Overview:
| Type: | Hill Fort |
| Location: | Situated near Roha, next to the village of Gherasurgad in the Raigad district. |
| District: | Raigad |
Surgad or God’s Fort is in the north-east of the Roha taluka and eight miles east of Roha town, next to the village of Gherasurgad in the Raigad district.
Water tanks and ancient temples are there on the Fort. Surgad top offers great views of the meandering Kundalika River as it originates from Tamhini Ghat and finds its way to the sea at Roha.
History:
Shilahar kings built Surgad fort and later the Nizam of Ahmednagar used this fort. The great Maratha king Chhatrapati Shivaji reconstructed this fort. During the Rajaram’s regime, Shankarji Narayan captured this fort from the Siddhi of Janjira.
In the year 1733 Bajirao first captured Surgad. During Peshwa period prisoners were kept in this fort.
Inscription on the fort suggested that suryaji built this fort and Tukoji Haibat was the Governor of the fort.
In the Third Anglo-Maratha War, along with other forts in the neighboring region Colonel Prother won this fort from the Peshwas in February 1818.
Places to Visit on Fort:
A beautiful waterfall at a short distance from the fort is a must see. This trek is a tough trek and it takes its toll on the legs. The fort is like a small spur running south from the main hill range.
17 rock-cut cisterns are available on the fort. However, the water from the cistern which is on the North-Eastern side is potable. A small temple of the Veer Maruti is also situated atop.
The main gate is not in good condition. One cannon is found on the plateau at the base of the fort. There are two good bastions, one at the northern end and the other at the southern end. Two dilapidated buildings namely Sadar and daru-kothar and a temple of Ansai Devi are there near the base of the fort. Also, there is dense teak and Dhawda forest around the entire fort.
How to reach:
By Bus:
Pune to Surgad by Bus
From Pune there are ST (State Transport) buses are available to Pen, which is 112 kms from Pune. From Pen through local transport you can reach to Khamb village.
Mumbai to Surgad by Bus
From Mumbai there are ST (State Transport) buses and Volvo buses available to Pen, distance between Mumbai to Pen is 63 kms. From Pen through local transport you can reach to Khamb village.
By Train:
Pune to Surgad by Train
From Pune junction to Pen there are trains available, Pune junction to Pen is around 112 kms.
Mumbai to Surgad by Train
From Mumbai to Pen there is only one train available, Mumbai to Pen is around 63 kms.
By Road:
Pune to Surgad by Road
Route of Pune to Surgad fort Pune – Shivajinagar – Chinchwad – Dehu Road – Lonavala – Khopoli – Pen – Khamb – Surgad fort.
Mumbai to Surgad by Road
Route of Mumbai to Surgad fort Mumbai – Navi Mumbai – Chirner – Pen – Khamb – Surgad fort.
Related Video (Surgad Fort):
Best time to visit:
The Best time to visit Surgad is from October to February. It is a very nice hike and best done as a monsoon hike.
