Asherigad – Trek to hardly explored Mysterious fort
This fort was built by Bhojraj of Shilahar Dynasty over 800 years ago. The portugese rebuilt this fort after they captured it during their rule. It was captured be Peshwas during their Konkan campaign and in 1818 this fort camp under the rule of British.
Date: September 13, 2009
Destination: Asherigad (Fort)
District : Thane
Altitude : 1680 ft above mean sea level
Fort Range: Palghar
Grade: Mild to Moderate
Location: Just off Mumbai – Ahmedabad highway before Manor Naka
Cost: Rs.950/- (Rs.150/- discount for Members and Rs.100/- discount per head if you register in group size 5 or more).
Includes - Transport by private bus, Brunch Breakfast and evening tea / snacks.
Carry packed lite lunch/ Snacks and water.
Tentative Schedule:
Pickup points
6:00 am pickup at Chembur opposite to Akbar Allis Departmental Store
6:20 am Sion Lunch Home
6:25 am Bandra – Kalanagar Junction
6:40 am Andheri – Western Express Highway (Opposite to Bislery)
7:00 am Borivali – Western Express Highway (near Ramdev Restaurant, opp to SanjayGandhiNational Park)
7:10 am Meera Road / Dahisar Checknaka
7:30 am to 7:45 am Fountain Hotel (Ghodbundar / Mumbai- Ahmedabad Junction)
Breakfast at Fountain Hotel
9:30 am Anticipated time to reach
KhodkonaVillage (Base village to start our trek for Asherigad)
Things to do:
Introduction / Induction
Adventure Trek up the hill
Explore the fort (Canon, Temple, Water tanks, Pond, Cave, water harvest system)
Enjoy beautiful landscapes and solitude
Enjoy a swim
Stop on the way back at a restaurant Tea / Biscuit / Windup session
Anticipated time to reach Mumbai – between 7:30 pm to 8 pm
How to reach?
There is only one route going to the top of the fort. One has to get down at Khodkona village bus stop (On Mumbai-Ahmedabad highway). If you are not taking your own private vehicle, this village is reachable either by the S.T. from Palghar to Kasa or by private vehicles plying this highway. This village is situated around 10-11 kms ahead of “Mastan Naka”. The actual village is situated a bit inside from the main road. There is a bullock cart route to the left of the highway, which leads to the village. On the highway, if one stands with his back to Palghar, one can see Adsul to the right and the vast expanse of Asher to the left. The bullock cart route enters the village via a small bridge. Here, the small beautiful
temple of Vagdev can be seen. On entering the village we see the vast expanse of fields, cultivation of mango trees and houses peeking from the greenery, which drives away the tiredness of the journey . After quenching the thirst and filling bottles with the cool well water, one should proceed ahead towards the fort, on the route shown by the villagers. As the route goes through dense jungle, one does not feel the heat even in the summer. It takes approximately 1 to 1 ½ hours to reach the pass. The route up to the pass is easy but continuously climbing. There is a temple of Vagdev a bit ahead of this pass on a higher level. One should turn to right and proceed towards the top of the fort. We reach the base of the entrance as we go around a huge rock face in the route. Here one can find a small sculpture of Ganesh on the rock face. The entrance has been destroyed by explosives. Here, care must be taken while climbing up. As the climb is quite zigzag and steep, it is advisable to take help from someone Expert in climbing. If possible, climb without any sacks on your back. After exhausting enthusiasm to climb, we reach a flight of steps cut into the rock face to the right. There are quite many water tanks on the way, but are not potable. From this water tank, we can reach the middle of the fort making way through the shoulder length bushes growing here. To the left, below the route are 5 water tanks excavated into the rocky ground. Of these one tank has potable water. Walking ahead, after 5 minutes, another path bifurcates to the left. Going down this route, we come across three more water tanks. The water in these tanks is very clear, sweet and thirst quenching. There is also a cave on the rock face nearby on right hand side.
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