The Forgotten Fortress: Exploring the History of Sondai

Sondai Fort, being one of the less-popular jewels of Maharashtra's Sahyadri hills, is an offbeat but interesting trekking spot. While other well-known forts such as Rajmachi or Lohagad are flooded with tourists, Sondai is relatively less crowded, thus a perfect place for people who want to find solitude in nature. Though not as tall as other forts in the area, Sondai has stunning panoramic views of the hills around it, such as Morbe Dam, Irshalgad, Matheran, and the Prabalgad range. This ancient fort, which had a watchtower at its apex, is the ultimate combination of adventure, history, and scenery. For history enthusiasts and trekkers alike, a trip to Sondai Fort will be a worthwhile experience, not only an arduous climb but also a glimpse into the grand history of Maharashtra.

Historical Importance

This is not more historically well-known, but historically significant. Unlike the massive forts of the days of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, which served to wage war and govern the nation, Sondai was a watch tower for the local forts. The fort is also dedicated to goddess Sondai Devi whose temple is built on top of the fort. The temple is greatly revered by the locals, and the worshippers even now visit the fort to bless themselves. It would appear from its location that at some point in history, it had served as an important sighting station for monitoring the movement of trade and enemy troops. While it has no history, some data does exist to fully give specifications on where it was originally located, but Sondai Fort would have functioned on Maratha empire defence as a source of information and informer. As years went by and as a shift in the manner of warfare occurred, the fort became obsolete on the battlefield. The fort however reveals to us just how rich history is. Location and Accessibility

This fort is located close to Karjat in Raigad district in the state of Maharashtra. It is a much-visited spot for weekend treks because it is close to Mumbai and Pune. The base village for the trek Sondewadi is about 9 km from Karjat. Karjat is well-connected by train and road, and therefore a convenient starting point for the trek. For tourists coming from Mumbai, the most convenient route to Sondai Fort is by train to Karjat and a four-wheeler or shared taxi to Sondewadi. The second route is that of the trekkers who travel from Pune to Karjat either by train or even by road directly via the Mumbai-Pune Expressway. You can begin this trek from Sondewadi and it's a fairly short but challenging hike, which will take almost an hour to climb to the summit. The trek has some rock climbing and iron ladders to help trekkers in the sloping phases, so it is a moderately difficult trek for novice trekkers as well as experienced climbers.

Why Visit Sondai Fort

This fort is a place to visit for many reasons. That it is not very popular acts as a push factor to attract individuals to this less-populated trekking spot at more popular forts. The peaceful scenery and unspoiled natural beauty are a welcome relief from the crowd, whether you are a trekker, nature enthusiast, or history enthusiast. The biggest attraction of Sondai Fort is the bird's eye view. At the top, the trekker is greeted by breathtaking vistas of Morbe Dam, Matheran hill range, and the other neighbouring forts such as Prabalgad and Irshalgad. The spot takes on an even more romanticized look during monsoons when the hills turn green, waterfalls over slopes of hills, and the overall trekking journey becomes enchanted.

The second excellent reason to go to Fort is that it is easy to reach. Unlike other big forts in Maharashtra that involve long and tiring treks, Sondai is a moderate-length trek and can be comfortably done by first-time hikers or those seeking a short hike experience. The well-defined path to ascend with iron ladders placed tactically where it is steep provides an exciting but safe journey to the summit. Spiritual travellers and culture lovers will also be attracted to Sondai Fort because of the Sondai Devi temple. The temple itself is small, but it holds a lot of religious importance to the locals, who flock here during celebrations and ceremonies. Visitors can see the strong faith and tradition that still prevail in the area. Nature enthusiasts and photographers are blessed with the numerous ways in which the fort has excellent scope for pictures, especially in the morning and evening. Always changing hue against green bodies of water surrounding, it's so visually pleasing even within boundaries. Adventure lovers would love the mix of trekking difficulties provided by Sondai Fort. The trekking might not be too long, but the inclined slopes and boulder trails give an adrenaline boost and adventure. The iron ladders to ascend also add to it, and the summit arrival is a pure adrenaline rush.

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Best Time to Visit for Trekking:

• Summer (March to June)

  Summer is also a peak season for trekking, particularly the upper Himalayas. Melting snow exposes trekking trails to offer panoramic views of emerald grasslands, bursts of pink rhododendron flowers, and blue-open skies. Some of the most popular treks during this month include the Roopkund Trek, Har Ki Dun Trek, Kedarkantha Trek, and Valley of Flowers Trek.

• Monsoon (July to September)

  Monsoon treks are for those who enjoy green and misty mountains. Western Ghats such as treks to Rajmachi, Harishchandragad, and Kudremukh do well during monsoons. Himalayan monsoon treks are dangerous with landslides and slippery trails.

• Autumn (September to November)

  Autumn is highly desired as the ideal time to trek in India. Monsoon rains decrease, weather is fresh, air is cool, and scenery is simply stunning. Annapurna Base Camp Trek, Everest Base Camp Trek (Nepal), and Sandakphu Trek are some of the most sought-after treks during this period.

• Winter (December to February)

  Winter treks are for adventure lovers who want to experience adventure amidst snow-covered scenes. Treks such as Chadar Trek (over the frozen Zanskar River), Brahmatal Trek, and Kuari Pass Trek are most in demand among adventure enthusiasts who prefer tough weather conditions.

Nearby Attractions

•  Morbe Dam

  Morbe Dam, which is in driving distance from Fort, is a nature marvel that everyone who loves nature must explore. This dam constructed over the Dharavi River is a critical water tank for the city of Navi Mumbai. Nestled between hills of green, Morbe Dam is a haven of peace amid city chaos. The surrounding natural environment and pure water nearby make it a perfect place for picnicking, photography, and bird-watching. The dam site is surrounded by good flora and fauna, welcoming nature lovers. Boating is prohibited, but it is possible to observe the local people fishing there. Monsoon season is suitable for the dam since waterfalls cascading down over it along with foliage offer a dream-like experience. For individual civilians, Morbe Dam is an apt spot close to Fort.

• Irshalgad Fort

  Another of the more interesting spots close to Sondai Fort is Irshalgad Fort, a ruined hill fort that is between Panvel and Matheran. The fort, though in ruins, is a challenging but exhilarating trekking experience. The trek to Irshalgad is not far but extremely steep, with areas of boulders and dense forests making it thrilling. The feature of the fort is the summit, a pointed rock pinnacle that serves as a landmark several miles away. Climbers and experienced trekkers would attempt to reach the top with the bare necessities, but approaching the foot of the peak is an achievement for a typical trekker. The fort provides vistas of nearby peaks such as Prabalgad and Matheran. One needs to visit early in the morning so that one will never have to suffer from the hot sun and enjoy the serene vibes of the fort.

• Matheran Hill Station

  Matheran, one of the most visited hill stations in India, is just accessible from Sondai Fort. Matheran, renowned for its pollution-free environment, is the sole car-free hill station in Asia and has preserved its natural essence. The journey to Matheran itself is scenic with the option to travel to it in a toy train from Neral with spectacular views of the Western Ghats making the journey a memorable experience. Over 30 look-out spots of Matheran, including Panorama Point, Louisa Point, and Echo Point, offer breathtaking views of waterfalls and valleys. The charm of the hill station climate, forestation flora, and colonial buildings provide a unique atmosphere to Matheran.

• Prabalgad and Kalavantin Durg

  Prabalgad and Kalavantin Durg are two forts one after the other that offer one of the most exciting trekking routes in the Western Ghats. These Panvel to Matheran between forts are famous for their vertical ascend and stunning vistas. Prabalgad Fort stands at 2,300 feet in height and was once a Maratha army camp. It has a stunning trek amidst dense woods and rocks. The fort offers an observation point from which one can see Matheran, Irshalgad, and other summits of the vicinity.

• Kalavantin Durg

  Kalavantin Durg, among the most thrilling treks in Maharashtra, is famous for its near-vertical rock-cut staircases slicing directly to the summit. Scaling involves keen eyes to lie down upon comfortably and, conversely, the less-than-thrill-thumping adventurers need to endure raw vistas while ascending it, or simply stunning views all the way around. Winter or monsoon is the best time to visit there when the weather is nice and the environment gets lush green in colour. Be it an adventure enthusiast or nature admirer, both Prabalgad and Kalavantin Durg will leave a memory in mind. Kondana Caves For history and archaeology enthusiasts, Kondana Caves near Sondai Fort is one site that cannot be missed.

How to Reach Sondai Fort

Sondai Fort is a less popular but extremely picturesque trekking spot in Maharashtra, just close to Karjat. It offers picturesque views of Morbe Dam, Prabalgad, Irshalgad, and Matheran hill ranges. The following is a step-by-step travel guide on how to go to Sondai Fort from Mumbai, Pune, and other nearby cities by road, train, and local transport.

By Road (Mumbai, Pune, and Other Nearby Cities)

By Road, Sondai Fort is accessible, and the most preferable route to the base village, Sondewadi, is from Karjat. The routes from the nearby cities through roads are listed below.

• From Mumbai(Approx. 65 km): Take the Mumbai-Pune Expressway (NH 48) and take a turn at Shedung.

• Take Karjat-Murbad Road to Karjat.: Drive from Karjat through Vavanje Road to Sondewadi village which is the base village of Sondai Fort. The entire journey is around 2-2.5 hours, depending on traffic.

• From Pune (Approx. 110 km): Mumbai-Pune Expressway journey to Lonavala. Exit at Khopoli and drive along the Khopoli-Karjat Road.

• Lonavala (About 40 km): Khopoli and Karjat road drive via road.

By Train (Closest Railway Stations)

The easiest way to reach Sondai Fort by train is to go up to Karjat Railway Station, which is well connected to Mumbai and Pune.

• From Mumbai: Take a Central Railway local train from Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT), Dadar, or Thane to Karjat. 1.5 to 2 hours from Mumbai and covered by Karjat locals. Some Mumbai-Pune express trains also stop at Karjat.

• From Pune: Catch a train from Mumbai to Pune and get down at Karjat. Several express and local passenger trains between Pune and Mumbai run in about 2-2.5 hours to cover the distance.

From Other Cities: Nashik, Aurangabad, and other Maharashtra towns have trains arriving via Karjat and can be utilized. Local transport can be arranged from Karjat station to proceed further towards Sondewadi village.

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