Rajgad Fort, located in the Sahyadri range of Pune District, is one of the most magnificent and historically rich forts in Maharashtra. It was once the capital of the Maratha Empire under Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, before Raigad.
📜 Significance of Rajgad Fort -
Rajgad Fort means the "Royal Fort" – and rightly so! It was the first capital of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj for almost 26 years. Many important battles and decisions of the Maratha Empire happened here.
Yeh fort itna bada aur strong hai ki Shivaji Maharaj ne yahi se apni rajneeti aur sena ka niyojan kiya tha. Aaj bhi yeh jagah history lovers aur trekkers ke liye dream destination hai.
📍 Rajgad Fort Location & Google Map
- District: Pune, Maharashtra
- Base Village: Gunjavane (popular route) or Pali
- 📌 Google Map Location – Rajgad Fort
- Coordinates: 18.2446° N, 73.6803° E
🚩 Start Point & Base Villages
You can start your trek from:- 🏞️ Gunjavane Village (for Chor Darwaza route – scenic & adventurous)
- 🏞️ Pali Village (for Pali Darwaza route – easier for beginners)
🗺️ Best Route to Reach Rajgad Fort
🚗 From Pune (65 km / 2.5 hrs)
- Pune → Katraj → Nasrapur → Gunjavane Village
🚗 From Mumbai (200 km / 5 hrs)
- Mumbai → Lonavala → Bhor → Gunjavane/Pali
🚌 By Bus: MSRTC buses run from Pune Swargate to Nasrapur; then take a local vehicle to Gunjavane.
🕒 Best Time to Visit Rajgad Fort
- ✅ October to February – Best time for trekking and photography
- ✅ June to September – Monsoon trek with lush greenery
- ❌ March to May – Summer is hot and exhausting
🎒 Things to Do at Rajgad Fort
- Explore Balekilla (main fort), Suvela Machi, Sanjeevani Machi
- Visit Padmavati Temple and Lake (camping spot)
- Enjoy 360° views of the Sahyadris
- Photography, trekking, stargazing & camping
- Historical walk to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s legacy points
📸 Is Camera or Drone Allowed?
- ✅ Camera / Mobile: Allowed freely
- ⚠️ Drone: Allowed only with permission from forest or archaeological dept. Unauthorized use may attract a fine.
👨👩👧👦 Suitable for Solo, Group or Family?
- ✅ Solo Travelers – Safe, but better during weekends for company
- ✅ Group Treks – Best way to explore Machis & Balekilla
- ✅ Families – Only with older kids; Gunjavane route is moderate
🍱 Food, Water, Toilets & Parking Facility
| Facility | Availability |
|---|---|
| Food | ✅ Basic snacks, tea & poha at base village |
| Water | ✅ Available at Padmavati Temple (carry your own too) |
| Toilets | 🚻 Only at base village – not on the fort |
| Parking | ✅ Paid parking available at Gunjavane & Pali |
💸 Estimated Budget Per Person
| Expense Category | Cost (Approx.) |
|---|---|
| Travel (round trip) | ₹400 – ₹700 |
| Food & Water | ₹150 – ₹250 |
| Camping Gear (optional) | ₹300 – ₹500 |
| Entry Fee | Free |
| Total Budget | ₹600 – ₹1200 approx |
🗺️ Nearby Places to Visit
- 🏞️ Torna Fort (10 km trekking route – also known as Prachandgad)
- 🏞️ Sinhagad Fort
- 🌿 Pabe Ghat Scenic Drive
- 🛕 Baneshwar Temple (on the way from Pune)
📝 Related Blog
- Best Treks Near Pune
- Forts of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj
- Weekend Treks in Maharashtra
- Historical Forts in Sahyadri
- Trekking in Monsoon Season
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