Overview:
| Type: | Hill Fort |
| Location: | In the middle of hill range that spans in the North South direction and runs parallel to the Sahyadris. |
| District: | Ratnagiri |
Sumargad is the same as the name. This fort comes along with Rasalgad and Mahipatgad. The fort is much neglected due to its difficult forest and the difficult way to get to the fort.
The fort is located in the middle of hill range that spans in the North South direction and runs parallel to the Sahyadris. Due to its difficulty in access, height and tough climb only experience mountain trekkers can reach at this fort. It has straight rock surfaces on all the sides of the fort and the way to the fort requires some rock climbing to reach to the fort which is located on the summit. The fort is visited only by trekkers these days and gone into obscurity.
History:
Not much is known about its past. Villagers say that earlier there a festival was held in this fort in the memory of Goddess but after an accident in which two villagers fell off the cliffs while balancing the pole, the festival was shifter to Rasalgad.
Places to Visit on Fort:
The fort has steep cliffs on all the sides. It is a very small fort, with fortification over an area of 1-2 acres. There are many rock cut water cisterns on the fort. Only two cisterns have clear potable water. There is cave on the fort with Shivalinga. From the top of fort Mahipatgad, Rasalgad, Chakdev and Parvatgad are seen.
How to reach:
It can be reached by the hill routes from Mahipatgad (2.5 hours of walk) or Rasalgad (4.5 hours of walk). There is little habitation near to this fort.
By Air:
Mumbai is nearest airport.
By Rail:
Khed is nearest railway station.
By Road:
Khed can be reached by direct ST buses from Mumbai, Pune and Kolhapur. While coming from Goa, one has to get down at Chiplun or Bharane Naka on the highway and then come to Khed. Khed is also connected by train to Mumbai and Goa.
Related Video (Suamargad):
Best time to visit:
The path to the fort is not in regular use and local guidance is required to reach the fort. The best months to visit the fort are from October to January.
