Sarasgad

Sarasgad Fort
Sarasgad Fort
Raigad District, Maharashtra
	Sarasgad Fort
Coordinates	18°32′34″N 73°13′40″E / 18.5427677°N 73.2277393°E
Type	Hill fort
Height	487.68m (1600ft)
Site information
Controlled by	Indian Govt.
Open to; the public	Yes
Condition	Ruined
Site history
Materials	stone
Garrison information
Occupants	Nil

Sarasgad fort is situated near village Pali in the Raigad district of Maharashtra. Pali lies about 10 kilometres East of Nagothane along the Nagothane-Khopoli road. This fort height from sea level is 490 meters

How to reach

Sarasgad Fort is the twin of Sudhagad Fort.^[1] It can be identified by its four pinnacles and thus was mainly used as a watch place to check the surrounding region. The construction of the fort is now not in a good condition but the huge rock steps are something to be seen. On the way from the south, there are 111 steps carved in stone. The door from this side is known as 'Dindi darvaja'. There are two routes that lead to the top of this fort from Pali.

Places to see

On the top is the Shiva temple providing an excellent panoramic view of all the mountain ranges surrounding this area. Sudhagad, Sankshi fort, Sagargad and TailBaila can be easily viewed from the top of Sarasgad. There are many caves that were used for soldiers and other purposes because the fort has the very little area available on its top. There are around ten tanks carved in rocks. They provide cool water supply throughout the year, which is very important for any fort.

History

It was one of the forts which was captured by Malik Ahmad Nizam Shah I of Ahmednagar in his konkan campaigns in 1485.^[2] Shivaji Maharaj gave 2000 hones (golden coin used as currency during Shivaji Maharaj's time) for repairing the fortifications of this fort.^[3] After the victory over Vasai, Chimaji Appa donated a Portuguese bell to the Ballleshwar temple which he had brought from Vasai in 1739.^[2] Till independence, this fort was in Bhor princely state.

Nearby

Among the Ashtavinayakas, Ballaleshwar at Pali is the only Ganesha who is famous by the name of his devotee and who is dressed up as a Brahmin. This place is nestled between the fort Sarasgad and Amba River.

References

^ Gunaji, Milind (2005). Offbeat Tracks in Maharashtra. Popular Prakashan. p. 103. ISBN 978-81-7154-669-5.
^ ^a ^b PATHAK, ARUNCHANDRA. "Sarasgad". www.gazetteers.maharashtra.gov.in. Govt. of Maharashtra. Retrieved 1 May 2020.
^ "Sarasgad, Medium Grade, Western Ghats, India, Adventure, Trekking". Archived from the original on 20 May 2017.

18°33′25″N 73°13′06″E / 18.5570°N 73.2182°E / 18.5570; 73.2182

Gallery

Stairs leading to the entrance of the fort
Stairs inside the fort
Rock-cut cave
Shiva Temple on top
Inside the temple
Ruins of the fort
View of Pali village from the fort