Songiri Fort | Palasdari Fort | Newali | Karjat | Raigad | Pious Pravasi

Place - Karjat Taluka, Raigad, Maharashtra

Base village - Newali

Height of the Songiri fort - 2500 feet

Time - 2 hours

Trek grade - Easy

Endurance level - Medium

Nearest Railway Station - Palasdari

Mumbai to Newali - 70 km

Pune to Newali - 90 km

Dated - 10 October 2022

Visited an unexplored fort near Karjat, Raigad District as soon as the monsoon season of 2021 ended. Trekked through the dense forest, sometimes plateau, sometimes walking through tall grass. Surrounded by mountain peaks, and forts on all sides, this fort gave us the pleasure of an unforgettable Pravas. "Songiri Fort", also known as "Palasdari Fort".

Mumbai to Newali Pravas (How to reach the Newali village!)

Traveled from Mumbai to Vashi - Panvel - Chowk and reached Karjat. On the way, we saw Irshalgad fort, Prabalgad fort, and Kalavantin Durg illuminated by the sun rays from Kon village near Panvel.

View from Kon village near Panvel

After Karjat, we then proceeded to Newali village along the banks of the Ulhas river.

The road along the banks of Ulhas river

After crossing the bridge over the river and coming to Mohili village, we turned back again and headed towards a nearby Wadi. After reaching the Wadi, we started the trek by asking the villagers for the starting route.

Wadi

To reach the Songiri Fort, the nearest railway station is Palasadari and from there through Newali village or a little further along the train tracks, a route near the tunnel will take you to the fort. No matter which way you come, it is a bit difficult to find the right way. Distance from Mumbai to Newali is about 70 km while Pune to Newali is 90 km. 

Trek begins

The fort was completely surrounded by fog. A villager spotted us from the Wadi that we were going the wrong way and so he came with us to show us the right way. Gopinath Bhau, who lives in the wadi came to show us the way and volunteered to accompany us to the fort. First, we four, and now he also joined us, so five of us now headed to the fort. He also gave some local information about the fort and nearby places.

Fort surrounded by the fog

As such, this fort is quite unknown. The number of visitors to the fort is also less. So the trail was not so well marked. There was a path through dense forest and as the rainy season had just passed, bushes and grass were spread everywhere.

Trek route through bushes and dense forest

It was an hour since the trek started. Leaving behind the path through the dense forest, the next journey started through the plateau. The fort was just in front and whenever we looked back, the forts of the Matheran range were seen.

Trek route through the plateau

Again the route goes through the forest path toward the base of the fort. I was able to identify Dhak Bahiri nearby because of the Kalkarai Pinnacle.

Dhak Bahiri and Kalakrai Pinnacle

After reaching the base of the fort, we took the right-side path adjacent to the ledge of the fort. Vertical shear ridges on one side and deep valleys on the other. We moved forward by making our way through the tall grass on this path.

My favorite wandering is to see the landmarks and forts around one place. So the excitement of reaching the fort had increased. Since this fort in Karjat is located at a very strategic location, many forts and Pinnacles of Raigad and Pune districts can be seen from here. So far I had seen Sondai Fort, Matheran, Prabalgad fort, Irshalgad fort, and Dukes Nose/Nagfani hill. Apart from that, Dhak Bahiri could also be identified due to Kalkarai Pinnacle. But the Rajmachi forts were not yet visible. After going around the fort, the climb started to reach the top of the fort.

Ascending toward the fort

The ascent towards the fort begins very carefully, making a path through bushes and grass. At the last stage, after coming to a small ridge, we entered on the fort by a path on the left side.

Songiri Fort

The fort was so overgrown with grass that nothing could be seen. Due to these dense grasses, the spacious water tank on the fort was also half-covered.

Top of the Fort

Water tank

Making our way, we came to the western end of the fort. A saffron flag has been hoisted here.

From here you can see the western and northern views of the fort. Palasadari station and its dam could be seen from this end. A little further from this station, a path near the tunnel leads to the fort. A little to the north, the Ulhas River could be seen meandering. When we came to Mohili village along the banks of the same river, we came to the fort from a wadi there. It took us almost two hours to reach the fort from the Wadi.

Western side view

I visited most of the forts or peaks visible from this fort. So I was able to connect a lot with this place. The Sondai Fort trek can be done from two villages, Wavarle and Sondevadi village. Sondewadi village is at a little height and from there one can reach the fort by an hour-long trek. I have done this trek from Sondewadi village. Behind this fort is Matheran. The train/vehicle to Matheran goes straight up. Some points were also visible there. I visited the points there by going up to Matheran by bike.

Forts visible from the west side

Panorama Point in Matheran was visible and behind it, is the Peb Fort/Vikatgad Fort, which was not clearly visible. Peb fort can be trekked via Anandwadi village and Matheran train route. I have visited this fort twice so far by train route. Prabalgad Fort was visible on the side of Matheran. Kalavantin Durg is just behind Prabalgad fort. But it was not visible. One can trek from Thakurwadi village to reach Prabalgad and Kalavantin Durg. I did this trek from Thakurwadi village. Irshalgad Fort was seen next to Prabalgad fort because of its special shape. I have done the trek to Irshalgad fort from Manivali village near Chowk. Between Sondai Fort, Matheran, Prabalgad fort, and Irshalgad fort is the reservoir of Morbe Dam. 

Now looking to the south of the fort. Karjat-Khopoli road and looking a little to the east, Dukes Nose in the ghat was visible and this trek can be done from Kurwande village.

Now we left to see the eastern side of the fort. Rajmachi forts can be seen from there. Another dry water tank was seen on the way.

Water tank

Manranjan Fort and Shrivardhan Fort are easily visible from the east of the fort. They are popularly known as Rajmachi Fort. The fortifications of the fort are also clearly visible. Rajmachi trek can be done via Karjat and Lonavala routes. We have done this trek through the Karjat route so that we can also see Kondhane Caves on the way.

Forts/Peaks visible on the East side

If you look a little north of the fort, Dhak Bahiri can be recognized due to the Kalakrai Pinnacle and Bhivgad Fort/Bhimgad Fort is further in this hill range. I have done the Dhak Bahiri trek from Sandshi village and the Bhivgad fort trek from Vadap village. From a ridge near Bhivgad fort, the path on the right leads to Dhak Bahiri while the path on the left leads to the top of the Bhivgad fort. Bhivgad fort to Dhak Bahiri Range trek is also done by trekkers.

Fort to Newali village Pravas

We stopped for some time and started our way back. Till now, this was the first time that from any fort I could see so many forts and pinnacles nearby. On the way to the fort, from the fort, and on the way back, we were seeing around these forts/Peaks. The experience was very memorable. On the return journey, this scenery seen of Sahyadri mountain was coming before the eyes again and again.

Way back to Wadi

After about an hour, we came back to the Wadi and took the blessings of goddess as the Wadi was celebrating the Navratri festival. We also thanked Gopinath Bhau for helping us to reach the fort.

Navratri Celebration in the Wadi

Also enjoyed swimming in the Ulhas River near the Newali village. As soon as the water of the river touched us, the tiredness of the day disappeared in an instant.

Enjoyed swimming in the Ulhas river

Return journey

Reached the Karjat again and took the Karjat - Chowk route to Mumbai - Pune old highway. As soon as we reached the highway, we had a good meal in a hotel and reached Mumbai by traveling via Panvel - Vashi.

To watch a YouTube video of this Pravas, click here at Songiri Fort.

To read other blogs in the Raigad district, click here at Raigad.

Jai Shivray

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