Rajmachi
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World / India / Maharashtra / Pune
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Rajmachi Fort is one of the many historical forts in the rugged hills of Sahydri mountain. Rajmachi Fort (Killa) consists of two twin fortresses Shriwardhan Ballekilla and Manaranjan Balekilla, with a wide Machi (plateau) surrounding the two Balekillas. Udhewadi is a small village of about 22 houses stuated on the Machi (plateau), at the southern foot of Manaranjan Balekilla of Rajmachi Fort.
Rajmachi Fort is a popular destination for nature lovers, trekkers and for outdoor campers. In rainy season from mid-June to mid-October, this region is all the more beautiful with clouds, silvery water falls, streams, lush green forests and meadows. Local families at Udhewadi on Fort Rajmachi welcome trekkers and nature lovers. The local families provide food and camping accommodation to the tourists. The tourism has enabled the local community to give up traditional occupations like agriculture and cattle rearing.
Historically, Rajmachi fort was a strategic fort to control Borghat (the Ghat between Khopoli and Khandala on Mumbai-Pune route) which was a historical trade route. It was in the possesion of Angre family, the head of Maratha navy in the 18th century. Rajmachi Fort (Killa) consists of two twin fortresses Shriwardhan Ballekilla and Manaranjan Balekilla, with a wide Machi (plateau) surrounding the two Balekillas. There are historical water reservoirs and ruins of fortifications, ramparts, gateways on both the Ballekillas. A view from top of the Forts, of the surrounding hills and vallies is quite mesmorizing. A Shiv Mandir built in Hemdapanti style of arcitecture, aproximately in the 8th century AD, on the west end of a big historical water reservoir is worth visiting. The water reservoir was constructed during the year 1780 AD, by Ramrao Narayanrao Desmukh, Mamalatdar of Danda Rajpuri.
Rajmachi Fort can be reached by 2 approach routes from Karjat Taluka of Raygad District, one from the right bank of Ulhas river (from villages Kondivde, Kondhane or Mundhyachi Thakurwadi) and the second one from Salpe village. Both the routes involve steep climb up on foot. It is not possible to drive a vehicle on these two routes. The first route (from villages Kondivde, Kondhane or Mundhyachi Thakurwadi) reaches Rajmachi at Jambhul Met on the west side of Manaranjan Balekilla. The other route from Salpe village reaches Rajmachi at Hijadkhana, on the north west of Manaranjan Balekilla. Both these routes from Karjat Taluka of Raygad District involve steep climb up on foot, of about 500 metres.
The other routes to Rajmachi are from Lonavla or Khandala in Mawal Taluka of Pune District. Lonavala to Rajmachi distance is 15 km and it is almost a plain walk, though there are a few ups and downs on this path. This route passes through Tungarli (an area in Lonavla town), Tungarli Dam, Pangoli Thakurwadi, Patel Dam, Phanasarai and Jambhali phata. It takes about three and a half hour to cover the distance on foot. The route from Khandala passes though Summer Hill, Kune village, Della Adventure Resort, Patel Dam, Phanasarai and Jambhali phata. The section of this route from Khandala to Della Adventure Resort is a good road fit for ordinary passenger cars. The further section of this route is a very rough track and therefore not fit for ordinary passenger cars. A sturdy utility vehicle can, however, be taken right up to Rajmachi, on this route. During the rainy season from June to mid-October a 4-wheeler cannot be taken right up to Udhewadi (Rajmachi). A sturdy utility vehicle can be taken only up to Jambhali phata, on this route.
Rajmachi Fort is a popular destination for nature lovers, trekkers and for outdoor campers. In rainy season from mid-June to mid-October, this region is all the more beautiful with clouds, silvery water falls, streams, lush green forests and meadows. Local families at Udhewadi on Fort Rajmachi welcome trekkers and nature lovers. The local families provide food and camping accommodation to the tourists. The tourism has enabled the local community to give up traditional occupations like agriculture and cattle rearing.
Historically, Rajmachi fort was a strategic fort to control Borghat (the Ghat between Khopoli and Khandala on Mumbai-Pune route) which was a historical trade route. It was in the possesion of Angre family, the head of Maratha navy in the 18th century. Rajmachi Fort (Killa) consists of two twin fortresses Shriwardhan Ballekilla and Manaranjan Balekilla, with a wide Machi (plateau) surrounding the two Balekillas. There are historical water reservoirs and ruins of fortifications, ramparts, gateways on both the Ballekillas. A view from top of the Forts, of the surrounding hills and vallies is quite mesmorizing. A Shiv Mandir built in Hemdapanti style of arcitecture, aproximately in the 8th century AD, on the west end of a big historical water reservoir is worth visiting. The water reservoir was constructed during the year 1780 AD, by Ramrao Narayanrao Desmukh, Mamalatdar of Danda Rajpuri.
Rajmachi Fort can be reached by 2 approach routes from Karjat Taluka of Raygad District, one from the right bank of Ulhas river (from villages Kondivde, Kondhane or Mundhyachi Thakurwadi) and the second one from Salpe village. Both the routes involve steep climb up on foot. It is not possible to drive a vehicle on these two routes. The first route (from villages Kondivde, Kondhane or Mundhyachi Thakurwadi) reaches Rajmachi at Jambhul Met on the west side of Manaranjan Balekilla. The other route from Salpe village reaches Rajmachi at Hijadkhana, on the north west of Manaranjan Balekilla. Both these routes from Karjat Taluka of Raygad District involve steep climb up on foot, of about 500 metres.
The other routes to Rajmachi are from Lonavla or Khandala in Mawal Taluka of Pune District. Lonavala to Rajmachi distance is 15 km and it is almost a plain walk, though there are a few ups and downs on this path. This route passes through Tungarli (an area in Lonavla town), Tungarli Dam, Pangoli Thakurwadi, Patel Dam, Phanasarai and Jambhali phata. It takes about three and a half hour to cover the distance on foot. The route from Khandala passes though Summer Hill, Kune village, Della Adventure Resort, Patel Dam, Phanasarai and Jambhali phata. The section of this route from Khandala to Della Adventure Resort is a good road fit for ordinary passenger cars. The further section of this route is a very rough track and therefore not fit for ordinary passenger cars. A sturdy utility vehicle can, however, be taken right up to Rajmachi, on this route. During the rainy season from June to mid-October a 4-wheeler cannot be taken right up to Udhewadi (Rajmachi). A sturdy utility vehicle can be taken only up to Jambhali phata, on this route.
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Coordinates: 18°49'35"N 73°23'48"E
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