Rajgad - The King’s Fort; The King of Forts; The King of all Adventure treks to a Fort
Home of the great Maratha King, Chhatrapati Shivaji’s for nearly 25 years till he became Chhatrapati; post coronation his capital shifted to Raigad although lot of his administration continued to be controlled from Rajgad.
Rajgad - The King’s Fort; The King of Forts; The King of all Adventure treks to a Fort
Home of the great Maratha King, Chhatrapati Shivaji’s for nearly 25 years till he became Chhatrapati; post coronation his capital shifted to Raigad although lot of his administration continued to be controlled from Rajgad.
The fort is located at the end of spur, surrounded on three sides by fortified plains – the Padmavati Machee, the Sanjivani Machee, and the Suvela Machee.
The Padmavati Machee is the largest of the three plains, perhaps this was where most people stayed at that time. Three main darwaja of the fort that open onto Padmavati Machee: the Chor darwaja, the Pali Darwaja and the Gunjawane Darwaja. The ruins of the Padmavati temple, the Padmavati lake, the Maharaja residential palace, the havaldar’s wada (constable’s residence) can all be seen here. The only place which can be used by trekkers for an overnight stay here is the Padmavati temple.
Of the three Plains, the narrowest is the Suvela Machee. Stone steps, ramparts and a bastion can be seen here. On this plain is a 15 foot-diameter opening called Waghacha Doda (tiger’s eye). Several of Shivaji’s officers including Tanaji, Yesaji and Shembar built houses here. The view of the sunrise from this point is really beautiful.
The third plain, Sanjivani machee is about two Kilometer in length. Double fortification and a bastion can be seen here. There is a direct route from this point, through the Alu Darwaja, to the Budhala Machee on Torna.
The stronghold of Rajgad is said to be its finest point and can be reached with some effort. Once you enter the main gate you can see the palace ruins, the Janani Mandir and the Bramhrisi temple and a water tank. There is quite wonderful view from the top, you can see various mountain ranges and spot several forts from here including the Mahabaleshwar Raireshwar Plateau, Raigad, Makarandgad, Lingana, Torna, Visapur, Tung, Sinhgad and Purandar.
Rajagad is built on a hill named Murambdev which was not captured for a long time. In 1702 Aurangzeb laid siege on Rajgad and changed its name to Najibgad.
Around Rajgad are the riversVelwandi, Kanadi and Gujavani, so that all routes to the routes to the fort are across rivers. The main gates to the fort are Alu Darwaja, Gunjavane Darwaja, Pali Darwaja and Chor Darwaja.
The gateways to the “king of Fort” - Rajgad
1) To enter the fort from the Alu Darwaja from Pune you have to go to Bhor. Near Bhor you board a lauch at Basrapur at the Bhatgar dam. A five-hour ride will take you to Bhutonde, which is at the foothill of Rajgad. From Bhor take a bus for village Bhutonde. From Bhutonde, it is a three hour climb to the Alu Darwaja.
2) To get to Gunjavane Darwaja you take the Pune-Velha bus to MargasaniVillage and from there you go via Sakhargaon to Gunjavane village. From here, it is a two hour climb to the Gunajvane Darwaja.
3) The easiest route is from Vazeghar or from Pali and then to the Pali Darwaja. This takes about 3 hours to reach the top. The grandeur of this gate is well worth seeing.
4) Another favourite route is through the Chor Darwaja. To reach here you take the Velhe bus to Vinzar village, cross the KanandiRiver and climb up via Sakhargaon. This takes about 4 hourstrek, the last part of this path being quite rocky. When you enter from there you reach the Padmavati Machee. Here it is possible to spend the night at the Padmavati temple. Some trekkers have drawn a map of the fort within the temple. It is necessary to carry all requirements like food and water with you. If you leave Pune in the morning you can climb to the top by the afternoon, spend the night there, returning the next day.
Basic Check List (Overnight Treks)
A) Attire
Clothes Track Pants or loose comfortable trousers; Preference is for trousers whose material is light and can stretch. Avoid heavy jeans.
You may carry spare one (Shorts or Capri); 1 change per day.
Wear loose full sleeves shirt or t-shirt of material that can breath, but does not retain liquid. (Wearing thin hosiery material banyans or slips under your shirt / t-shirt is recommended). Carry 1 pair of spare shirts / t-shirts.
Light winter wear
Shoes – trekking shoes or touch sports shoes. Avoid shoes with high heals.
Carry Spare floaters, slippers, or light canvas shoes.
Socks – carry one pairs of spare socks.
B) Personal medical Kit and Toiletries
1) Velbet Skin cream for ticks or insect bytes
2) Bettnovet – C “Anti Fungal Skin cream”
3) Bandages - Band aid, Crape Bandage, Gauze
4) Anti-septic cream – Soframycine and Burnol
5) Paracitimol – Crocin
6) Anti-Dyheration - Glucose D/C and Electrol
7) Anti Vomit / loose motions, Anti – Allergies (optional),
8) Mosquito / Insect repellent
9) Pain killers and / or any other personal medication recommended by your family doctor.
10) Detol soap
11) Small shampoo soap
12) Tiny pouch of coconut oil
13) Toothpaste, tooth brush and shaving kit
14) Comb
15) Small Hand mirror
16) Carry all Personal medical kit and personal toiletries in a separate pouch.
Your medical Kit should contain your blood group and emergency phone number.
C) Other mandatory items in your survival kit
1.2 meter x 2 meter plastic sheet (will be available in any hardware store)
2.Hand Sanitizer
3.Torch with spare batteries
4.Plate, Pocket Knife, Mug & Spoon
5.Towel (light)
6.Thread and Needle (Carry one large needle and one small needle)
7.Walking Cane (should be 65% to 70% of your height – strong and light)
8.3 liter water per head
9.Snacks for the route – Dry Fruits; Fruits; Salad Items; chocolates; biscuits etc.
10.Basic Magnetic compass
11.Carry a note pad and two ball pens for your diary writing.
D) Backpack or Rucksack; and how to pack
Carry all your belongings in a backpack or rucksack with light items at the bottom and heavy stuff loaded around and towards your shoulders level. If you have, compression straps in your bag use them to compress your luggage to make it well balanced.
Pack all your items / cloths in Double plastic bags before tucking it in your Backpack.
E) Water most important and mandatory (minimum 4 liters per head)
F) Bedding (Seeping Bag or 2 bedsheets) + Sleeping Mat + Air Pillow (Optional) + Muffler or Monkey Cap (Please place your bedding in double plastic before packing)
Goodies
You may also carry goodies like camera; small - binoculars, magnifying glasses and pocket field guide to make most of the trip.
Outdoor Adventure etiquettes
Camps organized by “Nature Knights” are in the eco / culturally -sensitive area like Sanctuaries, Jungles, and places of Historical importance.
We strongly believe in traveling in small groups, leave only foot prints and take only memories.
Take initiative in participating for all group activities, Your team initiatives will make the trip more memorable for you and others.
Play a Nature Detective/ Archeologist / A historian etc. Carry Binoculars, Camera, pocket knife, magnifying lenses and Field guides to make the trip more enjoyable and fruitful, but take care of your belongings it could very easily get lost or misplaced.
Remain with the group, venturing out on your own could prove to be dangerous.
Alcohol / Drugs not allowed
How to prepare your self for any treks?
Fitness – Most important.
·Start walks 3 to 4 times per week; go for 45 minutes to 60 minutes brisk walk. If you can go for walks with your backpack or a smaller one nothing like it.
·Do stretching exercise (stiff body can break down easily).
·Built strength training (weights or GYM or at least do Surya Namaskar; Pushups; Squats and Stomach Crunches). 20 minutes 3 to 4 times per week is OK.
·Eat good food (have 3 to 4 servings of vegetable or fruit salads per day).
·Pranayam – Breathing exercise for developing stronger lungs.
·If you have purchased a new shoe for trek, start wearing it at least 10 to 15 days in advance to get used to the new shoe.
