“Where is Siya Spot?” Yes, this is the only chilling question visitors arriving at the famous Lohagad Fort are asking their guides. Who would have thought that a fort that was synonymous with history and the Maratha empire would one day be recognised for a fatal crime. For centuries, Maharashtra’s over 2,000 year old Lohagad Fort has attracted history lovers, photographers and travellers with its dramatic hilltop setting and monsoon scenery. But today, many visitors are arriving from far for a very different and not a positive reason. No one’s asking their guides about the fort’s Maratha legacy or its famous Vinchu Kata (Scorpion’s Tail) fortification. They all just want to see the infamous “Siya Point”The unofficial nickname, ‘Siya Spot’A recent report by News18 Marathi revealed that the hill fort has witnessed a nearly 25% surge in visitors after the high-profile Ketan Agarwal murder case. Many travellers are arriving here with a specific question asking local guides to take them to the now-unofficially named “Siya Spot”—the same place where the alleged crime took place.The growing trend of Dark Tourism The trend shows a growing trend often referred to as “dark tourism”. It is a phenomenon where curious travellers visit the places connected to a tragedy, crime or disaster. For example, the infamous site of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster, New York’s Ground Zero, and now Lohagad Fort. These places generally come under Dark Tourism.Lohagad, a historic heritage site overshadowedLohagad Fort is situated some 65 kilometres from Pune and roughly 100 kilometres from Mumbai. It is among the most historic heritage sites in Maharashtra having a close connection to the Maratha Empire. The fort sits at an elevation of about 1,033 metres in the Western Ghats and is one of Maharashtra’s most popular weekend and monsoon trekking destinations. The historic fort has seen rise and fall of many empires, including the Satavahanas, Chalukyas, Rashtrakutas, Yadavas, and the Mughals too. But the fort was finally captured by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in the 17th century. The case that changed visitor behaviourHowever, things for the fort changed completely after the murder investigation dominated the headlines and social media over the past two weeks. As per Pune Rural Police, Ketan Agarwal allegedly died after being pushed from a cliff during a visit to Lohagad Fort. Police have arrested his fiancée Siya Goyal and another accused, Chetan Chaudhary. Investigators have conducted crime-scene reconstructions at the fort as part of the ongoing probe. The case remains under investigation.News coverage, viral videos and countless social media posts have transformed the alleged crime location into a point of public curiosity.Things have gone far more than just asking about the crime place. As per guides, some visitors reportedly ask guides to recreate the sequence of events which is absurd.Planning a visit to Lohagad FortThe best time to visit is during the monsoon (June to September). Winter, from October to February, also offers pleasant trekking conditions with clear views of the Sahyadris.How to reach
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Travellers can reach Lohagad by road from Pune in about 1.5 to 2 hours via Lonavala. The nearest railway station is Malavli, around 5 kilometres from the fort’s base village. From there, local transport and shared jeeps are available to Lohagadwadi, where the trek begins. The climb is relatively easy.For travellers visiting Lohagad, the fort is a reminder that places can carry multiple stories at once.
