Dhak-Bahiri Fort

Dhak-Bahiri Fort, Sandashi, Karjat, Raigad, Maharashtra 410201

Dhak Bhairi Fort is a hill fort situated in the base village of Sandshi of Raigad District. 

History

The fort is dedicated to the God Bhairi the god of Thakur Adivasis hence it is called as Dhak - Bhairi. The fort of Dhak-Bhairi was discovered by the great historian Mr. Gopal Nilkanth Dandekar. He said that Chattrapati Shivaji Maharaj once visited these religious caves of God Bhairi, Maharaj gifted a golden plate to the god. An important part of this thrilling trek is the cave, which is situated on the other side of the fort, and the way goes through dense vegetation. Walking for a few minutes leads to a diversion and the way to the right directs to a cliff called the cliff of "Kalakrai”. The narrow ridge between the cliff and the mountain descends to a narrow straight path where we come across two caves. One should proceed from here by taking support of the rocks and should be quite careful. Ascending the rock patch where a bamboo and a rope are used to climb to the caves. The caves as such are sacred as the Lord of Bahiri resides here. From the caves, we can have a glance at the terrifying beauty of the peaks of Sahyadri.

How to reach

From Wadhap village of Karjat, one should aboard the S.T. bus for the village of Wadhap. We have to cross a rivulet, and a way leads straight to the fort. There is a temple on the fort. To the left of the temple is the way, which leads us to the ridge between the fort and the pinnacle.

From the village of Sandshi of Karjat, S.T. buses ply regularly to Sandshi. It is better to board the bus in the early morning as the midday sun heats the rocks. From here, a guide is required, as the way proceeds through dense vegetation and is quite confusing. After a walk of 2 hours, we reach the ridge between the pinnacle on the left and the mountain of Dhak on the right. The way through the ridge leads to the cave of Bahiri. There are rock-hewn steps, and following them is a rope, bound to a bamboo. Here we have to climb safely. Above the cave is the wall of the mountain on which the fort of Dhak is situated.