After starting to do solo one-day treks in the diverse historical forts of the Sahyadri mountain range of Maharashtra, my next challenge is to do a solo overnight trek. After discussing with my trekking companions, I finally planned the Raigad Fort Trek to celebrate the two-day Diwali festival of the year 2018. At the end of the trek, I got unforgettable moments for a lifetime. In this travelogue, I want to reveal my Raigad trek experiences that inspired me to dream big and the confidence to do more such solo treks that changed my life completely.
“And if these mountains had eyes…,
They would wake to find the Stranger in their fences…,
Standing in the admiration as a breathing yellow pours its tinge upon Earth’s shore…
These Mountains, which have seen untold sunrises..,
Long to thunder praise but stand reverent, silent
So that Man’s weak praise should be given God’s attention….!!!”
– -Donald Miller
Raigad Fort Trek Journey Begin
I always rely on public transportation during any trek, so I first caught the Sandoshi ST (Night Express) from Boriwali Nancy Colony at around 10 p.m. and will reach the base of Raigad Fort in the early morning around 4 a.m.
Encounter with Darkness
When I alighted from ST, I came to know from Google Maps that I had come far from my stop. So I started walking back in the dark. It was a cold breeze with a pinch of darkness and no living things all around. I was frightened, but I had no other option than to walk in that scary, unknown atmosphere.
After a 10-minute walk, I came across a hotel where I found a security guard from the ATM bank who was staring at me. But after having a friendly conversation with him, I came to know that I was standing in a place called ‘Pachad Phata’ and ST took a left turn from Phata and went to Nizampur village, and Raigad Fort is still about 2 km on the right turn from that Phata.
As per my plan, I have to reach the top of the fort in the early morning as I want to witness traditional functions performed on the occasion of the Diwali festival and, before that, to watch the sunrise during Raigad trek. But now, it was a risk to walk 2 kilometers in that darkness, as there was no transportation available and no sign of anyone except the barking dogs. Unfortunately, I changed my plan and sat there with that unknown guard and continued my conversation about Raigad.
Ray of Hope
Around 6 a.m., I resumed my Raigad trek journey and started walking alone toward Raigad via a steep tar road in foggy weather. I was a little nervous and also scared, as the darkness of the night was still not ready to leave my company, but as time went on, it became worth it to proceed ahead as I witnessed the sun set to rise from behind Raigad and mix its orange-yellowish rays with the dark blue color of the night and foggy clouds spreading all around the lower regions of Raigad.
It was one of the most eye-pleasing and peaceful moments I ever had in my life, which boosted my confidence for further journeys.
Luckily, after 10 minutes of walking, I got a lift from the local jeep, but he mistakenly sent me to the ropeway point, so I walked back again for 20 minutes towards the rock steps point.
Raigad Trek via Nane Darwaja
After reaching the Rock Cut Steps Point, I saw there was a reconstruction of all steps routes going on; therefore, the government placed banners advising people to use the Nane Darwaja route, which is just ahead of the step route. It was 8 a.m.; I was already falling behind on my schedule, so I decided to go easily by enjoying the scenery of the surrounding mountains.
After 1 hours of ascending, I reached the Gaumukhi Mahadarwaja(Main Entrance) which made me amazed by its construction.
Stay in Raigad Trek
On reaching the top of the fort, I got the opportunity to stay at Dharmashala for free after getting permission from the person who was taking care of Dharmashala.
I already studied the MAP of Raigad, so after I freshened up, I put my backpack at Dharmashala and resumed my Raigad trek.
Raigad Fort Exploration
As a Maharashtrian boy, I have always been fond of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and especially Raigad Fort, right from my school days. Finally, during this trek, I got the opportunity to learn more about Shivajiraaje and his history and legacy with Raigad, as well as about the culture and tradition of Maharashtra, by seeing people worshiping the statue of Maharaj at Rajsabha and Holi cha Maal.
Apart from different fortifications in the Ballekilla region and various water resources, the most interesting place in Raigad was the distance between Nagarkhana and the throne, which is more than 200m still. Any whisper can be heard very clearly from both ends.
Strangers
During the journey, I got the company of four strangers who had been visiting Raigad Fort on special days for the past 15 years. While resting at Dhrmashala in the afternoon, I had quality conversations with them. At night, we had a typical Marathi lunch at a local house on the right side of Jagdishwar Mandir.
I got the opportunity to explore Raigad at night, which is not allowed for other visitors, but because those strangers visited Raigad several times to perform some traditional rituals and worship the statue of Shivaji Maharaj, I was able to experience these ‘never-imagine’ moments because of them.
Someone said, ‘Sometimes you forget to take more pictures when you’re having a good time‘. I understood these lines after I forgot to take more pictures with these people who made my journey unforgettable.
Politics
One of the current Mavala descendants from the Maratha army showed up while we performing ceremonies at Throne of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. He began to argue with us, saying he had the authority to perform those rites. This demonstrated to me the worst kind of politics being practiced at this sacred location, all in the name of Shivaji Maharaj. This is terribly bad things for every person in Maharashtra, since Chhatrapati Shivaji is the king of all people, not just one.
World of RAIGAD Fort
Aside from these unexpected events during Raigad trek, I consider myself the luckiest person alive to have witnessed the most breathtaking sunrise from Holi cha Maal, slept beneath a starry sky, and watched the serene sunset from Takmak Tok.
Finally, I able to explored all corners of Raigad and discovered some unknown peaceful places like Wagh Darwaja on 1st day,
and Bhavaani Tok on the next day morning,
and Waghbil Cave at the end of Raigad trek.
Every time someone says “Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj ki jay” or “Jay Bhavani.., Jay Shivaji,”
it fills my spirit with great energy and gives me chills. This is something special about the environment of Raigad.
Overwhelmed
A memorable experience during the entire Raigad trek was seeing Shivaji Maharaj’s Samadhi. Once I arrived, I took a seat in a corner and simply stared at the Samadhi, recalling all I had read or seen about Shivaji Maharaj.
Shutting my eyes, I began to think about him. Respect to other Maharashtra legends notwithstanding, no human person has done as much for the people of Maharashtra as this one, and despite his passing some time ago, he and his way of life continue to inspire many of us in our daily lives. He is an inspiration to many of us, which is why he is the ideal role model for everyone on the planet—not just for us or the people of Maharashtra.
Over time, I began to feel his presence around me, connecting with him as my soul. We had an imaginary conversation about the current situation in Maharashtra, feeling overwhelmed yet goose-bumped.
The holy place, a favorite of Shivaji Maharaj, offers a magical experience that makes anyone feel close to Chattrapati Shivaji Maharaj.
The Ending
Upon returning to the fort’s base, I bid farewell to Raigad, expressing my heartfelt goodbye with a heavy heart.
“Thank you for all!!”
Final Thought about Raigad Solo Trek
It dawned on me during Raigad’s breathtaking voyage that
“you can also ‘Live’ the life alone.” Especially after the Raigad trek, I became independent for my pleasure and my desire & love for conducting solo treks into Sahyadri rise significantly…!! You don’t always need human interactions to be happy; God has placed it all around.
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