RAIGAD FORT
Best Route -
Pune - Kothrud - Paud Road - Mulshi - Tamhini Ghat - MIDC - Nizampur - Pachad Road (After a sharp left) - Raigad Fort .
Best Season -
July - February
Road Condition -
Mostly Poor / Average
Its been almost a month since I last visited Raigad.
This is the second time over the year I visited Raigad fort , this fort has a huge sentimental value for the locals, with Raigad being capital of Shivaji the Great for a large period of time, This fort is the heart to Maratha empire.
Situated on a low height of 2700 ft above sea level, this fort is surrounded by at least eight different forts in the visible range. Being the capital of Maratha empire, this is one interesting fort to visit.
My visit to Raigad was, where once in month of July, the latest was in month of March. I can assure you that March to June (Until the sky pours down) is one of the worst seasons to travel in Maharashtra, where on one side you only see yellow grass and burnt out fields, the other side has dry waterfalls and lakes.
The Route
Like other places there are atleast 3-4 other common ways to visit Raigad, but I believe the one mentioned above should suits one interest in a better way.
If one starts early from Pune (not before the Sunlight), he/she could spent a good time at Mulshi Lake. The road around the lake has mesmerizing beauty.
After Mulshi you enter Tamhini Ghat, it is said to be one of the best ghats for scenic beauty around Pune (which I personally completely disagree). The road after the Lavasa turn on the Paud Road is drastically bad (Last visted March 2013, with no construction in progress), which shatters down your dream to enjoy the beauty while driving, one may spend his hours riding on the patchy road. This phase lasts almost 40kms until one reaches MIDC.
 |
| MULSHI LAKE |
 |
| TAMHINI GHAT |
The road gets slightly better from MIDC, post MIDC when one reaches Nizampur he can take a left to Pachad Road (This route had been recently updated on Maps), the route through this way is completely isolated with patchy tracks, avoid until ain't in large groups. The benefits lies in the 25kms lesser traveled. The Pachad road takes you straight to the foothills of Raigad fort.
 |
| PACHAD ROAD DURING SUMMER |
While returning one can take the Road to Mahad,& on the way make sure you visit Shivaji Museum as soon as you leave Raigad to Mahad. From Mahad get on the Mumbai - Goa highway, & after the toll, take first left to Bhor.
The Bhor highway is single lane state highway, with slightly better road to travel. Remember there is no petrol pump over a distance of 72km from National Highway to Bhor. The route is much beautiful when compared to Tamhini Ghat with evening giving it a color of yellow, red and purple towards the sunset. One travels all the way around circumference of Nira Deodhar dam to take a beautiful views. The ghat lengths for around 42kms, with no major steep but continuous slope. AT Bhor again take a left, and after around 13kms run, one meets the Pune Bangalore Highway.
 |
| Nira Deodhar Dam and around |
Make sure one travels safe on the Tamhini Ghat, cause it is famous for robbery and chain snatching.
At Raigad, one can trek around from the base, the trek takes around 1.5 Hours, with several eateries on its way. The other option is the Rope way, where the last price checked was Rs.190 To and Fro charge.
At the fort Takmak Tok, Horse back shopping arena, the tomb of Shivaji is the must visit place. The fort itself takes around 2 hours to be covered entirely. The best way is to take a rope way while going up and stairs while descending.
 |
| TAKMAK TOK |
From Pune if one takes the above suggested route it takes around 3-4 hours by Bike, and around 3 by a car.
PS:: If you had frequently visited Mughal Forts, do not expect the grandeur of those forts. But Raigad has its own historical importance and is of great sentimental value to the people.
