A Photogenic Trip to the Rohida Fort

The Rohida fort is located close to Bhor, which is 57 kilometers from Pune. You can take the state transport bus from the depot at Swargate Bus to reach Bhor. Take any bus from here to reach the base village of this fort. The base village is Bajarwadi. It’s a hike from then on to reach the main gate of the fort. Keep climbing to reach the top. Locally, the Rohida fort is known as Binicha killa and Vichitragad.

It was an important fort in its heydays. This is evident in the way the main gate was constructed. In fact, you will have to pass through as many as three gates before you can reach the top of the fort. The first gate is the Mahadarwaja – this is circular in shape. At the second level you can see the carving of the legendary Sharabh and lion. The carving was done to infuse fear into the minds of any attacking legion. However this eventually proved to be inadequate, as the fort fell many times. Shivaji captured Rohida in 1656 from the Yadavas. But the Mughals captured it from him after just 10 years. Four years later, Shivaji was able to capture it back from the Mughals. There are carvings in the third gate too. Here you can see images of the Sun and Moon, fish and lotus.

You won’t see any remnants of the battles inside the walls of the fort today. All that is long gone! What you will see are bastions in different styles, the gates that have remained almost intact, a granary, sadar or the main office, and water cisterns. The water cisterns are located just beyond the first gate. Most forts in the state and elsewhere in India contain temples. This one is no exception as well. There is the Rohideshware temple inside the walled area of the fort. There are carved caves as well. You should find them interesting.

Many people often trek to reach the Rohida fort from the base village. It is an easy trek. Though there are three doors to cross, but you should be able to make it to the top in about an hour. Remember, you will have to arrange your own water and food for the expedition. You could rest in the temple or the cave.

There’s hardly anything to be found at the top, except the remains of an ancient temple. But the view is very impressive. It is worth it for this.