Raigad - Still Huge

Raigad fort is located in the sahyadri mountain range at a distance of about 25 km from Mahad in Raigad district. Raigad's ancient name was "Rayari". Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj repaired this fort and built it. In the year 1674, it was declared the capital of Maratha Empire. Height of the fort is 2851 m from the sea level. 

There is man-made lake on the fort and its name is "Gangasagar Lake". The only way to reach the fort is through the "Maha-Darwaza". In the fort, there is a replica of the throne in the Darbar, which is facing the gate of city hall. The area around throne is designed for sound waves so that the word spoken at the door of the Darbar can be easily heard up to the throne. Fort has a famous bastion built on a high valley and is called "Hirkani Buruj".

To reach, one has to climb 1450 steps. This can easily take about two hours. However, at present, a ropeway has been arranged to reach on the fort. Raigad's proximity to the sea, along with its huge elevation, the only way to go up, the vast plateau are the features behind the fort.

There are many places to watch on the fort include Holi Mal, Bhavani Temple, Chitta Darwaja, Khulbaldha Buruj, Mahadarwaja, Ranivasa, Palkhi Darwaja, Raj Bhavan, Rajsabha, Nagarkhana, Jagdishwar Temple, Bara Taki, Wagh Darwaja, Takmak Tok, Shiv Chatrapati Samadhi etc.

The fort is not much tough as well as not so easy you can visit the fort as trek also there is much on the fort to study.