Visitors throng Pune fort after Ketan's murder, name crime spot as 'Siya Point'
After Ketan Agarwal's murder, Lohagad Fort has witnessed a surge in visitors, with many drawn by curiosity about the high-profile case and specifically seeking out the crime spot.
The Lohagad Fort near Maharashtra's Lonavala, a centuries-old hill fort celebrated for its Maratha heritage and scenic monsoon treks, is witnessing an unexpected surge in visitors following the sensational murder of Pune realtor Ketan Agarwal by his fiancee Siya Goyal.
While the fort traditionally attracts history enthusiasts, trekkers and nature lovers, local authorities and fort workers say a growing number of visitors are now arriving out of curiosity about the high-profile murder case, particularly to see the cliff from where Ketan was pushed to his death.
According to Sachin Tekawade, president of the Lohagad-Visapur Development Forum, tourist footfall has increased noticeably over the past five days despite the delayed onset of monsoon rains, which had initially dampened visitor numbers this season.
Lohagad is usually known for its historical significance and natural beauty. But after the murder case came to light, many people are specifically asking about the location linked to the incident, Tekawade added.
The fort typically receives around 10,000 visitors on weekends during the monsoon season, while weekday footfall ranges between 800 and 1,000 tourists. This year, however, lower-than-normal rainfall had led to a decline in visitor numbers through much of June. The recent spike, locals say, appears directly linked to public interest in the murder investigation.
Tekawade, who has worked for the development of Lohagad Fort and nearby villages for nearly two decades, expressed disappointment that the fort's rich history is being overshadowed by its association with the crime.
Fort workers echoed similar observations, saying tourists frequently ask for directions to the cliff where Ketan was pushed. Some visitors have even begun informally referring to the location as "Siya Point", a reference linked to the ongoing investigation.
The curiosity has drawn visitors from across Maharashtra. Many tourists arriving from Mumbai, Pune and Nashik said the case influenced their decision to visit the fort.
Siddhesh, a 21-year-old visitor from Nashik, said he and his friends had originally planned a trek near Kasara Ghat but changed their itinerary after hearing about the Lohagad case.
Varad, another tourist from Mumbai, said several of his friends wanted to see the exact location linked to the case. According to him, there has been extensive discussion about the murder, and many people are curious to know where it took place. For the same reason, they too visited the fort.
Perched at an altitude of around 3,389 feet in the Sahyadri mountain range, Lohagad is among Maharashtra's most significant hill forts. The fort forms part of the state's network of historic forts that have received international recognition through UNESCO's World Heritage listing of the Maratha Military Landscapes.
Historians say Lohagad's history stretches back nearly two millennia. Historian Pandurang Balkawade said the fort dates to the Satavahana period and later emerged as an important military and economic centre under Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.
Over the centuries, the fort was controlled by several dynasties, including the Satavahanas, Chalukyas, Yadavas and Bahamanis. It came under the Adilshahi Sultanate of Bijapur in 1637 before being captured by Shivaji Maharaj in 1657. Following the Treaty of Purandar in 1665, the fort was ceded to the Mughals, only to be recaptured by the Marathas in 1670. During the Peshwa era, Lohagad served as a secure treasury and strategic military outpost.
Today, however, conversations around the fort are increasingly revolving around the ongoing murder investigation rather than its historical legacy.
The 26-year-old realtor, Ketan Agrawal, died on June 18 after being pushed off a 350-foot cliff during a trek at Lohagad Fort. It was initially reported as an accidental fall, but soon turned out to be a pre-planned murder plot hatched by his fiancee Siya Goyal and her boyfriend Chetan Chaudhary, who killed him to avoid the marriage with Ketan.
The Lohagad Fort near Maharashtra's Lonavala, a centuries-old hill fort celebrated for its Maratha heritage and scenic monsoon treks, is witnessing an unexpected surge in visitors following the sensational murder of Pune realtor Ketan Agarwal by his fiancee Siya Goyal.
While the fort traditionally attracts history enthusiasts, trekkers and nature lovers, local authorities and fort workers say a growing number of visitors are now arriving out of curiosity about the high-profile murder case, particularly to see the cliff from where Ketan was pushed to his death.
According to Sachin Tekawade, president of the Lohagad-Visapur Development Forum, tourist footfall has increased noticeably over the past five days despite the delayed onset of monsoon rains, which had initially dampened visitor numbers this season.
Lohagad is usually known for its historical significance and natural beauty. But after the murder case came to light, many people are specifically asking about the location linked to the incident, Tekawade added.
The fort typically receives around 10,000 visitors on weekends during the monsoon season, while weekday footfall ranges between 800 and 1,000 tourists. This year, however, lower-than-normal rainfall had led to a decline in visitor numbers through much of June. The recent spike, locals say, appears directly linked to public interest in the murder investigation.
Tekawade, who has worked for the development of Lohagad Fort and nearby villages for nearly two decades, expressed disappointment that the fort's rich history is being overshadowed by its association with the crime.
Fort workers echoed similar observations, saying tourists frequently ask for directions to the cliff where Ketan was pushed. Some visitors have even begun informally referring to the location as "Siya Point", a reference linked to the ongoing investigation.
The curiosity has drawn visitors from across Maharashtra. Many tourists arriving from Mumbai, Pune and Nashik said the case influenced their decision to visit the fort.
Siddhesh, a 21-year-old visitor from Nashik, said he and his friends had originally planned a trek near Kasara Ghat but changed their itinerary after hearing about the Lohagad case.
Varad, another tourist from Mumbai, said several of his friends wanted to see the exact location linked to the case. According to him, there has been extensive discussion about the murder, and many people are curious to know where it took place. For the same reason, they too visited the fort.
Perched at an altitude of around 3,389 feet in the Sahyadri mountain range, Lohagad is among Maharashtra's most significant hill forts. The fort forms part of the state's network of historic forts that have received international recognition through UNESCO's World Heritage listing of the Maratha Military Landscapes.
Historians say Lohagad's history stretches back nearly two millennia. Historian Pandurang Balkawade said the fort dates to the Satavahana period and later emerged as an important military and economic centre under Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.
Over the centuries, the fort was controlled by several dynasties, including the Satavahanas, Chalukyas, Yadavas and Bahamanis. It came under the Adilshahi Sultanate of Bijapur in 1637 before being captured by Shivaji Maharaj in 1657. Following the Treaty of Purandar in 1665, the fort was ceded to the Mughals, only to be recaptured by the Marathas in 1670. During the Peshwa era, Lohagad served as a secure treasury and strategic military outpost.
Today, however, conversations around the fort are increasingly revolving around the ongoing murder investigation rather than its historical legacy.
The 26-year-old realtor, Ketan Agrawal, died on June 18 after being pushed off a 350-foot cliff during a trek at Lohagad Fort. It was initially reported as an accidental fall, but soon turned out to be a pre-planned murder plot hatched by his fiancee Siya Goyal and her boyfriend Chetan Chaudhary, who killed him to avoid the marriage with Ketan.
