Fort : Sarasgad

Distance	110 km	Height	1600 ft / 487 m
Days	1 day	Difficulty	Simple
Base Village	Sarasgad	District	Raigad
Shelter	About 7-8 people can be accommodated at silos or the gatehouse. But very few prefer this.

Overview

Sarasgad Fort is situated near Pali and is a part of the Sudhagad taluka in Raigad district. Sarasgad forms the backdrop of the Pali village and stands adjacent to it. Among the Ashtavinayakas, Shree Ballaleshwar Ganesh Temple at Pali is the only Ganesha temple famous by the name of his devotee and who is dressed up as a Brahmin. This place is nestled between the fort Sarasgad and River Amba. Sarasgad stretches out in the north-south direction, to the east of Pali. From both ends of the fort one can reach the top.
The fort was mainly used to keep a check on the surrounding regions. From the fort, 'Pali' and all the surrounding regions can be seen. Shivaji Maharaj brought this fort under Swarajya and spent 200 Hon (the prevailing currency) for its reconstruction. Till independence this fort was under Bhor Sansthan.

Places of Interest

Near the main entrance we can see a triple curtain wall. Going rightwards and ascending 15 steps we see the ramparts. To the left there is a big water tank. Next to it was a gallery. Further there is another way to the fort. Near this is a water tank named 'Moti Hund'. If we go right, we have to ascend 15 steps and then we reach the base of citadel.

Base of Citadel : Here we see a very big water reservoir. To its left is the tomb of Shahapeer. Near to it few small lakes are seen. In a cavern nearby we see ‘Shivlinga’. Here a few can stay. At the right side of the tank we see silos, armory, jail and residences. Here also 10 to 12 people can be accommodated. Next to it is the way towards citadel.

Top of Citadel : On the fort we see Kedareshwar temple and a lake nearby. Two bastions are there to keep watch on surrounding areas. From citadel we can see the mountain of ‘Tin Kavdi’. We can locate Sudhagad, Tailbaila, Dhangad and Korigad. We also see Paligaon, River Amba, hot water reservoirs of ‘Unheri’, Konkan and Jambhulpada. On Vaishakh Poornima (full moon day), the villagers celebrate the festival of Shahapeer. Many people go to Kedareshwar temple on ‘Maha Shivratri’. Sarasgad is one of the favorite places of the trekkers.

History

The fort was mainly used to keep a check on the surrounding regions. From the fort, 'Pali' and all the surrounding regions can be seen. Shivaji Maharaj brought this fort under Swarajya and spent 200 Hon (the prevailing currency) for its reconstruction. Till independence this fort was under Bhor Sansthan.

How to Reach

We can go to fort through ‘Dindi Darwaza’. This is the only way to the fort. One should alight at Pali and go to the fort through ‘Dindi Darwaza’. Go to left from backside of the temple. This way heads straight to the bastion of the fort. There is a room at the base of the bastion. It was residence of the guards. From here ascend about 96 steps and go at the main entrance of the fort. Opposite to it is a gatehouse.

Food Facility

Have to make your own arrangements.

Drinking Water Facility

There are many cisterns on the fort. The water reservoir near the tomb of Shahapeer at the base of citadel is mainly used for drinking purpose.