Avchitgad (अवचितगड) - A fort in a dense forest.

Avchitgad – rarely visited fort even though near Mumbai. This time trek was with “Yashwanti Adventures, Girgaon”. The organization because of which I started trekking. The organization which does Fort Conservation at Sarasgad. Our trekking journey started together with highest peak in Maharashtra - Kalsubai. The organization was named after that first trek as 'Yashwanti Adventures' of which I'm one of the founder member. However I wasn't decisive at that moment. So many things to tell about “Yashwanti Adventures” but will do it in another post.

Coming back to the point. Trek was on 4-5 April 2015. Avchitgad loacated near Roha – A Railway station on Kokan Railway. We decided to go by Diva-Roha passenger. So caught 7.07 PM local to Panvel from Cst. The passenger was scheduled for 8.40 PM at panvel. It was one and half hour late. Caught the passenger. As the ritual of Yashwanti Adventures sung different songs in the passenger. Reached Nidi station - railway station between Nagothane and Roha.

We walked on Nagothne - Roha route heading towards nagothne. Took first right turn. It’s a tar road. After crossing railway track we reached to base village – Medha. There is a Viththal Mandir from where we turned right. Reached near big well. The way to go to fort is behind the well. After about 1 hour climbing reached to a place where there were 2 ways. Took right one. Left one goes to Pingalsai village near Roha. We can see different idols carved in the rock.  Gaurav founder member of Yashwanti Adventures had a new tent. Opening ceremony was done by me, Prasad and Aditya.

In the morning of 5^th April started exploring fort after refreshing. There are many things to see. 2 hours are sufficient to explore the fort. There is a Mahadev Mandir, a dodecagonal (having 12 sides) lake, 7 tanks of water. One of the tank has potable water. We can see 2-3 cannons on the fort. At about 11 AM we started descending. This time we took Pingalsai route. Within an hour reached pingalsai village. Roha railway station is 5 km away from Pingalsai. Reached Roha within an hour. Had a lunch at the nearest hotel.  Took a passenger scheduled for 4 PM. Return journey to cst via panvel.

Timing and expenses

4^th April

                                                                                                                      Rs.

7.07 PM - 12.00 PM         CST to Nidi via Panvel                                                25

                                     Dinner at base village (Carried)                                  50

12.00 PM - 2.00 AM         Ascend

2.00 AM                         Rest

5^th April

7.00 AM - 8.30 AM          Refreshing and breakfast (Carried)                              50

8.30 AM – 11.00 AM        Exploring fort

11.00 AM – 12.30 AM       Descending upto Pingalsai

12.30 AM – 1.30 PM        Pingalsai to Roha (by walk)

1.30 PM – 4.00 PM          Lunch at nearest hotel and waiting                            100

4.00 PM                         return journey Roa to CST via Panvel                           25

                                                                Overall                                     Rs. 250

Suggestions.
1. Arrange food by yourself.
2. For stay Buruj is advisable.