Overview | How to Reach | Sightseeing | Hotels | Photos
The Gibraltar of the East – Raigad fort holds great historical importance. Under the supervision of great Maratha ruler Chhatrapati Shivaji, this magnificent fort was built. It stands tall at an altitude of 2700 ft. on a wedge-shaped rock that protects it from three sides. Use the ropeway to reach here. This fort holds the Samadhi of Shivaji and his loyal dog Balekilla.
It provides a good view of places like Visapur, Tikona, Sinhagad, Lohgad, Rayreshwar, Purandar and Vichitragad. There are great places of tourist attractions like Jijamata palace, Takmok Tok, Queen’s Palace, Raigad museum, and Gangasagar Lake.
Let us look at the popular places in this region.
Maha Darwaza
Maha Darwaza is the gate through which one has to enter the Raigad fort. This door was built 350 years ago and is designed in such a way that the enemy cannot break it even with the help of an elephant. The main gate of Raigad opens after sunrise and closes after sunset.
Nagarchana Darwaza
Nagarchana Darwaza is known as Nagarkhana Darwaza. Nagarkhana is one of the main entrances to Bale Killa which you can see in front of the throne.
Palkhi Darwaza
This gate is also used to enter the fort. This door is on the west side of the pillar of the fort. It is said that the palanquins of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, his mother-in-law, and all the queens used to pass through this gate, hence this gate is called Palkhi Darwaza.
Mena Darwaza
If you go to the fort by ropeway, the door that is opened after climbing a few steps from there is called Mena Darwaza. If you go straight through this door, you will find a Palkhi Darwaza. Both the doors are in a straight line.
Wagh Darwaza (Tiger Door)
The Wagh Darwaza is an emergency gate because it is almost impossible to get to the fort through this gate. To reach this gate, one has to go downhill from Kushavart Lake. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj had built an emergency door on the fort which is usually invisible to anyone.
Takmok Tok, Raigad
Takmak Tok is the punishment point is 1200 ft. tall rock that provides a magnificent view of the Sahyadri hills. In ancient times, the traitors were punished by being thrown down this cliff.
Jagadishwar Temple, Raigad
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and Rajmata Jijabai daily visit Jagdishwar Temple whenever they are on the fort. It is situated 25 km north of Mahad reflecting Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s devotion and belief towards the Hindu religion. Jagdishwar is the main deity worshipped in this temple.
Shirkai Temple
In the 5th century, Shirke was the lord of Raigad and it is the temple of Goddess Shirkai that we can see on the fort.
Gangasagar Lake, Raigad
This is an artificial lake that offers pristine views of the surroundings. It is built in Pachad during the Shivaji’s coronation with the water of the River Ganges.
Hatti Talav (Elephant Lake)
The Elephant Pond was formerly used for bathing elephants in the yard and for drinking water.
Jijamata Palace, Raigad
Jijamata Palace is dedicated to the mother of Shivaji, Jijabai. She was a woman of high values and spirit and is said to be the person behind the greatness of Shivaji
Queen’s Palace, Raigad
Rani vasa or the Queen’s Palace is a significant part of the Raigad Fort. The Queen’s palace has six chambers, each having its own private restroom.
Pachad, Jijabai Wada
When Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s mother Jijamata could not stand the cold air and climate of the Raigad fort, Maharaj built a castle for Jijamata near Pachad. We can see that castle even today.
Raj Bhawan, Raigad
This is the site where he administered his kingdom and the structure of the Bhawan is evidence of the architectural brilliance of the Maratha era. This Bhawan is positioned on a dual podium and has wooden columns supporting it.
Rajya Sabha, Raigad
The place where Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj was crowned was Raj Sabha. There is a large space in front of Raj Bhavan called Raj Sabha. Important events of the reign would take place on this open field.
Mahad, Raigad
Mahad is a small town that lies on the banks of River Savitri. It is also a municipal council in the Raigad district of Maharashtra. Known as the Land of freedom fighters, several revolutionary movements of India originated from here. It is famous for the water satyagraha of Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar for Dalits at Chavdar Tale which has played a turning point in Indian sociopolitical history. A kranti stambah is also present in this place in the memory of the agitation.
Raigad Museum, Mahad
Raigad Museum is located at the base of Raigad Fort and it has several photographs of different forts and evidence of Shivaji’s empire.