Vikatgad

 Vikatgad Fort is a fort located 19km from Karjat, in Raigad district, of Maharashtra. This fort is in continuation with the Malang gad, Tauli Hill and Chanderi fort of the Matheran Hill Range. Vikatgad is a favourite destination for one-day trekkers. The trek path to Vikatgad is along deep ravines and cliffs. Its closeness to Matheran and Neral attracts many trekkers on weekends. The forest department and local villagers are doing plantation and some restoration works on the fort.

History

Very less history about this fort is available. It was named after the goddess Pebi Devi, has store rooms for storing food grains and ammunition, and was visited by Captain Dickinson in 1818.

Places To Visit

There are two gates on the entrance path of the fort, however, only ruins of the gates can be seen. There are water cistern and ruins of the buildings on the fort. The top of the fort is very narrow and a recently built temple with Lord Datta's paduka idol at the center is constructed. There is a lone residential hut or Datta temple on the southern side of the fort. There is a lone bastion on the southern ridge of the fort. The water is available in a small cistern round the year for drinking purpose located on the eastern ridge. There is an idol of Hanuman on the fort. The ground on the fort is very irregular and hilly. It takes about an hour to visit all places on the fort.