Managed to hike Vairatgad this weekend. This fort was something which always figured in the plans although was dropped couple of times due to various reasons. The team was bunch of guys from Paxonet and yours truely.
Way to reach from Pune -
1] Travel by NH-4 towards Satara, take a right turn towards Wai-Mahabaleshwar on NH-4. Just before Wai, take the left turn to Satara. Reach this place called Wyajwadi/Vyajwadi at the base of the fort. Climb is easy, takes around 1 hour.
2] For the more enthusiastic ones, on NH-4 take a right turn towards Bhor. Reach Bhor. Take a left turn towards Wai [ 35Kms from Bhor ] via MandharDev Ghat and reach Wyajwadi/Vyajwadi. You pass by the base of Pandavgad and you can also cover Mandhardevi if interested.
There are couple of water tanks and temples on the top. From the top one can get a view of square'ish shaped Pandavgad across the plains, Dhom Dam, Wai town and Pachgani tableland. I couldnt gather much about the history, guess I need to catch hold of those references mentioned by Harish Kapadia. Pachgani is pretty close so sunset at tableland is something that can be tried. Bikes are allowed on the plateau.
The fort is pretty insignificant as such, not as mesmerizing, rather dull. But for a fort collector like me, especially ones which arent frequented by the mortal populace its another one in the kitty.
Check out the complete imagestation album
here.
Lady working in the groundnut field...
Fort Pandavgad ..the distant square'ish peak ..
The guide ...
Fort Vairatgad..taken during climb ..
Looks like some variety of Dahlia..
Pachgani Tableland to left ..Thin white line is Dhom Dam...
Fortification..Fort Vairatgad ...
Temple atop the fort...
One of the water tanks atop ..
Fortification ..Fort Vairatgad ..
Another view..looking west..Fort Vairatgad..
Sunset..at Tableland..
