Rasalgad Fort
Rasalgad Fort
Type Rasalgad is a hill fort.
Difficulty level Rasalgad is easy to trek.
Height Rasalgad is 177 ft (540 mtrs) above sea level.
Base village / District / Taluka - Rasalwadi Ratnagiri / Khed, Maharashtra,India.
History of Rasalgad Fort
Rasalgad Fort lies in the Khed Taluka of Ratnagiri district is about 1770 ft. high above sea level. Beyond Poladpur, as we go towards Chiplun via Khed we come across the forts of Sumargad, Mahipatgad and Rasalgad. All these three forts lie in the forest region of Jawlai.
Rasalgad Fort is quite a small fort which can be seen within an hour. On reaching the fort we can see two doors. After entering the first door, a temple of Lord Hanuman can be seen. Behind the temple lies the second door.
After entering the second a huge cannon of those days can be seen. That cannon is a significant feature of Rasalgad Fort. There are about 16 cannons on the fort. The area of the fort is a flat plateau area. Goddess Zolai temple is there which is recently renovated is there on the top.
The temple is safe for a night's stay and is too spacious. Next to the temple, there is a water tank which was used to cattle and besides the water tank there are some ruins of the main house. In front of Goddess Zolai Devi temple there is a beautiful Deepmal. Next to the temple, there is a Granary with the ponds surrounding all over it.
The fort of Rasalgad was developed in the ancient times. The history of the fort which is known starts from the time of Shivaji Maharaj when the fort was firstly in More's territory from which Shivaji Maharaj won the fort.
After that in the year 1818 the fort of Rasalgad went in the hands of British. In 2003 by the Archeological Survey of India, Rasalgad Fort was declared as a protected monument. Some restoration work was done in the fort by the Archeological Survey of India but there were many complaints about the original structures have been damaged.
Time to reach the top
It will take around 1 hrs 30 mins from base village of Rasalgad. (Rasalwadi)
Minimum Duration
1 day.
Best time to visit the fort
Any time you can visit Rasalgad fort.
Water Availability
Yes, water is available on Rasalgad.
Accommodation Availability
Yes, accommodation is available on Rasalgad in Zolai temple, which can accommodate 30-35 peoples.
Places to visit on the Rasalgad Fort
Fortification, Two Entrance Door, Temple of Hanuman, Cannon, Temple of Zolai, Cisterns, Plateau.
Lets find How to reach to Rasalgad Fort
way from Pune to Rasalgad Fort
Pune to Rasalgad By Bus
From Pune there are ST (State Transport) buses, Volvo, local transport available to Khed, which is 190 kms from Pune, from Khed take ST (State Transport) bus which goes to Nimni, after reach Nimni you can go to Rasalgad, which is 20 kms from Khed.
Pune to Rasalgad By Train
From Pune trains are available to Khed, which is around 325 kms from Pune Junction, from Khed take ST (State Transport) bus which goes to Nimni, after reach Nimni you can go to Rasalgad, which is 20 kms from Khed. View Train Time Table
Pune to Rasalgad By Road
Route of Pune to Rasalgad Fort
Pune - Shirwal - Bhor - Mahad - Poladpur - Khashedi - Khed - Nimni - Rasalwadi - Rasalgad.
Way from Mumbai to Rasalgad Fort
Mumbai to Rasalgad By Bus
From the Mumbai there are ST (State Transport) buses available to Khed, which is around 226 kms from Mumbai, from Khed take ST (State Transport) bus which goes to Nimni, after reach Nimni you can go to Rasalgad, which is 20 kms from Khed.
Mumbai to Rasalgad By Train
From Mumbai there are trains to Khed junction, which is around 231 kms from Mumbai, from Khed take ST (State Transport) bus which goes to Nimni, after reach Nimni you can go to Rasalgad, which is 20 kms from Khed.View Train Time Table
Mumbai to Rasalgad By Road
Route of Mumbai to Rasalgad fort
Mumbai - Khopoli - Pali - Indapur - Mangaon - Khed - Nimni - Rasalwadi - Rasalgad.
Places to visit nearby the Rasalgad Fort
Sumargad
This fort is at a height of 2000 ft above sea level and hard trek. Sumargad is between the Rasalgad and Mahipatgad. There is dense forest surrounding the fort hence making it a difficult route for climbing.
On top of the fort we can see a couple of water cisterns and a cave in which water cistern is available and 'Shivalinga', the idol of the goddess is in the cave. After reaching we can see the cave in which it is filled with soil and rocks there are two rooms in the cave. We can reach the fort in two ways via Rasalgad and via Mahipatgad.
Via Rasalgad
Foot track from here takes us to a Shepard's hut. From here reach a stream and a water pond (water is suitable for drinking). After moving from here we come across a rock patch for which we have to climb using ropes to reach the fort top. An option can be used to reach the top which will take 4.30 hrs to reach the fort.
Mahipatgad
Mahipatgad is at a height of 3090ft above sea level and a medium-grade trek. We can see fortification walls, six darwajas, temple of Pareshwar, water wells and a vast plateau. There are Christian tombs which were built during 1960 when Christians inhabited the fort.
