An overnight trek at Raigad


Were finding some plan to go for trekking, but unable to think about due to extreme summer.

And also getting bored, so we thought we would go for any overnight trek. Finally got the place for hanging up in the night, The Raigad.

I just called my friend Rishi and got him ready, and obviously my brother being always ready for Raigad anytime. We did the final plan to go for and decided to leave in the night.

My bro (Pappu) who was excited for driving, because he just got CNG kit been   
installed in his car.
So we just got ready and left the home at 8:00 PM of April 7 2012.
Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's samadhi
Being on the way, we were at Hotel Ayushi which is around 60-65 km from Pune just after passing Bhor, decided to take a dinner. This hotel is famous for AKKHA MASOOR as told by brother and ordered the same . The food was good ,So we finished the dinner and started the journey towards Raigad.

The Raigad which is second capital of SWARAJYA established by Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj (The first one was Rajgad), called me so many time and I was missing it every time. But this time I got it. The fort being around 120-130 km from Pune in Raigad district in the Sahyadri ranges.
Beautiful view of Nira Devghar dam from the road towards Varandha ghat

Interestingly, the way towards the Raigad is as much adventurous as itself; means, am talking about the Varandha ghat. This ghat always attracted me. Every time I got there feeling something new, refreshing, inexpressible peace, adventurous and in the night it just is like getting out of hell. Means it is just being heaven.
Awesome Varandha ghat peak(Photo Not taken in this trek)

After covering the around 12 -13 km distance we reached the peak of the varandha ghat and this is the place I was talking about. It was 11:00 PM in the clock. No vehicle to and fro on the road. There is small temple of Waghjai Devi.
Shivtharghal located in middle most lush green region(Photo not taken in this trek)

We the three were just feeling peace of mind.  From here we could see Shivtharghal, the place where Samartha Ramdas swami written “DASBODH”.

After staying for some time, we headed towards the fort.
So we finally reached the base village of Raigad (Pachad). Being 12:15 AM in the Clock. We could see the way in the night because it was the full moon day, the day before. We were supposed to hike two hills to reach there at top of the fort. 
Reaching pachad, 4-5 dogs were barking loudly, first we got irritated but I think then they decided to come with us and walking with us very calmly. Where there we stopped they did.
Beautiful rising sun

Rising sun from Sahyadri

One of my favorite pics

We started hiking; having wonderful night, calm atmosphere, full moonlight, the time was just excellent, and we got shivered. I never experienced that peace of mind ever before. Around 1:45 AM we reached top of the fort. After wandering at some places, we got best place to spend the night; very near to tomb of Shivaji Maharaj. Already two people were sleeping there and told us they are police, any how we got permission to stay there.
Early in the morning At samadhi
Entrance to the samadhi place with lightning moon in the morning
Waghya's samadhi

We woke up early in the morning around at 6:15 AM and decided to go for sightseeing. We started from Samadhi itself. At this place, the whole night I was thinking how would be the atmosphere at the time of Shivaji Maharaj and also was feeling very happy to spend the night besides Samadhi. As usually we started capturing the images. The sun was just rising and full Moon was beautiful at the same time.
Jagdishwar Temple (built like mosque)
There is tomb of Maharaja’s dog “Waghya” as people say. Waghya was very loyal to Maharaj. But there is no base of explanation in history regarding this, some people says that this is tomb of Holkar’s dog that did renovation of Shivaji maharaja’s Samadhi.

Seveshi Tatpar Hiroji Indulkar

Any way we started walking, we noticed step at entrance of Samadhi on which some text is written it says “Seveshi Tatpar Hiroji Indulkar” meaning always ready at the service/duty of Swarajya.

Hiroji Indulkar who built The Raigad was one of most trusted men of Shivaji Maharaj

BajarPeth

The famous statue of Maharaj 

An entrance to Grand Darbar Where Maharaj was crowned as Chatrapati
After leaving from Samadhi, we headed towards Jagdishwar temple of Shiva; it is built like mosque to be protected from attacker/destroyer.  Then we visited Darbar, Entrance to Darbar is in good state but “Ranivasa” the place for queens are in worst condition destroyed by attackers.
Minister's residential

"RANIVASA" The queen's residential 


Maha Darwaja(Nagarkhana Darwaja)
After visiting bajarpeth, couldn’t stop thinking about how it would be crowded at that time and for moment I was stunned. There is famous statue of maharaja at very centre place called Holicha Mal where people on fort used to gather for any celebration.

The way to TAKMAK tok ,point of execution

After that we headed towards the famous TAKMAK Tok this was place where rebels were punished by pushing them from there.

way to Ropeway
Gangasagar Talav




Climbing down towards base Village



The second doorway towards Fort

An first entrance to Fort


After visiting almost places, we spend some time on the fort and started our return journey

Trek Details
History: Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj seized the fort in 1656 from ChandraRao More.He then declared Raigad fort as capital of Maratha Empire in 1674. He was crowned as Chatrapati at the same place. In 1765 fort was target of an armed expedition by British and subsequently destroyed by EAST INDIA Company in 1818. 

Height: 2700 ft above sea level

Level: Medium

Distance from Pune: 126 km, daily buses from Swargate,Shivaji Nagar

Sightseeing: Gangasagar Talav,Takmak tok,Raigad Ropeway,Pachad Village,Darbar, Nagarkhana darwaja,Holicha Mal,Jagdishwar Temple and of course most important Samadhi

Accommodation: food and accommodation is easily available at MTDC Resort also we can use open space on the fort for spending night  to get thrilling experience

Save the Nature,Live the Trek!!!!!!

12 comments:

  1. Krutika: Sandip Its beautiful :) .Pic are too nice .Rishi looking cool

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  2. Superb Sandip. Especially ur snaps. Aani ho mala pan yache hote next time me pan yenar.

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  3. Sahi... mast hai be sand... :)

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  4. Great Sandy!!!
    glad to see this from you... :)

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  5. hey...buddy its really great...

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  6. awesome blog.... :)

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  7. Is there any place /Bunglow to stay ? Do you have phone no?

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  8. Nice trip. Thanks for sharing your trip experience. Though searching hotels in Raigarh is not a problem yet the city may disappoint travellers looking for luxury. The hotels are well-furnished and equipped with all the arrangements to offer necessary services. Hotels like Hotel Jindal Regency in Raigarh are able to live up to your expectations. Explore all best hotels in Raigarh also.

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  9. Nicely written. May I suggest one correction ? The picture of Gangasagar talav is of 'Hatti Talav' actually.

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Thanks for putting comments. Keep watching space for new experiences