Rohida Fort

Rohida Fort, also known as Vichitragad is located near the city of Bhor in Maharashtra’s Pune District. The fort is one of the trekkers’ favorites forts near Pune due to the breathtaking views from its top. In recent times the fort was restored by the Shree Shivdurga Samvardhan committee alongside the support of the forest department and local villagers. Strong winds are always present at Rohida Fort and during monsoon you can see upturned waterfalls due to the force of the wind. During winter months, the entire fort is covered in a blanket of vividly coloured wildflowers.

Rohida Fort was built during the Yadava dynasty and remains an important and historical fort located near Pune. An inscription on the fort’s third gate states that Mohammed Adil Shah of Bijapur had repaired this fort on May 1656. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj won this fort during a battle with the Bandal-Deshmukh of Rohida. The Mughals too over Rohida Fort during the Treaty of Purandar, but Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj recaptured it on 24^th June 1670. The fort remained under the control of the Pantsachiv of Bhor State till India’s Independence in 1947.

The base village of Rohida Fort is Bajarwadi which is about 7 km from Bhor. The trekking route starts from a hillock located opposite Bajarwadi High School. The route is well-marked, safe and wide. The trail comprises of meadows and small bushes. It takes an hour to reach the first gate. The second gate is located near an underground water cistern. A few more minutes along this trail and you reach the third gate, which has sculpted elephant heads on either side and inscriptions in Farsi and Marathi.

There are six bastions on the fort, a temple of Rohidamalla, rock-cut water cisterns and several other ancient remnants. Rohida Fort offers absolutely stunning views of the farms and villages below. On a clear day you can spot many other forts from the top of Rohida including Purandar, Rajgad, Torna, Raireshwar, Kamalgad, Kenjalgad and Madhardevi. It takes an hour to explore the entire fort.

There are good hotels at Bhor. Tea and snacks are also available in small eateries at Bajarwadi and Khanapur. A night stay and food arrangements on the fort can be arranged in the Rohidamalla temple on the fort by requesting the villagers from the local fort restoration committee in Bajarwadi. Make sure to carry enough water for the trek as the water available atop the fort is not potable.