Rajmachi Fort Information in English
• Location:
Rajmachi Fort is located in the Pune district of Maharashtra, within the Sahyadri mountain range.
• Height:
This fort is situated at an elevation of 833 meters above sea level.
• Mountain Range:
Rajmachi Fort lies in the Lonavala–Khandala sub-range of the Sahyadri mountains.
• Distance:
Rajmachi is about 15 km from Lonavala on the Mumbai–Pune road.
• Routes to Reach Rajmachi Fort:
Rajmachi Fort Information (Marathi to English Translation)
1) From Lonavala (Pune–Mumbai Route):
From Lonavala via Tungarli, you reach the village at the base of Rajmachi Fort. From there, the fort is about 15 km.
2) From Karjat (Raigad District):
From Karjat via Kondhivade, then further to Kharavandi, and from there a steep uphill foot-trail leads to Rajmachi. Motorable road is available up to Kharavandi.
3) From Kune Village (Lonavala / Khandala):
From Lonavala or Khandala via Kune village, then further to Phanasrai, then to Udhewadi (the village near Rajmachi), and from there you can climb up to Rajmachi fort. This route is partly rough and partly paved.
• Places to See on Rajmachi Fort:
From the cool hill station of Lonavala on the Mumbai–Pune highway, one can reach the village of Rajmachi by two-wheeler or four-wheeler through a partly rough and partly proper road. This is a beautiful village in the Konkan region. Here you can see two forts standing side by side—these are the two citadels of Rajmachi:
• Shrivardhan Fort:
When you look from Rajmachi, you can see a fort with a distinct tall pinnacle—this is Shrivardhan Fort. A stone-paved pathway from Rajmachi village leads towards this fort.
While walking on this route, you come across Katyal Cave, and inside it there is a water cistern. Moving ahead, this pathway leads to the Bhairavnath Temple.
• Bhairavnath Temple:
Walking further ahead, you come across a temple. In the temple premises, you will find a beautiful deepmala (lamp tower), ashwa veergal (hero stones depicting horses), as well as idols of other deities. Two cannons can also be seen placed here. Bhairavnath is a brave Hindu deity believed to destroy obstacles and dangers. The path in front of this temple leads to the Shrivardhan Fort, while the path from the backside of the temple takes you towards Manoranjan Fort.
• Shriwardhan Fort
• Stone-Step Pathway:
Walking further on the path in front of Bhairavnath Temple, you come across a beautiful stone-step pathway. As you climb up this route, the scenic views of the surrounding valley begin to appear.
• After walking some distance, you reach a rock-cut path (katyaali) through which you have to climb up. Though steep, this climb is manageable. This path leads you to the fort’s bastion and the main entrance gate.
• Bastion and Main Entrance:
Even today the outer protective bastion is in good condition, and from its inner side, you come across a Gomukh-style pathway. Walking further inside, you reach a half-collapsed gateway. Although this Gomukh-style entrance has crumbled, the remaining portions still reflect the strong historical architecture. The stonework here clearly shows Hemadpanthi architectural remnants with male and female interlocking stone patterns. This is the main entrance of the fort. Inside, you can see chambers built for guards and small alcoves made to place lamps. On one side lies a high cliff, and on the other, a strong fort wall. This narrow pathway gets filled with a lot of water during the monsoon.
• Water Tank:
A small stepped path from here takes you to the upper part of the fort where you find water tanks carved inside the rock. These tanks supplied water to the people living on the fort during medieval times.
• Carved Rock Caves:
While climbing towards the upper part of the fort, you come across a rocky cliff where ancient caves carved entirely into black basalt can be seen. The outer structures of these caves have partially collapsed. Three large adjoining chambers carved using hammer-tools can be seen here. Beautiful external frames and chiselled patterns are still visible. Each room contains lamp niches carved into the walls.
• Ruins of Wadas and Buildings:
After viewing the rock-cut caves and moving upward, you notice thick vegetation along the way. Moving ahead, you find ruins of several buildings, wadas, and administrative structures. Most of these structures have deteriorated due to neglect. Only the foundation stones remain, giving an idea of how grand the structures must have been. Quarters for kings, officers, soldiers, and Mavlas once stood here. This area also had a meeting hall where military, political and other important discussions were held.
• Shivling:
A Shivling can also be seen at this place.
• Fortification Walls:
Much of the fort’s walls have collapsed with time. During monsoon, grass and weeds grow densely over them. Still, a significant portion remains intact, reflecting the fort’s ancient glory. Steps are built at various places to climb onto the wall.
• Konkan Darwaja:
The Konkan-facing entrance of the fort is largely ruined. This route was once used to bring horses up the fort.
• Flag Post:
Walking towards a corner of the fort, you see the flagpost. This is the topmost part of the fort where the saffron flag waves proudly.
• Double-Layered Armored Bastion:
Completing the fort circuit, you finally reach the double-walled armored bastion. Built entirely of solid stone, this strong bastion still guards the fort. Numerous loopholes (jangyas) and cannon slots (fanjyas) can be seen here.
• Jangyas:
Small openings used for aiming guns and arrows at enemies attacking the fort.
• Fanjyas:
Openings from which cannons were fired.
• Underground Passage:
Below the double-walled bastion lies a narrow underground passage that leads down to the lower fort wall.
• Hidden Escape Route:
A secret underground tunnel can also be seen here, which was used to safely exit the fort during enemy attacks.
• Cave:
Descending from the double bastion and walking to one side, you find a small cave.
• Large Water Tank:
Taking a slightly curved path from the bastion, you come across a large water tank containing clear water. Even during extreme summer, this tank retains water.
• From here, you reach near the rock-cut caves again, and the trail begins to descend.
• Shriwardhan Fort, being located at a higher elevation, offers breathtaking views of the Sahyadri ranges of Thane and Pune districts. From here you can see Lohgad, Tung, Khandala, Matheran, Somgiri, Morgiri, Dhak, Korigad, Ghangad, Karnala, Irshal, Prabalgad, Nagphani, and the Kataldhara waterfall.
• Double Fortification:
This fort has a double-layered fortification built for enhanced security.
• Manoranjan Fort:
Opposite Rajmachi lie the two hill forts—Shriwardhan and beyond it, Manoranjan Fort. From Udhewadi village at the base, one can climb toward this fort.
• Large Water Tank:
On the way from Udhewadi to Manoranjan Fort, a rock-cut tank with a central pillar can be seen.
• Climbing ahead through forested paths, you come across stone-cut steps and narrow trails. As you climb, the stunning views of the surrounding region unfold. During the monsoon, especially in Shravan, grass grows thick, decorated with colorful flowers — a beautiful sight.
• Bastion:
Climbing to the upper region, you find a large bastion. Moving inside, you see a Gomukh-style pathway.
• Main Entrance:
Through the gomukh turn, you reach the arched main entrance. Today only the rock-cut frame stands, showcasing beautiful carvings. The arch design and floral motifs, along with the fine chiselling on the doorway frame, highlight the skill of ancient artisans. Inside, chambers for guards can be seen. Even today, the main gate adds grandeur to the fort.
• Moving ahead from the entrance, you find a plateau-like climb. During monsoon, this area blooms with lush grass and flowers.
• Roofless Wada:
Further ahead stands a wada (residence) still in good condition, except that the roof is missing. Inside, stone platforms and a beautifully carved Ganesh idol above the entrance can be seen. The spacious interior gives an idea of the structure’s former grandeur.
• Water Tanks / Reservoir:
Ahead is a large water reservoir carved into the rock. This tank supplies water to Udhewadi village even today and does not dry up even in peak summer.
• Water Tank:
Further on, another small water tank can be seen. These were carved while extracting stones for fort construction.
• Fortification:
The fort’s walls are partly intact but neglected. Grass and vegetation grow on them. Two to four bastions remain in good condition.
• Manoranjan Fort is smaller than Shriwardhan. From its fort walls, you get stunning views of Shriwardhan Fort. You can also see Dhak, Karnala, Irshal, Nagphani, and Prabalgad. The descent is easy, making this a popular destination for trekkers.
• Godhaneshwar Temple:
After visiting both hill forts of Rajmachi, one must visit the Godhaneshwar Temple on the plateau. In front of the temple lies a large lake. On the western side of the lake stands a beautiful Hemadpanthi-style temple of Godhaneshwar. Numerous carved pillars made of black basalt adorn it. Beside the temple is a gomukh and a water cistern beneath it, which flows throughout the year. Inside the sanctum lies a Shivling. "Go" means cow; "dhan" means wealth — thus symbolising the deity that protects wealth. The temple is built by excavating the ground. In the outer hall, idols of Ganesh and Nandi can be seen.
• Kondhane Caves:
While returning towards Karjat (in Thane district) after visiting Godhaneshwar Temple, you come across the Kondhane Caves near Kondhane village.
These caves lie 2 km southeast of the village. The caves contain delicate carvings and belong to the Hinayana sect of Buddhism. A chaitya hall can be seen here, along with residential cells built for monks. Beautiful male-female sculptures and lattice-like arch patterns add to the charm. These caves were built in the 2nd century BCE.
• Historical information about Rajmachi Fort:
• Rajmachi Fort was built during the Satavahana period. The caves found in this area and the construction style of the fort show some similarities.
• Later, during the Muslim rule, this fort came under the Bahmani kingdom.
• After the fall of the Bahmani kingdom, the fort came under the Adilshahi rule.
• In 1657 AD, after conquering the Kalyan region, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj understood the commercial importance of this fort and included it in Swarajya.
• Until 1689 AD, during the time of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj, this fort remained under Swarajya.
• In 1704 AD, Emperor Aurangzeb attacked and took the fort under Mughal control.
• Shortly after, the Maratha Mavalas recaptured the fort and brought it back into Swarajya.
• In 1713 AD, Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj handed over the fort to Kanhoji Angre.
• In 1730 AD, Peshwa Bajirao I took control of this fort.
• Except for one or two conflicts later, the fort remained under the Peshwa rule.
• After the British–Maratha war in 1818 AD, the fort went under British control.
• On 26 April 1909, the British government declared this fort a National Protected Monument.
• Since 1947, after India's independence, the fort has been under the Government of India.
• Due to its easy climb and beautiful structure, many tourists visit Rajmachi Fort.
