Go trekking to the king of forts: Rajgad
The fort of Rajgad is one of the tallest forts in Maharashtra and is strategically located on the Sahyadri’s ranges. This fort which once functioned as the capital of the Hindavi Swarajya is regarded by many as an ideal example of high class architecture. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj spent over 25 years of his life on this fort before he moved to Raigad. The difficult terrain of the fort makes it a great destination for trekking and sightseeing.
Located about 42 kms from Pune, Rajgad has an interesting history to its name. Saint Brahmarshi was among the first occupants of the mountain ranges of Sahyadri. This fact is supported by the establishment of Shri Brahmarshi Devasthan on the fort. Rajgad was earlier known as Murumbdev during the Bahamani regime after which it feel into the hands of Ahmed Bahiri, founder of the Nizamshahi of Ahmednagar, in the year 1490 when he attained supremacy over this region of Maharashtra. The Nizams ruled the fort for 125 long years before losing it to the Adilshahi forces. However, by the year 1690, the Nizams were able to win back the fort.
In the years that followed, Shivaji Maharaj gained control over the fort and named it as Rajgad. In the year 1671-72, Rajgad was declared as the capital of the Hindavi Swarajya. Another interesting feature of this fort is the fact that it was one of the few forts that Shivaji Maharaj had retained following the treaty of Purandar when he was asked to surrender 23 of his forts to the Mughals.
This fort is 1350 mtrs high, 40 km wide and can be divided into four different parts based on its fortification and geographical landscape. The fort has three sub-plateaux- Padmavati Machee, Suvela Machee and Sanjevani Machee while the central plug is called the Balle killa which is the highest part of the fort.
The north facing end of Rajgad is known as the Padmavati Machee because it houses a temple called the Padmavati temple. This temple is a good place to stay and spend the night for overnight trekkers. Padmavati Machee is also famous for the Padmavati Lake, ruins of the residential palace of Shivaji as well as the cemetery of queen Saibai.
Suvella Machee is located in the south –east direction and houses a number of secret doorways to reach the fort. Hatti Prastar or the stone step is one of its major attractions of the place along with the 15 feet diameter natural hole known as the tiger’s eye or Waghacha Dola. The last Machee of the fort is the Sanjivani Machi which is a three layered fortification structure, nearly 2 kms in length which makes it virtually impossible to conquer the fort.
The strategic location of the fort offers a fantastic view of other historical forts of Shivaji Maharaj and other famous hill stations like Sinhagad, Torna, Varanda Ghat, Mahabaleshwar, Raigad, Pratapgad, Tikona and Lohgad.
FAQ’s:
How to get in?
There are quite a few ST buses which go to the Vajeghar village, the base point of the Rajgad. When trekking up the fort, it is accessible through four gates called the Pali darwaja, Chor Dawraja, Gunjawane Darwaja and Alu Darwaza.
When to go?
Monsoon, it’s the best time of the year.
Where to stay?
Padmavati Temple, it’s the only option.
Where to eat?
It is best to carry your own food .
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nice article