Raigad fort The Capital of Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's Kingdom.
Raigad Fort (रायगड किल्ला)
Short Description about Raigad Fort.
Raigad fort one of the famous hill fort situated in Raigad District at its base village of Raigad. Raigad fort is an Easy trek with its height of 2900 feet i.e. 884 meters above sea level.
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| View of Raigad |
History of Raigad Fort
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| Way to Raigad fort |
Shivaji Maharaj Captured the fort on 6th April 1656, before
capturing the fort Raigad was known as mountain of "Rairi" (रैरी), Locals
called this Raigad as "Rashivata" (राशिवता) and "Tanas" (तनस)
because it would look like an oil lamp tower and even was called as "Nandadeep" (नंदाडीप).
Raigad used 15 different names in the history by different rulers or the locals which were Raigad, Rairi, Islamgad, Nandadeep, Jambudweep, Tanas, Rashivata, Badenur, Raigiri, Rajgiri, Bhivgad, Reddi, Shivlanka, Rahir and Gibraltar.
Raigad used 15 different names in the history by different rulers or the locals which were Raigad, Rairi, Islamgad, Nandadeep, Jambudweep, Tanas, Rashivata, Badenur, Raigiri, Rajgiri, Bhivgad, Reddi, Shivlanka, Rahir and Gibraltar.
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| Ropeway to the top of Raigad |
Raigad was constructed with the help of money
found when they looted Subhedar of Kalyan who was taking money of
Afzalkhan to Bijapur. The reason why Shivaji Maharaj selected the
capital is written in "Sabhasad Bakhar" (सà¤ासद बखर), comparing daulatabad.
The mountains of Rairi was the best place for throne because of its better
geographical conditions than Daulatabad.
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| Shiv Temple Inside Raigad |
The Coronation Ceremony of Shivaji Maharaj which is
also known as 'SHIV RAJYAABHISHEK' (शिव राज्यअà¤िषेक) when Shivaji Maharaj was
Crowned as the King of Maratha Empire which was formed from about hard days of
300 years.
On 6th June 1674 Shivaji Maharaj took the blessings of Bhavani
Mata on Pratapgad and gave a golden umbrella of 56,000 Rupees to Mata.
After the thread ceremony of Sambaji Maharaj, Rajaram Maharaj had his
ceremony on this fort on 4th February 1675, 7th March 1680 respectively.
The worst day of Maratha Empire was 3rd April 1680 when Shivaji Maharaj died on this fort and after this Sambhaji Maharaj was crowned as king of Maratha Empire.
The worst day of Maratha Empire was 3rd April 1680 when Shivaji Maharaj died on this fort and after this Sambhaji Maharaj was crowned as king of Maratha Empire.
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| Rope Way of Raigad fort |
Seeing this chance 'Aurangzeb' started trying to
capture Raigad and sent 'Shabuddin Khan' to capture the fort but he
returned with just looting the village even with an army of 40,000, following
this 'Zulfikar Khan' attacked Raigad and captured the fort on 25th march
1689, 'Rajaram' flooded to Pratapgad but mughals having enough power they
captured the fort on 3rd November 1689 and named the fort as 'Islamgad'
after 'Raigad'.
Time to reach the top
It will take around 2 hours by walk and 20 minutes by rope-way from the base village(Raigad).
Minimum Duration
1-2 day as there is many other spots nearby to visit.
Best time to visit the fort
Best time to visit the fort is in monsoon as we can see beautiful surroundings covered with greenery all over the place.
Water Availability
Yes water available on the fort.
Accommodation Availability
MTDC rooms and ZP (Zilla Parishad) rooms are available on the fort.
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| Sideview from Raigad |
Places to visit on the Raigad Fort
Shivaji Maharaj Samadhi, Rajbhawan, Takmak Point, Palkhi Darwaja, Nana Darwaja, Hirkani Point, Hatti Talav, Maha Darwaja, Queens Palace, Wagh Darwaja, Khubladha Buruj, Kushavarta Talav, Jagdishwar Temple, Bajarpeth, Nagaarkhana, Mena Darwaja, Rajsabha, Jijamata's Palace at Pachad.
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| Sunrise from Raigad Fort |
Lets find How to reach to Raigad Fort
Way from Pune to Raigad For
Pune to Raigad By Bus
From the Pune there are ST (State Transport) buses or local transport are available to Mahad, From Mahad to Raigad or Raigad to Mahad buses are available regularly (30 kilometers). You can reach top of the fort by walk otherwise you can go top of the fort by rope way.
Pune to Raigad By Road
Route of Pune to Raigad Fort From Shivaji Nagar to Chandani Chowk - Paud Road - Mulshi - Adarwadi - Nizampur - Mangaon - Mumbai-Goa Highway - Mahad - Raigad
Pune to Raigad By Bus
From the Pune there are ST (State Transport) buses or local transport are available to Mahad, From Mahad to Raigad or Raigad to Mahad buses are available regularly (30 kilometers). You can reach top of the fort by walk otherwise you can go top of the fort by rope way.
Pune to Raigad By Road
Route of Pune to Raigad Fort From Shivaji Nagar to Chandani Chowk - Paud Road - Mulshi - Adarwadi - Nizampur - Mangaon - Mumbai-Goa Highway - Mahad - Raigad
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| Steps towards the fort |
Way from Mumbai to Raigad Fort
Mumbai to Raigad By Bus
From Mumbai there are buses available to Mahad, From Mahad to Raigad or Raigad to Mahad buses are available regularly (30kms). You can reach top of the fort by walk otherwise you can go top of the fort by
rope way.
Mumbai to Raigad By Road
Route of Mumbai to Raigad fort
Mumbai to Panvel by Goa highway towards Goa up to Mahad - Raigad. Distance Mumbai to Raigad is 140 kilometers.
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| A view point |
Places to visit on the Raigad Fort
Maha Darwaja
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| Maha Darwaja |
This entrance was good as security point of view Darawaja
was protected by two bastions Jai and Vijay which are at a height
of 70 feet. The enemies would have to cross these two bastions before reaching
the darwaja.
The Darwaja is carved by two lotus which is symbol of peace and success.
Their is an entrance which joints Maha darwaja (महा दरवाजा) to Tak Mak Point (टक मक टोक).
Shivaji Maharaj Samadhi
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| Samadhi of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj |
'Jagdishwar' temple is of Shiva with Nandi. In front of the
Shiva the outer area of the temple is about 128 feet in width and about 160 feet
long.
There are many dedications made on the fort which are related to "Hiroji Italkar" (हीरोज इतलकर) serviced at the Shivaji Maharaj and another dedication mentioned on the temple is "the building Jagdishwar brings happiness and built on the muhurtam in Hindu year of 1596, which is constructed by 'Hiroji' who built all the walls, ponds, gardens, pillars and places.
Read More about Shivaji Maharaj There are many dedications made on the fort which are related to "Hiroji Italkar" (हीरोज इतलकर) serviced at the Shivaji Maharaj and another dedication mentioned on the temple is "the building Jagdishwar brings happiness and built on the muhurtam in Hindu year of 1596, which is constructed by 'Hiroji' who built all the walls, ponds, gardens, pillars and places.
Jijamata Palace
Jijabai was mother of Shivaji Maharaj she was a great
woman with high values and spirituality Shivaji Maharaj learn a lot from
mother Jijabai this place is dedicated to Jijabai Samadhi. This place is
far from its original place.
This place lost its value when Britishers
destroyed this place but before it was a main attraction to this place.
Presently the ruins of the place are under the survey of ASI (Archaeological
Survey of India).
Takmak Tok
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| Takmak tok Side of Raigad |
This place was used as punishment place to many enemies they were thrown from this point into the valley. Shivaji Maharaj himself punished many of his enemy from here. This place had a view of whole 'Sahyadri Region' and many other places. In rainy season and summer mornings this place is not allowed because its dangerous.
Hirkani Point (हिरकणी)
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| Hirkani Point Raigad Fort |
Hirkani was a great woman who used to
supply milk to the fort. Forts doors were opened during sunrise and closed
during sunset due to which she would be left inside the fort when she was late
to return to home.
But she was brave enough she would get down from the western
side of the fort and return home because of her love for the children's. When
Shivaji Maharaj heard of this he felicitated her of her efforts and bravery and
later Shivaji Maharaj made this part strong enough that no one could come or go
from here.
Bajarpeth(Market)
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| Bajarpeth on Raigad |
Bajar is known as market in Marathi this place was trading place for many traders who came here for trading. This place had 22 rooms on one side and 21 on the other which is having a 40 feet road between them a argument is based on this place weather they are houses or Market shops.
Hatti Talao (हत्ती तलाव)
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| Hatti Talav |
'Hatti'(Elephant) when we enter Maha darwaja
we see a pond in which elephants used to bath. Many other places which can be
visited on this fort are Khubladha Buruj, Nana Darwaja, Madarmorcha
(Mashidmorcha), Pillars, Pailhi Darwaja, Palkhi Darwaja, Queens
Palace, Rajbhavan, Ratnashala, Rajsabha, Mena
Darwaja, Nagaarkhana, Shirkai, Temple, Kushavarta Taloa, Bhavani
Point, Gangasagar Talao, Wagh Darwaja.
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