The monsoons are best time to trek around with the nature in its full glory. This simple fact propelled us to visit the Bastion of the Maratha power at Raigad. The fort of Raigad is a delight for the history buffs and one of the best-preserved forts of Maharashtra. The beautiful and majestic photos of the fort and Shivaji Maharaj on Internet geared us to trek at Raigad.
Three of us (Ud, Abhinav and Avinash) got together at the Thane ST stand on the midnight of 5th Aug(Saturday), 2006. After a grueling day’s work at the office, its sheer madness to travel 200 odd kms for 4.5 hours in a ST on a moon cratered terrain. However, we had already decided to go for it. We had imported one member (Avinash) from Pune especially for the trek. There was a lot of uncertainty, for the bus was supposed to be full, we had no reservations and yet were ready to stand for 4 to 5 hours and go. Luckily we got a seat and left for Mahad around 12.30am. After a tiring journey, we landed in Mahad at 5am. A quick breakfast at the ST stand and we were ready to go to Raigad. Since the beginning to the end of our adventure, it never stopped raining for even a second. We hired an autorickshaw for about 200 bucks who took us to Raigad, about 26 odd kms from Mahad. The ride to Raigad was fantastic and unique. We reached the foot of the fort in an hour, around 6.15 am. The shops at the foot were shut tight and devoid of any human life. The rain was beating heavily and the wind was howling like mad. Luckily, we were all well armed, ie carrying rain jackets, not to save ourselves from the rain but from the cold. One of the brave (rather foolish) souls amongst us had not bothered to carry anything and now was totally drenched. Dont want to take any names but it was neither me nor Abhinav ;-). Hehehe.
We started climbing the steps to the fort and soon found it is easier to climb along a rugged terrain than walk on the steps. On our way, we came across numerous waterfalls that threatened to toss us back to the start while we crossed it. The strength of the water gushing down and crossing our path was so terrific that we had to hold each other firmly to prevent getting washed off. I at times thought the wind would definitely blow me off the hill, my humble 60 kgs not withstanding. We reached the top in about 1.15 hour. The fort is supposed to have around 1400 steps, which we climbed up. The climb is not so tiring but can take a toll on the thighs if not used to this type of exertion. The fort is one of the best-preserved and artistic forts I have seen. It gave us a brief glimpse of the Maratha power and grandeur. By now, we were totally drenched, shivering. We went to a nearby hut of a villager staying on the top, had some hot piping tea. The villager offered to be our guide for about 80Rs. Usually we would have preferred not to take a guide and find our way, but decided to hire him due to time constraint, poor visibility and harsh rains. The guide took us around various places like the Samadhi of Shivaji Maharaj, the Throne place, the majestic statue of Maharaj, the huge Baazar peth, Jogeshwari temple, Takmak Point etc. I have seen Baazar peth at Rajgarh but that seemed miniscule compared to this one. The throne place was grand and especially the entrance gate to it was huge and towering. The remnants of the separate quarters for the ministers can still be seen and so can the Rani Mahal (queens palace). There was also a prison hidden deep underground. The wind along with the rain was at its fiercest. The rain was hitting us mercilessly while the wind howled around us. The raindrops felt like small needles piercing our body due to its force. But the sight of the whole fort was truly amazing. We had our lunch at a small one-room hut along with the inhabitants, which included 3 cats, a dog and lots of chicken, besides the owner of the hut. The animals gave us company during our meal, never losing sight of the food we were eating. The warm food seemed heavenly in a small cozy place with the chullah (fire place) burning not very far away. After that short but refreshing break, we started back downhill. There is a ropeway constructed which ferries people to and fro from top to bottom of the fort within minutes. Maximum carrying capacity is 8 people and charges are 120Rs both ways and Rs 75 one-way. The operator decides if the ropeway is to be used or is too risky due to the harsh rains and the wind. Luckily for us, he decided to let us down. The ride down the ropeway is an experience in itself. The wind is so strong and with the rain pouring over, you feel the cabin will topple over anytime or rock like a boat. However, it remained steady. The feeling as the cabin passes over the wire is like moving from one cloud to another. We could not see the foothill due to the clouds. It’s literally like floating in heaven. For a brief moment, the clouds cleared and the view took our breadth away. People looked like specs on the lush green earth below and in front of us we could see the numerous waterfalls gushing down from the fort above. I gave up counting the waterfalls after I counted more than 11 of them, all sizes and shapes. The water looked milky due to the froth it produced. Awesome!!! We were down in about 4 minutes. There was hardly any transportation around, so we walked about 8 to 9 kms before we got a ST bus to Mahad. We also spectacularly managed to change ‘all’ our wet clothes on the back seat of the bus. From there, luckily, we immediately got our respective buses. Me and Abhinav to Bombay and Avinash to Pune. It was around 4.30pm. We reached back home around 10p.m.The whole trek cost us around Rs 500 each, including travel, food etc. It is peanuts compared to the fun we had and I guess a city slicker normally blows away that amount within a few hours at some snazzy mall or a restaurant. The trek is over; we are dead tired, hectic day tomorrow at the office. But the mind and the soul are totally refreshed, ready to take on afresh the clutter of the great cities.We have already started looking for our next destination and newer places to go.
Three of us (Ud, Abhinav and Avinash) got together at the Thane ST stand on the midnight of 5th Aug(Saturday), 2006. After a grueling day’s work at the office, its sheer madness to travel 200 odd kms for 4.5 hours in a ST on a moon cratered terrain. However, we had already decided to go for it. We had imported one member (Avinash) from Pune especially for the trek. There was a lot of uncertainty, for the bus was supposed to be full, we had no reservations and yet were ready to stand for 4 to 5 hours and go. Luckily we got a seat and left for Mahad around 12.30am. After a tiring journey, we landed in Mahad at 5am. A quick breakfast at the ST stand and we were ready to go to Raigad. Since the beginning to the end of our adventure, it never stopped raining for even a second. We hired an autorickshaw for about 200 bucks who took us to Raigad, about 26 odd kms from Mahad. The ride to Raigad was fantastic and unique. We reached the foot of the fort in an hour, around 6.15 am. The shops at the foot were shut tight and devoid of any human life. The rain was beating heavily and the wind was howling like mad. Luckily, we were all well armed, ie carrying rain jackets, not to save ourselves from the rain but from the cold. One of the brave (rather foolish) souls amongst us had not bothered to carry anything and now was totally drenched. Dont want to take any names but it was neither me nor Abhinav ;-). Hehehe.
We started climbing the steps to the fort and soon found it is easier to climb along a rugged terrain than walk on the steps. On our way, we came across numerous waterfalls that threatened to toss us back to the start while we crossed it. The strength of the water gushing down and crossing our path was so terrific that we had to hold each other firmly to prevent getting washed off. I at times thought the wind would definitely blow me off the hill, my humble 60 kgs not withstanding. We reached the top in about 1.15 hour. The fort is supposed to have around 1400 steps, which we climbed up. The climb is not so tiring but can take a toll on the thighs if not used to this type of exertion. The fort is one of the best-preserved and artistic forts I have seen. It gave us a brief glimpse of the Maratha power and grandeur. By now, we were totally drenched, shivering. We went to a nearby hut of a villager staying on the top, had some hot piping tea. The villager offered to be our guide for about 80Rs. Usually we would have preferred not to take a guide and find our way, but decided to hire him due to time constraint, poor visibility and harsh rains. The guide took us around various places like the Samadhi of Shivaji Maharaj, the Throne place, the majestic statue of Maharaj, the huge Baazar peth, Jogeshwari temple, Takmak Point etc. I have seen Baazar peth at Rajgarh but that seemed miniscule compared to this one. The throne place was grand and especially the entrance gate to it was huge and towering. The remnants of the separate quarters for the ministers can still be seen and so can the Rani Mahal (queens palace). There was also a prison hidden deep underground. The wind along with the rain was at its fiercest. The rain was hitting us mercilessly while the wind howled around us. The raindrops felt like small needles piercing our body due to its force. But the sight of the whole fort was truly amazing. We had our lunch at a small one-room hut along with the inhabitants, which included 3 cats, a dog and lots of chicken, besides the owner of the hut. The animals gave us company during our meal, never losing sight of the food we were eating. The warm food seemed heavenly in a small cozy place with the chullah (fire place) burning not very far away. After that short but refreshing break, we started back downhill. There is a ropeway constructed which ferries people to and fro from top to bottom of the fort within minutes. Maximum carrying capacity is 8 people and charges are 120Rs both ways and Rs 75 one-way. The operator decides if the ropeway is to be used or is too risky due to the harsh rains and the wind. Luckily for us, he decided to let us down. The ride down the ropeway is an experience in itself. The wind is so strong and with the rain pouring over, you feel the cabin will topple over anytime or rock like a boat. However, it remained steady. The feeling as the cabin passes over the wire is like moving from one cloud to another. We could not see the foothill due to the clouds. It’s literally like floating in heaven. For a brief moment, the clouds cleared and the view took our breadth away. People looked like specs on the lush green earth below and in front of us we could see the numerous waterfalls gushing down from the fort above. I gave up counting the waterfalls after I counted more than 11 of them, all sizes and shapes. The water looked milky due to the froth it produced. Awesome!!! We were down in about 4 minutes. There was hardly any transportation around, so we walked about 8 to 9 kms before we got a ST bus to Mahad. We also spectacularly managed to change ‘all’ our wet clothes on the back seat of the bus. From there, luckily, we immediately got our respective buses. Me and Abhinav to Bombay and Avinash to Pune. It was around 4.30pm. We reached back home around 10p.m.The whole trek cost us around Rs 500 each, including travel, food etc. It is peanuts compared to the fun we had and I guess a city slicker normally blows away that amount within a few hours at some snazzy mall or a restaurant. The trek is over; we are dead tired, hectic day tomorrow at the office. But the mind and the soul are totally refreshed, ready to take on afresh the clutter of the great cities.We have already started looking for our next destination and newer places to go.
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