Raigad Fort
When Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj called, get up and go. And that's what we did last Sunday! We left Mumbai Goa Bandara on NH17 at 05:40. It was dark and cold. The joy of visiting a place that I have wanted to visit for the past twelve years but somehow failed to do so for various reasons. The journey to the Mahad highway was uneventful. We turned left to join the Pacha below the Mahdi's famous Raigad fort. This road was two lanes and sometimes narrowed to one lane. He also had an interesting hairstyle. 
Due to lack of time and lack of coolness, we decided to take the cable car that goes to the end of the road, which takes less than four minutes to the castle. 
After covering 191 km, we reached the starting point of the cable car at 09:15. The cable car is 760 meters wide and 420 meters uphill with 1450 steps, otherwise it would take us about 3 hours! 
Apart from the guide service that will take you to the fort, it will cost you 140 Birr per person. At Kanda-Pohei we had a typical Maharashtrian breakfast at a cafe run by rope operators, bought tickets to visit the fort and stopped at the reception hall for our tour. The elevators seem to go up and down more! A few minutes later it was our turn to ride the cable car and I prepared my camera to take pictures. 
Before we could buy anything and catch our breath, it was time to get down to the Mena Darwaza, the cable car passenger crossing. There our guide Mr. Gaikwad from "Raigad" met us and took us to the waiting group for the next move. Having gathered about thirty people, he begins a tour. The starting point of our journey was the Mena Darwaza, the women's entrance of the fort. Raigad Fort was the capital of the famous Maratha ruler Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. European historians have described it as the "Gibraltar of the East". A vertical cliff jutting skyward looks stark and impenetrable. He explained everything beautifully and very passionately as he took us through different parts of the fort which was fun. Many stories are told about Shivaji's tactics and skills as the reason for his many wives. She married princes from different countries to avoid being attacked by the rulers of those countries! There were eight palaces specially designed for their queens. 
It was very organized and had an entire "Secretariat", the remains of which can still be seen today. Fortesa had a "Bargain Animal" for the convenience of his colleagues and families. It was made by a Nagappa woman. 
Daily necessities for the comfort of the palace residents were traded here. But no one in the fort was allowed to show his name on any property and Nagappa wanted to show it somewhere. 
As he was not allowed to display his name anywhere, he displayed a 'nag' or a snake on the wall of his shop to mark his presence! Then they showed us the point 'Takmak' on the edge of the cliff. Traitors are banished as punishment. 
This particular period has an interesting history of steadfast loyalty and obedience. Chhatrapati Shivaji visited this place many times and always carried a 'chahatri' or umbrella. On one such trip, the Chatri porter, who had been ordered not to leave Chatri under any circumstances due to strong winds, flew off a cliff but miraculously parachuted into a village called Nizampur. After this, Chhatrapati Shivaji announced that the city will be called Chhatri Nizampur! The most impressive place was the place where the court or durbar was held. From the door of the throne, from anywhere in the courtyard, even if someone whispers to you, you feel good on the throne. Our guide asking us to wait on the throne and standing at the door whispered "Shivaji Maharaj Ki" to which we all replied "Jai Ho"! 
And this is not a covered room! Truly amazing architecture! 
The architect also carved his guarantee on the gate leading to the Jagdishwar temple, which Shivaji visited daily, saying that he would live forever! 
Near this temple is the Chhatrapati Shivaji Samadhi, behind which is seen the image of a dog on a pedestal. 
It is learned that it was Shivaji's loyal dog 'Wagya' who killed himself after hearing about the death of his beloved master! So he became alive with his master. The whole area where the fort is built is huge and it would take at least a few days or more to learn the whole story. So we set off again, promising to return one day and stay in a quiet place for a few days. A return lunch at 'Kulkarni's Suyash' near Mangaon is memorable for many reasons. The first is, of course, delicious food in natural conditions, and the second is the crows that descend on the tables at every opportunity, counting the remaining food. 
This despite the fact that the catapult carriers continue to fire at the invaders. It seems like a common game between birds and men! It's fun to watch. After lunch it was a straight ride home, thinking the day was well spent. Access: By Road from Pune: Chandi Chowk - Paud Road - Mulshi - Adarwadi - Nizampur - Mangaon - Mumbai-Goa Expressway - Mahad - Raigad The distance between Pune and Raigad is 150 km. From Mumbai: Mumbai to Panvel via Goa Expressway to Mahad-Raigad Goa. The distance between Mumbai and Raigad is 190 km. For ropeway details visit www.raigadropeway.com Accommodation: There are houses at the top of MTDC and you can book at www.maharashtratourism.gov.in. /www.raigadropeway.com/Raigad%20Ropeway.htm Restaurants/Cafes are managed by MTDC and the Ropeway Organization in Ft. You will also find locals selling Maharashtrian food and buttermilk at the fort. The villagers do not have tents, but carry food in baskets on their heads.
Due to lack of time and lack of coolness, we decided to take the cable car that goes to the end of the road, which takes less than four minutes to the castle. 
After covering 191 km, we reached the starting point of the cable car at 09:15. The cable car is 760 meters wide and 420 meters uphill with 1450 steps, otherwise it would take us about 3 hours! 
Apart from the guide service that will take you to the fort, it will cost you 140 Birr per person. At Kanda-Pohei we had a typical Maharashtrian breakfast at a cafe run by rope operators, bought tickets to visit the fort and stopped at the reception hall for our tour. The elevators seem to go up and down more! A few minutes later it was our turn to ride the cable car and I prepared my camera to take pictures. 
Before we could buy anything and catch our breath, it was time to get down to the Mena Darwaza, the cable car passenger crossing. There our guide Mr. Gaikwad from "Raigad" met us and took us to the waiting group for the next move. Having gathered about thirty people, he begins a tour. The starting point of our journey was the Mena Darwaza, the women's entrance of the fort. Raigad Fort was the capital of the famous Maratha ruler Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. European historians have described it as the "Gibraltar of the East". A vertical cliff jutting skyward looks stark and impenetrable. He explained everything beautifully and very passionately as he took us through different parts of the fort which was fun. Many stories are told about Shivaji's tactics and skills as the reason for his many wives. She married princes from different countries to avoid being attacked by the rulers of those countries! There were eight palaces specially designed for their queens. 
It was very organized and had an entire "Secretariat", the remains of which can still be seen today. Fortesa had a "Bargain Animal" for the convenience of his colleagues and families. It was made by a Nagappa woman. 
Daily necessities for the comfort of the palace residents were traded here. But no one in the fort was allowed to show his name on any property and Nagappa wanted to show it somewhere. 
As he was not allowed to display his name anywhere, he displayed a 'nag' or a snake on the wall of his shop to mark his presence! Then they showed us the point 'Takmak' on the edge of the cliff. Traitors are banished as punishment. 
This particular period has an interesting history of steadfast loyalty and obedience. Chhatrapati Shivaji visited this place many times and always carried a 'chahatri' or umbrella. On one such trip, the Chatri porter, who had been ordered not to leave Chatri under any circumstances due to strong winds, flew off a cliff but miraculously parachuted into a village called Nizampur. After this, Chhatrapati Shivaji announced that the city will be called Chhatri Nizampur! The most impressive place was the place where the court or durbar was held. From the door of the throne, from anywhere in the courtyard, even if someone whispers to you, you feel good on the throne. Our guide asking us to wait on the throne and standing at the door whispered "Shivaji Maharaj Ki" to which we all replied "Jai Ho"! 
And this is not a covered room! Truly amazing architecture! 
The architect also carved his guarantee on the gate leading to the Jagdishwar temple, which Shivaji visited daily, saying that he would live forever! 
Near this temple is the Chhatrapati Shivaji Samadhi, behind which is seen the image of a dog on a pedestal. 
It is learned that it was Shivaji's loyal dog 'Wagya' who killed himself after hearing about the death of his beloved master! So he became alive with his master. The whole area where the fort is built is huge and it would take at least a few days or more to learn the whole story. So we set off again, promising to return one day and stay in a quiet place for a few days. A return lunch at 'Kulkarni's Suyash' near Mangaon is memorable for many reasons. The first is, of course, delicious food in natural conditions, and the second is the crows that descend on the tables at every opportunity, counting the remaining food. 
This despite the fact that the catapult carriers continue to fire at the invaders. It seems like a common game between birds and men! It's fun to watch. After lunch it was a straight ride home, thinking the day was well spent. Access: By Road from Pune: Chandi Chowk - Paud Road - Mulshi - Adarwadi - Nizampur - Mangaon - Mumbai-Goa Expressway - Mahad - Raigad The distance between Pune and Raigad is 150 km. From Mumbai: Mumbai to Panvel via Goa Expressway to Mahad-Raigad Goa. The distance between Mumbai and Raigad is 190 km. For ropeway details visit www.raigadropeway.com Accommodation: There are houses at the top of MTDC and you can book at www.maharashtratourism.gov.in. /www.raigadropeway.com/Raigad%20Ropeway.htm Restaurants/Cafes are managed by MTDC and the Ropeway Organization in Ft. You will also find locals selling Maharashtrian food and buttermilk at the fort. The villagers do not have tents, but carry food in baskets on their heads.
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