The Vasota Fort Trek for Adventurers and Wildlife Lovers

Vasota fort, sometimes referred to as Vyaghragad, is in the Satara district. It has changed hands a number of times in its long history. Raja Bhoja II of Kolhapur ruled over it between 1178 and 1193. Shivaji Maharaj included the fort into his Swarajya mission in 1655 and renamed the fort “Vyaghragad”. The British rulers bombarded the fort in 1818 with heavy artillery and destroyed many buildings including the Daru-kothar and Chandika mandir. According to reports, property valued at 5 lakhs was looted.

The fort is now in a dilapidated condition. You can only see the plinth of the sadar, which was huge once. The Shree Mahadev temple is also in ruins. But you will be richly awarded with spectacular views of the Shivsagar Lake (backwaters of the Koyna and the Nageshwar peak). There is a thick jungle all over. The jungle has however turned into a protected natural reserve. Walking through the Koyna wildlife sanctuary could itself be a thrilling experience. If you are a wildlife lover, there are some surprises waiting for you.

Take Your Permit before Trekking

The Vasota fort trek is probably the most popular forest treks in the state. But remember, you will need to take permission from the Forest Department before you start off. You can get the permission from the office at Bamnoli. The office is open in weekends to allow trekkers to get the permit. This trek isn’t an easy one, as you have to cross the forest to reach what remains of the fort.

You should see the Nageshwar cave as you are climbing to the fort. It’s a small detour, but you should do it. Inside the fort, you should see the Kalkaiche Thane, Babu kada, and the Hanuman temple. However these are not the main attractions. Most people visit the Vasota fort for the trekking experience, for the wildlife inside the natural reserve, and to view the spectacular natural beauty of the Shivsagar Lake and the Koyna dam. You will have plenty of photo opportunities on the route.

Shivsagar Lake

Shivsagar Lake is actually the reservoir of Koyna dam. You can head to the lake once you have completed your trek. There is the Bhairavnat boat club where you can enjoy some water sports. There is the option of kayaking, riding a water scooter, or a boat. You can also take a dip in the lake if you want to cool off after a difficult trek. It should be a pleasing experience. There is a café here where you can have some snacks to recharge your energy.