Sarasgad

Sarasgad Fort is located in the village of Pali in Raigad District of Maharashtra. Sarasgad is the twin fort of Sudhagad Fort. Locally, Sarasgad is also known as Pagadicha Killa because it looks like a ‘Pagadi’, which means ‘turban’ in Marathi.

Sarasgad Fort was mainly used a watch tour to keep check on the surrounding region. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj spent about 2000 hon (the prevailing currency) and got this fort repaired. Till Independence Sarasgad was under the control of the Bhor Sansthan.

The only way to enter Sarasgad is through the ‘Dindi Darwaza’. The trek begins from the Ballaleshwar Temple (Ashtavinayak Temple) in Pali village. Cars can be parked about 500 metres from the temple. From this point it takes about 30 minutes to reach the base of the fort.

Climbing Sarasgad is quite adventurous and basic rock-climbing skills are a must for the first part of this trek. Once you scale the rocky patches, you have to climb about 90 huge and uneven rock-cut steps. These steps are located between the peaks on Sarasgad and Sudhagad. Atop Sarasgad Fort are several caves, ancient rooms, a Lord Shiva temple, a few water tanks and many other ancient remnants.

From the top of Sarasgad, you can see Sudhagad, Sankshu Fort, Sagargad, Tail Baila and all other mountain ranges in the neighbouring regions. The views from top of Sarasgad are simply incredible and make the climb worth it.