Avchitgad (6th September, 2008)

Sitting among the hills of the southern Konkan, near the town of Roha, are some little known or forgotten forts. Amongst these are Avchitgad, Tagad and Ghosalgad. Avchitgad is located near Roha and is a good place for a one day trek. The thick forest cover is quite refreshing.

Height: ~1000 feet

Range: Roha (South Konkan)

District: Raigad

Grade: Easy

Ways to Reach: Reach the town of Roha, a few kilometres from Nagothane on the Mumbai-Goa highway. Regular St services are run between Mumbai and Roha.

From Roha, Avchitgad can be climbed from the base villages of Medhe or Pengalsai. Medhe is about 7 kms from Roha, and can be reached by Roha-Nagothane ST. Pengalsai village is about 5 kms from Roha.

From Pengalsai: From the Roha ST stand, start walking towards Nagothane. Then take the right, the road leads to a bridge over the Kundalika river, before arriving at the base village. From here, one reaches the top within one and a half hour.

From Medhe: Reach Medhe village by Roha- Nagothane ST. Or else, one can get off at Medhe if you are coming from Mumbai by a direct Roha ST bus. After crossing the village, we come across a temple of Lord Vitthal, and further ahead, the narrow path leads to the top in about one hour. In between, this path meets the one coming from Pengalsai in the col.

The route is very easy to climb, but its quite easy to get lost due to thick vegetation.

Climbing time: 1 1/2 hours from Pengalsai or Medhe village.

Fascinating spots: Avchitgad has 2 main bastions. One to the south has inscriptions on it. The main entrance to the fort is still intact. It is situated next to the rock - cut carving of a horse. The route further ahead leads to Large tank, with steps leading downwards. Its more like a small lake, but the water here is not potable. Futher, there is a small temple of Lord Shiva. From behind the temple, the route climbs down to many small water tanks. The water in some is potable. You can see a small idol of Bhanani devi here, as well as a small one of Pengalsai devi.
Two canons sit atop the fort. From the south eastern side of the fort, there is a view of the river Kundalika and the Rohaghat area. To the west, you get a view of the creek at Salav.
The enitre path to the top of the fort is through thick green vegetation. The trees found here are Australian Acacia, teak, mango and jamoon. Several varieties of birds and animals like boars, monkeys, foxes, hares and even an occassional leopard have been seen here.

Every Sankrant, villagers from th surrounding villages gather enthusiastically on the top of the hill fort for their annual fair.
The small ganapati temple near Pengalsai village, and the waterfall at Medhe village is worth seeing.

Forts visible from the top: Telbaila, Sarasgad, Sudhagad, Dhanagad, Korigad, Raigad.

Accomodation facility: One can find many hotels and Government guest house at Roha. There is no place to stay on the top.

Food and Drinking water: Carry your own food. A couple of tanks behind the Shiv temple on the south-western side have potable water.