Rajgad (meaning Royal Fort or King's Fort) is one of the most historic hill forts in Maharashtra. Located in the Pune district, this fort served as the first capital of the Maratha Empire under Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj for over 26 years, before the capital was shifted to Raigad Fort. It is a massive fort containing ruins of palaces, water cisterns, temples, and three fortified long spurs called Machis.
Route Technical Details
Major Historic Points of Interest
Rajgad is highly valued for its military architecture. Some of its notable structures include:
- Sanjeevani Machi: A massive three-layered fortified spur extending for over 2.5 km. It contains double walls, water tanks, defensive towers, and escape gates.
- Padmavati Machi & Temple: The main entrance center of the fort, housing the Padmavati temple, water ponds, and ruins of residential quarters. It is the primary campsite for overnight stays.
- Bale Killa (Citadel): The highest point of the fort, housing Shivaji Maharaj's palace ruins, watch towers, and administrative rooms. The climb up is steep and has iron railings for security.
How to Reach the Base Village (Gunjavane)
The Gunjavane route is the most popular trek trail. Gunjavane village is located 60 km from Pune and 210 km from Mumbai. You can travel by state transport buses or private cars from Pune toward Margasani village on the Pune-Satara road, then take a diversion road to Gunjavane.