| Kolkewadi |
FortHeight : 2625 |
| Type : Hill forts |
Fort Range : Ratnagiri, Konkan |
| District : Ratnagiri |
Grade : Medium |
| This fort was built on the hill standing diagonally across the Sahyadri range and behind the Kolkewadi dam which is 10 kms from Chiplun. This trek proves an altogether different experience. The approach path to the fort is covered with thick layer of shed leaves. The tree trunks can be found marked by the Deer denoting their territory. Sometimes we may come across Tiger pug marks and scat remains. |
| History : |
| Not much information is available on this fort from the historical records. But by studying the built in caves and water tanks it can be traced back to the Shilahar era. The main aim to build this fort must have been to keep a watch on the nearby region. |
| Fascinating Spots : |
| The approach to the fort passes through a thick jungle. Moving upwards we arrive on the arm of the mountain from where the fort summit can be visible at about a height of 100 feet. A path to the right passes alongside the mountain circumnavigating it. Moving ahead on this track we come across a water tank which is 10X5 ft in dimension and couple of Veerghals and sculptures are kept in it. Further on this path after circumnavigating the mountain we have to descend a small rock patch. After descending this we arrive in the cleft between the fort hill and the Sahyadri range behind it. By climbing the main Sahyadri mountain range from here we come across a water tank built in rock and it has potable water. Various pug marks can be seen here which indicates that this area is frequently visited by wild animals. Heading back to the main hill of the fort start ascending till the mid-point of the hill where we find a pathway going to the left. On this path ahead there are two caves carved in rock. In front of these caves there is a small narrow pathway carved in rock which goes up to the corner of the hill. The main entrance of the fort might have been located here. One of the caves is still in good condition whereas the other doesn’t have its roof. This cave is 5 X 5 X 8 feet in dimension and has window openings in it to allow light and air flow freely. These might have been the porches built for the doorkeepers. The cave with no roof has holds in it which can be used to climb to reach another cave. The roof of this cave is supported on two pillars. There is another cave ahead which has carvings on its entrance. On the inside there is an attick type structure built which the locals refer to as “Palang” which typically means a ‘Cot’. In these caves there are many bats. Further there are two more caves. Going back to the entrance of the fort we can approach the summit of the fort. From the top we can see Jungli Jaigad fort, Kolkewadi dam, Math hill and the beautiful mountain range of Sahyadris. |
| Ways To Reach : |
| One has to reach Alore village which is 5 kms from Chiplun on the Chiplun-Karad road. From Alore a road takes us to Kolkewadi village at 5 kms. At the end of this village there is a hamlet named Buddhawadi. S.T. buses ply till here. An unpaved road from here leads to a small settlement named Dhangarwadi. Apart from rainy season one can reach the hill base which is 1 km before Dhangarwadi by a small four wheeled private vehicle. After reaching here take the unpaved path to the right and after climbing half way on the hill take the left path which goes through a dense jungle and further reaches the fort. |
| Accommodation Facility : |
| Available in the school at Buddhawadi. |
| Food Facility : |
| Available in Alore village |
| Drinking Water Facility : |
| Not available |
| Time To Reach : |
| 2 hours from Kolkewadi(Buddhawadi village) |
| Notes : |
| This fort is very less visited and as this area falls under a seismic zone it is prone to earthquakes often on a smaller scale which has put the existing paths in a danger. It is recommended to hire a guide from Buddhawadi village to visit the fort. |
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