Explore Weekends: January 2013

Sunday, January 27, 2013

Vasota Fort (also called Vyaghragad) and Nageshwar - Satara

Vasota Fort is also known as Vyaghragad. Vasota is the most popular Jungle trek in Maharashtra. Situated on the western edge of the Satara District, Vasota is covered with dense forest all the way through. With panoramic view of the shiv Sagar Lake on the eastern side and surrounded by the river Koyna, Vasota makes a special treat for trekkers. Vasota is divided in to three Old Vasota Fort, New Vasota Fort and Nageshwar. Old Vasota is surrounded by deep forest and wild animals.

Vasota is situated near Bamnoli village in Satara District. Bamnoli is just 35 kms from Satara. To reach Vasota, first we need to reach at Bamnoli, it is a common way to reach Vasota. From Bamnoli we can go by Launch. The lunch journey is 1½ hrs. One can experience the peaceful and beautiful nature while traveling through launch. If you want to stay at Vasota or Nageshwar you should have a prior permission of Forest Department. The office is in Bamnoli. Lunch takes Approx Rs.1,600 for 10 person or plus.

I have been to Vasota twice. There are wild animals and snakes in the forest, commonly called as Koyana Abhayaranya (Koyana Wild-life Century).

History of Vasota Fort

Vasota Fort (also called Vyaghragad) is located in Satara district in the Indian state of Maharashtra. It was famously defended by Tai Telin a mistress of Pant Pratinidhi a killedar of the fort when he was captured. Vasota fort is attributed to the Kolhapur Shilahara Raja Bhoja II (1178–1193) of Panhala. Vasota always remained with Marathas, Shirkes & Mores in 16th century & then incorporated in Swarajya by Shivaji Maharaj in 1655 during the conquest of Javli. Shivaji Maharaj named the fort "Vyaghragad" (Vyaghra – means tiger), owing to its difficult natural defense. After Shivaji Maharaj, the brave Maratha Bajirao Peshwa carried on the Swarajya mission of ousting the Mughal invaders from our country. In 1818 however, British bombarded the fort with heavy artillery thereby destroying many buildings on Vasota (Chandika mandir, Daru-kothar, etc.) & looted property worth 5 lakhs.

Best time to Visit:

December to May

What to see?

Bastian, Fortification, Cannon, Water cisterns, Temple of Mahadev, famous Babukad, ruined palace, Old Vasota, Nageshwar, Dense Forest, Koyna backwaters

Water and Food

No water & food on the Fort. Need to carry food and water along with. Water is available on the way and on the fort, but depends upon season which you are visiting. Food can be taken from hotels in Bamnoli or bring from home.

Stay / Accommodation

No place to stay on the Fort. One can stay at Bamnoli

Places around

Nageshwar, Tapola, Kass Plateau, Ajinkyatara Fort, Sajjangad, Thoseghar Waterfall

Approximate Distance from Pune

145Kms (till Bamnoli) and there after the lunch journey is 1½ hrs.

Route Available from Pune

Pune – Khandala – Satara – Satara City – Kass Plateau - Bamnoli

For more photos see link below

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Vasota Fort

Bamnoli, Satara

Koyana Abhayaranya (Koyana Wild-life Century)

On the way to Vasota Fort, Hanuman Temle

On the way to Vasota Fort,

Nageshwar Cave Temple

Moving to Vasota Fort

New Vasota Fort

For more photos see link below

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Reaching Vasota Fort from Pune :-

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Sunday, January 13, 2013

Vardhangad and/or Wardhangad - Satara

Wardhangad and/or Vardhangad is hill fort lies on the Bhadle-Kundla spur of the Mahadev range at a point of it on the boundary between the Koregaon and Khatav talukas, seven miles north-east of Koregaon and nine miles north-east of Satara. It is a round-topped hill rising about 900 feet above the plain below on the west or Koregaon side and about 700 feet on the east or Khatav side.

History of Wardhangad and/or Vardhangad

The construction of the fort was undertaken in 1673 by Chhatrapati Shivaji and was finished in 1674. It was used as an outpost guarding the east frontier of his newly acquired territory. In 1800, the fort, then in the hands of the Pratinidhi, was invested by Mahadji Shinde's force with 25,000 men. The Ramoshis in the south-west machi were attacked and killed the horse of Muzafarkhan one of Shinde's generals. The machis were then sacked and burnt. Further havoc was stopped by the influence of the Sarnobat Ghorpade's wife who was sister to the wife of Shinde. In 1803, Balvantrav Bakshi, the commandant of the fort, fought here a battle with Yesai Saheb Firangi. The fort was shelled, the machis sacked, and a contribution of Rs. 3,000 levied. In 1805 the fort was attacked by Fattesingh Mane. The Karkhanis and other officers were killed and Fattesingh took many horses in the neighbourhood. But was himself killed soon afterwards in a battle fought with Balvantrav Phadnis, the Mutalik of pratinidhi who was assisted by the troops of Chintamanrav Patwardhan. [Grant Duffs Marathas, Vol. II, 413.] In 1807 after the battle of Vasantgad, [Grant Duff's Marathas, Vol. II, 413.] Bapu Gokhale brought the Pant Pratinidhi to Cimanganv, a Koregaon village close to the north of the fort, and the fort was then surrendered to him. He administered it for five years till 1811 when the Peshva took charge of it. It appears to have surrendered in 1818.

The fort is very easy to climb. The top of the fort can be reached within 15 to 20 minutes and the whole fort can be seen in less than hour. A fair is held here on every Dasara. There is an idol of Parashuram in the hall. It is said that, there is a tunnel leading to Mahimangad. The door of the tunnel is now covered with prickly pear and stones.

Best time to Visit:

September to May

What to see?

Bastian, Fortification, Cannon, Water cisterns, and Temple of Vardhinidevi Mata

Water and Food

No water & food on the Fort. Need to carry food and water along with

Stay / Accommodation

No place to stay on the Fort. One can stay at the base village of Wardhangad and/or Vardhangad

Places around

Nandgiri and/or Kalyangad Fort, Yamai temple of Kinhai, Mahimangad Fort, Satara City

Approximate Distance from Pune

135Kms

Route Available from Pune

Pune – Khandala – Satara – Koregaon – Wardhangad

Pune - Khandala – Wathar – Koregaon – Wardhangad

Pune - Saswad – Veer Dam – Lonand – Wathar - Koregaon – Wardhangad

For more photos see link below

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Vardhangad Fort

For more photos see link below

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Reaching Vardhangad Fort from Pune :-

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Saturday, January 12, 2013

Vasantgad Fort - Satara

The base village of Vasantgad is “Talbeed”, (Karad) this is place remembered for Hambirrao Mohite, Shivaji Maharaj’s second Commander-in-chief. This is also the place of Queen Tarabai. We can also see the memorial of Hambirrao Mohite in Talbeed. The route to the fort starts from outskirts of the village. The fort entrance has been destroyed. We can see a Ganesh idol carved in the ramparts. If we turn right after ascending the steps, we reach a big temple. This is the temple of Chandrasen, the son of Shoorpanakha, Ravana’s sister. There are remnants of two more temples.

The mountain top is extensive, and is well fortified by strong bastions. We find a doorway in the bastion on the south side of the fort. This entrance is of “Gomukhi” type, and the carvings here are still intact. The ramparts are also intact. There is a big grinding wheel on the fort. It takes around one and half hour to see the fort. From the top we get a good glimpse of Koyna River.

The fort is easy to climb. I did not climb from Talbeed village. I took following route, Pune – Satara – Karad – Take left towards Karad Airport – Vasantgad. It takes less than 45mins to climb the fort and one hour to see the entire fort.

History of Vasantgad Fort

Vasantgad was built by Shilahar King Bhoj. Shivaji Maharaj conquered it on 1659. Later, Rajaram Maharaj stayed for some time on this fort when he returned from Jinji. Aurangzeb captured this fort in 1700 and named it “Kili-da-Fateh”. The Marathas got the fort back in 1706.

Approximate Distance from Pune

170Kms

Best time to Visit:

September to May

What to see?

Bastian, Fortification, Cannon, Water cisterns, Temple of Chandreshwar or Moon

Water and Food

No water & food on the Fort. Need to carry food and water along with

Stay / Accommodation

No place to stay on the Fort. One can stay at the base village of Talbeed or in Karad.

Places around

Karad, Sadashivgad, The monument of Hambirrao Mohite in Talbid. Chandragiri Ghal where Saint Samarth Ramadas Swami stayed some years

Route Available from Pune

Pune – Satara – Karad Road – Before Karad Take Left towards Talbid

Pune – Satara – Karad – Take left towards Karad Airport - Vasantgad

For more photos see link below

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Vasantgad Fort

Ganpati Temple, Vasantgad Fort

Temple of Chandreshwar or Moon

Vasantgad Fort

For more photos see link below

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Reaching Vasantgad Fort Fort from Pune :-

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Sunday, January 6, 2013

Vairatgad Fort - Satara

The fort Vairatgad is situated in the province of Wai, and 8 km away from Wai.

Once you reach the top you have to follow the right side trail. There are couples of water cisterns on the way. The trail ends at the flight of steps. A road from Vyajwadi joins here.

I have been to Vairatgad on 31/03/2012. The fort is easy to climb and it takes 1 to 1½ hrs to climb the fort and less than hour to see the fort. You directly reach the top of the fort. Top of the fort is actually very small and there are remnants of old buildings. Hanuman temple welcomes you and right across it is a huge pond. Inside the fort are five stone ponds none of them more than forty feet in diameter, and outside is one cave pond.

History Vairatgad Fort

The fort is one of those said to have been built by Bhoj Raja, the Kolhapur Silahara chief Bhoja II. (1178-1193) of Panhala, and its name is locally derived from the Vairats, a wild tribe supposed to have dwelt in this neighbourhood, who were subdued by the Pandavas. King Bhoj of the Shilahar dynasty built Vairatgad in the 11th century. The fort is partly commanded by the heights of Bavdhan three miles to the west. The view on all sides is very fine and extends on the west to Malcolm Peth. During Shivaji’s period the fort was used only as a military station. Shivaji Maharaj conquered the Wai region and included Vairatgad and Pandavgad in his kingdom. The British captured it in 1818.

Best time to Visit:

September to May

What to see?

Bastian, Fortification, Cannon, Water cisterns, Temple of Godess

Water and Food

No water & food on the Fort. Need to carry food and water along with.

Stay / Accommodation

No place to stay on the Fort. One can stay at the Wai or at base village of Vyajvadi

Places around

Satara, Wai, Mahabaleshwar

Approximate Distance from Pune

92Kms