Mrugagad Fort | Bheliv Fort | Monsoon trek | Sudhagad | Raigad | Pious Pravasi
District - Raigad
Base village - Bheliv village
Height of the fort - 1750 feet
Time - 1 hour
Grade - Easy
Endurance level - low
Nearest railway station - Khopoli
Mumbai to Bheliv village - 90 km
Pune to Bheliv village - 115 km
Dated - 29 August 2021
"Mrugagad Fort" is a beautiful fort near the small village Bheliv in Sudhagad Taluka, Raigad District. Rock cut steps leading to the fort, water tanks dug into the huge rock, panoramic view from the top of the fort, and the thrill of going to the Cave are the special features of the Mrugagad fort trek. The fort is also known as "Bheliv Fort" because of the base village Bheliv.
Mumbai to Bheliv village journey (How to reach the Bheliv village)
We reached Kalamboli Junction early in the morning from Mumbai and then proceeded towards Khalapur on Mumbai - Pune old highway. I always stop at Kon village near Panvel. This time the scenery was different. Sunrise behind Prabalgad, saffron sky with sun rays, and Kalavantin Durg, Prabalgad, and Irshalgad fort in front.
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| View of forts from Kon village, Panvel |
After reaching Khalapur, the next journey started towards Pali by taking the right path.
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| Khalapur |
After crossing Parli village on the Khopoli-Pali road, one can reach Bheliv village by taking the left path near the bridge over the river at Jambulpada village.
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| Khopoli - Pali road |
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| Jambhulpada river bridge |
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| Jambhulpada village |
As we approach the village, we can see the fort.
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| Towards Bheliv village |
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| View of Mrugagad fort from Bheliv village |
There is a parking facility in the village.
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| Parking at Bheliv village |
Khopoli is the nearest railway station to reach Bheliv village. Public transport is available from there. From Khopoli take a bus to Parli village or take a sharing first to Khopoli Phata and then go to Parli village. From here you will get sharing for Mangaon village. Bheliv village can be reached by walking 2 km from Mangaon. Bheliv village is about 100 km from Mumbai and Pune. Accommodation and food facilities are available in the village.
Trek begins
Mrugagad fort trek starts from Goddess Bhavani temple in the village.
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| Goddess Bhavani temple |
After a slight climb at first, the path passes through the plateau. There is no chance of getting lost as the fort is right in front and the trek route is identifiable.
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| Bheliv village |
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| Trek passes through a small plateau |
Enjoying the surroundings while crossing the plateau, we entered the dense forest. Few people visit the fort as it is largely unknown. But because of that, the natural beauty here is still intact.
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| Clicks with fort and trekker friends |
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| Entering a dense forest |
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| Trek through a dense forest |
The ascent was gradually increasing.
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| Gradually increasing ascent towards the fort |
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| Towards the ridge |
The pass is so small that only one person will pass at a time.
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| Climbing the ridge |
After walking up through the pass, the path on the left side leads to the fort.
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| Towards the fort |
A little further on, the path on the right leads to a cave, while going straight, steps carved into a massive rock will take you to the fort.
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| Towards the rock-cut steps |
We decided to go to the top of the fort first.
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| Rock-cut steps |
There was also a rock-carved sculpture on the way. Care must be taken while climbing these steps during monsoons.
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| Rock-carved sculpture |
Taking every step carefully we reached the fort.
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| Reaching the top of the fort |
Coming to the fort, there is a temple of Goddess (Goddess Mahishasurmardini temple).
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| Goddess Mahishasurmardini temple |
With the blessings of the goddess, we left for the west side of the fort. Some water tanks and ruins of the castle were seen nearby.
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| Water tanks |
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| Remains on the fort |
As the number of visitors to the fort was less, the path was not so paved, with thick and tall grass.
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| Going to the west side through thick and tall grass |
Making our way somehow we came to the western end of the fort. There are also some water tanks here.
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| Water tanks |
A beautiful view of the surrounding mountains, village, and river can be seen from the western end. The natural beauty of this place is further enhanced during the rainy season.
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| Top of the fort |
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| View from the western end of the fort |
After resting here for some time, we again proceeded to the east side of the fort.
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| Back to the east side of the fort |
After coming down the steps, we headed towards the cave. There are some rock-cut steps to Cave. But there is a steep rock on one side and a deep valley on the other side, so be careful while going to the cave.
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| Towards the cave through rock-cut steps |
As we reached the cave, the wind was strong, and started raining.
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| Cave |
We immediately headed back.
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| Coming back from the cave |
Came back to Bheliv village and enjoyed an authentic meal at a villager's house.
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| Back to Bheliv village |
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| Authentic meal at a villager's house |
We swam in the river for some time and started our way back.
Return journey
We came to Mumbai by traveling from Bheliv - Mangaon - Jambhulpada - Parli - Khopoli Phata - Khalapur - Chowk - Panvel - Kalamboli. It took us three hours to go back home.
Click on Raigad to read other trek blogs in the Raigad district.
If you want to watch a YouTube video of the Pravas, click on Mrugagad Fort.
Jai Shivray
- Vinod Kamble
- Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
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