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| Rajgad |
Rajgad – The name describes the place itself - The king of all the forts.
It is to the south-west 40 Kms from Pune. It boasts the highest number of days stayed by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj on any fort. He spent almost 25/30 yrs here. Rajgad is famous for its construction.
The fort can be divided into four different parts based on geographical terrain and fortification. There are the three sub-plateaux (Machee) namely Padmavati Machee, Suvela Machee and Sanjevani Machee, and at the centre is the Ballekilla.
It is to the south-west 40 Kms from Pune. It boasts the highest number of days stayed by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj on any fort. He spent almost 25/30 yrs here. Rajgad is famous for its construction.
The fort can be divided into four different parts based on geographical terrain and fortification. There are the three sub-plateaux (Machee) namely Padmavati Machee, Suvela Machee and Sanjevani Machee, and at the centre is the Ballekilla.
It takes about 3 hours to climb whole Rajgad fort, you should carry food stuff and water along with you.
Chor Darwaja:
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| Chor Darwaja |
Rajgad does not accomodate any Gate or entrance so this is the only gate you can enter Rajgad through. This is the first historical thing you will notice while climbing Rajgad. Every time you go out off fort through this be careful the slope is terrible and you have better chance of slipping.
It is observed that people drunk lot of water while climbing has caused stomach problem same time. Take energy drink if you can.
Points to See
Padmavati Machee (north end):
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| Padmavati Machi |
Do not try to drink or pollute the water available in the lakes on fort. The drinking water is provided on multiple stages while climbing fort.
Sanjeevani Machee (southwest/west end):
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| Sanjivani Machi |
This huge, beautiful and royally constructed machee faces west and has a three-stepped (layered) fortified structure. Each of the lower levels is separated from the higher one by a fortified bastion with a gate that could be defended independently. The lowest level is beautifully fortified by double curtain walls (chilkhathi) separated by a deep trench, on average 12 feet across. One can walk between these walls. The outer wall has openings to let soldiers out for sudden attack.
One wrong step may drag you to the hell, don't walk or climb casually be careful. Life is worth.
Suvela Machee (south east):
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| Suvela Machi |
This is another grand machee facing east with lots of secret routes and doorways. This one is a double-stepped fortified machee with the steps separated by a beautiful bastioned doorway. At the end of first step a hole cuts across the rock; one can sit in this hole (nedhe). The final (lowest) step like Sanjeevani Machee has a double curtain wall. To the south side of this machee one can see a beautiful triangular bastion called Kaleswari buruz having an escape door near it. The home of the renowned military leader Tanaji Malusare was in this machee.
Rajgad is the World No.1 fort according to review in year 2011. You are wasting nothing for Rajgad trip.
Bale Killa (centre):
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| Bale Killa |
It takes all your breath off to wander the fort, so better you consider at least one full day for surfing total Rajgad. Planning other tour on the same day may harm your health.
How to reach
Rajgad is 40Kms South-West from Pune city. The train service is not available up to the fort but from Pune city you will need to hire Taxi's or better you have your own Bike. It takes about one and half hour or even more(depending upon your driving) to reach there due to Ghat in the road. Be careful while driving your bike.
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Somebody is waiting for you home, consider them. Again be careful and have a good trip.
Staying on Rajgad
