Raigad- Capital of Hindavi Swarajya

Raigad! The emotions that occupy our mind when we hear this name are extraordinarily unique and indescribable. Today is 'Jyestha Shuddha Trayodashi' means 'Shiva Rajyabhishek Din', 'Hindu Samrajya Din'. A day of pride, a day of glory. Indian history is one of struggle and victory. The bright, golden page that shines in it, is the life and work of Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj!

The tireless work of Shivaji Maharaj and his comrades reached its culmination on the day of Jyeshtha Shuddha Trayodashi, 1674. It was not just a coronation. It was not just an official announcement of the establishment of Hindavi Swarajya. It was an unprecedented invention, a result of combination of the power of noble minded people which was awakened by the teachings of the saints and the bravery and fortitude rekindled in the minds of the Mavalas, people of Maharashtra. 

The coronation was not Shivaji Maharaj's personal ambition. The vow taken as a child at Rohideshwar was fulfilled with untiring efforts. The promise of "It is God's wish that there should be Hindavi Swarajya" was fulfilled. With the coronation, Shivaji Maharaj turned the loyalty of the people towards the throne, towards Hindavi Swarajya, towards the organization instead of their loyalty with him as a person. Rulers with such an extraordinary vision are very rare. 

Shivaji Maharaj was an ideal king, a great general. He not only achieved the goal of gaining the recognition of other nations on the occasion of his coronation, but by shifting the allegiance of the people of Maharashtra to Swarajya, he created a system in which this struggle for Hindavi Swarajya would continue for many years even after his death. 

Shivaji Maharaj

Fort Raigad was the place of this unprecedented coronation! I am very happy to be writing this post today. Usually I write a blogpost to inform readers about the places I visit. But there is no need to give any new information in this post. We all know Raigad, even if we haven't been there.

We surely do know Raigad through the speeches and writings of Hon'ble Babasaheb Purandare and G. N. Dandekar. More books have been written on Raigad than any other fort. So even the people who visit for the first time don't feel like they are seeing Raigad for the first time! Today I am just going to evoke your memories of Raigad.

Situated in the Sahyadri ranges, the fort is at 1350 meters above sea level.(Many people quote various heights! The height I have written here, is that given on the information board at Raigad.) We had visited Raigad in October 2015. All the photos which are posted here are of that trip in October 2015.

Information Board 

 

The fort was initially built in the 12th century. It had various names since then. The names of the mountain were Rasivata, Tanas, Nandadeep. Later, when the fort was built, it's name was Rairi. Shirkes had the fort for many years. The fort was used to hold prisoners during the Nizam rule.

 The fort was conquered by Shivaji Maharaj in May 1656. It was very difficult to reach and climb, and it was close to the sea. So Shivaji Maharaj decided to make it the capital of Hindavi Swarajya. It is very appropriate that, Shivaji Maharaj, who had developed a naval force, armament system, considering the Dutch, Portuguese, Arabs and English invaders, chose a fort near the sea for his capital.

Your guide on the fort will tell you about what Maharaj had said while choosing this fort as his capital and even you can read it in many books. Maharaj's words can be read in the book, 'Sabhasadachi Bakhar'.(written in 1697) "One and a half village high - ten times higher than Devagiri. Grass does not grow on the ridges even during the rainy season. There is no place for birds to land on the vertical ridge" and happily he told,"This fort will be the capital of Hindavi Swaraj"

Our Guide

G. N.Dandekar had said that "There used to be many forts previously as well. But Shivchatrapati studied the fortifications, their needs, uses, importance, location, requirements, etc. very meticulously and made a complete science and scripture about it. He repaired the forts which were already there and he built new ones in strategic places.

Maharaj's ingenuity and foresight are seen every time. But most peculiarly in establishing the capital at Raigad. Raigad is in Konkan with mountainous region all around. Apart from some places like Warandh Ghat, Lingana, Mangaon, it can not be seen. It is close to Ghat but difficult to access. It is at about thirty miles from the beach. The edges are steep and pointed. Even if a bird wants to sit, it has no place. He chose this remote fort as his capital. From there the focus was on the ghats and the sea, both were within reach. "

How is the road to Raigad now? There is a Raigad Darshan bus from Pune. If you are coming from Mumbai, can go via Mahad road. The road was not in good condition when we went in 2015. But repairs were to be made soon. So now it will be better.

Road going towards Raigad

If you want to climb from the base, you have to climb about 1400/1500 steps. While climbing, you will get to see beauty of nature and many historical places. You will also enjoy mountaineering. In fact, this IS the way to reach Raigad.

Now there is a ropeway. You can book the ride online. the site is 

 https://www.raigadropeway.com/index.html

We can book the cable car ride for single journey or return journey. We can reach to the top in few minutes if we travel by cable car.

 

View from the cable car

View from the cable car

View from the cable car

View from the cable car

View from the cable car

 Accommodation facilities can be reserved on this website. They have a restaurant on the fort. But when we went in 2015, the food order had to be given at the office at the base! So that they can do the necessary arrangements. 

There are some shops at the base. But it is better to have some eatables with you. 

MTDC also provides accommodation facility on Raigad, they have a restaurant as well. You have to reserve it well in advance. 

Raigad, the capital of the empire, was built in 1674 by Heroji Indulkar by the orders of the Shivaji Maharaj. Today, after so many centuries, we can imagine the splendor of that time from the few traces that remain, even after being destroyed by the British.

 

Fort Raigad

Fort Raigad

Fort Raigad- Water Tank

Fort Raigad

Fort Raigad

Fort Raigad

 I'm not going to give you very detailed information about Raigad! I will give just enough information so that those who have not seen Raigad will be curious and those who have seen it already will want to visit again!

The Market

 The shops in the market at Raigad are so high and wide that the customers can do the shopping while they are on the horseback. There are two rows of shops. Now only the foundation of the shops can be seen. The distance between the two rows is about 40 feet. There are more than twenty shops in each row.

Fort Raigad

Nagarkhana Darwaja

Guide

Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj 

Fort Raigad

 

This is a place that every Indian is proud of. One remembers many stories of Shivaji Maharaj. Even the thought that the coronation has taken place here, thrills one, while walking on Raigad.

 It is said that the acoustics is so managed during the construction of the fort, so that one could hear at the throne site, the speaker standing at far, the Nagarkhana Darwaja. We could experience this. As we were near the Nagarkhana Darwaja, we saw some tourists climbing on the throne and trying to take photos, keeping their hands on the shoulders of the Shivaji Maharaj statue. This arrogance literally angered us. We shouted and told them to get down from the throne. They could hear it and got down immediately. It was our good fortune that they had enough shame to get down at least after someone shouts!

I don't know what should be done with such reckless tourists, tourists who go to the forts and smoke, drink alcohol and destroy the sanctity of the forts by throwing garbage everywhere. Not to forget those, who write their names or scribble on the walls. 

Takmak Tok

In the past, criminals were pushed from the brink- Takmak tok, to execute the death sentence. It's really a steep slope. The death is hundred percent confirmed. Now it has become a good view point.

Khalbatkhana

Stambh- The pillars

Stambh - the pillars

 

These are two beautiful pillars standing near Gangasagar. Three floors are still visible. It is said to have had five floors in the past. These twelve angled columns are very special. The inscription near the Jagadishwar temple is given below. The pillars mentioned in it should be the same.

Fort Raigad

Fort Raigad

Fort Raigad

Gangasagar 

At the time of the coronation, water from various pilgrimage sites and rivers was brought and mixed in this lake. That is why, this lake is called Ganga Sagar.

Fort Raigad

Fort Raigad

Fort Raigad- Ranivasa

Fort Raigad- Ranivasa

Ranivasa is the abode of queens. There are six palaces here. There are also houses for their helpers. All these people used the Mena Darvaja.

Fort Raigad

Raigad is now in the possession of the government as a protected monument. It is expected to be maintained by the concerned department of the government. The roads on the fort are quite good and direction and name boards can be found at many places. 

Fort Raigad- Holicha Maal

Fort Raigad- Holicha Maal

Holicha Maal and Shivaji Maharaj Statue

Fort Raigad

Steps of Jagadishwar Temple

Hiroji Indulkar was the architect and builder of Raigad. He furnished and decorated the fort by constructing such magnificent buildings. When the Maharaj was pleased and asked what he wanted, Hiroji said, "Nothing. But I would like to write my name on the Jagadishwar Temple steps. When Maharaj will visit the temple, he will set foot on my name. I don't want anything more than that." What a great example of the humble mind! One can see the name written on the steps, it is 'Heroji Italkar ready for service'.

Temple door and Nandi

Jagadishwar Temple

Inscription

Inscription

The inscription is like this. 

"श्री गणपतये नमः। प्रासादो जगदीश्वरस्य जगतामानंददोनुज्ञया श्रीमच्छत्रपतेः शिवस्यनृपतेःसिंहासने तिष्ठतः। शाकेषण्णवबाणभूमिगणनादानन्दसंवत्सरे ज्योतीराजमुहूर्तकिर्तीमहिते शुक्लेशसापै तिथौ ॥१॥ वापीकूपडागराजिरुचिरं रम्यं वनं वीतिकौ स्तभेः कुंभिगृहे नरेन्द्रसदनैरभ्रंलिहे मीहिते। श्रीमद्रायगिरौ गिरामविषये हीराजिना निर्मितो यावच्चन्द्रदिवाकरौ विलसतस्तावत्समुज्जृंभते ॥२॥"( copied from the internet )

The meaning is, "I pray to God Ganapati! This is the palace of Jagadishwar, pleasing to all the world. It was built by the orders of Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. Many lakes, tanks, ponds, gardens, roads, pillers, Gajshala, Royal Chambers have been built by Hiroji on Raigad. As long as there is the moon and the sun in the sky, keep it safe and as it is."

Waghya memorial

Raigad witnessed Shivaji Maharaj's coronation ceremony and also had to bear his death. Shake 1602 Chaitra Shuddha 15 (1680) saw the sad death of Shivaji Maharaj. It is said that even his dog named 'Waghya' jumped into pyre and sacrificed himself. We can see his memorial in front of the Jagadishwar temple. In this photo we can see the octagonal base of the Samadhi of Shivaji Maharaj. 

Shivaji Maharaj Samadhi
📷 Wikimedia Commons

It is true that the mind is saddened to see Maharaj's Samadhi, but then one feels that Maharaj will remain in the minds of all of us. His teachings will continue to guide us for ever. 

Fort Raigad

Jai Bhavani
Jai Shivaji

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