Raigad is 3000 feet high above sea
level. 'Rairi' was its original name.
Shivaji's Coronation Ceremony took place
over here.
After getting down at the Cheet Darwaja,
to the right is a way to climb the fort.
After crossing Valsura Khind and
climbing about 90 steps you reach the
Maha Darwaja. Another way to reach the
fort is by the Wagh Darwaja, but is a
very difficult path and often avoided by
the tourists, but trekkers may like to
go by this way. After climbing 100 mts
from Maha Darwaja to the right is a Iron
Pillar. 'Hatti Talav' falls to the Left.
Before reaching the 'Main Darwaja' you
cross the 'Ganga Sagar Talav' which is
towards the Left. Going by this way you
reach the Hirkani Buruj.
The Hirkani Buruj is also popular
amongst the tourists. There is a story
behind this place naming Hirkani Buruj.
The story is - Hirkani was a mother of
an infant. She used to sell milk on the
fort. One day she got late on the fort
and the doors were closed, as a result
she got stuck on the fort. No one opened
the doors for her. Her baby was alone at
home. As she had no other choice to
reach at her baby, she climbed down the
fort at night. When Shivaji came to know
about this he built the Hirkai Buruj on
that place and also honored Hirkani.
The Statue of Shivaji situated at he
center of the fort is a beautiful one.
Other places to see on the fort are
Shirkai Temple, Jagdishwar Temple and
Koli Lake. The 'Takmak Tok' is the most
breezy spot on the fort. You can even
see the arms and ammunition of those
days on the fort. 'Bhavani Tok' is 2 kms
away from the Wagh Darwaja. 'Kolimb
Talav' is to the Left.
Torna, Rajgad and Lingana can be seen
towards the East of Raigad. Towards the
South are Vasota, Pratapgad and
Makarandgad. |