Memorable visit to Raigad Fort

Raigad is a hill fortress situated in the near Mahad, Raigad district of Maharashtra, India. It is 140 km from Pune and takes approximately 3.5 hours to reach. The Raigad Fort is a majestic and aesthetically appealing hill fort. It is one of the strongest forts on the Deccan Plateau and was historically referred to as Rairee or Rairy fort. 

Raigad Fort is the place where Shivaji Maharaj took the title Chhatrapati on his coronation day in June 1674. After being crowned the king of the Maratha kingdom, Shivaji chose Raigad as his capital. Pachad, Hirkaniwadi and Raigadwadi villages are at the base of Raigad fort. The actual climb up to the Raigad fort starts from the Pachad village. 

The fort can be accessed by a single pathway comprising of 1737 steps which takes nearly 2 hours to climb up and its moderately simple. 

The ideal time to visit the Raigad fort is during November to March as winters are not harsh here. The weather remains pleasant, and you will enjoy trekking or ropeway the most during winters. Summers are hot in Raigad as the mercury reaches up to 50 degrees Celsius. Monsoon season in Raigad oscillates from medium to heavy rainfall. It is good location for a day out. We went to Raigad on 28th March. 

Sapt Manora(Watch Tower)

 

The rope-way facility is available at Raigad Fort, to reach at the fort from ground in few minutes, approximately 5-7 minutes. Charges and discount details are available in below website. Only accommodation available on fort is through rope way.  Fort is closed at 5pm everyday and you have to get down before 5pm. 

 https://raigadropeway.com/ticket.html

Shivaji Maharaj statue at Rope way station

The main palace was constructed using wood, of which only the base pillars remain. The main fort ruins consist of the queen's quarters, and six chambers, with each chamber having its private restroom. 

In addition, ruins of three watch towers can be seen directly in front of the palace grounds out of which only two remain as the third one was destroyed during a bombardment. The fort also overlooks an artificial lake known as the Ganga Sagar Lake. The only main pathway to the fort passes through the "Maha Darwaja" which was previously closed at sunset.

Gangasagar Lake

Another entrance, called the Mena Darwaja on the south side, was supposedly the private entrance for the royal ladies of the fort that lead to the queen's quarters.

Mena Darwaja

The main palace of Shivaji, Raj Bhavan, was made out of wood; however, it is only the bases of the pillars that remain. The Raj Bhavan leads to a massive, sprawling lawn also known as the Raj Sabha. 

This open ground has witnessed various important events of the Maratha rule. From the splendor of battle wins to the coronation of Shiv Chhtrapati, the Raj Sabha has seen it all. 

Rajwada Place

Rajwada Remains

If you are visiting the fort for the first time, do not miss exploring the chambers of the queen or the Rani Vasa that comprises of six chambers each with attached restrooms.  You wont believe until you see that even then there were bathroom and toilet attached to each chamber. The impressive drainage system of the Royal Bath speaks for the architectural excellence prevalent centuries ago. You will be amazed to know that it leads to an underground cellar that was used for secretive activities back in the day such as worshipping Bhavani Mata, storing loot from wars, secret dialogues and what not!

Raniwasa

Dhanya Kothar

Khatbat khana is a room for secret discussion. 

Khalbat khana

Khalbat khana (inside)

Way to Balekilla

Meghdambari Sinhasan

The king's court, inside the Raigad Fort, has a replica of the original throne that faces the main doorway called the Nagarkhana Darwaja. It faces the East Side. This enclosure had been acoustically designed to aid hearing from the doorway to the throne.

Nagarkhana

Holi Cha Mal is just outside the Nagarkhana Darwaja, this massive open ground was used by the people of the fort to celebrate Holi in early days. The Bara Tanki comprised of more than a dozen water reservoirs and its ruins will amaze you by their magnificent structure. There is an ancient marketplace can be found in the premises of the fort with a statue of Shivaji right in front of it.

Bajarpeth (Market Place)

Shirkai Devi Temple

Hatti Talav (Elephant Lake)

There is a mint (tanksal), a plant where money is coined by authority of the king.

Khubladha Buruj

The fort has a historic buruj called "Hirakani Buruj" (Hirakani Bastion) constructed over a huge steep cliff. The legend goes "that a milkmaid by the name of Hirakani from a nearby village had come to sell milk to the people living at the fort. She happened to be inside the fort when the gates got closed and locked at sunset. Hearing the cries of her infant son back at the village echo after nightfall, the anxious mother couldn't wait till dawn and courageously climbed down the steep cliff in pitch darkness all for the love of her little one. She later repeated this extraordinary feat in front of Shivaji and was rewarded for her bravery." Noticing that this was a potential loophole, Shivaji built a bastion over the cliff and named it after the milkmaid.

From the fort, one can view the execution point called Takmak Tok, a cliff from where wrongdoers were pushed off to death. It is also believed that Shivaji Maharaj punished a number of enemies and traitors by sending them hurtling down this valley. The Takmak Tok is a massive rock cliff located at a height of 1200 feet. The breathtaking view of the enchanting valleys of Sahyadri hills make it a popular tourist spot of Raigad. This area has been fenced off. 

Way to Takmak Tok

Takmak Tok

It was almost 1pm and we were hungry, after inquiring about a place for lunch we got to know Gajanan Aukirkar's place. After inquiring around, we reached his house which is near to Jagadishwar temple. Few people were already having meal so the place is houseful. We had not ordered before so we had to wait. After waiting for 30 minutes they served us pithal bhakari. So you need to place prior order, you can explore the fort and come back in an hour. Only veg food is allowed at the fort. 

After lunch we went to visit Jagadishwar temple and Shiv samadhi. A strong believer in Hinduism, Shivaji Maharaj built the Jagadishwar temple as an act of devotion to Lord Jagadishwar. It is believed that Shivaji used to visit the temple everyday. If you are looking for a serene, spiritual retreat, explore the temple grounds that house idols of Jagadishwar and Nandi. 

Jagadishwar Temple

Jagadishwar, Raigad Fort

Shivaji Maharaj gave the responsibility of building Raigad to Heroji Indulkar. When the construction of Raigad was completed, the Maharaja was pleased to see the excellent and magnificent construction of the fort which would put a civil engineer to shame and he told Heroji that you can ask for anything you want. Then what Heroji asked from behind he asked, "My name should be written on one of the steps of Raigad so that your feet will fall on that step and I will be blessed". This step is near the Jagadishwar temple on the fort.  It reads, "Seveshi Thayi Thapar Heroji Indulkar" means "Heroji Indulkar will always be in the ready service of His Majesty". This shows Heroji's loyalty and unconditional love towards Maharaja empire. 

"सेवेशी ठायी तत्पर हिरोजी इंदुलकर"

Shilalekh

Shiv Samadhi

Waghya Dog Tomb

We were tired and decided to skip Wagh Darwaja and Bhavani Kada in this visit, decided to see these places in next visit and that too we will climb up steps to reach the top. 

We left the fort around 4 pm as we almost walked for more than five hours which was around 13 kms. Our plan was to travel back Pune but we were so tired and decided to stay there and travel back next morning. We did not get a room at rope way station so we stayed at Raigad Uphargruh. This is just beside the ropeway station. Room was average clean but pricing is reasonable. They charged us 1000 Rs. for one night for 3 persons.  After getting fresh and took a power nap for 15 mins we went to Pachad, we have to reach Pune by 12pm as we were having parent-teacher meeting next day. 

The Samadhi of Rajmata Jijabai, Shivaji's mother, can be seen at the base village of Pachad. Jijamata Palace is dedicated to the mother of the great ruler, this palace is a must visit if you want to dig deep into history and unravel tales of the Maratha empire. Mostly destroyed by the British Army, the palace is now protected by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).

Jijamata Wada, Pachad

Jijamata Samadhi, Pachad

The architecture of Raigad Fort is an excellent example of the Maratha military style of construction. 

You should visit Raigad at least once in your life and see the glory of Maharashtra.

We left Hirkaniwadi around 9.30 am after having breakfast at Sarja Uphar Grah which is authorized restaurant of rope way project. The ropeway ticket office entry is through the restaurant. The place is neat and clean. Food is quite simple and do not expect lot of verities here. 

We reached Pune around 2.30 pm after attending PTA meeting at school. 

 

Highlights - 

Trip duration - 2 days (27 March 2023 to 28 March 2023) (It can be a day trip from Pune.)

Distance travelled - 340Km

Budget - 8K

Useful information-

1. Pithal Bhakri plate(excluding rice) - 80 Rs.

2. Rope way charges - 310 Rs. per person.

3. Guide Charges - 500 Rs.

4. Website for rope and accommodation - https://raigadropeway.com/ticket.html

Useful contacts-

1. Gajanan Aukirkar (for lunch at the fort) - 9370842834

2. Guide Sandip Dhawale - 87668 22503

3. Hotel Raigad Uphargruh - 7947411674