Fort Rajmachi
The historical Fort Rajmachi is situated in Lonavla region (District Pune, Maqharashtra State , India ), on the top of the Western Ghats . The highway from Khopoli to Khandala-Lonavla, known as Borghat, is an ancient trade route. Overseas trade of the Western India and the Deccan was carried through the ports of Chaul, Revdanda, etc., on the western coast. The trade route passing through the Borghat connected these ports to the region around Pune and beyond on the Deccan plateau. Fort Rajmachi was built to control the trade route of Borghat.
There are two Fortresses on Rajmachi –the taller one in the east is Shrivardhan and the other in the west is Manoranjan. 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, gate ways, secret exit gates, administrative offices, water storage tanks and reservoirs, residential quarters, temples and idols of deities. Kal Bhairav temple is situated in the col between Shrivardhan and Manoranjan. Local inhabitants worship Kal Bhairav even today. The Budhdist caves on the western slope of Rajmachi plateau (at present known as Kondhane caves because, the caves are within the boundary of Kondhane village in Karjat Taluka of Raigad District) 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 Budhdist 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 ( the Prime Minister appointed by Maratha king) 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. The inhabitants of Udhewadi have now started clearing work. A fountain in stone in the shape of cow-head and a water tank in the front of the temple have been discovered. The clearing operation will continue and it requires help from well wishers.
Rajmachi affords a magnificent view of sprawling ranges of the Sahyadri mountain and one can see from here a number of historical forts in the Sahyadri. Manik Gad, Karnala, Irsal and Prabal Gad (all forts) and Matheran (hill resort) are in the west. Dhak is in the North, Lohagad is in the east and Koyri Gad is in the south of Rajmachi. A beautiful view of Shiravta Lake in the east can be had from Fort Shrivardhan . Water from this lake is used by Tata Power Companies at their hydro electric power generation station at Khopoli. Sometimes, with pre-monsoon showers the climate becomes very clear and affords visibility of very long distance.On such rare occasions, it is possible to identify from Rajmachi the Arabian sea and high-rise buildings in Mumbai. In the wee hours of 15 June 2003, the bright rotating signal on the high rise chimney of Tata Thermal Power Station at Trombay (in Mumbai) was visible from Rajmachi. After sunrise, people at Rajmachi could identify, in the west of Karnala Fort, the skyscrapers in Mumbai.
Rajmachi Fort is endowed with splendour of nature. It is surrounded by high hills and deep vales covered with evergreen forests. During the rainy season from mid-June to mid-October, the natural beauty of the region is at its top form with greenery, clouds, silvery streams and roaring waterfalls. A large number of trekkers and eco-tourists visit Fort Rajmachi every year.
Fort Rajmachi is not connected by a motorable road. One has to reach Fort Rajmachi on foot. There are two approaches to Fort Rajmachi, one from Lonavla town (situated on the Mumbai-Pune Nationa Highway No.4 and it is also a railway station on the Central Railway route from Mumbai to Pune) and the other is from Karjat (a railway station on the Central Railway route from Mumbai to Pune). From Lonavla the distance upto Rajmachi is 15 km and it is almost a plain walk. From Karjat side, one has to first reach the village Kondivde (connected by road and public transport) and then climb up the hill of Fort Rajmachi. It is a steep climb-up.
During dry period from November to May, a sturdy vehicle ( jeep type) can be taken to Fort Rajmachi via Khandala (situated on the Mumbai-Pune Nationa Highway No.4) and Kune village. The track is very rough and it is very difficult and risky to drive an ordinary passenger car on this track)
Rajmachi Rural Aid and Development Programme, a non profit non governmental organization (NGO) is engaged in various developmental and social welfare activities at Fort Rajamachi since the year 1976. Camping facility and catering service (tea, breakfast, lunch, dinner) for trekkers and eco tourists to Rajmachi is available on the Camping Site of this organization. This Camping Site is also useful for conducting various types of outdoor programmes, including Outdoor Management Programmes for executives of corporates.
More information about Fort Rajmachi and guidance in planning a trek to Fort Rajmachi can be obtained from Mr. Mukund Gondhalekar:
Tel. No. (91) (22) 2746 9351
Mobile phone: (91) 92235 79685 / (91) 90117 68348
E-mail : rajamachi@gmail.com
mukundvg1942@yahoo.co.in