Raigad Fort - Maratha Kingdom's Capital

  

Raigad, the capital of Shivaji's kingdom, the place where he was crowned and where he died.

ENROUTE TO PACHAD

A friend told me that they are going on a road trip during the weekend to Raigad Fort and without a second thought I said that I am joining. And that is how eight of us started our journey in two cars from Mumbai on 11th October night to explore Raigad Fort. We reached early morning at Pachad - the base village of Raigad , where we took rest for sometime in a village house. They prepared poha and tea for breakfast. After breakfast, we started our trek.

Map of Raigad Fort in Marathi

Ropeway is available to reach top but we decided to trek. It's a nice experience of trekking with seven passionate trekkers at Raigad Fort.

Raigad Rope Way

There are around 1450 steps leading to the fort. Our local guide explained the history of Fort and the great days of the Maratha empire in Marathi. Thanks to Manasi for translating those wonderful stories to me in English.

We all were awestruck to see the glorious sight of clouds at the backdrop of the fort.

Once on the main path, one will come across multiple vendors selling all sorts of refreshments.

Soon we came across the Maha Darwaja,  which is the main entrance of the fort.  The main entrance is concealed in such a way that no one can pinpoint it from outside. Built over 350 years ago, this main entrance to the Fort stands majestically.

Maha Darvaja

You can also see two canons on the way.

Top View - Maha Darvaja

Steps begin towards Raigad Fort

There was a large size Lake on the way. It is known as Hatti Talaw (Elephant Lake). It was used for bathing the elephants from the fort.

Hatti Talav (Elephant Lake)

Soon we reached near Ganga Sagar Tank. It was named Gangasagar because the waters from seven rivers of India which were brought for the coronation ceremony of Shivaji Maharaj were poured into this pond. This is the main source of drinking water today on the fort.

Ganga Sagar Lake in front of Bale Killa

Ruins of three watch towers can be seen overlooking to Ganga Sagar Lake.

Ganga Sagar Tank

Soon we reached Balekilla.  Balekilla is the top most point on fort.

We spent next couple of hours exploring the fort; where-in we visited the Palakhi Darwaja, Mena Darwaja, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Statue, Hanuman Taake, Nagarkhana, Market Place and so on.

Soon we reached queen's quarters where we can see ruins of the royal palaces (there were 6 separate palaces for 6 queens) for the queens of Shivaji Maharaj .

Ruins of King Shivaji's Palace & Queens Palace

Entrance to Queen's palaces (Bed Room)

The rooms, walls and even bathrooms are so beautifully planned. Courts of various ministers are exactly opposite to these palaces

Granary

Ruins of King Shivaji's Palace

To the right of the granaries is the palace of Shivaji Maharaj (Secretriate).

 Secretriate

 Secretriate area

To the east of  Secretriate  is in an open space, there is an underground cellar. It was used for secret dialogues.

Chamber for Secret Discussion

After exploring Secretriate for some time, we went in the Royal Court (Durbar) where he became the official King and that historical function of his coronation was said to be happened here. Construction is such that if you speak from Simhasan, voice can be heard at the entry of the durbar which is almost 80 m away from there.

Nagarkhana - Entrance to Rajdarbar

 Throne of Chhatrapati Shri.Shivaji Maharaj

We continued our walk and reached at the market place . Market place is huge well designed single storey complex of shops. This was the trade center having shops on both sides separated by a 40 ft. road. It has such structure that one can shop even while riding on a horse.

Market Place

The head of the Bazaar owned the shop with this carving

From market we walked towards Jagdishwar temple (This is lord Siva temple). This is still in very good shape.

Jagdishwar Temple

Next to this Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaja’s samdhi take your all attention.

Samadhi of Chhatrapati Shri.Shivaji Maharaj

Tomb of Shivaji’s Pet Dog 'Waghya' - It is said that when he saw Shivaji Maharaja’s body being cremated, he jumped into the burning chitaah of Shivaji Maharaj and end up his journey of life.

Tomb of Shivaji’s Pet Dog 'Waghya'

Then we walked back to other part of fort called Takmak Tok. Takmak Tok- some say this was Enemy's execution point and and some say this was the point where Shivaji Maharaj would come to get a view of his mother Jija Mata, who was stationed in a village below the Fort.

Takmak Tok

Soon we started our descending and reached the base village Pachad.

View of Raigad fort from bottom 

Then we visited Tomb of Jijabai, Shivaji's mother.

Jija Mata's Samadhi

As the evening descended upon us, we decided to leave and back to Mumbai.

A must visit place for everybody at least once in a lifetime.