This is the very heart of Maratha country -- Raigad, the capital of Shivaji's kingdom.
Raigad is 3000 feet high above sea level. 'Rairi' was its original name. Shivaji's Coronation Ceremony took place over here. Strategically perched atop a wedge-shaped block of hill, split off from the Western Ghats and inaccessible from three sides. Stories of incredible valour and heroic deeds are etched on every pebble at Raigad.
It was here that Shivaji built his capital city in the 14th century, and here that he crowned himself Chhatrapati. For six years upto his death, Raigad remained the capital of the Marathas with its broad gates and magnificent monuments. There was only one pathway leading to the top, and prizes were offered to those who scaled the fort through unconventional methods. Though parts of Raigad are in ruins, yet they inspire an aura of grandeur. Shivaji's impregnable capital, the place where he was crowed and where he died. Besides the fort, you'll find his samadhi and the remains of his palace.
For its immence beauty, Raigad remains a hiker's paradice.The formidable Pratapgad fort with its equestrian statue of shivaji is an interesting excursion.
You can also visit Gangasagar Lake or worship at the nearby Jagadishwar Temple or pay your respects to the great Maratha warrior at his Samadhi.
Best season to visit Any Time
For Trekking :
There are many interesting routes to Raigad, varying from the relatively easy to the challenging. The path starts from Pachad, 24 kms from Mahad, a shallow sea port on the banks of the Savitri River. Raigad can also be an adventure-filled day excursion from the hill station of Mahabaleshwar or from Pune.
Way to reach the fort :
After getting down at the Cheet Darwaja, to the right is a way to climb the fort. After crossing Valsura Khind and climbing about 90 steps you reach the Maha Darwaja. Another way to reach the fort is by the Wagh Darwaja, but is a very difficult path and often avoided by the tourists, but trekkers may like to go by this way. After climbing 100 mts from Maha Darwaja to the right is a Iron Pillar. 'Hatti Talav' falls to the Left. Before reaching the 'Main Darwaja' you cross the 'Ganga Sagar Talav' which is towards the Left. Going by this way you reach the Hirkani Buruj.
Ropeway is available from foot hills to the top of the fort (seasonal), on foot, about 1450 steps from foot hill to top of the fort.
Getting there :
By Air : Nearest airport is Pune 126 kms.
By Rail : Nearest railhead is Pune.
By Road : Mumbai-Raigad 210 kms. via Mahad. Pune-Raigad 126 kms. Mahad-Raigad 27 kms. State Transport buses ply from Mumbai, Kolhapur and Pune to Ratnagiri and also from Ratnagiri to Pawas via Bhatye.
Places to see near by :
Mahad ,Kanakeshwar,
Forts to see near by :
Torna, Rajgad and Lingana can be seen towards the East of Raigad. Towards the South are Vasota, Pratapgad and Makarandgad.
Sights to visit:
Darwajas (Gate), Rani Mahal, Gangasagar Talao, Shivaji Maharaj Samadhi, Takmak tok, Bhavani tok, Jagdishwar Temple, Rajwada and lot more......
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Tell a friend
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Raigad is 3000 feet high above sea level. 'Rairi' was its original name. Shivaji's Coronation Ceremony took place over here. Strategically perched atop a wedge-shaped block of hill, split off from the Western Ghats and inaccessible from three sides. Stories of incredible valour and heroic deeds are etched on every pebble at Raigad.
It was here that Shivaji built his capital city in the 14th century, and here that he crowned himself Chhatrapati. For six years upto his death, Raigad remained the capital of the Marathas with its broad gates and magnificent monuments. There was only one pathway leading to the top, and prizes were offered to those who scaled the fort through unconventional methods. Though parts of Raigad are in ruins, yet they inspire an aura of grandeur. Shivaji's impregnable capital, the place where he was crowed and where he died. Besides the fort, you'll find his samadhi and the remains of his palace.
For its immence beauty, Raigad remains a hiker's paradice.The formidable Pratapgad fort with its equestrian statue of shivaji is an interesting excursion.
You can also visit Gangasagar Lake or worship at the nearby Jagadishwar Temple or pay your respects to the great Maratha warrior at his Samadhi.
Best season to visit Any Time
For Trekking :
There are many interesting routes to Raigad, varying from the relatively easy to the challenging. The path starts from Pachad, 24 kms from Mahad, a shallow sea port on the banks of the Savitri River. Raigad can also be an adventure-filled day excursion from the hill station of Mahabaleshwar or from Pune.
Way to reach the fort :
After getting down at the Cheet Darwaja, to the right is a way to climb the fort. After crossing Valsura Khind and climbing about 90 steps you reach the Maha Darwaja. Another way to reach the fort is by the Wagh Darwaja, but is a very difficult path and often avoided by the tourists, but trekkers may like to go by this way. After climbing 100 mts from Maha Darwaja to the right is a Iron Pillar. 'Hatti Talav' falls to the Left. Before reaching the 'Main Darwaja' you cross the 'Ganga Sagar Talav' which is towards the Left. Going by this way you reach the Hirkani Buruj.
Ropeway is available from foot hills to the top of the fort (seasonal), on foot, about 1450 steps from foot hill to top of the fort.
Getting there :
By Air : Nearest airport is Pune 126 kms.
By Rail : Nearest railhead is Pune.
By Road : Mumbai-Raigad 210 kms. via Mahad. Pune-Raigad 126 kms. Mahad-Raigad 27 kms. State Transport buses ply from Mumbai, Kolhapur and Pune to Ratnagiri and also from Ratnagiri to Pawas via Bhatye.
Places to see near by :
Mahad ,Kanakeshwar,
Forts to see near by :
Torna, Rajgad and Lingana can be seen towards the East of Raigad. Towards the South are Vasota, Pratapgad and Makarandgad.
Sights to visit:
Darwajas (Gate), Rani Mahal, Gangasagar Talao, Shivaji Maharaj Samadhi, Takmak tok, Bhavani tok, Jagdishwar Temple, Rajwada and lot more......
9 Comments
Tell a friend
Bury
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Comments
First picture of raigad is deadliest pic i have ever seen until now.
Is this taken by uddhav thackrey by any chance, in his ariel photography expedition ?
Very good post keep it up tejas :)
Tejas when are we going to trek on this fort !
Also this seems to be an ideal place from where some of my friends on Katta would probably like to throw me down, ofcourse obviously with the intention of improving my health !
What say Kiran? :-D
Yes, it will be a great fun tossing u from Raigad.
I have already imagined it :)
Nice article. Most of the things i didn't know. very informative.
Beautiful pic of Raigad I am eagar to go for trekking.
Kiran promised me that we would go on saturday ..but he broke his promise :(
Had i gone with pavwala to any fort on saturday .. katta would have be down for a week in condolence.
And besides that R R Patil would have come out with another rule ... "No drinking and Trekking".
Jai Jai Maharashtra maza
Garaja Maharashtra Maza.
Nice article, especially first pic of Raigad
Nice article. Good job tejas.
Thanks for reminding us Chhatrapati Shivaji Raje Bhosle, in between otherwise we talk about Shivaji Maharaj on very few occasions like 1st Maharashtra.
Kattakaris pl go through this http://www.funonthenet.in/content/view/150/31/
Good article tejas.Maharashtra has a rich cultural heritage which has to be explored and made known to all.