Sagargad
Information
Type
This is a hill fort with some dilapidated fortification walls and some bastions in good condition.
Location
This fort is located near Alibag in Raigad district.There is Sagargad Machi village at the half way stage of the route. Sagargad is also termed as Kheddurg
How to reach
There are two routes to reach Sagargad Machi village.The starting points of both the routes are interconnected by five minutes walk on non motorable road. After Sagargad Machi village,there is only one route for the fort.
The base villages of both routes are 2 KM away from each other on motorable road. First route is from Pavele Hanuman Temple.You can reach here by private vehicle (Mumbai 98 KM and Pune 166 KM) on Mumbai - Palaspe - Vadkhal - Sagaon Maruti Mandir route from Mumbai and Pune - Lonavala - Palaspe - Vadkhal - Sagaon Maruti Mandir route from Pune.A small road left side of Sagaon Maruti Mandir takes you to Pavele Hanuman Temple.
Second route is from Siddheshwar village.You can reach here by private vehicle (Mumbai 99 KM and Pune 167 KM) on the same route up to Sagaon Maruti Mandir and then while moving towards Alibag taking left turn at Khandale village takes you to Siddheshwar.
If you are traveling by public transport then you have to reach Alibag first.There are 6 seaters (sharing basis) run between Alibag Bus stand to Karlekhind.You can get down at Khandale and walk 20 minutes to reach at Siddheshwar or you can get down at Sagaon Maruti Mandir and walk 10 minutes to reach at Pavele Hanuman Mandir.
Pavele Hanuman Mandir - This is less popular route utilized mostly by villagers of Sagargad Machi Village.There is also one Ganesh Mandir near the starting point of the trek.The route begins with steep ascend in soil for first 15-20 minutes and then gradual ascend of 45 minutes takes you to Dutt Mandir of village.This route passes through left side hill of second route.
Siddheshwar - This is more popular route and utilized mostly by visitors and devotees as the major tourist attractions in Sagargad fort visit (Dhondane Waterfall and Siddheshwar Temple) are nearby this route.A simple walk from Siddheshwar village takes you to the footsteps. Footsteps are wide enough and easy to climb just like a staircase.The route passes through the dense forest and takes you at Junction.It takes half an hour to reach here from Siddheshwar village.A simple walk of 2 minutes leftwards takes you to Siddheshwar Temple and straight route of 10-15 minutes takes you to the Sagargad Machi village.
Sagargad Machi village is a small village on the plateau having few temples and a school.
Both the above routes take you to the Sagargad Machi village and converge in one path towards fort.A simple walk of 1.5 hours in dense forest from village takes you to the fort.The route to the fort offers scenic views of north eastern part of the landscape and Dharamtar Creek. The fort area can be easily recognized due to bastions and wall.Entrance in fort is from left side of the bastion through a dilapidated entrance gate.
Total Ascend/Descend Time -
Pavele Hanuman Mandir route -
2 hours 40 minutes (Ascending)/ 2 hours 20 minutes (Descending)
60 minutes (Ascending)/ 50 minutes (Descending)- Pavele Mandir to Dutt Mandir and vice-versa
10 minutes - Dutt Mandir to End of Village (Walk in Village)
90 minutes (Ascending)/ 80 minutes (Descending) - Sagargad Machi Village to Sagargad
Siddheshwar route -
2 hours 20 minutes (Ascending)/ 2 hours (Descending)
40 minutes (Ascending)/ 30 minutes (Descending)- Siddheshwar Village to Siddheshwar Temple Junction and vice-versa
10 minutes - Siddheshwar Temple Junction to End of Village (Walk in Village)
90 minutes (Ascending)/ 80 minutes (Descending) - Sagargad Machi Village to Sagargad
Note - This is estimated time.Actual time can very with crowd and weather at that point.
Places of Interest -
Main Fort Area -This is a small fort with not much structures in the main fort. It takes half an hour to watch the fort.The fort area ends at narrow ridge with a small separated pinnacle called 'Vandarlingi'.There is one temple (not well built) with a small built pond and another lake inside main fort.Some small cannons can also be seen on the fort.This fort offers scenic views of Kulaba fort, Alibag city and sea forts Khanderi and Underi along with the coastline of Arabian sea.
Siddheshwar Temple and Waterfall- There is a lord shiva temple and an old monetary.The lord shiva temple has thatched tiled structure.There is a small waterfall behind the temple which carry loads of water in rains but mostly dry in summer and winter.This place is more crowded in Rainy Season by trekkers and Waterfall lovers.
Accommodation -
This trek can be completed in a day and hence accommodation is generally not required.If someone wants to stay then they can either stay in Siddheshwar temple (10-15 people) or they can stay in Sagargad Machi village.People in the village are very kind and helpful and can accommodate in their houses.
When to visit -
You can visit Sagargad throughout the year except in the summer because there is no shed on the main fort.Hikers prefer Rainy season to visit this fort as this fort offers scenic views in rains and also waterfall behind the Siddheshwar Temple becomes another attraction.
Experience and Photos
My Experience
I visited Sagargad on with a trekking group with friends on 21 July 2008.We started on 6 a.m from Mumbai in a private bus and reached Siddheshwar village on 10 a.m. after having a breakfast and Tea.It was a nice day where weather was playing the game of hide and seek with showers and sunshine one after another.When we reached at the base black clouds were looming in sky.It was pleasant to see waterfall carrying loads of water making a sound at the calm place.The volume of sound started increasing as we moved ahead on a broad soil based way.We came across a stream on our way but decided to move ahead.After walking for some time we came across the steps.Steps are easy to climb and after 15-20 minutes climb we reached on plains from where the waterfall is clearly visible.We observed one peculiar thing that rain was heading towards us from west and in no time it started showering on us.We walked for some time on plains,listening the sound of water.We reached at Siddheshwar Temple on 11 a.m.We took darshan and waited for 10-15 minutes when it was still raining.We headed towards the fort and after 5 minutes walk came across the village.The village was nothing but 20-25 houses and a school at that time.The way ahead became narrow and after walking for half an hour the eastern end of the landscape and Dharamtar Creek was visible in fog.It stopped raining but the fog was still there when we reached near the fort.We reached at the entrance of fort on 11.45 a.m.
We entered the fort and watched the fort for 15-20 minutes.Due to fog we could not see coast line of Alibag initially.We reached at the tip of the fort,a small pinnacle called Vandarlingi was in front of us separated from the Sagargad fort.The view from tip was beyond the words.We rested on the plains of the fort and enjoyed the view of surrounding green blanket and tiny houses of Alibag with passing clouds and peeping sun at the background,feeling the cool breeze coming from west.The nature wasn't letting us return but we had to return.We started our return journey on 12.30 p.m.
We reached at Village Sagargad Machi on 1.15 p.m. Our group had arranged lunch at the school.The lunch was tasty and simple.We had our lunch and came outside.An excellent view of Arabian Sea and tiny Khanderi & Underi forts caught our attention.Khanderi fort can be identified by its peculiar shape of number '6' and Underi fort with its elliptical dome shape.After lunch we started descending from Siddheshwar way on 2 p.m.The journey from fort to base was in bright sunshine.We reached at the stream mentioned earlier on 2.30 p.m and cooled down ourselves in water for some time.We reached at starting point on 3.00 p.m and headed ourselves back to Mumbai.
Things to Carry
One Day Hikes - A pair of trekking shoes,Haversack,,A pair of changing clothes,Water (at least 2 litres),Torch with pair of batteries,Small scissor or knife,Easy snacks,Medical Kit (Electrol Powder + Tablets on Vomiting, dizziness fever,body pain etc +Bandage and instant relief spray or medicine on bruise + cotton piece),Other regular medicines (optional), Napkin, Towel, Handkerchief ,other things which you find necessary.
Multiple Day Hikes - Things mentioned in One Day Hikes +Sleeping Mat or Sleeping Bag,Toothpaste and brush,Ready to cook food packets and tea bags,other things which you find necessary.
Photos
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Map of Sagargad
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| Pavele Mandir (Start of Trek) |
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| Sagargad (Left),Ganesh Mandir (Right) |
Note -
1)You are requested not to litter on or near the fort,temples,sculptures,caves and historical monuments.Please keep the sanctity of our historical heritage.
2) You are requested to avoid listening high pitched volume audios while passing through the forest instead listen the chirping of different birds.
3) Please carry a garbage bag/s with you depending upon the size of group.Carry the garbage with you while descending and throw garbage in dustbins placed in base villages.
4) Walls of caves,temples and other monuments are not right surfaces to showcase your artwork.
