Raigad Fort

Raigad Fort is a historic hill fort located near Mahad in the Raigad district of Maharashtra, situated at an elevation of approximately 820 meters in the Sahyadri range. It served as the capital of the Maratha Empire under Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and was the site of his coronation in 1674. The fort features ruins of royal palaces, temples, market areas, and defensive structures spread across a large plateau. Access is available via a 1,737-step trek or a ropeway from Pachad village.

Visitors can explore extensive ruins of the former Maratha capital, including the Maha Darwaja gate, Raj Bhavan palace foundations, Jagdishwar Temple, and the Samadhi of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. The fort offers panoramic views of the Sahyadri mountains and valleys from viewpoints like Takmak Tok. Access to the summit is possible by climbing approximately 1,737 stone steps or taking a 4-minute ropeway ride from Pachad. The site includes artificial lakes, bastions, and remnants of a planned marketplace within its fortified plateau.

Raigad Fort served as the capital of the Maratha Empire from 1674 to 1818. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj was crowned here on June 6, 1674, establishing Hindavi Swaraj. The fort was originally known as Rairi and was renovated and expanded under Shivaji's rule with engineer Hiroji Indulkar. It remained the administrative center of the Maratha Empire until captured by the British in 1818.

Raigad Fort is considered a sacred site of Maratha heritage and the symbolic birthplace of Hindavi Swaraj. The Samadhi of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj is a revered memorial visited by devotees and history enthusiasts. The fort represents Maratha military architecture, governance, and cultural identity, and is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site nomination for Maratha Military Landscapes of India.