How to reach:
By road: Mumbai-Panvel-Mahad-Pachad.
Pune- Mulshi-Tamhini ghat- Nizampur- Mangaon- Mahad-Pachad.
By train: Veer and Mangaon are the nearest station on this route. Catch the Sawantwadi Express or Mandovi Express an get down at any of these station. A shared or private Rickshaws (tum tum) will drop you. There are even S.T busese from Mahad to Raigad in the morning and evening. Check their timings.
Raigad fort is one the most spectacular forts I have seen so far. Its beauty is uncomparable during monsoon. We caught the Mandovi Express from Dadar station at 7.22 am. Travelled till Mangaon station that comes around 10.30 from Mangaon we headed to Mahad by S.T bus. We had very little knowledge about the route. All are knowledge was through internet surfing. After reaching Mahad by 11.30 am we headed to Pachad village which is the base of Raigad fort. Share or private rickshaws ("tumtum") are available from Mahad S.T. stand. Within 30 mins we reached Pachad.
The journey had just started for us. Ahead of us was a tall steep hill and above it was the King fort. The fort was not visible due to the fog. There was water flowing through the cracks of the hill. The weather was cloudy with a little drizzle. All these factors added to the beauty.
The fort stands tall at a height of 2,700 ft. But you don't need to do any climbing. As Raigad fort host Maharashtra's only Ropeway. The charges are minimal with Rs 285/- per person (adult) for to & fro journey and Rs 180/- per person (children) for to & fro. The view from Ropeway is something one must experience atleast once. Within 5-7 mins it will drop you to the entrance of the fort. Reaching the entrance you'll realize why it's called the King fort.
The fort is huge and it will take 2-3 hrs for sight seeing. There is a statue of Chatrapatti Shivaji Maharaj at the entrance. Right in front of it is the Maha Darwaja. There is also a mandir at the fort. The main attraction on the fort is Takmak Tok which is a balcony type construction which was used to keep an eye on the valley. Raigad fort is well maintained and every nature and history lover must visit it once.
