Mrugagad Fort is a fort ruins in Bheliv village in Sudhagad Tehsil in Raigad district in Maharashtra.
It is a fort famous for trekking and one can cover the fort in a day. It is a natural fort, mostly used as a watch tower which is above 500+ meters above sea level.
Now, this natural fort might just look like a small hill, but trust us, it’s anything but small! Standing at over 500 meters above sea level, it was mostly used as a watchtower back in the day to protect trade routes. But now, it’s famous for trekking, and with a trail that leads through a dense forest, you won’t even feel the fatigue as you climb up to the fort.
But here’s where the real adventure begins. The last two cones below the fort have a passage leading to the fort through the eastern gully between them. And it takes about 45 minutes to reach this place from the village. Are you ready for some rock climbing? Simple rock climbing is required to ascend towards a small plateau with a hill towards the left. And if you’re feeling brave, you can even take the exposed and risky steps to a water tank on the right.
The view from the top of the fort is breathtaking, and it’s definitely worth the hour-long trek to reach the summit. Just be careful during the monsoons because those exposed steps can be treacherous!
Now, we know you’re excited to visit, so let’s talk logistics. The distance between Khopali and Bheliv is 30km, and you can start your journey from Khopoli Station. Sharing Rikshaw for Lonavala phata will be available, and you can even hire a share-six seater to Parali village on Palikhopali Road. Six-seaters are available from Parali till its base village known as Bhelvi, and in about an hour, you’ll reach the top of the fort.
And hey, don’t forget to check out the small square mouth measuring 3 x 3 feet on the way to the fort! The cave is about 30 feet inside and has two urns. And once you reach the small plateau, keep an eye out for the carved steps that lead you to the top of the fort. Oh, and did we mention that there’s an idol of Lord Ganesha carved in the rock?
But the real reward is when you enter the fort and see the Mahishasurmardini idol and the broken Shivling. And if you’re lucky, you might even spot some unrecognised architectural remains! And if you venture towards the west of the fort, you’ll find two large dry rectangular tanks and a flagpole. From here, you can easily see Kurwand Ghat, Umberkhind, and Sarasgad Fort.
So what are you waiting for? Get those hiking boots on and explore the wonders of Mrugagad Fort! Just don’t forget to watch your step during the monsoons!
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