The earthy smell of wet mud and the miniature fortresses were once common during Diwali’s arrival. But with each passing year, the tradition of children building mud forts, a tradition deeply rooted in Maharashtra, is slipping away.

“We used to start planning our Killa (mud fort) at least two to three weeks before Diwali, recalls Pradip Patil, 48, a resident of Akurdi. “First, we would find a spacious spot, usually a corner of the house and from where it could be visible to people.”

Pravin Salgar

Kids posing after building their Killa (mud fort) | www.sachinbaikar.com

“Then followed the real task to gather bricks, mud, stones, and gunny sacks. We would shape it into a replica of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s forts, like Shivneri, Raigad, and Sinhagad, among others. Children from the lo

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