Ilika Explorer: February 2021

Journey Date: 26-June-2019

Mode of Transport : Train and MSRTC bus

History of the fort

The height of the fort is around 2,030 feet above sea level. The origin of this fort is said to date back to the 2nd century B.C the same age as the Thanale Caves and Khadsamble caves nearby. It was then called Bhrorapgad (after its presiding deity, Bhoraidevi). In 1436, it was captured by the Bahamani Sultan. In 1657, the Marathas took over and renamed it “Sudhagad”(the sweet one). It was a large fort and replica of Raigad. Sudhagad was considered by Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj as the capital of his kingdom. He surveyed it but instead chose Raigad because of its central location.

In the regime of the Peshwas, the ‘Pantsachivas’ of Bhor became the custodians of this fort. After the annexation of princely states in 1950, the fort became patronless. It was built for defensive advantage due to a rise in elevation It is situated in Pali, Maharashtra, and lies within the Sudhagad Wildlife Sanctuary.

Travel and Trekking Experience

We started our journey from Dadar station (Mumbai) by Ratnagiri passenger at 3:00 PM and got down at Nagothne station around 8:30 PM. From Asangaon station we took an auto-rickshaw for chikhli village, we had dinner and night stay at friend Sumit’s house. (you can stay at Ballaleshwar Ganpati temple guest house for this you have to do inquiry at Bhakta Niwas2 Phone: 02142 242 429).

We woke up at 5:00 AM and got ready for the journey. Around 7:00 AM, we boarded the MSRTC bus from Chikhli towards Pali Ballaleshwar Ganpati temple. We did prayer and went for breakfast to the nearest restaurant as we had to wait for the MRSTC bus which goes to Thakurwadi base village (Note: do inquiry in MRSTC Pali depot or take help from local people for timing). Around 10:00 AM we boarded the MRSTC bus and reached, Thakur wadi base village at 10:30 AM.

Sudhagad Mountain

1st Ladder on Sudhagad

We started hiking from Thakurwadi village. The hiking route goes from the village. Local people will help to take the correct path. After 20 to 30 mins of the walk, we reached a small plateau where you can rest and the view from the plateau is awesome. After some walking, we reached the 1st ladder. The condition of the ladder is not good. The base is detached from the ground but it can resist your weight so carefully climb. After a 5 minute's walk, we reached the 2nd ladder, which was in good condition. At this point, we had completed 50% of the trek. In some areas, there is an arrow marking. We followed the marking and reached the fort steps from there fort wall were visible so we thought we have reached the top of the mountain but it was the wrong assumption, we took a rest at steps and at the bastion, took phots and start walking, after 30 mins of the trek we reached the top of the mountain but these 30 mins are thougf due to steep climbing.

View from Sudhagad top

2nd Shiv temple

Once we reached the top of the mountain again, we took 10 minutes' rest. Initially, we were confused about which direction we had to start to explore the fort, then we saw a yellow colored board which was approximately 0.5 KM away. We started walking towards the board and saw it was showing the direction towards Lord Shiva temple and Kamal talav (lake) *Thanks to Ba Raigad group for installing direction boards and fort restoration work. We prayed at the Shiv temple and went towards the lake which is behind Shiva temple. The lake was almost dry as the rainy season had not yet started. Then we saw more temples. We reached the temple, which is Lord Ganesh temple, then we started walking towards Peshwa Wada (Ministers Palace)'. While going towards Peshwa Wada, there are many ruined structures, which give you an idea of the structure and size of the house. We reached Peshwa Wada. The place is beautiful. We were lucky to see ancient household equipment, like giant grain hand grinding millstones, a stone vase to store water, etc. We found a fort map on board, once again, thanks to the Baa Raigad group. This map helps us a lot to find other places in the fort.

Fort steps

Pant sachivancha Wada

View of Tail Baila from Sudhagad

Besides Peshwa Wada, one more Shiv Temple named as Bhoraeshwar, which was painted recently which indicated some religious event occurred a few days before, from shiv temple we started walking towards Bhorai Devi temple. The temple is big. Outside the temple, ancient encryption stones were kept. One deep-stamb (ancient light poll) is there. Inside the temple, an idol of the tiger is there, which is the vehicle of the goddess Bhorai. The idol of goddess Bhori is beautifully carved in black stone. Behind Bhorai Devi temple there are tombs and shrines. From there, we started walking towards Lord Hanuman temple. From there there is a way towards Mahadarwaja (Main Gate). Due to time limitations, we skipped and headed towards seeing Daru Kothar (ammunition storage). There are a total of three storage houses there. From there we moved ahead towards Takmak tok. Here we stopped exploring the fort and decided to start the return journey as we had to board an MSRTC bus which comes at 4:00 PM. Around 3:00 PM we started descending and reached at base village Thakurwadi at 4:00 PM from there we reached Pali village, we had lunch around 4:30 PM at Pali.at

From Pali bus depot, we took the MRSTC bus and got off at Mumbai Goa highway junction. From there, we hired 6 sitters and reached Panvel station. From Panvel station, we boarded the CSMT train and got down at Dadar station.

Note: To explore the entire fort it will take 4 to 5 hrs, excluding ascending and descending time. It would be better if you had your own vehicle.

Places to see on the fort

Shiv Mandir

Kamal talav (LAKE)

Bhorai Devi temple

Mahadarvaja (Main gate)

Daru kothar

Peshwa Wada

View of Tail Baila and Ghangad fort

Water cisterns

Ancient encryption

Deep-stamb

Places to see nearby

For all below five places including Sudhagad fort, you have to plan your holiday at least for 4 days. Even you are a regular and good trekker you can complete only one fort per day including Ballaleshwar temple and hot water pond.

Ballaleshwar Temple

Hot spring water pond

Sarasgad fort

Ghangad fort

Tail Baila fort