Raigad is a hill fortress situated in the modern day Raigad District of Maharashtra, India. The great Maratha king Shivaji made the fort his capital in 1674 when he was crowned king of a Marathi kingdom which later developed into the Maratha Empire.
The fort, which rises 820 m (2700 ft) above sea level, is located in the Sahyadri 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.
Raigad Fort is worth visiting over the Weekend with your family, kids or even as part of project group. You may cover it over Saturday Sunday or can add it as one of your destination while visiting other places in coastal Konkan like Dapoli-Murud-Harnai or Shrivardhan-Harihareshwar-Dive Agar.
Getting There
Route 1 (via Tamhini Ghat): Chandani Chowk – Paud Road – Dawadi – Bhira Top – Adarwadi – Nizampur – Via Mangaon Road Mumbai-Goa Highway – Mahad – Pachad – Raigad (There is direct road that connect after you get down Tamhini Ghat to Pachad. but it is not that good.
Route 2 (Via Varandha Ghat): Pune Satara Road (NH4) via Katraj – Bhor – Varandha Ghat – Shivtharghal – Mumbai-Goa Highway NH17 – Mahad – Pachad – Raigad
There are signboard available on NH17 for diversion to Raigad and it is 23 Km off the highway. Distance from Pune to Raigad is approx 150 Km and it takes 3-4 hrs to reach the place. Both Tamhini and varandha ghat are not safe to cross during night time.
“Fort Raigad is much more than a mere tourist spot. It is a sacred place of pilgrimage, which has left an imprint of the grand vision of Hindavi Swarajya as cherished by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.”
Fort Raigad was the capital of the most illustrious Maratha sovereign, nurtured by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. It is a monument of his prophetic vision of Hindavi Swarajya.
This is a preamble prior to your electrifying excursion around Fort Raigad. It has been described by European historians as ‘The Gibralter of East’. Various landmarks have lent it the credo of ‘Shivtirth’. The holy shrine has become vibrant by the valour, courage and patriotism of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.
The sheer vertical rock face tearing into the sky above, appears defiant and insurmountable. It has stemmed many a foreign aggression and protected the Hindavi Swarajya during those historic times.
When he first saw the place, Shivaji Maharaj could not help exclaim:
“This Fort is formidable. All sides appear as if chiselled from a mountain of solid rock. Not even a blade of grass grows on the sheer vertical rock. This is a paragon to house the throne”.
This used to be the marketplace of the fort in ancient times.
Vendors would be allotted booths on either side of the road where they would sell the wares.
At the foothills near village Pachad, is Chit Darwaja, also known as Jit Darwaja. After gruelling foot-slogging, you reach Khoob Ladha Buruj. It is a strategically located turret, from where an aggressor attacking from either flank could be repelled. Nearly a mile ahead, after a difficult climb comes the Maha Darwaja. Built over 350 years ago, this main entrance to the Fort stands majestically. It is as imposing and stout today, as it was then! The design of this Maha Darwaja is an enigma. It defies detection of its location to the attacker. Blind curves enroute make it impossible for the attacker to use elephants to knock it down. In the battle of those historic times, elephants were used to demolish fort entrances.
A steep climb of nearly 1450 steps and three and a half hours of extreme demands on your physical stamina, leaves you too exhausted. The magic mantra – Raigad Ropeway – has opened a new chapter of sightseeing – the Fort Raigad. It whisks you to the top, through the clouds and whistling winds, in just 4 minutes. Gone is its exhausting inaccessibility. Now you have all the energy and time to enjoy the sightseeing! Well-trained and courteous guides are at hand to give you a conducted tour of the Fort.
The Ropeway lands you at the upper station near Mena Darwaja. This was the special entrance for the royal ladies and the queens. To the left of Mena Darwaja is the Rani Vasa or “Queens’ Chambers”. They are six in number and were being used by the mother of Shiv Chhatrapati – Jeeja Mata, Soyarabai, Putalabai and other royal ladies.
In front of the Rani Vasa is the Palkhi Darwaja. A special entrance for the convoy of Shivaji Maharaj. On the right side of Mena Darwaja, is the office complex of 8 principal secretaries of Shivaji Maharaj. To the right of Palkhi Darwaja, there is a row of three dark chambers. Historians believe that these were the granaries for the fort.
To the right of the granaries is the palace of Shivaji Maharaj. It is called the Raj Bhavan, where he dispensed justice in petty and routine matters. The palace rests on a double plinth and had wooden columns to support the palatial structure. The Raj Bhavan is a mute witness to the joys, sorrows, anger, victories and overwhelming generosity of Shiv Chhatrapati. The plinth adjoining Raj Bhavan, holds two large water tanks and by its side, is the location of the Royal Bath. Excellent toilet and drainage system highlights the structural design of that era. To the east of Raj Bhavan is in an open space, there is an underground cellar. It was used for secret dialogues, worshipping Bhavani Mata and for storing war booty after the raid on Surat.
The fort has many huge water reservoirs, one of which is the picturesque Ganga Sagar. Two main entrances from the Royal Palace open in to a sprawling lawn. This is the Raj Sabha. It has witnessed the splendour of the glorious coronation of Shiv Chhatrapati. The shackles of 300 years of slavery were broken and Shivaji Maharaj proclaimed establishment of Hindavi Swarajya! The magnificent throne, studded with diamonds and gold, rested on eight columns of pure gold weighing almost 1000 kilos. It also bears the royal emblem of Shivaji Maharaj. The umbrella over the throne was adorned with strings of precious stones and pearls.
Entry for common public to Raj Sabha was through the Nagarkhana. In those times, the royal band played here round the clock. It is an excellent example of architecture and miraculous acoustics. The distance between ‘Nagarkhana and the Royal Throne is more than 200 feet, yet even the slightest whisper can be heard from both ends very clearly.
Holi Cha Mal, is outside the Nagarkhana. It is a wide open ground, used for annual Holi festival. There is a temple of Shirkai Bhavani, a presiding deity of the Fort. In front of Holi Cha Mal, there is a spacious and well laid-out marketplace. It is built on a high plinth and is separated by a 40-foot wide road leading to the Jagadishwar Temple. Adjacent to this temple, is the most revered place on Fort Raigad, the Samadhi of Shiv Chhatrapati. The Samadhi is intact and well-maintained, even today, due to the personal initiative of Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak.
Other places of interest are ammunition depot, Bara Tanki i.e. more than a dozen huge water reservoirs, Rameshwar Mandir, Wagh Darwaja, Takmak Tok – an execution place for the proclaimed criminals, etc. These are testimony to the valour, courage and ultimate sacrifice of Maratha soldiers, who made Hindavi Swarajya a reality.
awesome! The view of the ghats in the distance are almost like the Grand Canyon in Arizona!
Your site is marvelous !!!
Thank you very much for sending so much beautiful collections,
Its really beauty of nature………………………….
thanx a lot. it helped me a lot. just keep forwarding me abut other forts alos and alos send me the route to go there . plzzzzzzzz. i love to go for treks but with proper guidance of the route i find it difficult to go. so plzzzz solve my problem bye tc………..
beutiful place…. thank for your pic.
this is good desciprtion
thank u priyaji
It is a marvelous collection of Indian History
It’s MARVELOUS
WONDERFUL ! ENCHANTING ! BREATH TAKING !
the pics are really good and beautiful. expect more.
tour travel
Very resourceful information.
which season is the best to visit this place?
apratim
fantastick
this Is the one of the greatest fort of maratha empoirer , all the feature of this fort is telling their own story
The Raja Shivaji was governed the whole Maharastra from this fort , in history this fort was the Capital of Maharastra. if you get apportunity , please visit ….
You will getting marval knowlage about History
Your site is very good but going through it I foud that Fort is looking very dry, no trees anywhere. Is there any NGO / Social organisation which can do something to protect this National Heritage.
very nice photos
Thanks Its Amazing….
I want to organise a outing here for 2 days one night, can you help me with numbers for MTDC resorts on the fort
HE ……………. NICE ONE CHAN AAHE.
I want to go their once in my life to see that what the beauty of life to be live
this is an very beautiful place,i have never seen before.fills like emperor of raigad.
Awesome………
woooooooooooonderfull
i like your very very nice photography
jai maharashtra.
very good photo thank you
thanks lot………….
i confuse to visit this place or not
but after knowing ur information
i first visit this place
“jo sunne me itna sundar ho vo dekhne me kesa hoga”
well information all about RAIGAD FORT —- thanks
Thank you for showing the beauti of saihydri and Maratha kingdom
anek maratha sanghtana aahe sarve lok maratha samajache nete mhanun miravta kahi tar 300 karod che jijau prakalp bandhata aahet pan jya mule aapan maratha mhanun miravto. ashi aapli punay bhumi raigad padkya sthit aahe raigad punha bandhala java hi apeksha aahe. afzal khana cha kabrivar karodo kharch hotat pan raigadavar nahi hi khant aahe.
thanks for obtaining this historical memories
thanks a lot…………….
WHEN I SAW THE ENTIRE FORT I FEEL VERY PROUD TO BE BORN IN MARATHI MAATI OF MAHARASHTRA DT- 13/11/10 & 14/11/10.
thanks lot………….
i was confused to visit this place
but after knowing ur information
i first visit this place
I am not a Marathi but I have huge pride for Shivaji Maharaj, for his valor and fierce attitude towards protecting his people and land. Raigad is in my agenda for sometime, yet to drive down there.
Will anyone be kind enough to give me a simple driving direction ? I understand its near Nagathane ?
Information and picture here has motivated me so very much !!
the fort no. 1 ( rigad )
awsome,too good,lovely photographs n nice n brief information about the fort,i m grabing my camera n heading to mangoan this weekend with my kids n hubby.
THIS INFORMATION IS VERY USEFUL BUT IF YOU ROAD MAP IS MORE USEFUL FOR UNKNOWN PERSONS
one Number
Can you tell forts history?
CAUTION:
People travelling from Pune to Raigad. We used route no. 1 via Tamhini Ghat, But while going we used shorter route from Nizampur to Pachad. It is mentioned that this route is not good.But that is understatement. It is in horrible condition. NEVER USE THIS BYPASS. As mentioned Go all the way to Mumbai-Goa Highway. You reach Mangaon. Turn left to reach Mahad. Turn left when you see a clear road-sign “Raigad Ropeway”.
You may end up driving around 35 kms extra. But it is worth, since the shorter route is in horrible condition.You will either have broken vehicle or punctured tyre or may not reach the destination at all since there is no help available on this barren route.
By the grace of god, we barely managed to go through. But while returning did not use it.
REALLY VERY NICE- YOU ARE ONLY PERSONALITY -WHO PROVIDES SUCH REAL PICTURE VERY RARE PLACES , BESIDES OTHER SOME VERY FEW, ON FUN-ON NET.
REGARDS & THANX.
P.K.SHARMA-BHOPAL-M.P.
ORIGINAL FROM ALIGARH-U.P
Awesome Fort. Well pictured. Well documented. Will be happy to know the place where we can halt for a day. Jai Shivaji Maharaj
Thank you very much for sending so much beautiful collections realy very nice
Beautiful
We are proud of Shivaji Maharaj and it’s a good collection.
Please send us more pictures of any nice places in Far East too. I like to visit Maldive for example. Do you have any pictures of maldive? Thanks in advance. Medi Bafi
nice pics……….
nice… i would love to visit the place….
Its really beauty of nature………………………….
My Dear thank you so much for all fantastic contributions.
Which is the best time to visit this place.
very nice place,
this is really nice yar.
its wonderful picture
Thanks Miss Priya,,
I have never left any comments in the past for the efforts that you have taken to post such wonderful things from all corners of the world. I would like to just say to keep up the excellent job & my best wishes.
As a matter of fact, I did once send a mail to you to know more about you. Well, I guess you have still not responded.Well, then its entirely up to you. I have personally no problems with that.
Thanking you once again,
Manoj M.
Realy nice place
many many thanks…thanks for obtaining these type of historical memorable places..looking forward for more exciting features.
its really nice places
I consider this as a wonderful gift presented by a highly skilled Photographer who is also gifted with an eye for rare historical and
panoramic sceneries also of historical importance.
Thank You & God Bless You
V.Shrinivas (age-80yrs)
awesome! This stuff is real wealth of our country, but no government would not try to save them.
awesome! these things are the gold of our country but no any govt. save these forts
The fort is awesome. The site seeing around the fort is also beautiful. If it is properly maintained, and motorable roads laid to this fort, it will attract more tourists. It’s true, as quoted byt a foreign tourist, one can’t visit all important places of India in his life time.
hi
very nice
i like it
Really Gr8! Really appreciate your hard work. Keep it up people like us get to see Nature’s and man’s wonderful creations sitting at home due to your efforts and hardwork. Love ur site
Any dumb human will speak up d greatness of my Maratha King.. What a magnificient Fort….Shiaji Maharaj ki Jai.
I like to visit this fort,I will go in my next tour to Maharashtra.
simply awesome.
It is very educative nd the presentation is excellent.
I wish u all the best.
Do pl take good care nd look after urself well.
Regards,
Madan
Thanks a lot for sending this valuable info to so many people n its a awesome place ..
simply great,one more reasion to proud ourselves to be an Indian.
Nice information about Raigad Fort…..pls keep other forts too….Thanks for lovely creation….
a very beutiful scene.thanks
your site is marvellous.
keep up the good work.
God Bless
very beautiful please keep on sending the beauti of our country thank u
Dear thies fort is not better then our nawab fort in kadapa.
Thanks for sending this sight-seeing information.
very-very beautiful and wonderful
very nice collections. thank U
very nice collections. thank U
keep it up and you may send useful collections to us.
Let’s make a movement to preserve our Rich heritage.Our Corrupt Politicians have no time for this.
hey priya, u knw this is my native place am so happy Maratha kingdom u r publishing…………………thanks
WOrth visiting the fort. The pictures are so clear & nice that we feel as if we are on the fort & seeing the various views of the fort with our naked eyes.
nice to hear i have read raigad chance to see today i like shivaji adm and challenges he had he is hero today to not only maharashtra but to mahanrashtra i e india
This is the part of Maratha empire……Jai SHIVAJI *******
Hi Priya
ur mail is wonderful
Thank you Priyaji
Great photos, brings out the beauty of the fort very well.
very nice n information is very useful, history memorial thanks a lot
Well-described information about the historic Raigad Fort. The photographs are a delight for travelers. Panoramic view of Ghats as visible from fort on a clear weather day is wonderful….thanks for the information.
India…. place with natural beauty…
good picture nice
Hi Priya
Ur mail is wonderful
very nice
Thanks PRIYAJI. I love INDIA history. You send me often good emails. Thanks again
thanks for nice mails.
Excellent Photograps & description. I had been to fort in 1995 when i was in collage but could not visit again. I want to know 1) Is it possible to reach to Pachad from Pune using Public transport? 2) Can I take my 74 year old mother to fort (via ropeway)? She is great fan of Chatrapati Shivaji & want to see the fort once in her life. She can walk on plain surface but can not climb steps or inclined surface? 3) What is the right time to visit this place?
Please let me know as soon as possible. I am thinking of visiting fort at end of May 2011 with my family. Thanks again.
Raigad fort is the proof of the great Shivaji Raja’s foresite. I visited this fort in last year. Really this fort is very hard to climb. Every body should try to trek on this fort without use of rope-way. Its really very thrilling experience and we must realize how Chhatrapati Shivaji established Maratha Kingdom! Hats off to this great king.
hi
Mharashtra Fort is my heart
amzaing priya you give an excellent photo about raigad fort. i tell my frnd and arrange 1 day tour to this fort.
this is really a heart touching view of this fort of mharashtra .
thank to sending this beautifull picture ,all the best.
This is the tallent of Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj
this is really a great inspiration to all human being in the world…i m proud of it.
great inspiration to the all human being..i m proud of it.
Thanks for the information………………its an lovely place
Very nice photo of ancient fort
nice place close to my house……..
It the capital of all forts.Its realy great.
most enjoyable for a group of 7-8 boys.
you can also have a one day hault.
This is the tallent of Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj
very nice n information is very useful, history memorial thanks a lot
CHATRAPATI SHIVAJI Maharaj KI JAY
YOUR INFORMATION AND IMAGES ARE TOO GOOD THANKS A LOT
veri nice n information is very useful history memoriyal thanks a lot
CHATRPATI SHIVAJI MAHARAJ KI JAY JAY BHVANI JAY SHIVAJI
very good information…proud to be from raigad…
Jai Shivaji Jai Bhavani, Jay Maharashtra………
nice photo of raigad
thank you
very good. proud of i am maharashriyan. jai shivaji.
Here is some more info https://pune.icrave.in/near-pune/82-forts/1711-raigad
very nice place Raigad Fort
its very very nice to see the beautifull shivaji maharaja fort. thanks a lot we are going soon to see it
naddddddddd khhhhuuuuuuulllllllla. jjjjjjaayyyyyy maharashtra ani jayyyyy shivaji, jay bhavani
superb………..
THE REAIL MAN FOR FORT THE CHHATRAPTI SHIVAJI MAHARAJ .GOOD FOR MAHARASHTRA. HER HER MAHADEV
RAIGAD IS VERY BIG FORT FOR MAHARASHTRA
its beautiful fort evryone wath it
very nice fort.
YOUR INFORMATION AND IMAGES ARE TOO GOOD THANKS A LOT
Your information and pictures are too good.
Thanks
very good. proud of i am maharashriyan. jai shivaji.
YOUR INFORMATION AND IMAGES ARE TOO GOOD THANKS A LOT
very nice fort.
very good. proud of i am maharashriyan. jai shivaji.
JAI SHIVAJI ! JAI BHAVANI !
Raigad Killa Maharashtra chi shan aahe………
Many,many THANKS for organizing & publishing beautiful pics. & the valuable info. on Fort Raigad & Shivaji Raje & his accomplishments.Being born & raised in the foothills of fort Raigad …in Mahad, it simply sends the chills of pride through my spine to say how lucky I have been. Every morning, after I would get up & could see the fort from my house …& that is how I liked to begin my day. We all are so THANKFUL & blessed by Shivaji Raje’s life accomplishments, the fruits of which we all enjoy many centuries later.
I highly recommend everyone to visit this magnificent fort that is full of rich history that we all can pass on to new generations to come !!
Proud Mahadkar ….. Vishvas Joshi.
OH|really this place is so beautiful I wants to meet this place
This place is near to my house but because of study i never meet it when my study will be complete i will meet that place I am sure that the nature of that place will be not disturbed
thanks for visit our district.
THANKS FOR VISIT OUR DIS.
Good views from all of you. I was confused and now am clear, and will visit tommorow with my Family.
Thank you
Ur efforts are worth of praise no doubt. However I am trying my best to find the rare photo of this memorable fort before it was set to fire somewhere in 1813. So pls… pls… if u get it from somewhere let me know. My six sense says it is there… just we have to go for it.
I am from Tamil Nadu.. Wish I lived during his reign..
Very nice area
So I m thinking that i will saw of this area .