Raigad

About Raigad

The Maratha king Shivaji made the fort his capital in 1674 when he was crowned King of a Maratha Kingdom which later developed into the Maratha Empire eventually covering majority of modern day India.The fort, which rises 820 metres (2,700 ft) above sea level, is located in the Sahyadri mountain range. There are approximately 1400–1450 steps leading to the fort, though today a rope-way exists to reach the top of the fort. The fort was looted and destroyed by the British upon siege.

This is the very heart of Maratha country – Raigad, the capital of Chhatrapati Shivaji’s kingdom. Strategically perched atop a wedge-shaped block of hill, split off from the Western Ghats and inaccessible from three sides. Stories of incredible valour and heroic deeds are etched on every pebble at Raigad. It was here that Chhatrapati Shivaji built his capital city in the 17th century, and here that he crowned himself Chhatrapati. For six years upto his death, Raigad remained the capital of the Marathas with its broad gates and magnificent monuments. There was only one pathway leading to the top, and prizes were offered to those who scaled the fort through unconventional methods. Though parts of Raigad are in ruins, yet they inspire an aura of grandeur.

Interesting things to Visit

The king’s public Durbar has a replica of the original throne that faces the main doorway called the Nagarkhana Darwaja. This enclosure had been acoustically designed to aid hearing from the doorway to the throne. A secondary entrance, called the Mena Darwaja, was supposedly the private entrance of the royal ladies of the fort; it leads to the queen’s quarters. The erstwhile main entrance to the fort is the imposing Maha Darwaja. The convoy of the king and the king himself used the Palkhi Darwaja. To the right of Palkhi Darwaja, is a row of three dark and deep chambers. Historians believe that these were the granaries for the fort.

A statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji is erected in front of the ruins of the main market avenue that eventually leads to the Jagdishwar Mandir and his own Samadhi (tomb) and that of his dog Waghya.

Nearest Visiting places

Padmavati Machi is main place of the fort. The Padmavati temple, lake and two houses on the machi are important places to watch for. The temple is very old and the only place to rest for the trekkers. One can also see ‘Chor Darawaja’ and ‘Pali Darwaja’ on the machi. Suvela Machi is one of the strongest places on the fort. It is very difficult to climb but one can see a hilarious view from this place. The third machi - Sanjivani is very beautiful too. One can go to Torana from Sanjivani machi which takes almost 8 hrs to reach.

‘Bale killa’ is one of the best fort in Maharashtra. It is very difficult to climb. One can see various places and forts especially from Rajgadh. It includes Torana, Raireshwar, Mahabaleshwar, Raigad, Raigad, Lingana, Bhatghar, Tung, Visapur and Sinhagad etc.

You can also visit Gangasagar Lake or worship at the nearby Jagadishwar Temple or pay your respects to the great Maratha king at his Samadhi.

Hotels/Lodge/Accommodation

• Hotel Sea Face
• Kamath Hotel
• Apsara Hotel
• Hotel Visava

Help Line/Phone Number

Nearest Hospital:

• **Tata Memorial
  **
• **Kem Hospital
  **
• JJ Hospital

The Kundalika is a small river flowing from the Hills of Sahyadri to the Arabian Sea. This river originates at a small town called Bhira in the Indian State of Maharashtra, 150 km south east of Bombay (Mumbai). The important towns located on the banks of Kundalika are Kolad, Roha and Salav.River Kundalika is fed by the excess water from Tata Power’s Mulshi Dam Project on to a series of hydroelectric projects and dams, including Ravalje followed by Bhira and then Dholvan, where the water is released in the morning typically at 6 am…..more

River Vashishti is one of the larger rivers in the Konkan coast of Maharashtra, India. The town of Chiplun lies on its banks. The river begins in the Western Ghats and snakes its way westwards towards the Arabian Sea. Kolkiwadi Dam, near Alore has a vast reservoir which feeds a tributary of the river. During the 2005 Maharashtra floods, the river swelled its banks, causing many of the city’s residents to evacuate it……more

Alibag or Alibaug is a coastal town and a municipal council in Raigad District in the Konkan region of Maharashtra, India. It is headquarters of the Raigad district.Alibag (also called Alibagh or Alibaugh) is an idyllic, peaceful town on the western coast of India (which is known as the Konkan region). It lies on almost the same latitude as the southern tip of Mumbai and is very close to this tip across the narrow strip of the Arabian Sea, conquerable by a ferry…..more

Shriwardhan-Harihareshwar Beach is the two unexplored beaches on the Konkan coastline. If you are an adventurous person and die on seafood delicacies, Shriwardhan Beach is the place where you should be.The water is inviting and can be explored on a boat, sailing deep into the sea, cutting through the gentle winds. A small adventurous boat ride will take you to a place where Peshwas originally resided. Shriwardhan-Harihareshwar Beach is about 200km from Mumbai……more

Padmadurg is a fort in Maharashtra, India. It was built by shivaji to northwest of Janjira. Although it is not as big as Janjira but still a sea fort that can be visited and enjoyed.Spread over a vast area of about 9 acres, Padmadurg Fort is regarded as one among the major sea forts in India. A monument of great historical importance, it is situated in Raigad District of Maharashtra. This famous fort is constructed by the great Marathas in order to conquer the Janjira Fort which lies near by……more

Karnala is 120 km from Pune and 13 km from Panvel. Between Pune and Panvel lies the Fort Karnala.Just 10 km off the busy Mumbai-Pune highway a sign welcomes visitors to the Karnala Bird Sanctuary. As the road winds up a little ghat on Mumbai-Goa highway, travel-weary visitors feel a sudden freshness in the air as they enter this pocket-sized Eden…..more

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Location info

• Address: 40 Kms from Pune

• District: Raigad district

• Nearest City: Pune

• Best time to visit: Any Time

History of Raigad

Shivaji Maharaj had seized the site, then the fortress of Rairi, from the royal house of the Chandarrao Mores, a junior or Cadet dynasty descended from the ancient Maurya imperial dynasty. The last More king (or raja) was a feudatory of the Sultan of Bijapur. Shivaji renovated and expanded the Fortress of Rairi and renamed it Raigad (the King’s Fort), the name he gave it when he selected it for his capital when he founded the Maratha empire. Rajgad, a hill fortress situated in Raigad District of Maharashtra, India was capital of Shivaji’s kingdom.

Things to do at Raigad

Caputer the beauty in your camera

How to reach Raigad

• Nearest Railway Station:Konkan Railway, 40 kms./Veer on the Konkan Railway

• Nearest Airport:Nearest airport is Pune, 126 kms

• Road Transport:Bombay 175, Pune 99 kms..It is at a distance of 100 kms. from Alibag /State Transport buses ply from Mumbai, Mahad and Pune to Raigad.

Things to carry

Mineral water bottles, food, first aid kit,camera and so on

Best time to visit Raigad

October to March: cool and pleasant weather ideal for trekking. Avoid monsoon (June–September) as trails become slippery and dangerous.

Timings & opening hours

Typically open from 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM daily. Some forts may close earlier during monsoon or for maintenance.

Entry fee & tickets

Free entry for most hill forts. ASI-protected forts may charge INR 25 for Indians and INR 300 for foreign nationals.

Duration needed

3–4 hours including trek to the top and exploration. Larger forts may require a full day.

Safety tips

Wear sturdy footwear with good grip. Carry sufficient water — many forts have no water sources on top. Do not climb on unstable walls or edges. Start the trek early in the morning to avoid afternoon heat. Inform someone about your trek plan.

Nearest airport, railway & bus

Nearest airport: Pune International Airport (PNQ) or Mumbai International Airport (BOM). Nearest railway station: Pune Railway Station or nearest station on the Central Railway. Well-connected by road from Pune and Mumbai.

Mobile network coverage

Airtel, Jio, and Vi all provide excellent coverage across Maharashtra’s cities (Mumbai, Pune, Nagpur) and major tourist areas. 4G is reliable along highways and in most towns. Coverage may be weaker in deep forest areas of Tadoba, Melghat, and certain ghat sections. Free Wi-Fi is widely available in hotels and cafes.

Food & restaurants nearby

Most hill forts in Maharashtra have local snack stalls at the base serving pithla bhakri, vada pav, and tea. Carry food for longer treks — many forts on hilltops have no facilities. The nearest village or town offers Maharashtrian thali meals.

Climate & weather

Maharashtra has a diverse climate spanning coastal Konkan, the Western Ghats, and the interior Deccan plateau. Winter (November–February) is the best time to visit: temperatures range from 12°C to 30°C depending on region. Summer (March–June) is hot, with interior areas reaching 40°C+ while hill stations (Mahabaleshwar, Lonavala) remain pleasant. The monsoon (June–September) brings heavy rainfall to the coast and ghats but transforms the landscape into lush green. October–November is pleasant post-monsoon.

Nearest petrol pump

Petrol pumps are available in the nearest town or on the approach road to Raigad. It is advisable to fill fuel before heading to remote areas, especially hill forts and wildlife sanctuaries.

Frequently asked questions

How to reach Raigad Fort? The fort base is accessible by road from Pune (120 km) and Mumbai (180 km). A ropeway operates from the base to the top (INR 150 per person round trip), or you can trek up (about 2 hours).

What is the entry fee for Raigad? INR 25 for Indian nationals, INR 300 for foreign nationals. Ropeway fare is separate.

Is there accommodation at Raigad? Limited accommodation is available at the base village. Most visitors stay at Mahad or nearby towns.

Quick facts

• Location: Maharashtra
• Best time to visit: October to March for comfortable exploration
• Ideal duration: 1-2 hours to explore the site
• Entry: Nominal entry fee at most ASI-protected sites
• Photography: Allowed at most sites; videography may require permit

Map & location view

• Destination: Raigad
• State: Maharashtra, India
• Region: historical region of Maharashtra
• How to reach: Accessible by road from nearby towns and cities. Local transport options include buses and taxis.
• Google Maps: Search for “Raigad, Maharashtra” on Google Maps for precise directions and navigation.