Sudhagad

Sudhagad / Bhorapgad is a hill fort situated in Maharashtra, India. It lies about 53 kilometres (33 mi) west of Pune, 26 kilometres (16 mi) south of Lonavla and 11 kilometres (6.8 mi) east of Pali in Raigad District. The summit is 620 metres (2,030 ft) above sea level.[1] Recently the entire area around the fort is declared as Sudhagad Wildlife Sanctuary.

Entrance of Sudhagad as seen from the higher ramparts of the fort

Sudhagad Fort
Part of Lonavala Hill Range
Raigad district, Maharashtra
Sudhagad fort
Sudhagad Fort
Coordinates18°32′19.8″N 73°19′13.3″E
TypeHill fort
Height590 m(1935ft)
Site information
OwnerGovernment of India
Controlled by Ahmadnagar (1521-1594)
 Portuguese Empire (1594)
 Maratha (1739-1818)
 United Kingdom  India (1947-)
Open to
the public		Yes
ConditionRuins
Site history
In useCapital fort
MaterialsStone
Entrance of Sudhagad

History

The origin of this fort is said to date back to the 2nd century B.C [2] the same age as the Thanale Caves and Khadsamble caves nearby. It was then called Bhrorapgad [3](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 Sudhagad was considered by Chhatrapati 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[4] became the custodians of this fort. After the annexation of princely states in 1950 the fort became patron less. As a result, the fort is in a state of ruins, even though it escaped the wrath of the British.

Sudhagad main entrance

Major Features

The first fort has several ruins of two temples dedicated to Lord Shiva. However, the temple of Bhoraidevi(its patron goddess) is well maintained temple.[4] On the large plateau at the summit,[5] there are two lakes, a house, a big granary, some tombs, a shrine (Vrindavan) and numerous other ruins, scattered around the fort area. There are three main gates the largest of which is called the Maha Darwaja.[4] From the top, other forts like Sarasgad, Korigad, Dhangad, Taila-Baila are clearly visible.

Secret escape route, Sudhagad fort

Current use

Sudhagad is a popular trekking destination as it is one of the better preserved forts in Maharashtra. It takes about 1–2 hours to reach the top of the fort. The trekking route from village Thakurwadi is most popular and regularly used.There are no water cisterns on the way. The night halt at the fort in any season can be made at Pantsachiv wada and Bhorai mata Mandir. There are two water ponds on the fort.[1][4] On the slopes of the fort there are trees of pandhri which are used to make a popular walking stick.[4]

Shiva Temple on the fort
PantsachivWada in Rains
forest around the fort
Bhoraidevi temple

References
  1. Kapadia, Harish (2004). Trek the Sahyadris (Illustrated ed.). Indus Publishing. ISBN 81-7387-151-5. Retrieved 19 March 2009.
  2. http://trekshitiz.com/trekshitiz/Ei/Sudhagad-Trek-Hill_forts-Category.html
  3. http://raigad.nic.in/DG/1964/his_mediaeval_period.html
  4. Gunaji, Milind (2005). Offbeat Tracks in Maharashtra. Popular Prakashan. pp. 40–41. ISBN 81-7154-669-2. Retrieved 17 March 2009.
  5. Kohli, M.S (2004). Mountains of India (Illustrated ed.). Indus Publishing. p. 254. ISBN 81-7387-135-3. Retrieved 19 March 2009.
  • A rendezvous with Sahyadri by Harshal Mahajan
  • 'Sudgagad Darshan', written by Mr. Suresh Potdar

See also
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