“Mountains are not Stadiums where I satisfy my ambition to achieve, they are the cathedrals where I practice my religion…”- Sir Anatoli Boukreev
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Fort range : Mahabaleshwar
Height : 1171 meters (3614 feet)
Base village : Bamnoli (near Satara)
Endurance Level : Medium to High
Distance from Pune : 140 km
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. Vasota fort is situated on the banks of the Shivsagar dam. Met Indavali is the base village of Vasota. From here the forest path leads us to the top of Vasota. It takes two to three hours to reach the top. It is a gradual climb and through dense forest. It is an ideal trek in winter and summer. The view from top is breath-taking. The fort is covered by a thick reserved forest. On the east side are the backwaters of Shivsagar dam. After that one can see the mountain range of Kas Mahabaleshwar. Steep falls or cliffs on the west side of the fort and the mountain ranges add to the beauty of the place. Nageshwar cave is visible on the north of the fort. It is a two hours’ trek from Vasota.
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This fort got its name from Vashishta rishi. This is enough to prove that this fort has a long history. This fort is situated at banks of Koyana River and is surrounded by thick forest and deep valleys and due to its strategic location later this Mountain was fortified.
This fort got its importance during Shivaji Maharaj’s Jawali raid. Recent study shows that this fort was not won by Shivaji Maharaj during his Jawali raid. When Shivaji Maharaj defeated Chandrarao More his troops took Javli and other forts in the Konkan region excluding Vasota. But on June 6, 1660 Vasota became a part of Swarajya, it was a period when Shivaji was trapped in Panhalgad.
Marathas found 26,000 rupees on the fort. After Shivaji and Sambhaji Maharaj era the fort was under Pant Pratinidhi control. In 1706, Tai Telini brought the fort under her control. The very next year Peshwa conquered the fort. In 1818 along with other forts of Marathas, this fort came under British control and hence got destroyed.
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This fort was mainly used as Military Station or as resting place for Soldiers. Due to its difficult location and accessibility this fort was also used for storing wealth of Swarajya.
On Sajjangad which is in Satara there is a letter stating that when Auranzeb attacked Sajjangad , people from surrounding region went to Vasota fort for their safety. People were aware that it is impossible for any outsider to win this mighty fort which is well protected by Sahyadri itself.
Fort Vasota comes under Tiger Project (forest department). We have to take prior permissions from the forest authorities and can be done on the same day as you plan your trek from Bamnoli. There are two forts actually. The old Vasota and new Vasota. The old Vasota is not easily accessible. We were supposed to hike new Vasota.
There are two major routes to reach to Vasota fort. First rout goes from Bamnoli village which is in Satara. Second route goes from Choravane village which is in Chiplun. As per the Forest departments rule we cannot stay at Vasota fort as well as on Nageshwar.
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Bamnoli is in Satara District and is about 30 kms from Satara city. This is the easiest route to reach to the top of Vasota. As the Vasota and Nageshwar both falls under Sahyadri Tiger reserve you need to take permission from forest office of Bamnoli to enter the Sahyadri Tiger reserve. On this route, we have to cross Koyana Dam backwater which is called as Shivsagar Lake. From Bamnoli we need to travel to Met Indavali by Boat which charges around 3,200/- for 12 people. The boat takes around 1.5 hrs to reach Met Indavali. Met indavali is the base of Vasota and Nageshwar. In Met Indavali there is another Forest office. Take a guide from here if needed.
Bamnoli Forest office opens at 8.00 am so the first ferry boat from Bamnoli to Met Indavali starts at 8.30 a.m.
Choravane is in kokan region. You need to go to Chipalun >> Choravane. From Choravane it takes around 5-6 hrs to reach Vasota. This route is damn tiring. And there is no water on the way so one has to carry his own supply.
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We, a group of 28 trekkers started from Pune on a Saturday night at 11.30 pm by a private bus to Bamnoli village. Making the night journey and reaching early at Bamnoli village would help us to get a complete day for completing the Vasota Fort trek comfortably. Since it was March and the summer has just started, the drive itself was amazing with open highway and sky full of stars. Sometimes dozing a bit in the bus and sometime just looking outside the window, our time passed quickly and we reached our destination early in the morning at 3.30 am. After a travel of 4 hours, we reached Bamnoli village. Bamnoli is a small village where passes are issued to reach the base of the jungle by the forest department. We had plenty of time and a quick power nap was advisable to shrug off the sleepless tiredness. So everybody hurried towards Bhairav Mandir, the place where some people can sleep for a while. The sleep took over quickly on everybody and we got up at 6.30 am again to prepare ourselves for the early trek to Vasota fort. We had hot Pohe and Chai for breakfast and after a quick breakfast, a look in our backpack for correctness of things was carried out. Everybody was excited for the day ahead and waited for the trek leader’s instructions. A quick introduction round was carried out followed by trek leader’s instructions for the trek.
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Finally, it was time for our boats to arrive and there came our two lovely boats. The scenic beauty of Sukhsagar lake water was amazing. So many boats waiting for the trekkers to board. The faint looking mountain in the background is Madhu-Makrand Gad and there is Tapola (famously called the mini Kashmir of the west is a rustic hamlet with a magnificent lake – Shivsagar. on the other side). We boarded the boat with 14 persons (maximum capacity) in each boat and our boat journey to Vasota started with the picturesque setting all around. Everybody was enjoying the boat journey with spectacular views all around. There is a dense forest around lake inhabiting many wild animals. Many of these animals come to drink water in this lake. The boat ride was amazing, with clouds and sun playing hide and seek, it formed beautiful patterns on water. Excitement to reach the jungle was growing with every passing minute. After boat journey of more than an hour, finally Vasota became visible. Almost 75% of Vasota is covered by dense forest and only 25% is exposed. Views all around were so beautiful and everybody was clicking pictures.
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To be continued in Part-II
Please click here for Part-II
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Trek to Vasota Fort: Wilderness Trek in Koyna Wildlife Sancturay : Part-I “Mountains are not Stadiums where I satisfy my ambition to achieve, they are the cathedrals where I practice my religion…”-
