A Mesmerising Journey To Raigad Fort
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We planned our Raigad fort trip. During the trek to Raigad Fort, everyone was excited to see the magnificent fort and the extra hustle and bustle. Raigad is among the most famous trekking destinations in Maharashtra. Trek to Raigad takes about 2 hours to reach the fort. Best way to experience the splendid natural beauty of Raigad.
Raigad Fort is a magnificent hill fort on a 2720 feet high hill above the sea near Mahad in Konkan. Raigad Fort was the capital of the Maratha Empire which was built after the great efforts of Shivaji Maharaj. Shivaji Maharaj appointed Hiroji Indulkar as the Chief Architect / Engineer and built the fort. Eastern Raigad, Rairi, Islamgad, Nandadeep, Jambudweep, Tanas, Rashivata, Badenur, Raigiri, Rajgiri, Bhivgad, Reddy, Shivlanka, Rahir, and Gibraltar have 15 different names.Fort was captured by Shivaji Maharaj in 1656 from Chandraraoji More who was the king of Jawali region. It was then known as Rairi but Shivaji Maharaj changed the named to Raigad i.e. King’s fort.
- 1656-1689 – Ruled by Maratha Empire
- 1689-1707 – Ruled by Mughal Empire
- 1707-1818 – Ruled by Maratha Empire
- 1818-1947 – East India Company & British Rulers
LOCATION: Raigad, Maharashtra 402305,India
HOW TO REACH:
By Air:By Air:Pune airport i.e.
Lohegaon Airport is the nearest airport to Raigad killa.Raigad fort from Pune
is just 140 km. Once you landed in Pune, you can reach by road or
rail to the Raigad Killa.
Mumbai to Raigad Fort
By Road: It is 170 Km. One can easily drive down with the help of GPS location.
By Rail: It is the cheapest way to Raigad fort from Mumbai. The nearest station to Raigad fort is Vir Dasgaon. From the station, you can hire share autos/Jeep till Mahad and from Mahad to Pachad i.e. base village of Raigad fort there are many options available.
Pune to Raigad Fort
By Road: It is 130 Km. One can easily drive down with the help of GPS location.
By Rail: As there are no direct trains available, one has to opt by road else visit Mumbai by train and then again by train to Raigad Killa
Rope-way :
The only rope way of Maharashtra state is here at Raigad. It takes mere 4-6 six minutes to reach on the top by ropeway. There are two connected trolleys, 4 persons each trolley i.e. 8 persons can seat in one trip of the ropeway. Usually 2/3 hrs wait on weekends. take a form available at ticket office, fill names address and mob number of visitors and give it at the time of buying tickets.
WHAT TO SEE :
Start your trek from Hirkani Buruz which is at the left turn from Hotel Raigad farm house, Pachad village. Right side road goes to ropeway. There are few small houses cum restaurants over there. Park your vehicle and can have snacks here.
Fort Base
It will take 2/3 hrs to ascend.The nature of trek is medium and safe. All ages can trek with safety precautions. No extra trekking tools required. Generally there is shadow on whole trail since its faced towards North direction.
You must take Guides with Rs.400-800/- who are available on the ropeway center at top. They narrate the Raigad history in Marathi, Hindi and English Languages. Without guide you will not understand the greatness and invincibility fort structure.
Proper direction boards may guide you to see the forts. Follow all the sign boards for best sight seeing.
Mahadarwaja, Hirkani Buruz, Queens palace, Darbar, Nagarkhana, Barudkhana, Mena Darawaja, Palakhi Darwaza, Gangasagr Lake, Jagdisheshwar Temple etc. are main points can be seen on the trail. The major attraction is Takmak Tok, which is high straight cliff at the norh age of the fort which was used to implement death sentences of the guilty.
The most important monument is the Samadhi (Mausoleum ) of Great Chhatrpati Shivaji Maharaj.
3/4 hrs required to see the fort keenly. otherwise you can see takmak tok and Samadhi and return in case.
Palakhi Darvaja :Palkhi Darwaja was only used by the King and his special convoys.
- Hirkani Buruj & Hirkani Story
During the Shivaji Maharaj reign, the gates were closed at sunset and would not open until the next morning due to the strict orders. Hirkani was a poor milkmaid. Daily, she used to supply milk on the fort. One day, she was late to return from the fort before sunset. But, Hirkani was desperate to reach home to feed her baby.
With no option left, she descended through the western cliff and reached home successfully. The courageous story spread across the region and Shivaji Maharaj recognized the efforts and bravery by felicitating her. Shivaji Maharaj built a wall at the unprotected vertical drop of Raigad fort and named it “Hirkani Buruj”
With the inspiring Hirkani Buruj story, we almost covered our first lap of the trek. It is said that there are more than 1500 steps to reach the top. Raigad fort trek difficulty level is EASY. Raigad Trek is a good option for beginners, families, and kids as well.After one and half hour we reached Maha Darwaja. We were happy to climb so fast to the top of the fort. But later, we came to know that it’s not top and still there is a hike of half an hour more.
Takmak : Takmak Tok is a famous point of Raigad fort from where a convicted person was pushed from this point. If you look from this place, you will notice how deep and dangerous the valley is. Nowadays there are railings on both sides for the safety of tourists.
Breathtakimg view from Takmak Tok
Nagarkhana Darwaja & Rajdarbar
As per the tale, the king could hear the voice of a man sitting on a throne and standing at the door of the palace. Such technology and architecture have been built on the top of a fort.
There is a beautiful idol of Shivaji Maharaj enthroned on the throne which inspires every visitor like me. We were observing the statue for a long time. It felt like going into the pages of golden history. Undoubtedly, he was the only king loved by all today. If we compare history, the amount of time spent on Raigad fort is less
Waghya Samadhi
Behind the Samadhi of
King Shivaji, one can spot the statue of Dog on a square-shaped plinth. Waghya
was the name of a dog who committed suicide by jumping into the funeral pyre
when Shivaji was cremated. There is a controversy among archaeologists
that there is no evidence of the dog in history whereas few believe it and
share strongly.
Ganga Sagar lake
Water from seven rivers was brought for the coronation ceremony of King Shivaji. The lake got its name from the water of seven rivers. It is still the main source of drinking water in the fort.
Queens Palaces
There were ruins of 6 chambers of 6 queens of King Shivaji. It said that it was built intelligently with toilets inside. Only the floor with black stones marks the graph of a Palace structure. Most of the parts were destroyed by Britishers. Shivaji had a total of 8 queens out of which one used to stay at Pachad base village with Jijamata (Mother of Shivaji), Queen Saibai died at Rajgad and the remaining 6 queens used to stay on Raigad Killa.
Statue of King Shivray on Holicha Maal
Jagdishwar Temple
we started our trail towards Shivaji Maharaj Samadhi (Memorial). We saw the marketplace again and reached Jagdishwar Temple. It is a big Shiva Temple with Nandi in the front. The entrance to the temple is from the backside. This temple is intact from Mughal or British attack. The outer court of the temple is about 128 ft. wide and 160 ft. long. Temple has beautiful Shiv Linga and tortoise carved on the floor. Behind Nandi, there is a front gate of the temple.
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Shivaji maharaj samadhi |
By stepping inside from the front gate, you can see letters carved on the second step. The meaning of these words is “Hiroji Italkar is at the service of" (Shivaji Maharaj). If you are facing Temple then check one stone with a message carved on the left side that says “This majestic building of Jagdishwar which brings happiness to all is built on the word of Shivaji Maharaj on the auspicious muhurta in Hindu year of 1596. The architect by name Hiroji built all wells, ponds, gardens, roads, pillars, monuments, and palaces. These will remain till the sun and moon are there in the skies”
Hiroji Indulkar Step |
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Kushavarta Lake |
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Mahadev Temple
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After Jagdishwar temple we gave visit Kushavarta Lake and Mahadev temple. The route to this place is from Holi cha maal but there is a shortcut route available. For a shortcut, take the narrow path route which is opposite to Raigad fort entry ticket office. After 5-7 min walks, you can see the ruined old temple on your right. Lord Shiva’s idol is placed inside the temple as well as outside the temple. There is a nice Lake named Kushavarta Lake. You also see many ruined fortification on the route to Kushavarta Lake. It is supposed to be the houses on the fort.
Goddess Shirkai Temple
The historical references in the book 'Raigadachi Jeevanagatha' contain references to the festivals of Goddess Shirkai during the Shiva period, the arrangement of temples during the Peshwa period, vows of the Goddess, sacrificial rituals, etc. Many families in the village of Pachad consider it as Kulaswamy. Mother Shirkai, who cherishes the Shiva context and overcomes difficulties, has a place in the minds of the people as an adored deity. Details of historical period lighting and expenses are available.
Pachad : The Samadhi (Mausoleum) of Rajmata Jijau, the Mother of Chhatrpati Shivaji Maharaj is situated at the Pachad which is base of the Raigad fort, on Pachad- Nizampur road.You must visit first to Rajmata Samadhi before Raigad trek. A small garden developed around the Samadhi place. base village Pachad which will take 5/10 minutes drive.
STAY & FOOD: Homestay, professional hotels for family and big groups are available at the base village. MTDC hotel is there on the top of the fort which available on advance booking.
However, best stay options are homestay in Pachad village, which is cheaper, cleaner and with the good toilet facility as well. Many Veg and Non Veg restaurants and home mess are available at the base village. Bottled water, cold drinks and snacks are also available. Wash rooms available too. Food and water available on the fort too.
VISIT SEASON: Inspirational fort doesn’t need the best time to visit, whenever you need capsule of inspiration, get up and trek to Raigad Fort. However, winter (Nov-Feb) is the best season for full day fort exploration. The rainy season (July – Sept) is also good but there is low visibility at times.This is said to be the best season to enjoy the eye-pleasing views of surrounding Sahyadri Mountain Range. Summer (Mar-June) is not that much recommended but with the help of Raigad Ropeway services you can plan out the day.
Parking : Ample place for paid parking of all types of vehicles.
What to See :Surrounding :Konkandiva fort, Rajgad fort, Torna fort, Lingana fort, Railing plateau, Madheghat, Shivthar ghal, Varandha ghat, Mohangad frot, Kavlya fort, Pratapgad etc. such vast and wide view of historical places can be seen from the Raigad fort
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| Surrounding scenery |
Trek Safety :
- Avoid long weekends/and vacations due to rush.
- Follow all the instructions and timings of the rope-way.
- Don't damage the fortification.
- Few points are windy. e.g. takmak tok, barudkhana etc. so keep your balance properly.
- Avoid heavy rainy weather. It rains heavily in the monsoon.
- Leave early from Jagdishewhar temple, Samadhi place and takmak tok in the evening. there is mist n fog in rainy and winter season, so possibility to lost.
- Follow all rules displayed by govt.
- Takmak tok buruz is very risky, in spite of side bars and railings, possibility to lose balance. proper care should be taken on kids and over enthusiastic young ones.
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