Birwadi Fort located near to Chanera in Raigad District of Maharashtra

Wednesday, December 6, 2017

Birwadi Fort is located very near to Chanera in Raigad District of Maharashtra. Jai Bhawani Mata Mandir (Birwadi) is located very close to the fort premises. After exploring Avchitgad Fort near Medhe village, we traveled to Roha, as it was afternoon we decided to break here for lunch.

Birwadi Fort located near to Chanera in Raigad District of Maharashtra

The distance from Avchitgad fort to Birwadi fort is around 25 KM away. The directions are tagged on google maps.

We had fish and chicken thali at Hotel Krishna, the food was finger licking good.

Chicken Thali at Hotel Krishna at Roha

FishThali at Hotel Krishna at Roha

 Around 3PM we were at the entrance of Jai Bhawani Mata Mandir (Birwadi), if we climb up the steps we reach the temple. we met a villager there, we asked him for directions to visit the fort, he informed us that there are two ways of reaching the fort premises, the tricky one is from behind the temple premises, he requested us not to go via that route and instead walk on the green grass to the left of the temple. He informed us to walk till we see a farmhouse on our right, from there onwards start climbing the fort premises.

Water tank at Birwadi Fort located near to Chanera in Raigad District of Maharashtra

Again, the trek route consists of loose soil, small boulders which are slippery, so we had to travel with extreme care so that we don't slip. Mind the tree roots on the way, finally we saw two bastions on either side of the main entrance. The bastions had banyan trees growing over them. That all the fortification that is left.

View from Birwadi Fort located near to Chanera in Raigad District of Maharashtra

We saw a water tank on the fort premises (water is not portable). It took us around 20 minutes to reach the top. 15 minutes to see. Not sure if we missed anything on the fort premises as we were surrounded by thick vegetation.

That's Me at Birwadi Fort located near to Chanera in Raigad District of Maharashtra

Again the fort premises offers a fantastic view of the hills, valleys, fields, cluster of houses.  The greenery around was soothing to my eyes.

View from Birwadi Fort located near to Chanera in Raigad District of Maharashtra

History states that the fort was built by Shivaji Maharaj in the 16th century.

View from Birwadi Fort located near to Chanera in Raigad District of Maharashtra

There is no provision for food and water at Birwadi, but the same is available at Chanera, the next village.

Entrance to Shri Jai Bhawani Mata Mandir at Birwadi

We then descended the fort, as we had one more fort to conquer, Ghosalgad fort.


NOTE: Please click on the words in large font in the blog to read about them. 

Avchitgad Fort near Roha in Raigad district in Maharashtra

Monday, December 4, 2017

It's been a long time, since I had been on a trek. By trek  I meant climbed a fort, as of lately I have been visiting land forts around Maharashtra, so I decided to do some easy treks between Roha and Mahad in Maharashtra.

Maha Darwaza to enter Avchitgad Fort near Roha in Raigad district in Maharashtra

I asked Manohar and Dominic, my usual partners in crime and they readily agreed to join in.

As I was the man in charge of the itinerary, we decided to visit Avchitgad Fort, Birwadi Fort, Ghosalgad Fort, Kuda Caves, Tala Fort, Mangad Fort and Surgad Fort in a three day trip.

The well enroute Avchitgad Fort near Roha in Raigad district in Maharashtra

It had not been raining for the last couple of days, so we were hoping that it would be dry and sunny on the trip. Fingers crossed.

There are two ways of reaching Avchitad Fort. The directions to the fort are tagged on Google Maps. One can either travel via the Mumbai Pune Expressway (Toll Road) like we did, exit at Khalapur and from there crossed, Durshet, Pali, Bhise and finally Medhe the base village for Avchitgad Fort.

The other route is the Old Goa route, from Panvel, cross the Karnala Fort, Pen Nagothane , Bhise and finally Medhe the base village for Avchitgad Fort.

Map of Avchitgad Fort near Roha in Raigad district in Maharashtra

We reached Medhe Village around 10:15 AM. The reason why it took us time, is because we braked for breakfast on the way. Parked the car near the temple. Inquired with the locals regarding the directions to the fort.

It was a sunny day, we decided to carry 2 liters water to quench our thirst, after all we were climbing hill forts after a very long break.

View of the land, enroute Avchitgad Fort near Roha in Raigad district in Maharashtra

History states that Avchitgad Fort was built by the Shilahar Dynasty. It was later taken over by the Nizam of Ahmednagar, Shivaji Maharaj, the Peshwas and finally the British.

Though it was not raining that they, it might have rained before as the soil was damp.

We crossed two wells made of black stone, the water in it is not portable though. The trek to the fort leads from here.  One has to travel on loose soil, small boulders to reach the top. To top it we had thick vegetation and mosquitoes for company as we were wearing shorts.

Veergali, enroute Avchitgad Fort near Roha in Raigad district in Maharashtra

Midway up the fort, we saw a couple of stones placed near each other.  One of the stones had a garland placed around it. As stone had the word "Veergali" written on it in Marathi (local language). Maybe it is created in remembrance of soldiers who died fighting on this fort. Here, we saw another route which leads to the fort from Pingalsai Village. 

Green cover all around enroute Avchitgad Fort near Roha in Raigad district in Maharashtra

We took a couple of breaks midway, finally in about 50 minutes we were at the top of the fort. How do I know, I saw the bastion (though it was not intact, it had banyan tree growing over it).

Banyan Tree on the fort bastion at Avchitgad Fort near Roha in Raigad district in Maharashtra

We crossed the Maha Darwaza, there were no wooden doors, just a arc shaped entrance to visit the fort premises. Next to the Maha Darwaza we spotted this animal inscribed on the rock. Not sure which animal it is. If you know then please mention in the comments below.

Animal inscribed on the rock at Avchitgad Fort near Roha in Raigad district in Maharashtra

The fort offers a fantastic view of the surroundings,  blue skies, white clouds,  shades of green on the hills and valleys below, the closest railway station Nidi (Konkan Railway), cluster of houses in a distance. The view was just amazing.

That's me at Avchitgad Fort near Roha in Raigad district in Maharashtra

We wasted no time, we started exploring the fort, on the fort are placed three cannons at different locations, the first and the third can be easily located. I want you to visit the fort and find the second cannon.

Cannon no. 1 at Avchitgad Fort near Roha in Raigad district in Maharashtra

Cannon No. 2 at Avchitgad Fort near Roha in Raigad district in Maharashtra

Cannon No.3 at Avchitgad Fort near Roha in Raigad district in Maharashtra

We then saw a octagonal shaped pond, it has steps to reach the base of it, it was filled with water, the water is not portable.

Octagonal Pond at Avchitgad Fort near Roha in Raigad district in Maharashtra

There is a Shiv Mandir in the fort premises, with a statue of Nandi, Ganpati and another two deities (not sure who those deities are)

There are a series of water tanks, placed near each other (water is not portable). There is also a stone carving (that of a God, not sure the name of the God)

Shiv Mandir atop Avchitgad Fort near Roha in Raigad district in Maharashtra

There is fortification within the fort premises, though the exterior walls have broken down.  There is a flag hoisted near one of the bastions of the fort. Some more water bodies on the fort premises.

It took us around an hour to see the fort premises. The wild vegetation made it a bit difficult for us to travel on the fort premises.

Water tanks atop Avchitgad Fort near Roha in Raigad district in Maharashtra

The sun had now hid itself behind the dark clouds, we decided to descend the fort, before it starts raining.

Dom, Manohar and me at Avchitgad Fort near Roha in Raigad district in Maharashtra

As we were descending the fort, we met a couple of trekkers who too had come to visit the fort premises.

Another Darwaza within Avchitgad Fort near Roha in Raigad district in Maharashtra

Another Darwaza within Avchitgad Fort near Roha in Raigad district in Maharashtra

In about 35 minutes we were at the base (temple, where the car was parked).

View of the land from Avchitgad Fort near Roha in Raigad district in Maharashtra

View of the land from Avchitgad Fort near Roha in Raigad district in Maharashtra

The car parked near the Temple at the village

There is no provision for food and water at Medhe Village, if one comes to the main road, then it is available.We refreshed ourselves and then headed to visit BirwadiFort.We did see buses playing from Roha and Pali on the main road.


NOTE: Please click on the words in large font in the blog to read about them.

Kille Pardi in Pardi near Valsad in Gujarat (India)

Wednesday, January 25, 2017

After exploring the Parnera Fort in Atul, we headed down the stairs to reach the base. From there we boarded a shared rickshaw to the Mumbai Ahmedabad Highway. The rickshaw driver agreed to take us to Kille Pardi in Pardi a couple of KM's away at a cost of Rs.80 for two. 

Fortification at Kille Pardi in Pardi

The moment we exited the highway, we entered the small and crowded town of Pardi. Looks like everyone from this town had taken the road, which made travelling on the road a difficult task. The rickshaw driver managed to dodge the traffic on the narrow and winding roads and finally alighted us at the entrance of Kille Pardi. 

Kille Pardi in Pardi

Outside the fort premises is a small bust of Shivaji Maharaj, with a write up in Gujarati. There is also a Post Office outside the fort premises. Another landmark to reach the fort. 

Post Office outside Kille Pardi in Pardi

Statue of Shivaji at Kille Pardi in Pardi

The fort is in ruins and is not occupied at all. Most of the structures on the fort premises are in ruins. 

A couple of houses had the no. 1745 and 1910 atop them, so not sure if the structures were built in that year or if it is just a number given to the structure. Dogs have made themselves a home in a couple of structures. So the moment we walked in they started barking at us. Oops, looks like we trespassed in their homes without their permission. 

Fortification at Kille Pardi in Pardi

Structures at Kille Pardi in Pardi

There is a lot of wild vegetation growing in the fort premises. There is also a bastion with a cylindrical pillar made of stone in its premises. Not sure about the significance of the stone pillar. Have been to forts in plenty, but haven't seen anything like this one.
There are a couple of house like structures in the fort premises. Again they are like ghost houses.

Ruins at Kille Pardi in Pardi

There is also a Dargah here.It is in use and prayers are offered. I am not sure of its name, but if you can read Gujarati then do post it in the comments. 

Structure at Kille Pardi in Pardi

The couple of walls are still standing in the fort premises. Some of them are still standing thanks to the support of the Banyan Tree.
We also saw a snake roaming freely in the fort premises. Fathima was stunned when she saw the snake. We didn't harm the snake nor did it harm us in any way.

Fathima and Me, at one of the bastions at Kille Pardi in Pardi

There is another way to enter the fort premises from the other side. There are a couple of bastions too, again due to thick vegetation we couldn't visit certain parts of the fort. The ASI should take this fort under its belt and work towards the renovation of the fort to be accessible to the public. 

Structures at Kille Pardi in Pardi

I was happy to see that there was no graffiti on the fort walls. Thank God, idiotic people have no visited this fort premises. 

Structures at Kille Pardi in Pardi

No food or water is available in the fort premises, the fort can be explored in 30 minutes. As the Pardi town is close by we can easily get refreshments there. 

Structures at Kille Pardi in Pardi

Pardi Rail station is close by, again only passenger trains stop at this station. One can reach the Rail Station and then board a rickshaw or walk it out to the fort premises. 

Structures at Kille Pardi in Pardi

Dargah at Kille Pardi in Pardi

We then had refreshments and headed over to the last fort on our itinerary. The Bagwada fort aka Arjungad located in Bagwada.

Akluj fort (Shiv Srushti) near Solapur

Saturday, November 12, 2016

After driving for a couple of minutes on the Pune Solapur Highway we located this hotel, Hotel Indraaatya. We decided to brake for lunch there. The time was now 2:45 PM on my watch. Not sure if lunch would be served, but we still decided to try our luck post Kugaav Fort.

Hotel Indraaatya

Lunch was served and so we settled for Chicken Thali, at a cost of Rs. 160 each. Twelve, you read it right, twelve pieces of chicken for Rs.160 is not bad. After having a heavy lunch we then headed over to see Akluj fort (Shiv Srushti) near Solapur.

Akluj fort is tagged on Google maps so there is no way you can get lost. It was around an hour away. We reached the fort premises at 4 PM. It was open to public.

Chicken Thali at Hotel Indraaatya

The ticket cost us Rs.20 each. The timings are from 10 AM to 1 PM, lunch break, 2 PM to 630 PM. I guess it is open on all days.

The Main Darwaza to enter the fort and the fortification is artificially created. It has got mannequins of soldiers around it. There is also a historic bastion located in the middle of the fort. I guess the bastion is all that remains of the original fort, that once stood here.

Akluj fort (Shiv Srushti)

Akluj fort (Shiv Srushti)

It is basically a museum depicting the important events in Shivaji's life. The walls on the inside have got the various events on Shivaji's life depicted in the form of large images.

Akluj fort (Shiv Srushti)

Akluj fort (Shiv Srushti)

The Coronation of Shivaji as King and his Birth Ceremony is depicted in 3D format. Mannequins dressed in various attire. A lot of effort has gone in making this museum aka fort. It was nice to see a museum depicting the important events in Shivaji's life. It takes around 20 to 30 minutes to see the fort aka museum.

Akluj fort (Shiv Srushti)

Again not much is known about the history of this fort.

The original bastion located in the center has a statue of Shivaji atop it. It gives a good view of the fort and also the surrounding. It is the topmost point of the fort.

Akluj fort (Shiv Srushti)

Akluj fort (Shiv Srushti)

The time was now 430 PM, we decided to visit Piliv Fort, before we break for the day. 

Please do click on the highlighted words above to read about those explorations.