Varugad Fort is a hill fort situated in the Satara district of Maharashtra. This fort is about 3000 feet high and is located in the Sahyadri mountain range. It is considered as easy for trekking. The fort is situated on the northeast of Dahiwadi in Maan taluka. The fort is a major historic place of Maharashtra.

History of Varugad Fort
Varugad Fort is believed to have been built by Shivaji Maharaj to resist the Mughals whose attacks he must have dreaded from the plain below. The Karkhanis or Superintendent of the fort was a Prabhu. It was surrendered in 1818 to Vitthal Pant Phadnis of the Raja of Satara left in charge of the town. He detached 200 men to take possession, being part of a force then raised to protect the town from the enterprises of Bajirao"s garrisons then in the neighbourhood.

Structure of Varugad Fort
There is a gateway of a single pointed arch about 8 feet high and 5 feet broad. Earlier there were five doorways to enter the summit but now only one stands well. The fortification wall of the citadel is still intact. The entrance of the citadel is built in the Gomukhi style architecture. In the south-east of the fort, there is a temple of Lord Bhairavnath. On the right side of the gate is a well preserved stone pond with steps leading down. There are two massive bastions and a large turret. There are some remains of Sepoy"s houses. The fort garrison consisted of 200 Ramoshis, Mahars and other hereditary Gadkaris besides sepoys.

Visiting Information of Varugad Fort
Phaltan is the central location to reach Varugad Fort from where one can access multiple routes. Maharashtra State Transport buses are available to Phaltan village from Pune and Mumbai. From there walk up to Jadhavwadi, a village at the foot hills, and then follow a trek route to reach the top. The fort is situated on the northeast of Dahiwadi in Maan taluka, at a distance of 20 miles.

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