The Utterances of a Peculiar Mindset

Konkandiva



Raigad as seen from Konkandiva

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Very little is known about this undeservedly forbidden fort. Rising above the moderately high hills in the main mountain range of the Sahyadris, Kokandiva is clearly visible from Raigad fort. Surprisingly, despite of having juxtaposed to Raigad, Kokandiva is unknown to tourists, visitors and even to the trekkers en route this region.

Kokandiva can be accessed from Mahad to Sandoshi via Pachad. Mahad, being taluka place in Raigad district is an important city in this region. State Transport buses ply regularly between Mahad and Sandoshi. Though the frequency is a bit less, about 4 buses a day. Sandoshi is about 34 km away from Mahad. Sandoshi is a very remote village situated at the foot of the main Sahyadri mountain range. Kokandiva is a tall mountain at the northern edge of Sandoshi village.

The trek starts from the western edge of the village passing through a very thick forest. The forest said to be infested with wild animals and many species of birds. A steep climb through the forest joins to way to Kavlya ghat. The Kavlya ghat lead us to the cave and two water cisterns near the top of the fort. Cave is carved in the rocks and has a rough surface. One of the water cisterns has potable water. To reach the top of the forts one needs to opt for simple rock-climbing. The rock patch to be negotiated is a bit exposed and needs to be attempted carefully. The top of the fort is very small with almost no worthwhile width. The top however, offers a beautiful view of Capital of Maratha Kingdom, Raigad. Raigad is situated at south whereas Lingana pinnacle adorns southeast vicinity. Since Kokandiva is a very tall fort in the region, one can see many hills in all directions. It takes about three hours to reach the top of the fort from Sandoshi village. Descend takes little less than two hours.

Kavlya ghat and Kokandiva revive the memories of the historical events took place after the assassination of Sambhaji Raje. As Mughals started lying siege to the region around Raigad, the brave widow of Sambhaji Raje, Rani Yesubai played an intellectual move to send the young Rajaram Maharaj to Pratapgad through Kavlya ghat. Maratha army fought fiercely with Mughals and led the new Maratha King, Rajaram to escape through Kavlya ghat to Jinji via Pratapgad-Vishalgad. This had manifold impact on the entire history of Maratha kingdom. Yesubai's move to send Rajaram through Kavlya ghat to safe land deprived Mughals from crushing Maratha region. Thus, Kokandiva reminds us some of the very eventful moments in the history of Maratha reign.

Trek to Kokandiva can be annexed to other places in this region. Since Sandoshi - Mahad ST bus goes via Pachad, one can catch ST bus at Sandoshi and alight at Pachad and visit Jijamata Samadhi, Pachadcha Kot and then Raigad (2 km). The other way to annex the trek is to descend from Kokandiva to Garjaiwadi to Mangad and Kurdugad (Vishramgad) via Ghol - Manjurna villages.

In short, Kokandiva is a good trek with a bit of thrill to add spice and offers a wonderful view of the King of forts, Raigad. Kokandiva is undeservedly neglected, that's sure!


Special Thanx to Shishir Deshmukh for the valuable information and Abhijeet Avalaskar for the beautiful photographs.