Long waited trek for me, because I read too many times that Sudhagad is exact replica of Raigad and before making Raigad as Capital Chatrapti Shivaji Maharaj thought of Sudhagad as capital of HINDVI SWARAJYA, but due to prime location of Raigad they choose it as capital. This is one of the hill fort in Maharashtra which is situated near Pali village in Raigad district. Sudhagad was also called as Bhorapgad. Maratha's took over this fort & named it as Sudhagad which means Sweet One in marathi. This fort is 620 mt (2030 ft) above sea level.
On Saturday morning at 7:00 AM on 1st August 2015, we started from Pune Balgandhrva. This time the leader in the group was AMOL KOTKAR. He planed all the things of trek such as break fast, lunch evening tea place, base village from where we were starting actual trekking, he is very helping hand to all of us and source of huge knowledge.This time we have some enthusiastic persons in the group such as Shweta Pokle, Sonal Ubalkar, Vinay Deshmukh & extra.
Amol dada was guiding to driver about the way to reach base village Pachchapur, during this journey from Pune to Pachchapur we had our breakfast, introduction of everyone & small round of ANTAKSHRI game. We reached Pachchapur around 9:30 AM where we distributed lunch boxes to everyone to carry it their self.
Finally actual trek started then, Amol dada decided to enter in fort from Pachchapur Darwaja, so we all started walking in that direction of fort. After leaving three to four farms we entered in Sudhagad forest. After 20 to 30 min walk we reached the first rock patch, where IRON LADDER was there to get up & down. There we had our photo session. Previously there was only side railing & very small ladder was there, you can see that as well. Before reaching ladder there was railings on the hill, on the right side you can see Tail-Baila valley and so many waterfall views, it was simply awesome view. On the left side you can see the Sudhgad Ghera full of dense forest & Sarasgad Fort. After 20 min photo session & side scenes, we started walk again towards Pachchapur Darwaja.
After walking for another 30 min we reached the stairs which leads us to Pachchapur Darwaja of fort. There we had small photo session again. After reaching Darwaja on the right side there was Two Story TEHALNI BURUJ ( Pillar constructed for observation under fort area). We saw very much attractive constriction on stairs, also an exciting way to reach bottom part of pillar. Form this buruj we can see top view of stairs we used to reach Darwaja and that was awesome.
While walking few guys were taking rest under the trees in fresh air, enjoying the amazing nature in relax an awesome feeling.
As Amol dada decided to have lunch at Bhorai Devi Temple on the fort, we started heading towards temple at 11:00 AM, during this walk we can able to see the TAKMAK TOK or ZULTA KADA on the right side of sudhagad. We reached final Pathar of fort at 11:45 AM, where we saw the lake. If you see the top view of this lake on Google Map its shape is like HEART and pathar shape is also like HEART. On this pathar you can see so many houses whose final base is remaining now nothing else. Few Palaces walls are also there. From here if you lead towards right side you will reach Bhorai Devi temple. Near this temple few villagers are living, who are taking care of temple. If you are planing to have overnight trek then you can stay there, obviously by taking villagers permission. We asked there for the way to Bhorai Devi Temple & then we reached there. Temple area was maintained like garden. Walking track was there to reach temple, on right side of track small lake was there. Before bhorai devi temple there is another small temple whose side walls are of tree woods properly arranged. God statue was created on the rock so beautifully. After taking its snap we reached Bhorai Devi Temple. It was maintained very carefully & neatly.
The Shilla Lekhs around the temple are simply awesome, different different structures are created on the well cut rocks. Those shila lekhs are not maintained properly, some are broken in that. Inside the temple very big bell was there & some sudhagad information charts were there. After taking darshan we had started our lunch & suddenly rain also started. So few people went inside temple, few went under tree & we were seating in small roof created in front of temple. Some guys having lunch under umbrella. After lunch we were exploring surrounding area of temple, there were too many beautifully constructed tombs. On temple door DIP STAMBH was there on which an awesome elephant structure is created. From back side to north east you can see the TAIL BAILA fort walls clearly. we had small photo shoot here as well. Don't be action hero while doing photo shoot take care of your self. From this side you can also able to see the fort wall which leads to DINDI DARWAJA. This door was created in such a way that until & unless you reach there you won't see it from any where.In front of this Bhorai Devi temple there was Hanuman Temple is also there. We took darsan there as well.
After taking the permission from our leader Amol we went to explore more about the fort I, Sonal, Vinay & Shweta. From there there we headed towards dindi drwaja & remaining group started descending. Way to dindi darwaja is very slippery so be careful. After 15 min walks from temple we reached dindi darwaja which is built same like Mahadarwaja on Raigad & this way out from dindi darwaja lead to Dhondse Village. Here we realized what great architects was there at that time to build such an amazing DOOR way to fort. Very beautiful structures were created on this door. One thing we were unable to found at this place was CHOR DARWAJA. After taking some snaps we headed back to temple.
As we four were full of stamina we decided to go at TAKMAK TOK of sudhagad, during this walk we saw too large GODAUN like structures which is called as Hatti Paga. Then after crossing some open space we were leading towards Takmak Tok. Before the last point of takmak tok it was very inclined way to reach there so go ahead very carefully. Once you reach there it was really an unbelievable feeling the name called ZULTA KADA (Moving Rock) you will seriously feel like that there. From this peak you can see the Ghangad, Korigad, Amba river.
As we were there in Monsoon it was very dense forest & water falls like the "Mahesmati View in Bahubali". Also you can hear the voice echo clearly here. At takmak tok take every step very carefully, it is very amazing, awesome as well as dangerous place. After having some snaps we moved back to temple. While coming back we saw one Mahadev Temple, we took darshan there as well & started descending. In the mud near the temple we saw very big Mushrooms were there. we four after having some snaps there as well started back trek to catch whole group, so we were little bit fast & in next 20 min we reached our group at IRON ladder & we took rest there.
Finally at 6 PM we reached the Pachchapur village & we started back journey to Pune. We enjoyed back journey as well with lot of dance. We had tea at Food Plaza on Pune Mumbai Express way & at 8:45 PM we reached Pune, in this way an amazing trek of my life ended.
Note:
- Photo Credit goes to Amol Kotkar, Bhushan Awagan & Rahul Chandure.
- Such an amazing fort everyone should visit at least once in life.
- During monsoon be careful some places are slippery & in grass may be reptiles were there.
- Before going on trek do some research what to explore there.
Please leave comments below for others if you have been to Sudhagad or you have any questions related to trek.
Enjoy !!!!
Thanks & Regards
Rahul Chandure
