasonal guide
Live forecast loads in your browser.
Visitor notes
- Uneven walls and open drops with few railings — watch your footing, especially in mist or rain.
Safety
Good to know
On the map
Where Manjarabad Fort is
Good to know
Manjarabad Fort — frequently asked
When is the best time to visit Manjarabad Fort?
October to February for clear views; the surrounding hills are lush and misty just after the monsoon.
What are the entry fee and timings at Manjarabad Fort?
Entry: Free or nominal. Timings: Daylight hours. Fees and timings are indicative — confirm on site before you travel.
How do I reach Manjarabad Fort?
~6 km from Sakleshpur off NH-75; a short drive plus a climb of stone steps from the road to the fort. Entry is free or nominal; wear good shoes for the steps and uneven ramparts, and go on a clear day for the views.
How much time do I need for Manjarabad Fort?
1 to 1.5 hours.
What else is near Manjarabad Fort?
Nearby you can pair Bisle Ghat View Point (24.0 km), Shettihalli Rosary Church (28.7 km), Chennakeshava Temple, Belur (29.5 km), Yagachi Dam (31.4 km).
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- Manjarabad Fort:Aravind K G, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 3.0