Avchitgad

Avchitgad is a fort located in the Sahyadri ranges of Maharashtra. The fort is situated near Roha in the Raigad district. At the base of this fort is a village called Medha.

This fort is believed to be built by Shilahar kings and subsequently used by the Nizam of Ahmednagar. The great Maratha king Chhatrapati Shivaji is also believed to have reconstructed this fort. The work was carried out in a hurry and hence the name 'Avchit' (hurry) 'gad' (fort). In the Third Anglo-Maratha War, this fort was won over by Colonel Prother from the Peshwas in the year 1818 along with other forts in the neighbouring region.

The approximate height of this fort is 977 feet It is a fairly easy trek through the jungle up to the fort which takes about an hour to climb. From atop the fort one can have a beautiful view of the neighbouring forts of Telbaila, Sarasgad, Dhangad, Sudhagad, Raigad and Savashnagad.

The fort has a large dodecagonal-shaped cistern which was used mainly for bathing and washing purposes. Nearby this cistern there are 6 smaller cisterns which have potable water. A small temple of the Pingalsai goddess is also situated atop.

There is a dense forest around the entire fort with leopards, monkeys and foxes.