Rajmachi
Encyclopedia
Rajmachi is a small village in the rugged mountains of Sahyadri in India
. There are two forts which were built by Emperor Shivaji during 17th century. It is a famous spot for trekking.
It is about 15 km treking distance from Lonavala.
Rajmachi fort is a strategic fort overlooking Borghat(ghat between Mumbai and Pune) which was a historical trade route. Rajmachi peak has two fortified structures - the Shrivardhan fort
and Manaranjan fort
. Rajmachi can be reached by 2 ways, the tough route from Kondivade village near Karjat
and the other easy but long way route from Lonavala. In rainy season this place is filled with giant waterfalls and greenery.
There are two Fortresses on Rajmachi –the taller one in the east is Shrivardhan fort
and the other in the west is Manaranjan fort
. Rajmachi is a unique fort having wide plateau on all sides of the twin fortresses. There is a rich treasure of historical monuments on Rajmachi, viz. mighty ramparts and walls, gateways, secret exit gates, administrative offices, water storage tanks and reservoirs, residential quarters, temples and idols of deities. Kal Bhairava
temple is situated in the col between Shrivardhan and Manaranjan. Local inhabitants worship Kal Bhairava
even today. The Buddhist caves on the western slope of Rajmachi plateau (at present known as Kondhane caves) were carved in the period around 200 BC. The existence of these ancient caves indicates that Rajmachi had been identified as an important place right from the Buddhist period.
The various functionaries and officers in the military and administrative set-up for Rajmachi region under the Maratha rule resided at Rajmachi, till the British defeated the Peshwa in the year 1818. Ruins of their big residential houses are found in the forest on the south side of the hamlet Udhewadi. A big water reservoir constructed about 200 years ago is situated further down from the forest mentioned above. A carved stone plate in the wall of the water reservoir indicates that it was built by Ramrav Narayanrav Deshmukh, Mamlatdar of Danda Rajpuri (near Murud Janjira in Raigad District). An ancient Shiva temple, built in Hemdpanti style, is situated on the western side of the water reservoir. A large amount of silt coming in the storm water from the high land behind has been deposited around the Shiva temple.
Those trekkers who would like to begin their journey to Rajmachi from Lonavala can hire autorickshaw from Lonavala station up to the Tungarli Dam or walk around 30-40 minutes to the Dam. As you face the dam, you will notice an incline going towards the right side of the dam. Start walking on the dam from the right side to the left and you will see a dirt trail going ahead. You will pass Captan's Resort on the way. You then come to a point where you take a right turn. Further ahead in the route you will reach a fork. The trail on the left takes you to Rajmachi. The trail on the right goes towards Dhak Bahiri. Through this route it takes around four hours to reach the base of Rajmachi fort. It is a picturesque region during monsoon with many beautiful cascading waterfalls. After trekking for about 4-5 hours one reaches Udhewadi, the base village of Rajmachi. This time estimate is considering a beginner trekker. Experienced trekkers can complete the ascent in a shorter duration.
On the Lonavala - Rajmachi route, please take necessary precaution in the monsoon as around 30-40 mins before you reach Udhewadi the route goes through a jungle stream. As is the case in jungle streams, the magnitude of water levels and flow can be unpredictable and can vary wildly with intensity of rains in the preceding hours. Crossing over in the monsoon can be risky so be forewarned. During the rest of the year, the stream is dry and crossing is uneventful.
The route from the Karjat end starts from a village called Kondivade. You may use the help of locals from the village who can guide you in exchange of a reasonable fee. Trekkers may visit the Kondana caves. These require a slight detour off the Rajmachi trail. The ascend from Kondivade to Rajmachi takes approximately 4 hours for a beginner trekker.
A 2 day trek with ascent on first day and descent on second day is preferable. It enables trekkers to see the Shrivardhan fort
and Manaranjan fort
without being in a hurry. A 1 day trek is usually quite rushed in comparison.
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
. There are two forts which were built by Emperor Shivaji during 17th century. It is a famous spot for trekking.
It is about 15 km treking distance from Lonavala.
Rajmachi fort is a strategic fort overlooking Borghat(ghat between Mumbai and Pune) which was a historical trade route. Rajmachi peak has two fortified structures - the Shrivardhan fort
Shrivardhan fort
Shrivardhan fort is one of the two hill forts that constitute the Rajmachi fortification, the other being Manaranjan fort. It is located in Rajmachi village which 8.5 km from Lonavala in the Sahyadris mountain range. At 900 m above sea level it was the taller of the two peaks. Other than a...
and Manaranjan fort
Manaranjan fort
Manaranjan fort is one of the two hill forts that constitute the Rajmachi fortification, the other being Shrivardhan fort. It is located in Rajmachi village which 8.5 km from Lonavala in the Sahyadris mountain range. Manaranjan fort is 2700 feet high which makes it lower than the neighbouring...
. Rajmachi can be reached by 2 ways, the tough route from Kondivade village near Karjat
Karjat
Karjat is a city, a Municipal Council, a Tahsil and a sub-district in Raigad district, Mumbai, Navi Mumbai in the Indian state of Maharashtra.-Geography:...
and the other easy but long way route from Lonavala. In rainy season this place is filled with giant waterfalls and greenery.
Overview
Rajmachi is also different in the way that an NGO, Rajmachi Rural Aid and Development Program headed by Mr.Mukund Gondhalekar has done commendable work in Rajmachi village by providing the villagers with better education, medical aid, drinking water, houses and Economic Development via eco-tourism.History
The historical Rajmachi fort complex was originally constructed by the Satavahanas. In 1657, Shivaji Maharaj captured this fort along with other neighbouring forts from the Adilshahi ruler of Bijapur. In 1704, the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb captured the fort from the Marathas. However, the Marathas regained its control in 1705. In 1713, Shahu Maharaj handed over Rajmachi fort to Kanhoji Angre. Eventually in 1818 with the downfall of the Marathas, the British acquired the control of the Maratha territories including the forts such as Rajmachi.There are two Fortresses on Rajmachi –the taller one in the east is Shrivardhan fort
Shrivardhan fort
Shrivardhan fort is one of the two hill forts that constitute the Rajmachi fortification, the other being Manaranjan fort. It is located in Rajmachi village which 8.5 km from Lonavala in the Sahyadris mountain range. At 900 m above sea level it was the taller of the two peaks. Other than a...
and the other in the west is Manaranjan fort
Manaranjan fort
Manaranjan fort is one of the two hill forts that constitute the Rajmachi fortification, the other being Shrivardhan fort. It is located in Rajmachi village which 8.5 km from Lonavala in the Sahyadris mountain range. Manaranjan fort is 2700 feet high which makes it lower than the neighbouring...
. Rajmachi is a unique fort having wide plateau on all sides of the twin fortresses. There is a rich treasure of historical monuments on Rajmachi, viz. mighty ramparts and walls, gateways, secret exit gates, administrative offices, water storage tanks and reservoirs, residential quarters, temples and idols of deities. Kal Bhairava
Bhairava
Bhairava , sometimes known as Bhairo or Bhairon or Bhairadya or Bheruji , Kaala Bhairavar or Vairavar , is the fierce manifestation of Lord Shiva associated with annihilation...
temple is situated in the col between Shrivardhan and Manaranjan. Local inhabitants worship Kal Bhairava
Bhairava
Bhairava , sometimes known as Bhairo or Bhairon or Bhairadya or Bheruji , Kaala Bhairavar or Vairavar , is the fierce manifestation of Lord Shiva associated with annihilation...
even today. The Buddhist caves on the western slope of Rajmachi plateau (at present known as Kondhane caves) were carved in the period around 200 BC. The existence of these ancient caves indicates that Rajmachi had been identified as an important place right from the Buddhist period.
The various functionaries and officers in the military and administrative set-up for Rajmachi region under the Maratha rule resided at Rajmachi, till the British defeated the Peshwa in the year 1818. Ruins of their big residential houses are found in the forest on the south side of the hamlet Udhewadi. A big water reservoir constructed about 200 years ago is situated further down from the forest mentioned above. A carved stone plate in the wall of the water reservoir indicates that it was built by Ramrav Narayanrav Deshmukh, Mamlatdar of Danda Rajpuri (near Murud Janjira in Raigad District). An ancient Shiva temple, built in Hemdpanti style, is situated on the western side of the water reservoir. A large amount of silt coming in the storm water from the high land behind has been deposited around the Shiva temple.
Way to Reach
There are two ways to reach the Rajmachi fort. One is from Lonavala, roughly 15km flat walk and the other is from Karjat, which is a gradual climb of around 4 km. For beginners, it would be better to trek from Lonavala as this is an easier path. After completing the trek they can descend to Karjat if they are from Mumbai. For those trekkers who are from Pune, it would be better to trek back to Lonavala. Lonavala is a local train ride away from Pune. Mumbai trekkers will need to use an inter-city train preferably with booked seats to reach Lonavala.Those trekkers who would like to begin their journey to Rajmachi from Lonavala can hire autorickshaw from Lonavala station up to the Tungarli Dam or walk around 30-40 minutes to the Dam. As you face the dam, you will notice an incline going towards the right side of the dam. Start walking on the dam from the right side to the left and you will see a dirt trail going ahead. You will pass Captan's Resort on the way. You then come to a point where you take a right turn. Further ahead in the route you will reach a fork. The trail on the left takes you to Rajmachi. The trail on the right goes towards Dhak Bahiri. Through this route it takes around four hours to reach the base of Rajmachi fort. It is a picturesque region during monsoon with many beautiful cascading waterfalls. After trekking for about 4-5 hours one reaches Udhewadi, the base village of Rajmachi. This time estimate is considering a beginner trekker. Experienced trekkers can complete the ascent in a shorter duration.
On the Lonavala - Rajmachi route, please take necessary precaution in the monsoon as around 30-40 mins before you reach Udhewadi the route goes through a jungle stream. As is the case in jungle streams, the magnitude of water levels and flow can be unpredictable and can vary wildly with intensity of rains in the preceding hours. Crossing over in the monsoon can be risky so be forewarned. During the rest of the year, the stream is dry and crossing is uneventful.
The route from the Karjat end starts from a village called Kondivade. You may use the help of locals from the village who can guide you in exchange of a reasonable fee. Trekkers may visit the Kondana caves. These require a slight detour off the Rajmachi trail. The ascend from Kondivade to Rajmachi takes approximately 4 hours for a beginner trekker.
A 2 day trek with ascent on first day and descent on second day is preferable. It enables trekkers to see the Shrivardhan fort
Shrivardhan fort
Shrivardhan fort is one of the two hill forts that constitute the Rajmachi fortification, the other being Manaranjan fort. It is located in Rajmachi village which 8.5 km from Lonavala in the Sahyadris mountain range. At 900 m above sea level it was the taller of the two peaks. Other than a...
and Manaranjan fort
Manaranjan fort
Manaranjan fort is one of the two hill forts that constitute the Rajmachi fortification, the other being Shrivardhan fort. It is located in Rajmachi village which 8.5 km from Lonavala in the Sahyadris mountain range. Manaranjan fort is 2700 feet high which makes it lower than the neighbouring...
without being in a hurry. A 1 day trek is usually quite rushed in comparison.