Varugad
Range
Sitamai, Maann, Satara
Altitude
914m
Difficulty
Medium
Explore Offline
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About Varugad
Varugad Fort: Built by King Shivaj Maharaj. Custodian: Parbhu caste. It maintained a strong garrison with 200 watchmen. HISTORICAL NOTE: In 1818, the King of Satara, Vitthalpant Phadnis, seized the fort (with 200 men) from Bajirao II.
Best time to visit
All year round / Check local forecast
Places to See
**Varugad Fort: Two Parts – Summit & Citadel** **1. The Summit** * **Fortification Visible:** The fort wall is clearly seen from the road before entry. * **Intact Wall:** The entire summit is fortified and intact. * **Access:** A route leads from the summit to the Citadel. * **Doorways:** Only one of the original five entry doorways remains. * **Spotlight:** Small lake nearby. * **Bhairoba Temple:** Road ends at a huge temple of deity Bhairoba. * **Stay Option:** Ample space for an overnight stay here. Borewell and huts opposite the temple. Cottage behind the temple. * **Phaltan Doorway:** Find it past the temple. This is the entry point from Girvi Jadhavwadi.**2. The Citadel** * **The Trail:** After entering via the Phaltan doorway (from Girvi Jadhavwadi), the path splits: * *Left:* Leads to Ghodewadi on the summit. * *Straight (Right):* Leads to the Citadel entrance in a 15-minute trail. * **Water Tank:** A beautifully built water tank is at the Citadel base. * **Entrance Style:** Built in Gomukhi architectural style. * **Fortification:** Citadel wall is still intact. * **Landmarks:** Rebuilt structure (ancient office), a well, and a water tank are opposite this structure.
Journey & Transport
Time to Reach
2 hrs from Jadhavwadi
How to Reach
**Getting to Varugad Fort** Phaltan is the main hub for Varugad Fort. The fort has two parts: the summit (Ghodewadi village location) and the citadel (accessible from the summit). Two main routes lead to the summit: a paved tar road and an unpaved road. **Route Options:**1. **Via Girvi (Trek):** * Take an S.T. bus from Phaltan to Girvi village. * Jadhavwada (base village) is 5km from Girvi. * Path takes \~2 hours to the fort, plus 20 minutes to the citadel. 2. **Via Mograle (Motorable Unpaved Road):** * On the Phaltan-Dahiwadi road, look for the diversion to Mograle village (20km after Phaltan). * Unpaved motorable road leads 15km to the summit (via Tondli village). 3. **Via Beejwadi (Motorable Unpaved Road):** * On the Phaltan-Dahiwadi road, start from Beejwadi village (26km after Phaltan). * Unpaved motorable road leads to the summit. 4. **Direct Bus:** * State transport buses serve the Mumbai-Pune-Phaltan-Varugad route. * This mode reaches the summit directly.
Important Notes
**Heads Up for Your Stay:** Avoid New Moon (Amavasya) periods\! Huge overnight religious gatherings mean no place to stay (temple or cottage). **Nearby Adventures (Post-Varugad Stay):**1. **Shikhar-Shingnapur (40 km):** Must-see\! This is the deity of Maratha warrior Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. Explore the temple area featuring a pond built by Malojiraje (Shivaji's grandfather), the tombs of Shivaji, Sambhaji, and Rajaram, plus a massive temple entrance. 2. **Mahimangad Fort (25 km ahead):** Information is available on the website.
Facilities
- StayStay Options: Cottage (Max 25 people). Temple premises can host 40+ people comfortably. with locals for access to the roof-sheltered structure behind the temple.
- FoodLocal food options available.
- WaterDrinking water available year-round.