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Rajgad Fort Pune Address: Balekilla Road, Pune, Maharashtra, 412213, India
If you crave a long trek in the Sahyadris, a trek to Rajgad Fort could be right up your alley. A trip to Rajgad Fort combines heritage and adventure. The fort is one of the best vantage points to admire gorgeous sunsets in the Sahyadri range.
Rajgad Fort was one of the favourite forts of Shivaji Maharaj. He stayed the longest in this fort. It has been the capital of the Maratha Empire for a long time. You can still see the palaces, water cisterns and caves in the ruins.
A trek to Rajgad Fort Pune is a long climb, surrounded by lush greenery. You can explore the fort, enjoy astonishing views from the top, and spend a day full of fun and adventure.
Rajgad Fort delights adventure enthusiasts and history lovers alike. It’s a perfect escape from city life. Many visitors choose to stay overnight and explore all the parts of the fort.
Where is Rajgad Fort in Pune?
Rajgad Fort is a popular getaway on the outskirts of Pune. It’s on Murumb Hill, about 50 km from Pune city. From the top, you can get a panoramic view of the lush green plains and the Torna and Sinhagad Fort nearby.
History of Rajgad Fort Pune
Rajgad Fort Pune has served as the residence of Shivaji Maharaj for 25 years. It has witnessed many historical events as its ownership got transferred from one ruler to another. Rajaram Chhatrapati, son of Shivaji Maharaj, was born here. Also, Saibai, queen of the Maratha Empire and wife of Shivaji, breathed her last inside the fort.
Apart from the Maratha empire, Rajgad Fort in Pune has been a part of the Adilshahi dynasty, Nizamshahi dynasty, Mughal empire and others. After everyone else, the British empire owned the fort.
Image Gallery of Rajgad Fort Pune
Architecture of Rajgad Fort
Rajgad Fort is on a hill in the Sahyadri mountain range. It’s an infinitely spread fortress under the Maratha empire, whose diameter at the foothill is 40 km. It doubles as a watch tower. And it has an intricate system of structures and monuments to aid security.
The fort is divided into different parts like Padmavati Machi, Suvela Machi, Sanjeevani Machi and Balekilla. It has quite an extensive design and construction.
Padmavati Machi was a military base and a residential area. It has a lake, Padmavati Temple, Diwankhana, Daru Kothar, Rajwada and other buildings. It also has the Pali Darwaja and Chor Dwaraja. Besides, it’s home to a Samadhi of Saibai, Shivaji’s first wife.
Suvela Machi is in the eastern part of Rajgad Fort. It’s a narrow strip that leads to a fortified end. That corner has a Hanuman temple and Nedh, a giant hole on the rock face.
Sanjeevani Machi is on the southwest end of Rajgad Fort with three layers of fortification. It has an underground escape route to take you directly to the outer fortification. It extends for about 2.5 km, along with many cisterns.
Rajgad Fort Balekilla is one of the highest parts of the fort. This area has caves, water cisterns and palaces. And from the entrance, Maha Dwaraja, you can easily view the whole fort.
Things to do at Rajgad Fort
1. Trekking to the top – Rajgad Fort is among the most popular trekking destinations near Pune. It has houses, temples, and small lakes representing the rich history of the Maratha empire. Shivaji Maharaj personally monitored the high-class architecture in many parts of the fort. The trek also offers you a peek into the beauty of the Sahyadris.
2. Visiting the significant spots – Rajgad Fort Pali Darwaja, Chor Darwaja and Alu Darwaja are among the structures you’ll come across first. Then, there are terrace-like spots: Padmavati Machi, Sanjivani Machi and Suvela Machi. A large natural hole in one of the walls and a huge elephant-like structure are other interesting things to see in the fort. It also has two temples and a small freshwater lake.
3. Enjoying splendid panoramic views – Rajgad Fort offers refreshing views from the top. The rising sun is among the most spectacular sights to witness from here. The fort also offers splendid views of other surrounding forts like Raigad Fort, Sinhagad Fort and Torna Fort. And then, of course, you get panoramic views of the Sahyadri and Mahabaleshwar mountain ranges.
4. Camping in the fort – Apart from the immersive Rajgad Fort trekking experience, you can also enjoy a night camping. Rajgad Fort night stay is recommended if you want to explore the entire fort. The two temples in the fort have plenty of room to accommodate 50-70 people. You can also pitch tents and light bonfires to get a true Rajgad Fort camping experience.
5. Tasting local food – On the way to Rajgad Fort Pune, you’ll find several hotels and restaurants serving lip-smacking Maharashtrian cuisine. You can relish zunka bhakri, chicken bhakri and many other local Rajgad Fort foods here. On some days, villagers also serve tea, poha and bhaji on the fort campus.
Rajgad Fort Trekking Details
There are several routes to enter Rajgad Fort. The trek via Chor Darwaza is the most popular Rajgad Fort route, starting from Gunjavane village. The trail, though, is rough, and you need to climb through a steep rocky incline.
Rajgad Fort via Pali Darwaja is another popular trekking route, starting from Pali village. It has a simpler approach but takes longer to reach the fort.
- Rajgad Fort trek difficulty level: Easy to Moderate
- Rajgad Fort trek height: 4512 ft
- Rajgad Fort trek distance: 3 km
- Rajgad Fort trek duration: 3-4 hours
- Rajgad Fort base village: Gunjavane village or Pali village
Whatever path you choose, you can see all the Rajgad Fort points at your leisure. If you want to trek via other not-so-popular routes, keep a guide along with you.
Rajgad Fort Entry Timings and Fees
The fort is open throughout the day and all seven days of the week. It’s best to visit it during the daytime to see the fort thoroughly. Many people start their trek during the day and do a night stay. Some people go for the Rajgad Fort night trek, too. It gives you an entire day to explore the fort, and you can return by evening.
Rajgad Fort entry is free for all.
Best time to visit Rajgad Fort Pune
Rajgad Fort in the rainy season is the best. When you’re trekking to Rajgad Fort during monsoon, you get to witness the lush green beauty of the Sahyadris. You get to see blooming flowers throughout the trek, and the greenery keeps you energized for the trek.
The other best times are post-monsoon and winter, to avoid muddy trails and slippery stones. So, anytime between July and February is ideal for a grand Rajgad Fort trek.
Time to explore Rajgad Fort
If you leave Pune in the morning, you can take a day trip to Rajgad Fort and return by evening. Ideally, it takes a full day to explore Rajgad Fort. So, for a comfortable trip it’s best to keep two days aside.
Things to keep in mind when visiting Rajgad Fort
- Smoking and drinking are strictly prohibited.
- Littering or ruining the place in any way isn’t allowed.
- Playing loud music isn’t allowed.
- Keep your identity card with you.
- Wear sturdy trekking shoes.
- Keep trekking poles for assistance.
- Have a cap/scarf and sunglasses.
- Carry water and snacks.
- Pack a First Aid kit.
- Keep a torch (for night treks/stays).
- Carry a tent and sleeping bag if camping overnight.
- Pack a sweater or a light jacket (for night stays).
- Pack a poncho/raincoat (during monsoon).
- Wrap electronic devices in plastic (during monsoon).
- Have shawls or blankets (for night stays).
How to reach Rajgad Fort from Pune?
Rajgad Fort Pune is on the outskirts of the city. It’s about 58 km from Pune railway station and 54 km from Swargate bus stop. And Rajgad Fort to Pune airport distance is 66 km. Now, the following are the different methods to reach the fort –
By bus – You can get a Rajgad Fort bus from Pune Swargate up to Gunjavane or Pali. You can also take a bus to Nasrapur (23 km from Gunjavane) or Velhe (15 km from Pali), and take a taxi from top car rental companies in Pune to reach there. Rajgad Fort is a 3 km trek from both Gunjavane and Pali.
By motorbikes – Rajgad Fort bike ride can be a refreshing experience. Rental motorbikes are available in Pune. You can hire one for the day and go on a trip to the fort.
By taxi/cab – You can also go to Rajgad Fort by car. Taxis and cabs are available all over Pune. And they’re the most comfortable options for a day trip. It takes about 2 hours to cover Rajgad Fort to Pune distance of 58 km.
FAQs about Rajgad Fort
Book an all-inclusive Pune tour package with us to have a gala time on your Rajgad Fort Trek. We at Pune Tourism, a division of Holidays DNA, offer a variety of travel packages that not only allows you to cover the popular trekking trails but also explore the popular sightseeing places in Pune. Our tour packages can be also customized to suit your holiday budget, duration, and other requirements. Please fill out the Contact Us form to know more about our offerings.
