Information About Vairatgad Fort
Location
Vairatgad Fort is located in the Satara district of Maharashtra, near Wai, in the Shambhu Mahadev range of the Sahyadri mountains. The region stretching from Raireshwar Plateau to Shikhar Shingnapur includes Raireshwar, Kenjalgad, Pandavgad, Mandhardevi, Varugad, Santoshgad, and Shikhar Shingnapur. Among these forts, Vairatgad was built on the southern side of the Krishna River to protect the town of Wai.
Height
The average height of Vairatgad Fort is about 1,200 meters (4,000 feet) above sea level.
How to Reach Vairatgad Fort
- Pune is the nearest international city to Vairatgad.
- By road, the fort is located near Pachwad village in Satara district on the Pune–Kolhapur Highway.
Local Routes
1. Northern Route:
Vairatgad can be reached from Vyajwadi village near Pachwad. This route involves a steep climb.
2. Ganeshwadi Route:
This route starts from Ganeshwadi village on the southern side of the fort and is comparatively easier and more convenient.
Places to See on the Fort
Visitors can reach Ganeshwadi village by private vehicle or bus. Near the village, there is an information board and a few memorial tombs. Vehicles can be parked in the nearby open ground before starting the trek to the fort.
A large banyan tree stands near the trailhead. The footpath passing beside this tree leads towards the fort. Along the way, visitors can see a shrine of Mhasoba deity covered with vermilion (sindoor). Behind it is a shepherd's hut. Further ahead, steep cliffs appear on the route leading to the main entrance of the fort.
Underground Water Tanks (Gadda)
Passing through the dense forest, we reach the edge of the cliff. Below the cliff are underground water tanks carved into the rock. According to local belief, these tanks symbolize the five Pandavas and were created by them. The local people refer to these tanks as "Gadda."
After a short climb from here, one can enjoy a clear view of Khambatki Ghat, Vyajwadi village, the Wai region, and National Highway No. 4.
Rock-Cut Stairway
Further ahead, there is a stairway carved directly into the rock. Following this path, which winds around several rock bastions, one eventually reaches the main entrance of the fort.
Main Entrance
The main gateway has been destroyed over time. A large banyan tree now grows beside it. The guard rooms on either side are in ruins, and only parts of their walls and foundations remain visible. The remains of the threshold can still be seen below.
Shiv Memorial and Hanuman Temple
At one location on the fort, there is an idol of Lord Hanuman placed in the open. Nearby stands a simple tiled-roof temple containing statues of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and Lord Hanuman. Hanuman is regarded as the deity of courage, strength, and protection from adversity. Therefore, his worship has traditionally been practiced on forts since ancient times.
Water Reservoirs
In the central part of the fort, visitors can see three deep water reservoirs carved close to one another. The stones excavated from these reservoirs were used in the construction of the temple, guard rooms, and other structures on the fort. The excavated pits were then utilized for water storage and management. Beneath the trees near these reservoirs are small shrines marked with vermilion-covered deities.
Virateshwar Temple
A short distance from the reservoirs stands the simple stone-built temple of Virateshwar , the presiding deity of the fort. In front of the temple is a sheet-roofed assembly hall, while the ancient sanctum lies beyond it. Hero stones (Veergal) and Sati stones can be seen outside the temple. Inside the sanctum is a Shiva Lingam known as Virateshwar. The temple areas also contains a stone tortoise, Nandi, and a sacrificial fire altar (Yajna Kund). The temple was once the residence of Abhaygiri Maharaj, and his disciples also lived here.
Yamai Temple
The fort is home to an ancient temple dedicated to Goddess Yamai, which can still be seen today.
Veergal (Hero Stones)
Veergals are memorial stones erected in honor of warriors who sacrificed their lives in battle or while defending others. If the wife of a warrior committed sati after his death, a Sati stone was erected in her memory. Such Veergals and Sati stones can be seen near the temple on the fort.
Secret Escape Route (Chorwat)
On the western side of the fort, visitors can see a secret escape route known as the Chorwat. This path is slippery and difficult to navigate.
Steep Cliffs and Bastion Fortifications
The fort is surrounded by high vertical cliffs known as Tasiv Kade. These cliffs form a natural stone wall around the fort. In several places, the rock formations appear like bastions, adding to the fort's defensive strength.
Spur (Sond)
One side of the fort features a narrow projecting ridge resembling an elephant's trunk, locally known as a Sond.
Archaeological Findings
Excavations conducted on the fort have uncovered several ancient artifacts, including grinding stones (Pata-Varvanta), stone oil lamps, mortars, metal pots, and other historical objects.
Fortification Wall
The fort has a large east-west spread and is protected by a rock-cut fortification wall that rises approximately 17 feet high.
Historical Information About Vairatgad Fort
Construction of the Fort
Vairatgad Fort was built between 1178 AD and 1193 AD by King Bhoja of the Shilahara dynasty.
Rule of Various Dynasties
After the Shilaharas, the fort remained under the control of the Yadavas, the Sultanate rulers, the Bahmani Kingdom, and later the Adilshahi rulers.
Under Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj
While conquering the forts in the Wai region, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj also brought Vairatgad Fort under his control and incorporated it into the Maratha Empire.
Mention in Literature
In the Sanskrit epic Shivabharata written by the poet Paramananda, the Wai region has been referred to as "Virat Nagar" (the City of Virat).
Mughal Occupation
In 1699 AD, Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb captured the fort and renamed it Sarjagad.
Peshwa and British Rule
Later, the fort came under the rule of the Peshwas and, after the decline of the Maratha Empire, passed into the hands of the British.
Conclusion
Vairatgad Fort is an important historical fort in the Satara district of Maharashtra. Its ancient architecture, temples, water-management system, natural defenses, and rich history make it a fascinating destination for trekkers, historians, and heritage enthusiasts.This is the complete information about Vairatgad Fort (Veratgad Kilyachi Mahiti) in English.
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