Raigad Fort, the king of forts in Maharashtra
A visit to the Raigad fort is almost like a pilgrimage to every Marathi. It doesn’t matter even if you are not a Marathi. You should still visit this historic fort because the Samadhi of the legendary Shivaji Maharaj rests here. Incidentally it was once the capital of Shivaji too. So it can be safely said that this fort has a deep association with this brave Maratha ruler who not only changed the history of this region, but what was to become India later on.
What to See In the Raigad Fort
Raigad fort is a magnificent hill fort that stands tall at 820 metres above the sea level. The fort is located 140 kilometers from Pune. The distance from Mumbai is 180 kilometers. It is among the best preserved forts in the state. So the Archaeological Survey of India has certainly done a good job here.
There is a lot to see here. There are three watch towers that stand in the front of the main palace grounds. It overlooks the Ganga Sagar Lake, which is an artificial lake. You can see the Takmak Tok or the execution point from here too. This is a cliff from where prisoners were thrown off to their death. However the Tok has now been fenced off, and is so out of bounds. You can also see the ruins of a market. You’ll be able to imagine soldiers moving on their horses and shopping here.
There is also the famous wall known as Hirakani Buruj. It stands on a huge cliff. The main doorway of the fort is called Nagarkhana Darwaja. The Durbar faces this door. You should see the queen’s quarters and the pillars too. And finally, you should see the statue of Shivaji that stands tall amid the ruins. Do not forget to offer your prayers at the tomb of this great Maratha ruler and his dog Waghya who mourned and jumped to the pyre of Shivaji and immolated itself. Waghya stands as the epitome of devotion and loyalty.
Reaching the Top
There are many ways to reach the top of the fort. You can take 1737 steps to the top. There is a ropeway too. In fact, this is the only fort in the state with a ropeway. The ropeway takes visitors to the fort in just 4 minutes. Many tourists however prefer to trek to the top of the fort. It can be an easy or medium trek, depending on your health and experience. It will take you a maximum of one and half to two hours. One popular option, particularly during the summer is a night trek to the top of the Raigad fort.
