So Raj promises it's a 1 hour drive to the fort, a 1.5 hour trek, the day starts at 7 a.m. and by 1 p.m. I'll be back poolside and happy in Pune.... Reality: 2 hour drive (4 hours total in a small, Ford Icon), the trek is closer to 3 hours up and 3 hours down. Although Raj's concept of time is more aligned with local time standards as compared to my concept of time which involves a watch and a standard 24 hour day, the trip was still a success and a lot of fun.
Here is a little description of the Raigard Fort history:
Raigad (Marathi:रायगड) is a hill fortress situated in the modern day Raigad district of Maharashtra, India. The Maratha king Shivaji made the fort his capital in 1674 when he was crowned King of a Maratha Kingdom which later developed into the Maratha Empire eventually covering majority of modern day India.
This was the drinking water available:-( You'll notice it is gray in color. There was also a lot of trash floating in it.
While beginning the trek I heard thundering foot steps and was scared to death! I thought elephant, hippo, monster, but it turned out be buffalo!
Some children we passed on the truck with two small lambs.
This was a tiny hotel / restaurant at the base of the mountain. It was really inspiring to see the children's father that was running this establishment. He only had one arm, but was all smiles and you could tell he was proud of his establishment.
The fortress.
Another view of the fort showing just how far reaching it is.
Some new friends that insisted in a group photo with me.
Another view of the mountain the fort is on showing just how imposing it must have looked to invaders centuries ago.
This girl was along the trek selling lemon water. Her father replenishes her supply multiple times a day. Their home was almost 2 km away down the mountain and yet the father could trek it in almost 15 minutes!
Getting closer!
Some of the monkey "guards" that surrounded the fortress
Here is a woman carrying pots of water on her noggin. These women walk from the local villages to the well in the earlier photo for water. Very tough women!
A point on the fortress where prisoners were thrown to their death! There aren't many ways I would really enjoy to die, but probably one of the least favorite ways would be being thrown from a cliff!
Here is a little description of the Raigard Fort history:
Raigad (Marathi:रायगड) is a hill fortress situated in the modern day Raigad district of Maharashtra, India. The Maratha king Shivaji made the fort his capital in 1674 when he was crowned King of a Maratha Kingdom which later developed into the Maratha Empire eventually covering majority of modern day India.
It must be a great experience to go on a trek to Rajgad Fort. Once the capital of Maratha King, Shivaji, Raigad is a hill fortress situated near Mahad, Raigad district of Maharashtra. The fort can be accessed both by a cable car or by climbing around 1,500 steps. Click here to know more about Rajgad fort.
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