Information on Sarasgad Fort (Raigad, Maharashtra) - History & Architecture

Sarasgad Fort is a cute hilltop fort well built in a citadel mount in Raigad. This is an important fort in the Marath Wad history. This fort has many cultural and religious values in Maharashtra. This is an easy grade fort for tourists. It is located near the Sarasgad Village, Palli Town, Raigad District of Maharashtra state in Indian.

Sarasgad Fort Architecture

Sarasgad Fort is built in a traditional fort form found in India. It is a typical Hindu structure. This fortress is built over an altitude of 490 meters. Its citadel top has very less plain lands. The most significant part of this fort is the caves and the steps. Since there is lesser amount of space available to build residential complexes, many caves were carved here for residential purpose. These caves are very cool in nature in the summer days. These are beautifully cared in carved square and round shape in monolith stones of huge and small one. These caves look very pleasant while climbing towards the main fort areas. It steps are another important features. The entire route leading from the main gate are to be accessed by rock carved steps. These are very uniquely carved according to the rock size and are in different shapes and designs all over this route to its top hills. A very unique place is where these steps are built between a two vertically high monolith stones. Walking in between these narrow and short steps, with high cliff on its top will give you an incredible experience. It had got a normal fortification on its top cliffs. Their walls are well built with thick and strong stone blocks. The main gate is a huge stone structure with a welcoming entrance on this structure doorway is present. There are many cistern found here. This was the main source of water to this fort. These are nearly 10 in numbers and found along the way to the main fort. On the top it has got a large pond. On its top a beautiful Hindu temple is built here. This temple has the deity of Goddess Yogeshwari nicely carved in a single stone.

Sarasgad Fort History

Sarasgad Fort is on the banks of Patanganga River and surrounded with Pali Township. Locally this fort is well known as the Pagadicha killa. The word Pagadi in Marathi literally means the turban. It hill tops and the two cliffs have a match of a typical turban used here. Hence it is called the Pagadicha Fort. This fort temple is regularly visited by many pilgrims from the Maharashtra State. The Pali village is also a great place of Hindu temples. This fort was given a new looks under the Maratha King Shivaji's rule. He is known for his architectural values. He never destroyed any ancient fort, but always restructured it and used for his Kingdoms purpose. Before his intervention this fort was an abundant place and was used for the temple worship by its tribal peoples only. He gave it's a shape of watch tower in his regime. Thus looking at its historical importance, the fort is well managed and is kept under the care and supervision of the Archaeological department of India.

Sarasgad Fort Tourism Significance

Sarasgad Fort is one of the forts which have unique rock carved steps to reach its hilltop; this makes it a favorable fort for its visitors. There are also trekking and rock climbing areas on the other side of fort entry. This fort is worth seeing for its stone art works. It has very good scenic surrounding with lakes, waterfalls and rich green vegetations. The fort is truly an outstanding place to be as one get to soak in the splendid appeal of the nature while learning about the historical importance the fort carry. The centuries old fort has great appeal at the same time and more of all, gives and insight of the era gone by, which has been weathered by the time and now has become the part of the history. Plans are also there to make it an adventure sport area by the tourism development board. Since, it's locally getting famous as very safe trekking hills for adventure seekers.