Weekend Travels: March 2012

The fort Vairatgad is situated in the province of Wai, and 8 km away from Wai.

Once you reach the top you have to follow the right side trail. There are couples of water cisterns on the way. The trail ends at the flight of steps. A road from Vyajwadi joins here.

I have been to Vairatgad on 31/03/2012. The fort is easy to climb and it takes 1 to 1½ hrs to climb the fort and less than hour to see the fort. You directly reach the top of the fort. Top of the fort is actually very small and there are remnants of old buildings. Hanuman temple welcomes you and right across it is a huge pond. Inside the fort are five stone ponds none of them more than forty feet in diameter, and outside is one cave pond.

History Vairatgad Fort

The fort is one of those said to have been built by Bhoj Raja, the Kolhapur Silahara chief Bhoja II. (1178-1193) of Panhala, and its name is locally derived from the Vairats, a wild tribe supposed to have dwelt in this neighbourhood, who were subdued by the Pandavas. King Bhoj of the Shilahar dynasty built Vairatgad in the 11th century. The fort is partly commanded by the heights of Bavdhan three miles to the west. The view on all sides is very fine and extends on the west to Malcolm Peth. During Shivaji’s period the fort was used only as a military station. Shivaji Maharaj conquered the Wai region and included Vairatgad and Pandavgad in his kingdom. The British captured it in 1818.

Best time to Visit:

September to May

What to see?

Bastian, Fortification, Cannon, Water cisterns, Temple of Godess

Water and Food

No water & food on the Fort. Need to carry food and water along with.

Stay / Accommodation

No place to stay on the Fort. One can stay at the Wai or at base village of Vyajvadi

Places around

Satara, Wai, Mahabaleshwar

Approximate Distance from Pune

92Kms