Rajgad

Pali Darwaja

          Rajgad (Marathi: राजगड), literally meaning King of forts, one of the forts of Maharashtra state in India. Situated in the Pune district, the fort is approximately 4620 feet above sea level.

          Formerly known as Murumdev, it was capital of the Maratha Kingdom (Hindavi Swarajya) ruled by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj for almost 26 years, after which he moved to Raigad fort and made that his capital.

          Treasure found on adjacent Torna Fort was used to fortify this hill.

          The fort is 42 km to the south west of Pune, about 15–16 km west of Nasrapur, in the Sahyadris range.

          The fort can be divided into four different parts based on geographical terrain and fortification. These are the three sub-plateaux (Machee) namely Padmavati Machee, Suvela Machee and Sanjeevani Machee, and the central volcanic plug called Balekilla (meaning "small fort" or "citadel").

Padmavati Machee (north end)

Padmavati Lake

          This machee is the site of Padmavati Temple, Padmavati Lake, Chor Darwaja, Pali Darwaja, Gunjavane Darwaja, Daru Kothar (storage of arms and ammunition), Diwankhana, Rajwada (ruins), Ghod Tale (Horse Lake), Sadar (office) and Dhalkathi (flag hoisting place)..It is also a site of Samadhi (Tomb) of King Shivaji's first wife, Saibai..

Sanjeevani Machee (southwest/west end)

          The machee faces west and has a three-stepped (layered) fortified structure. Each of the lower levels is separated from the higher one by a fortified bastion with a gate that could be defended independently. The lowest level is fortified by double curtain walls (chilkhathi) separated by a deep trench, on average 12 feet across. One can walk between these walls. The outer wall has openings to let soldiers out for sudden attack.

Suvela Machi

Suvela Machee (south east)

          This is another machee facing east with lots of secret routes and doorways. This one is a double-stepped fortified machee with the steps separated by a bastioned doorway. At the end of first step a hole cuts across the rock; one can sit on this hole (nedhe).

          The final (lowest) step like Sanjeevani Machee is has a double curtain wall.

          To the south side of this machee there is a triangular bastion called Kaleswari buruz having an escape door near it. The home of the renowned military leader Tanaji Malusare was in this machee.

Bale Killa (centre)

          This is the highest part of the fort which has remains of palaces, water cisterns and caves. It has an entrance door called Mahadarwaja. One can view the whole fort and the vast surrounding expanse.

          To the north one can see Sinhagad with its marked television tower. To the west lie Torna Fort, the pinnacle fort Lingana and, down in Konkan, Raigad.

          To the east one can see the twin forts of Purandar and Vajragad (Rudramal).

          To the south east one can locate Rohida. To the south are Kenjalgad and Raireshwar plateau at a distance Mahabaleshwar (seen through the "W" of Kaleshwar plateau range behind Raireshwar.)

view from pune

          This fort is a significant site for trekkers and adventurous tourists to visit. Accommodation for 50 people is available in Padmavati Mandir. Water tanks provide water all over the year.

Routes

          One can climb the fort from numerous route from villages at the base of Rajgad, namely Gunjavne (Gunjavne Darwaja or Chor Darwaja both on Padmavati Machee, and a tough route to Chor Darwaja near Nedhe on Suvela Machi); Chirmudi (Chor Darwaja on Padmavati Machee, the route meets corresponding route from Gunjavne); Wajeghar (Chor Darwaja on Padmavati Machee, the route meets corresponding route from Gunjavne); Pali (Rajmarga to Pali Darwaja on Padmavati Machee); Bhutunde (Alu Darwaja on Sanjeevani Machee); and Male (Chor Darwaja on Kaleshwari Buruj, Suvela Machee).

          Another route from Budhla Machee of Torna comes through a connecting ridge to Alu Darwaja on Sanjeevani Machi.

From Pabe Ghat