Introduction
A few days before Diwali, many courtyards in Maharashtra start to look like construction sites. Children haul bricks, mix red soil and argue over where the main gate should go. A week later, a small mud mountain stands there with walls, towers and a tiny saffron flag.
This is the Diwali killa (killa means fort in Marathi). The Diwali killa in Maharashtra is a festival craft, a history lesson and a childhood memory all at once. It also points to something you can visit: the hill and sea forts of the Maratha kingdom, 11 of which are part of a UNESCO World Heritage property.
This guide covers what the tradition is, how it connects to Shivaji Maharaj, how families build a killa, where to see them, and which real forts to visit around Diwali.
What Is a Diwali Killa?
A Diwali killa is a miniature fort, usually built by children, in the days before Diwali. It is most common in Maharashtra, and it is also reported in parts of north Karnataka that were once under Maratha influence.
Most killas copy a real fort such as Raigad, Sinhagad, Pratapgad or Sindhudurg. A typical one has:
- A hill of soil or rubble
- Walls, bastions and a main gate
- Steps, paths and sometimes a water tank
- Clay figures of soldiers, villagers and animals
- A small figure of Shivaji Maharaj at the top, with a saffron flag
Some killas are a single tray on a balcony. Others fill a whole corner of a housing society.
Shivaji Maharaj and the Maratha Forts
Why forts matter in Maratha history
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj (1630–1680) founded the Maratha kingdom in the 17th century. The Sahyadri hills (Western Ghats) and the Konkan coast gave him natural defences. Hill forts (giridurga) and sea forts (jaladurga) formed the backbone of his state.
Different sources give different counts of his forts, from about 260 to over 300. These numbers depend on what counts as “controlled” or “built,” so treat any single figure with caution.
The Ajnapatra, a statecraft text attributed to Ramchandra Pant Amatya (early 18th century), stresses that the kingdom’s strength lay in its forts. It is one of the best written sources on how the Marathas thought about them.
What the legend says, and what is documented
Local tradition: Shivaji, as a boy near Pune, built mud forts with his Mavale friends (youths from the Maval hills). The story goes that he used them to study terrain and plan attacks. Some tellings add that soldiers later used clay models before campaigns.
What is documented: The forts, their history and their role in Maratha strategy are well recorded. The modern custom of honouring Shivaji with a Diwali killa is widely observed.
What is uncertain: Nobody has firmly traced when or why fort-making became tied to Diwali. Hinduism Today itself asked readers for information about the custom’s origins, which shows how thin the record is.
So the safest way to put it is that the killa is a tradition of remembrance. It does not need a proven origin to carry meaning.
Why Diwali?
No source gives a definitive answer. The practical reasons are easy to see:
- Soil: Diwali falls after the monsoon, when earth is soft and easy to shape.
- Time: Schools are on holiday, so children have days to spare.
- Mood: The household is already busy with lamps, rangoli and sweets. A killa adds a regional, historical layer.
Some accounts also link the season to the Maratha campaign calendar, since the rains ended and armies could move again. That is a reasonable context but not a proven origin. Fort-making is also not a religious requirement of Diwali. It is a regional custom.
How Families Build a Diwali Killa
Materials
- Red soil or river clay
- Stones and broken bricks for the core
- Wet gunny sacks (jute) to hold the shape
- Garden cress seeds (halim, also called aliv) for grass
- Clay or painted figurines (mavle)
- A small saffron flag
Step by step
- Pick a fort. Look at photographs and learn where it stands and why it mattered.
- Build the core. Pile stones and bricks into a hill, leaving room for a gate and paths.
- Plaster it. Mix soil with water and spread it over the core. Press small stones into it for walls.
- Shape the details. Add bastions at the corners, a main gate and steps. Many Maratha forts have curved entrances so attackers could not charge straight in.
- Sow halim. Sprinkle the seeds on damp soil and water lightly each day. In a few days they sprout into a green carpet. Start about four to five days before Diwali.
- Place the figures. Put Shivaji and the flag on the highest point, soldiers on the walls and villagers and animals below.
- Light it. Small lamps or battery lights make it glow at night.
The zones of a classic killa
| Zone | What it shows |
| Balekilla | The citadel at the top, where the ruler sits |
| Tatabandi | Ramparts and walls |
| Burj | Rounded bastions and watchtowers |
| Machi | The lower terrace with villagers, cattle and water |
Some families build working waterfalls using a small pump and tubing.
Where the figurines come from
Potters and street vendors sell mavle, cannons, horses and animals in the weeks before Diwali. Pune’s Kumbharwada is one place often mentioned, and Mumbai’s Dadar area is another. Prices and stalls vary every year, so ask locally.
Fun Facts
- Killa is the Marathi word for fort, and the plural is kille.
- Halim seeds can sprout within a few days, which is why they are the go-to “grass.”
- The Maratha Military Landscapes of India were added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2025. The property includes 12 forts: 11 in Maharashtra and Gingee in Tamil Nadu.
- Shivneri, the traditional birthplace of Shivaji, is in the UNESCO list. His birth year is usually given as 1630, though some scholars suggest 1627.
- Raigad was his capital and the site of his coronation in 1674.
Killa-Making Competitions and Where to See Them
Competitions, often called killa spardha, are run by local youth groups (mandals), housing societies, schools and heritage groups. Judging varies. Some reward historical accuracy, such as correct gates, tanks and layout. Others reward creativity or eco-friendly materials.
Organised events can matter. A 2015 Times of India report described a Nagpur competition that grew from six entries in its first year to 90 in the year of the report. That is one local example, not a statewide figure.
Where to look:
- Residential colonies and housing societies in Pune, Mumbai, Thane and Nagpur
- Old neighbourhoods (wadas and wadis) in Pune
- School exhibitions and local mandal events
- Social media pages of trekking and fort-conservation groups (durgapremi)
Dates and places change every year, so check local news or community pages a week or two before Diwali. Competitions are mostly community events, so be polite when visiting. Ask before photographing children, and don’t touch the models.
Tip: Walk through residential lanes in the evening. Many killas are lit then, and families are usually happy to explain what they built.
Fort Trips to Plan Around Diwali
Diwali comes soon after the monsoon, so the hills are often still green, though trails can be slippery in places. Mornings are usually the best time, and afternoons can get warm. Carry water, wear shoes with grip and check for any local restrictions before you go.
| Fort | Area | Why visit |
| Raigad | Raigad district, near Mahad | Shivaji’s capital and coronation site |
| Sinhagad | Near Pune | Linked to the 1670 battle involving Tanaji Malusare |
| Shivneri | Near Junnar, Pune district | Traditional birthplace of Shivaji |
| Lohagad | Near Lonavala and Malavli | UNESCO-listed hill fort |
| Rajgad | Near Velhe, Pune district | An early Maratha capital |
| Sindhudurg | Off Malvan, Konkan coast | Sea fort, reached by boat |
Pratapgad near Mahabaleshwar is another popular choice and is often copied in killas.
Before you go:
- Check the latest timings, entry rules and ropeway or boat schedules with the Maharashtra tourism department, the ASI or the local authority. These change.
- Keep a day for each major fort, and more for Raigad, which has a long climb or a ropeway option.
- Do not litter and do not carve on walls. Many of these structures are fragile.
A good plan: Spend the days before Diwali looking at killas in your neighbourhood or a nearby city. Then take a weekend to visit the real fort one of them copied. Seeing the original makes the model make more sense.
An Eco-Friendly Killa for Apartments
Ready-made plastic or thermocol forts are convenient, but they create waste and skip the building. A simple alternative:
- Use a reusable wooden board or tray.
- Use clean soil or natural clay, plus stones and twigs.
- Use battery lights, not open flames or firecrackers near dry material.
- After the festival, return clean soil to a garden and reuse the figurines. Do not wash paint or plaster into drains.
A Tradition Under Pressure, and Why It Persists
Reports from Pune and nearby towns describe fewer visible killas than in the past. Reasons include apartment living, less open ground and more screen time. At the same time, workshops, school activities and community contests keep the tradition going, often with a conservation message about the real forts.
The killa is also a quiet teaching tool. Building one raises questions: why is the gate curved, where does the water come from, and why was this hill chosen?
Key Takeaways
- A Diwali killa is a miniature fort built before Diwali, mostly in Maharashtra.
- It honours Shivaji Maharaj and the Maratha forts, though the custom’s exact origin is
unproven. - Mud, stones, figurines and sprouted halim are the classic ingredients.
- Competitions and neighbourhood displays are the best places to see killas.
- Pair a killa visit with a trip to Raigad, Sinhagad, Shivneri or another real fort.
Related Topics
- Maratha Military Landscapes of India: the UNESCO-listed forts
- Raigad Fort and Shivaji Maharaj’s coronation
- Sinhagad Fort and the battle of 1670
- Sindhudurg Fort and Maratha sea power
- How Diwali is celebrated in different Indian states
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is a Diwali killa?
It is a miniature fort made by children and families in Maharashtra before Diwali, usually modelled on a Maratha fort.
2. Did Shivaji Maharaj start the tradition?
Local tradition says he built mud forts as a boy, but there is no firm documentation. The Diwali custom itself is a later, widely observed way of honouring him.
3. What is halim used for in a killa?
Halim (garden cress) seeds are sprinkled on damp soil. They sprout into green grass within days and give the fort a hillside look.
4. Where can I see Diwali killas?
Look in residential colonies, housing societies and old neighbourhoods in cities like Pune, Mumbai, Thane and Nagpur. Local competitions and school displays are also good places.
5. Which real forts are worth visiting around Diwali?
Raigad, Sinhagad, Shivneri, Lohagad, Rajgad and Sindhudurg are all common choices. Verify current timings and access with official sources before travelling.
