ROHIDA FORT (VICHITRAGAD) - PART II

Second part – The Rohida Fort (Vichitragad) :

Fortunately it was raining on the day we started in early morning at 6.15 am from Nigdi to Rohida fort trek. Target was to return by 2 pm. 5 of us gathered at Warje and started journey towards Rohida fort in a car. Fiat Punto it was.

Climate on that day was charming. We could see huge rush of sport bikes rush on the road. Some were couple and some were in a group enjoying rainy season ride on Pune Banglore highway. The scene on Katraj Bridge on bypass highway was astonishing. The great turn, vehicle was crusing at arounf 80 km/h, one side foggy climate on small hill and other side huge sump of water, freezing wind wind drops of rain. Ride itself was cherishing.

Scenic road to Rohida Fort

Climate

We stopped at around 8 on the highway near Kapurhol for break fat at small snack centre. All ordered special Misal Pav dish accompanied by cup of Tea. We took some snack here so that it can be consumed while tracking in case someone feels hungry.

One had to take right turn to Bhor from Kapurhol to reach Rohida. Once you reach Shivaji Maharaja’s statue in Bhor you have to take left turn pointing towards Rohida. Drive straight towards Bajarwadi village and you reach at the base of Rohida fort.

Driving Direction From Pune

Hide and sick game of rain was continuing on that day. And btw that’s a speciality of Pune rain. You can’t escape from it and you have to be prepared for the same.  Finally we reached at the base of Rohida fort at around 9.15 and parked car near one of the local school at the base of the Fort. We changed the cloths covered with jackets. Picked water bottles and snacks in 2 bags and started climbing.

Started Climbing to the Rohida Fort

The Rohida Fort

Just to ensure you have started on the right path from base, please check if there is water tank on the way at the base. If yes then you are on the correct route. Start walking and then rarely you will miss a route after that.

No chance to see how much we have to climb. Since the fort was completely covered with the dense fog. So we were having no option than keep walking until we reach at the top. As we keep walking wind speed and noise kept increasing. I have never ever experience so much of wind before on any fort. Sound of the wind was so threatening that someone may decide to climb down instead of climbing up. At some places you have to be standstill and wait for wind to stop then start climbing again. 100 kg person will be displaced if you are not prepared to be standstill while climbing. So be cautious. Cover your ears with cap / something so that it will be protected from wind pressure. Be prepared in this sense.

No Idea How much to Climb

Climb is straight but steep at some place. Though it’s easy trek it will make sure you are completely exhausted while reaching on the top. We were climbing and almost exhausted and still we were not in a position to know how much to climb more. It was complete foggy climate and raining too. To our surprise we heard whistling sound. As we continued we saw Killedar at the First door of the Fort. And we were happy to know finally we reached at the top of the fort. The aged person there was wearing Mavala dress looking to be true ancient Mavala still taking care of the Fort. He offered us water. He was keeping entry of visitors and their details. He was appointed by “Shivdurg Sanvrdhan”. It is organisation / group doing good job of rehabilitating fort and maintaining it. His first door was constructed and directed such that only one or two person can entre / come close to Darwaja at a time. This is beauty.

First Door of the Fort

Once you cross the first door which is still in very good condition and intact, you come across another two doors. You can some message carved in big stone near second door in Urdu and Marathi. I could not understand the meaning though. A big hinge of door in stone also can be seen and you can imagine how much safety precautions could have been taken during those days. As you move ahead you can see strong fortification still in very good condition. Seeing those civil work of ancient time, moment you just keep thinking how this would have been constructed. A real civil engineering can be observed in every details of the fortification. There are several Buruj on this fort constructed on all the directions. Those are also still intact and some are rebuild by Shivdurg Sanvrdhan. Some of the pictures below tell the details of this fort.

The map of the fort is also displayed at the start once you reach on the top so that anybody can easily come to know what all can be seen on this fort and where is what. Since it was too fogy we could barely see anything surrounding scene from the fort. We were completely in clouds. We travelled from the sides of the fort and visited every Buruj. Clicked some snaps. I am not sure why this fort is called Vichitragad but we experienced some odd things. That could be the reason why this is called Vichitragad. The odd thing is, if you visit one Buruj you can see heavy rains and you are completely wet. Once you move to other Buruj, heavy wind can be noticed. Once you reach third Buruj the nearby area is completely dry and no single drop of rain pours on you. It was strange experience and we concluded this could be the reason why it’s Vichitragad.

Message from Shivaji Maharaj

  

Grinder on the Fort

After seeing complete fort we reached near the Mahadev Mandir. It was rebuilt by same organisation. He opened the temple so that we could see it from inside. It was great and as feeling like cave. The caretaker there used to take visitor visit experience on this fort for his record and suggestions if any. Voluntarily you can donate some money for the good cause and he will give you a receipt for it. One more thing if you plan to stay on this fort, you can carry food material along with you and all the required utensils to cook the food are available there. You can use the same. Caretaker offered us tea and Pohe which we refused. We also mentioned that Reconstruction of Sadar is in progress and will be completed this year. There is small rope way to created on this fort to carry the constructing material on the top of the fort. 

Rope Way to carry construction material

History: The caretaker there explained us brief history about the fort that, fort was with Bandal during those and Shivaji Maharaj captured this fort an included this fort in Swarajya. Bajiprabhu Deshpande and Shivaji Maharaja's first meet was happened on this fort only and Maharaj asked Bajiprabhu to get engaged in Swarajya building. He explained him what is Swarajya and why you should be part of this. Later during "Purandarcha Tah" this fort was handed over to Mhughal which was recaptured by Shivaji Maharaja from Mughal. 

After gathering all the good memories about this fort we started descending at around 1.30 pm and reached at the base at 2.30 pm. It took us 1 hr to descend because while descending the climate was pretty clear and we could see the complete fort. So we took some snaps while descending which took more time. Some other groups were climbing when we were almost finished our trek.

We started our return Journey at 2.30 pm and reached home at around 4.30 pm. While returning we had good lunch at Dwaraka hotel on the way to Bhor.

Nearby places: We come know that Raireshwar is 25 km from here and vehicle can reach to maximum height if you don’t want to climb. We will plan this next time.

Mandhardewi (religious place) is also nearby

Bhorbhatghar Dam – This is on the way and can be seen from road. The entir Bhor and surrounding area of Bhor is scenic during Monsoon/ rainy season.

Keep travelling and Keep exploring... You always learn....