Trekking and Photography: September 2008

(History)
This fort needs no introduction just as “Rajgad” doesn’t need. This fort, rises 820 metres (2,700 ft) above sea level, is located in the Sahyandri mountain range. There are approximately 1400–1450 steps leading to the fort, though today a rope-way exists to reach the top of the fort. The fort was looted and destroyed by the British upon siege. Shivaji Maharaj won this fort from Chandrarao More. This was then called “Rairi”, Maharaj constructed it more and made it stronger and then renamed as “Raigad”. After that Maharaj got coronated here in 1674 and this was his capital till he died here in 1680. There is whole lot of information available on internet and even a small child can tell at list two lines about this fort. This is such a great fort.

(Reach the base)
Reaching the base village of Raigad from Pune is quite simple as one can catch the first bus leaving Swargate to Mahad at 6 AM in the morning. Best option to go to Raigad is ST bus or hired car (I would suggest, do not go by bike). Pune-Mahad journey is very exciting as the bus passes through a very beautiful ghat. You can even catch the bus from anywhere between Swargate to Chandani Chowk. From Mahad there is continuous Auto or Bus service available to go to Raigad base or say to Pachad which is base village for Raigad. The food will be available everywhere you go (Mahad/Pachad/Raigad base and top) so, no need to carry food but having a bottle of drinking water will be better option.

(Reach the top)
Once you reach the base, replan or reschedule your trek depending on the time you reach the base. Raigad can be seen completely in one day trek but trekkers prefer to have at least a day’s stay here. You have two options to reach the top, either by rope way or by the steps. I would suggest, reach the top by rope way and come down by steps so that you can experience both ways. Take the tickets and you will be shown a small documentary on Raigad, take some time and see that movie as it will help to see the fort and know the history. It takes 5 minutes to reach the top via rope way. If you want to go by steps then go back (about 1 Kms) from the rope way station and steps starts from your right hand side, these will take you to Maha Darwaja through Chitta Darwaja.

(About fort and sightseeing)
Raigad is huge fort and its better to have at least a rough map or idea of which place is where and in which direction to go, so that we can cover maximum sites in minimum time. Once you are on top via rope way, you are near Mena/Palakhi Darwaja. You can see the MTDC rooms and few hotels near rope way station on the fort. Climb a small hill after station and you can see the walls of fort. There are few steps for Mena Darwaja. Enter the door and you can see ruins of the royal palaces (there were 6 separate palaces for 6 queens) for the queens of Shivaji Maharaj on left hand side. Sivaji Maharaj had total 7 queens. (6 used to live on Raigad and 1 used live in Pachad with Jijabai as she was ill.) These palaces were two storied wooden buildings surrounded by rock compound wall and door. The architecture can be imagined even today. The rooms, walls and even bathrooms are so beautifully planned. Courts of various ministers are exactly opposite to these palaces. You can also see two huge tanks beside those courts, many peoples say it was jail for the criminals but evidences say it was the place to store the grains. Move ahead and you come to the main Royal Palace of Shivaji Maharaj. It is said that this palace was three storied with the best designed walls and polls. Beside these ruins, you can see the remains of three watch towers and garden around them. There are more things to see and have a keen look at in this area of the fort. There is place of general court (Deevan-a-aam) of Maharaj after this palace, where he used to meet the general people of Swarajya and used to listen to them and solve their problems. After this you came to the place of Royal Court (Raajyasabha) where he became the official King and that historical function of his coronation was said to be happened here. This place is a sure master piece of Architecture. It is about 60*200 feet long and build in such a way that a small noise at any corner can be clearly heard at any other place. No words can describe this place as there is Nagarkhana, Megh-Dambari (Royal Seat/Chair), the place for Queens, Sambhaji Raje and Jijabai to seat in Raajyasabha, the place for the ministers of Maharaj. It is said that even the steps to be passed to reach the Megh-Dambari had a meaning (These 4 steps means the 4 Generals of Maharaj namely Tanaji Malusare, Murar Baji Deshpande, Bajiprabhu Deshpande and Prataprao Gujar who sacrificed their lives for the Swarajya). After passing through this place you can see the Nagarkhana. Walk to the left side from here, pass few steps and you come to “Holi Cha Mal” where a statue of Maharaj built with 5 metals is installed. You can also see two canons near this statue. After this, you can see the three ways going to 1. Mahadarwaja & Shirkai Devi Temple 2. Daru Kothar & Tak-mak Tok 3. Bajarpeth (Main Market), Jagadishwar Temple & Shiv Samadhi. I would suggest, go and visit these places in reverse order so that you come to Mahadarwaja at the end of day and from here, you can come down. I have mentioned only main places here, if you find some time, roam around the fort and explore other minute things also. This fort is as good as heaven on earth.

(Come down)
Descend the fort through Mahadarwaja, the place where, I bet, you will spend at least a half an hour. You can see few more canons here. After coming down, you are at some distance ahead of the rope way station. Go back to the station have some break, get fresh and then you can start you journey to reach home with the wonderful memories of Raigad.