Raigad
Elevation : 820 m / 2700 feet
Type : Giridurg
Hiking variety : smooth
Venue: Raigad, Maharashtra
Nearest village : Mahad
Dongarrang : Sahyadri
Historical place:
Raigad fortress is positioned in the Sahyadri variety of Raigad district in Maharashtra, at an altitude of approximately 820 meters (2700 ft) above sea degree. It has a special identification inside the records of the Marathi Empire. Chhatrapati Shivaji Raja, seeing the place and significance of Raigad [16th century | 16th century AD] made it the capital of his country. The coronation occurred at this vicinity. After the British captured the citadel, they looted and destroyed it. This castle is a covered monument of the Archaeological department of the authorities of Maharashtra.
The ancient call become 'Rairi'. Europeans known as it the 'Gibraltar of the East'. Raigad is as invincible and inaccessible as Gibraltar's Thane is invincible. 5 hundred years in the past, it did no longer have the arrival of a citadel and was just a hill, when it had names, 'Rasivata' and 'Tanas'. due to its length, height and surrounding valleys, it's also known as 'Nandadeep'. all through the Nizam rule, Raigad was used to keep prisoners. Yashwantrao greater, the leader of Morya, fled from Jawali to Raigad, whilst Prataprao greater fled to Bijapur. On sixth April 1656, the Maharaja laid siege to Rairis i.e. Raigad and in the month of can also, Rairi got here under the manipulate of the Maharaja. while there, Maharaj came to know that Subhedar Mulla Ahmed of Kalyan had left for Bijapur with the treasure. They looted the treasure and brought it to Raigad and used that treasure for the construction of the fortress. the pinnacle of Raigad is convenient and enough to make it the capital. it's miles a more tough place in a location where the enemy reveals it hard. The vicinity is also nearby sea. So the Maharaja chose Raigad fort as his capital. the former name of Raigad citadel turned into Jambudeep.
Sabhsad Bakhar says ...:
“while the king went to Khasa, the fort changed into very crowded. One and a half of village high as Tasila toward the fortress on all facets. The grass does not grow on the ridge in the course of the wet season and the rock is the equal. Daulatabad is a actual fortress on earth, however it is short in peak. on the grounds that the fortress of Daulatabad is ten instances taller, Dekhon changed into very happy and said, this area ought to be a citadel. ”
This Durgadurgeshwar has been addressed by 15 unique names. : 1. Raigad 2. Rayari 3. Islamgad 4. Nandadeep five. Jambudweep 6. Tanas 7. Rashivata eight. Badenur nine. Raigiri 10. Rajagiri eleven. Bhivagad 12. Reddy thirteen. Shivlanka 14. Rahir and 15. East Gibraltar.
'Ten times better than Devagiri, one and a half of village high, spacious place. Grass does now not grow at the ridge all through the rainy season. when you consider that there is no vicinity for birds to land at the vertical ridge, Maharaj stated luckily, "The area should be fortified on the board." This word of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj is stated in Bakhar. considering the place of Raigad, the Maharaja determined to set up his capital on this fort. The vintage call of Raigad is Rairi. The fort is big and the peak of the fort is 2900 toes above the ocean stage. The fortress has about 1435 steps. the main enchantment is the Hirkani tower on the west side of the citadel, Takmak Tok on the north facet, Shri Shirkai temple and the statue of Maharaj in the center.
Shirke turned into the lord of Raigad from the fifth century. Gadaswamini Shri Shirkai temple is at the castle which reminds us of this. This temple was built via an engineer named Mavalankar during the time of Lokmanya Tilak. It isn't always the authentic temple of Shri Shirkai. The idol, however, is ancient. The authentic Shirkai temple turned into adjoining to the palace at the Holi hill at the left. The platform of the authentic temple remains there. Mr. Shirkai's nest has been a nameplate there considering British instances.
Shiva's coronation:
Shivrajyabhishek is the nice occasion experienced via Raigad. The coronation of the Maharaja is a tremendous occasion no longer only in the records of Maharashtra however additionally within the history of India. earlier than the coronation ceremony on 19th may additionally 1674, Maharaj visited Bhavani of Pratapgad. He provided 3 manas of gold, i.e. an umbrella well worth Rs 56,000 to the Goddess. The coronation turned into celebrated on Saturday, June 6, 1674 at the Raj Sabha on the citadel. On twenty fourth September 1674, Lalita Panchami Ashwin Shuddha five, Anand Sanvatsar Shake 1596, the kings technically crowned themselves with another coronation. The actual purpose in the back of this become to satisfy as many people as feasible. The coronation occurred at the palms of Nischalpuri Gosavi.
Kavi Bhushan Raigad describes that ...:
“Shivaji made Raigad castle, the bottom and comfort of all forts, his dwelling house. The fortress is so big and massive that it houses the splendor of all 3 worlds. There are wells, lakes and wells on the castle. Conquering all of the Yavans, King Shivaji made Raigad his capital and completed excellent achievement in providing for the humans. ' February 4, 1675, Shake 1596 satisfied 12 months Magh and. On Thursday fifth, Sambhaji Raja's Munj came about at Raigad. Shake 1601 Siddharthi Sanvatsar Falgun v. On March 7, 1680, Rajaram Maharaj's Munj came about at Raigad. eight days later, Rajaram Maharaj married Prataprao Gujar's daughter. The most tragic occasion skilled through Raigad become the dying of the Maharaja. Shake 1602 Rudranam Sanvatsare Chaitra Shuddha Pournima, Hanuman Jayanti, dt. Maharaj handed away on 3rd April 1680. Member Bakhar says, ‘there has been an earthquake that day. Ashtadisha became inflamed. The water of Srisambhumahadevi lake turned red. ' 7, I.S. On sixteenth February 1681, Sambhaji Maharanja turned into enthroned at Raigad. इ.स. In September 1684, Aurangzeb commenced his expedition to Raigad. Ta. at the 21st, Shahabuddin Khan turned into attacked by means of the emperor with forty thousand troops at the foot of Raigad. On fifteenth January 1685, Shahabuddin set hearth to a village at the foot of the fort and started out looting. but he again in March 1685 with out truely attacking Raigad. Aurangzeb sent Itikadkhan alias Zulfiqar Khan, son of his Wazir Asadkhan, with an army to seize Raigad. Shake 1610 Vibhav Sanvatsar Falgun Shu. Rajaram Maharaj's reign began on 3rd and 12th February 1689 and on 25th March 1689 Khan besieged the fort. On On April five, 1689, Rajaram Maharaj escaped from Raigad and went to Pratapgad. The siege lasted for about 8 months. but d. On November 3, 1689, the fort became captured via the Mughals because of the insanity of Suryaji Pisal. Khan tempted Wai to grow to be a patriot. Zulfiqar Khan is a book given to Itikad Khan with the aid of the emperor. Later, Raigad become renamed as Islamgad. On fifth June 1733, at some stage in the reign of Shahum Maharaj, the Marathas took Raigad once more. ”
Locations to peer on the castle:
1. Pachad's Jijabai's citadel :
In his old age, Jijabai had a cold wind at the fort, the wind became not humane, so Maharaj built a castle near Pachad for him. this is the residence of Masaheb. The Maharaja had additionally arranged for some officials and soldiers to attend to the palace. a pleasant nicely of steps, as well as a stone seat made for Jijabai to take a seat on is worth a glance. it is also called 'Takkachi Vihir'.
2. Khubaldha Buruj :
while you start mountaineering the citadel, you can see the location of a bastion, that is the well-known Khubaldha Buruj. there has been a door subsequent to the bastion, referred to as 'Chitra Darwaza' however this door is now absolutely demolished.
3. Nana Darwaza :
This door was additionally called 'Nane Darwaza'. Nana Darwaza means small door. इ.स. In may also 1674, Henry Oxendon, a British legal professional, came to the door for the coronation. This door has two arches. within the door are small rooms for guards. they're known as 'Devada'. There are grooves to lock the door.
4. Madarmorcha or Masjidmorcha :
After passing via Chitra Darwaza, you may come upon a flat avenue after taking a serpentine flip. in this open area, two dilapidated homes can be seen on the cease. certainly one of them is a shield residence and the opposite is a granary. The tomb of a sadhu named Madanshah is also there. There also appears to be a large cannon. From right here, you could see three caves dug inside the rock.
5. Mahadarwaja :
There are lovely lotus figures carved on both sides of the outer a part of the Mahadarwaja. ‘Shri and Saraswati’ manner ‘Vidya and Lakshmi’. the principle gate has majestic towers, one seventy five ft high and the opposite 65 feet excessive. The sloping holes within the ramparts are referred to as 'Jangya'. These holes were ussed to attack the enemy. The gate between the bastions faces northwest. Upon getting into via the primary gate, you may see the porches of the guards in addition to the dwelling rooms made for the guards. there is a rampart from Mahadarwaja to Takmak give up at the right and Hirkani stop on the left.
6. Chordindi :
In case you walk along the ramparts that move from Mahadarwaja to Takmak Toka at the proper, where this rampart ends, Chordindi has been built within the bastion a bit these days. There are steps from the inner of the bastion to the door.
7. Elephant Lake :
The lake that may be visible a little further from the primary gate is Elephant Lake. The lake become used for bathing and consuming of elephants coming from the backyard.
8. Gangasagar Lake :
Dharamshala buildings of Raigad Zilla Parishad may be visible from Hattitalawa. if you stroll about 50-60 steps south from Dharamshala, the lake you may find is Gangasagar lake. After the coronation of the Maharaja, the pilgrimages delivered by Saptasagar and Mahanas were placed in this lake. this is why it is known as Gangisagar. Its water become used for Shibandi all through the reign of Shivaji Maharaj.
9. Pillars :
Two tall towers are seen to the south of Gangasagar. that is known as a column. those should be the pillars referred to within the Jagadishwara inscription. it is stated to have had five flooring inside the beyond. It has twelve angles and carvings are found within the production.
10. Palkhi Darwaza :
31 steps may be visible from the place with the west wall of the pillars. The door that is going up after that climb is the palanquin door. Palkhi darwaza is the entrace door of the fort.
11. Mena Darwaza :
As you enter through the Palkhi Darwaza, a instantly course uphill takes you to Mena Darwaza. The seven relics at the proper are the Queen's Palace. The fort may be entered via the Mena Gate.
12. Raj Bhavan :
In the front of Ranivasha, at the left hand side, you may see the remains of the houses of slaves. the second parallel wall at the back of those relics is the gate in the center of the wall and the entrance to the indoors of the fort is the spacious rectangular this is the palace of the Maharaja. The fourth ground of the Raj Bhavan is 86 feet long and 33 ft extensive.
13. Ratnashala :
There's a basement inside the open space to the east of the pillars near the palace, that's the Ratnashala. it is also said that this should be a room for mystery talks.
14. Raj Sabha :
That is the Raj Sabha where the coronation of the Maharaja passed off. The Rajya Sabha is 220 feet lengthy and 124 feet extensive. this is the seat of the throne going through east. there was a golden throne of thirty- manas. Member Bakhar says, ‘Throne proved to be thirty- manas of gold. Navratna searched the box as lots as Amolik and found a massive gem. '
15. Nagarkhana :
In front of the throne, Nagarkhana is the grand entrance. this is the primary front to the citadel. Going up the stairs from the city corridor, the person is at the very best factor of the castle.
16. Marketplace :
Coming down from the town corridor to the left, the open area in front is the 'Holi Mal'. there's now a big statue of Shivchhatrapati there. the two rows in front of the statue are the grand relics of Shivaji Maharaj's time market.
Peth has 22 stores in rows every. there is a road approximately 40 toes extensive between the two rows. This market remains the equal these days.
17. Shirkai Temple :
The small temple at the left facet of the statue of the Maharaja is the Shirkai Temple. Shirkai is the principle deity of the fortress. Shirke changed into the lord of Raigad from the fifth century. The temple of Gadswamini Shirkai is on the citadel. This temple was constructed by means of an engineer named Mavalkar for the duration of the time of Lokmanya Tilak. It isn't the authentic temple of Shirkai. The idol, however, is historical. The authentic Shirkai temple turned into adjacent to the palace on the Holi hill on the left. The platform of the unique temple is still there. during the British rule, Shirkai's nest was a nameplate
18. Jagadishwar Temple :
Stays of Brahmanavasti, Brahmantale and many others. can be seen on the decrease slope of the market on the japanese slope. The astonishing temple that may be visible from there is the temple of Lord Jagadishwar. In front of the temple is a brilliant and delightful idol of Nandi. but now this idol is in a nation of disrepair. getting into the temple, one gets a grand hall. inside the middle of the tent is a magnificent turtle. A stunning idol of Hanumanta may be visible at the wall of the temple. A small inscription can be seen below the stairs of the entrance of the temple. it is as follows, ‘Hiroji Indulkar ready for service’ A lovely inscription seems at the wall on the proper facet of the door as follows - Shri Ganapatiye Namah
19. Maharaj's Samadhi :
Maharaj's Samadhi is the octagonal rectangular this is seen at a short distance from the east door of the temple. Member Bakhar says, 'Kshatriyakulavatans Shrimanmaharajadhiraja Shivaji Maharaj Chhatrapati passed away at Raigad at the day of Shake 1602 Chaitra (Shuddha 15 (1680 advert) the day prior to this). The pavement is paved from above. The pavement is hole below. The remains of Titus Maharaj are observed within the form of Rakshamishri clay. ' Henry Oxendon, an English legal professional, was allowed to live in. The mausoleum of the Maharaja has Bhavani Tok on the east side, and on the proper are the barns and twelve tanks.
20. Kushavart Lake :
Leaving Holi Mal on the left hand facet , the direction on the right leads to Kushavart Lake. A small temple of Lord Mahadev may be seen near the lake. Nandi may be seen in the front of the temple.
21. Tiger Gate :
You may attain the Tiger Gate via descending from Kushavart Lake. it's far written inside the order that, ‘One door to the fortress is a splendid ayab, for this one ought to see the castle and maintain one or two or three doorways inside the same manner . In it, you need to always maintain as tons as you want in it, and also you ought to pick out up the gates and doorways . 'With this policy of foresight, Maharaj constructed this door without the principle gate. even though it is sort of not possible to arise through this door, one could go down with a rope. Later, Rajaram Maharaj and his group broke thru the siege of Zulfiqar Khan and escaped via this door.
22. Takmak Tok :
You may pass all the way down to the Takmak Toka from the front tape of the marketplace . There are the stays of a liquor shop . the street turns into steeper as you method the quit . at the proper hand side is a immediately broken broken 2600 ft deep part . The wind is very strong on the stop and due to lack of space , one must be cautious not to make a fuss. Criminals have been already chased far from this vicinity during the Shiva rule.
23. Hirkani Tok :
The Chincholi which runs west at the right facet of Gangasagar goes towards Hirkani Tok. A tale is told of a diamond groove related to a diamond tip. There are a few cannons placed on this bastion. if you stand on the bastion, you can see Gandhari valley on the left hand aspect and Kala river valley on the right aspect . additionally from here , places like Pachad, Khubaldha Buruj, Masjid Morcha are beneath gunfire. therefore , it is a very crucial and strategic region in phrases of conflict in addition to combat .
24. Samadhi of a tiger canine :
It is said in history that after Shivaji Maharaj become being cremated, a dog named Shivaji Maharaj jumped into the fireplace .
Stone Age Cave at Raigad :
The structure of this cave is absolutely one of a kind from all other caves in the global . A mouth of the cave may be visible ascending right here through the Pachad skip . The sight that is available in front of this mouth is astounding . the two round big holes are on the opposite side . Going there, you will see the Bhuikot fortress of Pachad, Pachad village and the ghat avenue from Pachad to Pachad gorge.
The constant gusts of bloodless air in this cave relieve all of your fatigue. within the sense that the Paleolithic humans lived here . In that feel , it's miles nearly a perennial source of water. We have to locate it. hundreds of lots of pilgrims haven't any idea of this Waghbil cave to peer Raigad. The old habitat of the Paleolithic guy , the cave with 3 mouths, the staggering view from there, the steady cold wind blows the traveler here .
The fortress is a superb vicinity to live . there's a Dharamshala at the castle . there is a huge hall and seven to 8 small and large rooms. accommodation is loose .
Water supply at the castle :
Outbound :
There are now a complete of two methods to get to the citadel . there is a superb water supply here . You get natural water and filtered water.
1. Footpath
2. Mechanical ropeway
