Vasota (Vyaghragad)

Situated in dense forests surrounded by river Koyna is the fort of Vasota, which according to the`Dnyaneshwari, means a resting place. This fort is also known by the name of Vyaghragad.
Fact File
Location: Koyana forest, Satara
Distance from major cities:
Mumbai -300 km
Pune - 160 km
Satara - 40 km
Villages at Foothills: Kusapur, Met Indavali
Altitude:4320 ft (1317 m)
Latitude: 17°39'50"N
Longitude: 73°41'49"E
Best time to visit: Throughout the year. Best during the winter {mosmap lat='17.663989'lon='73.697137'zoom=2}
topHistory
We have to go back to the times of Sage Vasishtha to know how exactly old is the fort. It,s believed that a disciple of Vasishtha, a sage by the name Agasti, came to reside on a mountain on the banks of river Koyana. He named the mountain after his mentor. Later the mountain was fortified and converted into a military station. In the course of time, fort Vasishtha was pronounced as 'Vasota' This fort is believed to belong to the Shilahar dynasty era, and probably
named Vasota due to the name Vasantgad given to it during that era. According to ancient scriptures Shivaji took Vasota after his successful raid on Javli region. But it is untrue. Shivaji took Javli and other forts in the Konkan region but Vasota eluded him.
When Shivaji was trapped on Panhalgad he dispatched a battalion from his main army and won Vasota on June 6, 1660. Later in 1679, 26,000 rupees were found on the fort. Among the prisoners caught in 1661 in Rajapur, Faren and Samuel were kept imprisoned on the fort. Later in 1706, Tai Telini brought the fort under her control. The very next year Peshwa Senapati Bapu Gokhale fought with her. After 8-10 months of intense battle, Bapu Nadkarni conquered the fort.
topAttractions There are two entrances to the fort Vasota. The first one lies in a dilapidated state. We enter the fort through the second one. On entering the fort we see a Hanuman temple, now devoid of a roof. Three ways go ahead this temple. The path straight ahead takes us to the remnants of the fort. The one on the left takes us at`Kalkaiche Thane. On the way is a Mahadeo temple which can accommodate 2-3 people. Moving along the path we arrive at Machi. The view of the surrounding region is simply spectacular. The path on the left of the Maruti temple takes us to the joint water cisterns. Water in these cisterns is potable. The way proceeds to a
fascinating cliff named Babukada shaped like the letter 'U', that reminds us of Konkan Kada of Harishchandragad. The mountain seen in front of Babukada is the Old Vasota.
Old Vasota : The mountain that is seen from the Babukada on Vasota is Old Vasota. No way exists now that takes us to this fort. In addition there is an acute shortage of water. Also presence of wild animals in the area keeps the trekkers away from this fort.
topReaching There
- By Air -
Pune is the nearest airport 16 km away
- By Rail -
Satara road is the nearest rail head 50 km away
- By Road -
One can reach Bamnoli via Satara; from where boats are available to reach the foothills.
topTrek Routes
- From Bamnoli (Grade : Easy) -
Reach Bamnoli from Satara. Ferrys are available from here to reach the base of the fort i.e. Met Indavali. A well defined pathway takes you atop the fort through thick forests.
topAccommodation
The cave can accommodate around 15 people