Raigad Fort

Raigad
Rajgad Fort is a hill fortress and one of the grandest forts of Sahaydris mountain range. Shivaji Maharaj madethis fort his capital for 26 years (in 1674) before moving to another fort (Raigad).
The fort is at 2700 feet (820 m) above the sea level. It has around 1400 to 1450 steps, however nowadays a rope way exists to attain the fort top. This fort was destroyed and looted by British upon siege.
From fort, you can see Sinhagad & Lingana forts.
Main spots on the fort are :
- Bale Killa – The highest region of fort which has residues of palaces, water towers & lakes.
- Padmavati Machi – At north side, it has the Padmavati Lake, Padmavati Temple, Pali darwaja, chor darwaja, Gunjavane darwaja and Daru Kothar.
- Sanjivani Machi - This massive, attractive and wonderfully built machi faces the west and it has three leveled fortifications crafting it really difficult to defeat. Every layer has a deepness of 20 ft and only 2 ft broad which appears like a daunting contracted well.
- Suvela Machi – It is also grand machi opposite east side with many secret ways, doorways, nedhas (Mountain hole).
How to go there
- You can reach here by ST Buses from Pune to a village called Velhe. This will take approximately 1.5 hours.
  OR
- You can reach there via Tamhini Ghat
  Chandani Chowk - Paud Rd - Dawadi - Bhira Top - Adharwadi - Nizaampur - Via Mangaon Rd Mumbai - Goa Ex Highway - Mahad - Pachad - Raigad
  There is also straight road that join once you get down the Tamhini Ghat to a Pachad. But it's not in good condition.
  OR
- You can reach the fort via the Varandha Ghat
  Pune - Satara Rd (NH-4) via Kaatraj - Bhor - Varanda Ghat - Shivthargal – Mumbai - Goa Ex Highway NH-17 - Mahad-Pachad - Raigad
  There are road sign presented on NH-17 for diversion to the Raigad and its 23 kilometres off highway. It is at approx 150 kms away from Pune to Raigad and it will take 3 to 4 hours to reach the fort. But both Tamhini & varandha ghat are not secure to travel during night time.
Some beautiful pictures of Raigad fort are :