Overview:
| Type: | Hill Fort |
| Location: | Near Rohan in Raigad District |
| District: | Raigad |
Avchitgad fort stands at a height approximately 1000 feet, located in the Sahyadri ranges of Maharashtra. The fort is situated near Roha in the Raigad district.
The city of Roha is situated on the banks of Kundalika River. This region is beautiful, and the fort is one of the rich forts of Maharashtra. It has total 4 gate entrance and 2 main bastions. There is a rock-cut carving of a horse before the entrance.
Dense woods along the mountain have made it bit difficult to ascend the top.
At the base of this fort is a village called Medha and Padam – Kharapti.
History:
This fort is believed to be built by Shilahar kings and subsequently used by the Nizam of Ahmednagar. The great Maratha king Chatrapati Shivaji is also believed to have reconstructed this fort. The work was carried out in a hurry and hence the name ‘Avchit’ (hurry) ‘gad’ (fort).
In the Third Anglo-Maratha War, this fort was won over by Colonel Prother from the Peshwas in February 1818 along with other forts in the neighboring region.
Places to Visit on Fort:
There are many water tanks along Avchitgad fort trek route. The main big water tank is present at the entrance. Drinkable water is available in some of these water tanks. The fort has a splendid dodecahedron shaped (16 sided) lake on the top.
Like many other forts this fort also has temple of Shiva. You can see shrines of Bhavani Devi, Shree Khandoba and a small temple of the Pingalsai goddess is also situated atop.
The main gate is also in good condition.
There are two cannons on the top of the fort. There are two good bastions one at the northern end and the other at the southern end. There is an inscription on the southern bastion which says ” Shri ganeshayanama shri jayadev shake 1718 Nal nam samvatsarae Chaitra shudha pratipada”
Every year, the fort hosts an annual fair on the top on the auspicious occasion of Makar-Sankranti.
From a top the fort one can have an excellent view of the neighboring forts of Telbaila, Sarasgad, Ghangad, Sudhagad, Raigad and Savashnagad.
How to reach:
By Road: The fort is 118 km away from Mumbai, 142 km from Pune, 258 km from Nashik and 303 km from Kolhapur. You can catch ST buses or private buses from these cities till Roha. From Roha, local private transportation is available till base villages.
Nearest Railway Station: Roha and Nidi are the nearest rail heads to reach over here. You can take private vehicles or ST buses from these towns to reach up to your desired base village.
Nearest Airport: Mumbai airport is the closest airport to this fort.
Related Video (Avchitgad Fort):
Best time to visit:
Monsoon season is the best time to visit this fort. You can experience lush green beauty of the nature in this period.
