Vasota Fort
- Name - Vasota (Vyaghragad)
- Height - 4267 ft
- Type - Forest
- Location - Satara, Maharashtra
- Dongarrang - Mahabaleshwar Koyna
Nestled in the Mahabaleshwar Koyna mountain range in the Satara district of the Indian state of Maharashtra, Vasota fort is a favorite fort of many pilgrims. This fort is a unique fort in the dense forest of Jawali.
The mainline of Sahyadri is spread from south to north. The line of Dategada, which runs parallel to this line, is at Ghatmathya. This line stretches from Mahabaleshwar to Dategada. The river flows through both the ranges. A dam has been built on the Koyna river flowing through Jawali valley. This water is spread up to Tapola. The water of the Sahyadri main range and Shivsagar is a dense forest in its area. The inaccessibility of Vasota fort has increased due to the dense forest in the west towards Belag which collapses in Konkan and east.
Vasota Fort History: -
A disciple of Vasistha sage lived on the hill on which Vasota is situated, so that disciple is said to have named the mountain after his guru. It is believed that Vasishta was renamed Vasota. The Shilahar kings built a fort on this hill. Vasota was named Vyaghragad by the Maharaja. The Peshwa also has a record of inaccessibility. In the time of Shivaji Maharaj, this fort was used as a "prison". Because of the dense jungles and deserts here as well as animals like tigers, leopards, are still there.
After Shivaji Maharaj conquered Jawali he took several forts in the vicinity, Vasota did not take it as it was a bit long. When Shivaji Maharaj was trapped at Panhalgad, he sent infantry under his command to conquer Vasota fort on June 6, 1660. After the assassination of Afzal Khan, Shivaji Maharaj attacked Rajapura and asked the British for the address of Afzal Khan's ships. As he did not tell, the British officer was arrested and imprisoned at Vasota. A few days later Rs 26000 was found on the fort. He later fought with Tai Telini in 1706. After 8 to 10 months of battle, Tai Telini was defeated and in 1730, Vasota fort passed to Bapu Gokhale.
An old Aryan mentions the fun of Vasota.
“Ajinkya Vasota of Rich Pant Representative;
Telin Mari Sota, Bapu Gokhalya Sambal Kasota ".
Places to see at Vasota Fort: -
It takes two gates to reach the fort. The first of these doors is in a collapsed state. The fort can be entered through this door. Once inside there is a Maruti temple. There are three ways from the temple. The straight path leads to the fort. The sidewalk leads to 'Kalkai's station'. From there, the road leads to Machi. This Machi is called Kalkai Thane.
Chakdev, Rasal, Sumar, Mahipat Gad, Koynecha Reservoir, a region of dense trees surrounded by Machi, is a beautiful sight. The path to the left of the Maruti temple leads to the tanks. The water in this tank is suitable for drinking. This path leads to the forest and Babu comes to Kadya. The highest mountain in front is the "Old Vasota". Now the way to this fort does not exist. There is also a shortage of water. No one goes there because of the dense forest and animals.
Roads to Vasota: -
There are two ways to reach Vasota fort, one is via Nageshwar and the other is by the direct route.
Vasota via Satara: -
Via Kusapur: - You have to come to Bamnoli village from Satara. There is a bus service from Satara at 9 am. From here Kusapur starts by launching the reservoir of Koyna Dam. The Kusa floods lead to two parts of the dense forest. The road on the right leads to Nageshwar and the road on the left leads to Vasota fort.
Via Khirkadi: - Sitting from Satara, you should come to the village of "Waghali Devachi", from there you should cross the reservoir by launch and come to Khirkadi. From there, the road from Dhangar Wadi leads to the village "Met Indavali". The journey from Satara to here is 8-9 hours. From here it is possible to reach Vasota in 5-6 hours.
Via Mahabaleshwar: - You can reach Mahabaleshwar "Tapole" village and reach Kusapur by launch. From there it goes to Vasota.
From Chiplun to Vasota: -
1. Come to the village to steal the seat at 8:30 in the morning. Vasota can be reached in 5-6 hours from here. Going up this path takes you to a plateau. The path on the left from the plateau leads to Nageshwar. From here, the distance to Vasotya can be covered in two hours.
Vasota via Nageshwar: -
On the way to Vasota, you see a cone in front of you called Nageshwar. There is a cavity in the belly of this cone. So in is the temple of Mahadev. Thousands of citizens visit here every Shivratri.
Photos of Vasota Fort: -
