Vardhangad Fort - A midnight trek in Full Moon

Tripoto
31st Mar 2018
Photo of Vardhangad Fort - A midnight trek in Full Moon by Gunjan Deshmukh

Base Village: Vardhangad

Fort State: In ruins, Fortification is intact

Difficulty level: Easy

Endurance level: Easy

Things to carry: Trekking shoes must, Two liters of water, some snacks, Torch.

Time to Reach the top: 30 minutes

Camping: Yes, also 8-10 people can stay in the temple.

How to Reach: Follow Google maps.

Vardhangad is a small fort, just 30 km from Satara on the way to Pandharpur. It was built by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj primarily as an outpost. Electric poles have installed and are lit during the night. There is a fair held for the Vardhanimata goddess on the occasion of festival Dasara. Parking can be done near the temple at the base village. The local people are very much co-operative.

In this trip, I was accompanied by Akash, Arriesh, Shashikant and Swarup. We started at 9:00 PM from Pune by Arriesh's car. We ate dinner on the way and reached the base village at midnight. We could see two cannons and a saffron flag placed to welcome the guests in the village.

Photo of Vardhangad Fort - A midnight trek in Full Moon 1/15 by Gunjan Deshmukh

There was bhajan being sung in the temple. We inquired about the fort and got to know that it is fairly an easy hike of 20-30 minutes to reach the top.

Photo of Vardhangad Fort - A midnight trek in Full Moon 2/15 by Gunjan Deshmukh

With full moon light, we started our trek. It was amazing and completely different experience walking in the night. When compared to trekking in the daylight, this one is more adventurous and quiet. We had to be vigilant not only to walk on the correct path but to look for nocturnal animals. The way is made up of hilly terrain and boulders. We spotted a beehive between the rocks.

Photo of Vardhangad Fort - A midnight trek in Full Moon 3/15 by Gunjan Deshmukh

After walking for 15 minutes, we came to a sculpture of Lord Hanuman, carved out in the rock.

Photo of Vardhangad Fort - A midnight trek in Full Moon 4/15 by Gunjan Deshmukh

Also there is a small temple. We rested here for a while.

Photo of Vardhangad Fort - A midnight trek in Full Moon 5/15 by Gunjan Deshmukh

Further ahead, we came to the main gate of the fort. This gate is in Gomukhi style in between two bastions. It means that you won't be able to identify the entrance of the fort until you come in front of it.

Photo of Vardhangad Fort - A midnight trek in Full Moon 6/15 by Gunjan Deshmukh
Photo of Vardhangad Fort - A midnight trek in Full Moon 7/15 by Gunjan Deshmukh

The view of base village and surrounding area looks stunning.

Photo of Vardhangad Fort - A midnight trek in Full Moon 8/15 by Gunjan Deshmukh

On the left side of entrance there is a flag, just ahead there is a secret gate to the fort.

Photo of Vardhangad Fort - A midnight trek in Full Moon 9/15 by Gunjan Deshmukh

As we climbed up, we saw the temple of Lord Shankar. It is very small temple with a Jyotirling in it. Outside the temple, there are few rock made structures. Just beside this temple, there is a lake. The water is not potable.

Photo of Vardhangad Fort - A midnight trek in Full Moon 10/15 by Gunjan Deshmukh

There is a hill where temple of Vardhanimata is located. There are steps built on the way.

Photo of Vardhangad Fort - A midnight trek in Full Moon 11/15 by Gunjan Deshmukh

Also there is a Lord Hanuman and other temple here.

Photo of Vardhangad Fort - A midnight trek in Full Moon 12/15 by Gunjan Deshmukh
Photo of Vardhangad Fort - A midnight trek in Full Moon 13/15 by Gunjan Deshmukh

We descended from back side of the temple. The fort area looks very big from this side.

Photo of Vardhangad Fort - A midnight trek in Full Moon 14/15 by Gunjan Deshmukh

There are many water tanks.

Photo of Vardhangad Fort - A midnight trek in Full Moon 15/15 by Gunjan Deshmukh

We strolled along the fortification of the fort. There are nearly 23 bastions. After an hour's of exploring the fort, we rested for some time and started our return journey.

Leave only your footprints, Take back only pleasant memories.