One Day Mumbai to Raigad Fort Trip by Cab

On your one day Mumbai to Raigad Fort sightseeing tour in a private car, you will be picked up by a professional local driver from your place of accommodation in Mumbai. The distance between Mumbai and Raigad Fort is 160 kilometers and the journey will take around 4 hours so we will start early.

Upon reaching Raigad Fort, you can enjoy a ropeway ride to Raigad fort or trek to the summit. You can witness the construction site of Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Smarak.

After reaching the Raigad Fort you can explore the architecture and natural scenery around it. The mighty fort is stern with stories of the valor of Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. Meghdambari is a major tourist attraction in the Raigad Fort as it was the spot where the brave Hindu King was crowned.

We will also visit the temples in the fort, namely, Jagdishwar Temple and Shirkai Temple. You can seek the blessings of the almighty and observe the rituals followed by the locals. Next, you can enjoy adventure activities and photography at Takmak Point. It offers stunning views of the Sahyadri ranges. We will end our day after capturing fun memories and head back to your accommodation in Mumbai.

The Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Smarak, also known as the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Memorial, is a monument dedicated to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. He was a 17th-century Indian warrior king and founder of the Maratha Empire. The monument is situated along the shore of the Arabian Sea. The memorial is scheduled to be finished in October 2022, though we can witness the work in progress. 

The project’s finished concept will comprise visitor center buildings, a memorial garden, a library, a food court, and a conference center with seating for roughly 10,000 people. There will also be a museum, exhibition gallery, amphitheater, and hospital at the monument. The memorial will include scale models of Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s forts.

The memorial would be accessible through a boat jetty, helicopter, and a Mumbai Metro extension spur. After reviewing different ropeway and metro rail options, a 1.2 km underwater metro rail link from Cuffe Parade on Mumbai Metro Line 3 was chosen to connect the Shiv Smarak.

The statue would be erected 1.5 kilometers distant on an artificial island of rocks overlooking Mumbai’s Girgaum Chowpatty beach. The overall height of the statue will be 210 m (690 ft) from the base of the pedestal to the tip of the warrior king’s sword.

• Must See / Things to Do: Witness the grand site of the Smarak.
• Timings: Under construction
• Entry Fee: Free

Raigad Fort is a hill fort in the Raigad district of Maharashtra. It is renowned as one of the most powerful fortifications on the Deccan Plateau. Shivaji erected several structures and projects in Raigad, with the help of his Chief Engineer Hirojee Indulkar. The mighty Raigad Fort was constructed to bring to life his great vision of the Hindavi Swarajya. It was his capital after being anointed king of the Maratha state in 1674. Later he grew the Maratha Empire, eventually spanning much of western and central India.

The fort is located in the Sahyadri mountain range, 820 meters (2,700 feet) above sea level. Exquisitely chiseled out of the mountainous rocks, it has withstood many invasions. The historic monument is fondly referred to as Durgaraj (king of forts) and even Britishers had called it “Gibraltar of the East”.

It can be reached through an enthralling trek of roughly 1,737 stairs. You can also book a ride on the Raigad Ropeway, an aerial tramway that reaches 400 meters in height and 750 meters in length. It takes only four minutes to reach the fort from the ground and offers a bird’s eye view of the gorgeous surroundings.

• Must See / Things to Do: Explore the history and culture of the Marathas. 
• Timings: Open on all days of the week from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM
• Entry Fee: Indians INR 20 per person and foreigners INR 250 per person. Ropeway charges for adults INR 325 per person, children (height 3 to 4 ft) INR 225 per child, and senior citizens INR 225 per person

A visit to Meghdambari on your one day Raigad Fort tour is all about remembering the Maratha King Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s history. The Raigad Fort was constructed under the aegis of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. Today, only the basic pillars of the main palace remain from its construction.

In the ruins of the main fort, you can witness the queen’s rooms and six chambers, each with its own private restroom. Furthermore, the remnants of three watchtowers can be seen just in front of the royal grounds, with only two remaining after the third was destroyed during a bombardment. 

The Raigad Fort also features the remnants of a market that horseback riders could reach. It also offers a view of the Ganga Sagar Lake, an artificial lake. Meghdambari is the place in Raigad fort where Shivaji Maharaj used to sit and used to address important meetings with all his people. The coronation of Shivaji Maharaj was also done here on 6th June 1674, the event is still celebrated at the same place. It is a great spot for trekkers and followers of Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. The local guides share much information about the palace’s history.

• Must See / Things to Do: Visit Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s coronation spot
• Timings: Open on all days of the week from 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM
• Entry Fee: Free

The Jagdishwar Temple is located just beside the Raigad Fort Ropeway. It is accessible post a 30-minute walk. Jagdhishwar temple has not been harmed by the Mughals and sustained through the British Raj. 

Dedicated to Lord Shiva, the temple houses a Shivalinga and has a Nandi statue in front of it. The temple area is surrounded by a wall on all sides, and there are lots of rooms surrounding it. A tortoise is sculpted on the floor of the temple. You can witness the temple’s stunning construction.

A stone inscription on the temple’s exterior wall on the east side reads, “This splendid building of Jagdishwar, which offers delight to everybody, is erected on the word of Shivaji Maharaj on the auspicious Muhurat in Hindu year 1596. Hiroji, the architect, designed all of the wells, ponds, gardens, roads, pillars, monuments, and palaces. These will last till the sun and moon appear in the sky.” The Maharaja’s Samadhi is also located near the temple area. Your visit to Raigad Fort is incomplete unless you witness the architectural excellence of the Jagdishwar Temple and Samadhi.

• Must See / Things to Do: See the marvelous architecture of the temple and offer prayers to Lord Shiva.
• Timings: Open on all days of the week
• Entry Fee: Free

Shirkai Temple is another popular attraction of the Raigad Fort. It is situated in Achloli, on the route to Nagarkhana from Gangasagar Lake. Shirke was the Lord of Raigad in the 5th century, and the shrine of Goddess Shirkai can be visited during your one day sightseeing tour of Raigad Fort. 

Located on the western outskirts of Holi Cha Mal, the temple of Shirkai Bhavani is dedicated to the presiding deity of Raigad fort. The ruling deity, Shirkai is the temple’s highly linear stone idol of Mahishasurmardini. It is said to have been housed on the high stone pedestal placed on the southwest Holi Cha Mal before being relocated to its current site.

Worshiping Shri Shirkai Devi and donning Gondhal before the start of any program on Raigad is still practiced. Devotees come to this temple to obtain the blessings of salvation, wealth, and relief from diseases. You can offer prayers and seek the blessings of the goddess to gain knowledge.

• Must See / Things to Do: Seek blessings of Goddess Shirkai.
• Timings: Open on all days of the week
• Entry Fee: Free

The Takmak Tok or Point is a high cliff in Raigad Fort. It is a place that you should not miss on your Mumbai to Rajgad sightseeing tour by cab. During Shivaji’s reign, this vantage point, which overlooks a valley 1200 feet deep, was strategically important. Takmak was the location from where traitors were spotted and executed. 

It is now a prominent tourist attraction in Raigad Fort. The natural setting is stunning, especially during the rainy season and winters. You can indulge in rappelling from a height of about 2850 feet high. The view of the Sahyadri Mountain ranges from TakMak Point is awe-inspiring. There is also a legend that Shivaji Maharaj used to come here early in the morning. He rang a large bell set up on the cliff to greet his mother who lived in Pachad village downstream. 

You will be enchanted by the area’s lovely weather, as you enjoy the cold breeze and low temperatures. The view from the summit is spectacular, and it allows photographers to capture the splendid natural beauty of the region.

• Must See / Things to Do: Enjoy the astounding panoramic views of the surroundings.
• Timings: Open on all days of the week 
• Entry Fee: Free