Sajjangad

Sajjangad is an ancient fort near Satara. It is the final resting place of the 17^th century saint Shri Samarath Ramdas Swami, the spiritual guru of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.

Originally the fort was known by the name of Asvalayana Rishi, who lived on the fort for many years. Over the years it was also known as Aswalyagad, Parali and Navrastara. Built by the Bahamani Emperors between 13^th and 15^th century, the fort was governed by many rulers including the Adil Shah dynasty, the Mughals and the Marathas. In 1818, it was captured by the British.

Besides being an important place of pilgrimage, Sajjangad is the ideal destination for a peaceful weekend getaway near Pune. One can easily spend a couple of days relaxing amidst the beautiful and picturesque settings of the majestic fort.

The fort is open to public between 5.00 am to 9.00 pm on all days. From Pune, one can reach the base of Sajjangad by car or by bus. The drive from Pune to Sajjangad is scenic and the road is in a good condition. On reaching the fort, one has to climb about 240 steps from the base to reach the peak.

There are four important temples situated atop the fort, namely the Shree Samarth Ramdas Swami Samadhi Mandir, the Shri Ram Mandir, the Angaidevi Mandir and the Dhabyacha Maruti Mandir. The divine atmosphere at all these temples is very calming and serene. One can sit here, meditate and enjoy the tranquility this place offers.

The highlight of the fort is the enchanting views it offers of the surrounding scenery. The breathtaking view of the picturesque city below, the Urmodi Dam backwaters, the lush green hills and deep valleys is simply stunning. One can spend hours here, soaking in the spectacular natural beauty of this place. The sunsets and sunrises from the top of the fort are especially magical.

The maintenance of the fort and the temple is taken care of by the Ramdas Swami Sansthan trust. The place is spotlessly clean and well-kept. Throughout the day, one can hear soothing sounds of bhajans, prayers and chants coming from the temples. During lunch and dinner, devotees are served a wholesome Prasad – a delicious and fulfilling meal served free of cost.

For the benefit of devotees, the temple trustees recently constructed free of cost lodgings known as Bhakta Niwas. One can stay here overnight and make the most of their time in Sajjangad.

Sajjangad is the perfect spiritual retreat for those seeking to rejuvenate their minds and recharge their batteries. While visiting Sajjangad, one can also visit several other popular attractions in Satara such as Thoseghar Waterfalls, Kaas, Chalkewadi Windmill Farm and more.