Welcome to Hidden Gem of Sahyadri - One day trip to Raireshwar fort

Raireshwar Fort

Since long time I was planning a trip to Raireshwar fort, last time when I did my last trip to Raigad fort with brother Dyaneshwar Bichewar (Raju), I had discussed my wish to visit to Raireshwar fort, he told, inform me whenever you plan it, I will also come with you, I said ok we will plan it one sunday, after that both were busy in our routine life with family. Few months later finally the after frequent follow up with Raju for his free Sunday the day came & we planned our trip on 29th Jul 2018.

I have grown up by learning & listening the stories of Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj & in that one story about his oath which he took at Raireshwar temple about forming Hindawi Swarajya. Its said that Shivaji Maharaj had cut his little fingre while taking oath & dripping blood on to Shivling.

Raireshwar fort is hill fort situated in Bhor taluka near Pune, approx 85 km away. Raireshwar has a temple famous for its historical importance. Raireshwar played imported part in Maratha history. The temple is on a plateau with beautiful flowers during mansoon which is the best time to visit this place.
We started our journey around 8 am from my place in Raju's ford figo car.

We took banglore highway till Bhor phata, after filling fuel in our vehicle near Kapurhol we took right turn towards Bhor. The climate on bhor raod as usual was very pleasent and we were experiencing typical mansoon envinrontment. We took our first break at Bhor near chaupati. We did breakfast here at one hotel, enjoyed mispav & tea an moved ahed towards Raireshwar 

Delicious Dahi Misal Pav

There are two routes for Raireshwar, tourist who comes from Satara side they can come via Wai-Menavali road and those who are coming from Pune side they need to come to Bhor-Ambavade- Korle- Raireshwar. Once you move from Bhor towards Raireshwar you will get road from Ambeghar which will take you to Ambavade & Raireshwar.

Once we reached at village Ambavade, we took our 2nd break. As this place is very famous for Nageshwar temple, Zulta Pul (Suspension Bridge) & Jeeva Mahale Samadhi. I had visited this place twice before but for Raju this was new place and new experience. He got very excited as he walked on Pul. We crossed zulta pul & entered in Nageshwar temple. This place is very peacful for relaxation because it is surrounded by lots of greenery and trees.

Raju on Zulta pool

Random Click at Nageshwar Temple

After visiting Nageshwar temple we moved towards Jeeva Mahale Samadhi, Its said that Jeeva Mahale was the bodyguard of Shivaji Maharaj, who saved maharaj in battle of Pratapgad with Afzal khan because of event one line is very famous when you listen or read the history of Shivaji Maharaj " Hota Jeeva Mhanun Wachla Shiva".

Jeeva Mahale Samadhi

We were coming back towards our car parking area after visiting Samadhi, suddenly I met my Junior from Bhor Pharmacy College and he was Prashant Dhonde after discussing with him I came to know that Ambavade is his home town, He surpised after saw me in his village, because since 2010 we havn't met each other but were in touch on facebook, and it was unplanned visit so both got very happy.

 Prashant asked us to come to his home but we were in hurry to rush towards Raireshwar which was our final destination. Prashant was not all in mood to leave us without visiting his home, so we went to his home. He welcomed us by giving a glass full of milk, after some chit chat with his parents we left his home. As we were about to sit in our car I got call from Prashant asking that can he join with us for Raireshwar trip. I Said its good if you are coming with us lastly he was Bhumi Putra of that area so he can guide us about roads and beautiful spot at fort. So our third partner for this trip joined with us and we moved ahed.

Me and Raju with Our Third Unplanned Partner Prashant

Very Soon we reached to Korle (base village of Raireshwar Fort). There is direct road from Korle to Raireshwar which futher take you towards Wai, by this road you can reach near by to fort, As we entered on this road there were puddles of muddy water in the road after the rain, We were expecting our car should not get stucked in mud and Moved slowly towards fort after crossing once muddy road patch we saw several same patches ahed which were resisting our car to move ahed. Raju's confidence was not allowing him to drive his car ahed on this muddy roads offcourse to avoid futher difficulties.

So after discussion with Prashant we decided to take U turn and decided to go by road which used by trekkers to reach at fort and we moved ahed towards that road. We parked our car at Korle village near one temple, those who want to go at fort by trek can safely park the vehicle here.

Parking Place at Korle Village

We stared our trek the path was so beautiful with lots of greenery and waterfalls. There were so many spots on the way where you can't stop your self from photo shooting. As we were moving ahed we were finding awesome spots and were enjoying our trekking with lots of chit chat amongs us.

Random Click while treking

 we were like crazy after experiencing this Naure's association, We were thanking god because he made plan to come by this route after refusing that main road towards fort. Prashant had carried some snack with him meanwhile on the way we enjoyed it near one waterfall.

Snacks Time- Halki Si Pet Puja

While going on this route you can see one more fort which is Pandav Kalin fort name Kenjalgad. after almost two hours of treaking we reached to the point where you can take your vehicle near Fort, from this point in 20 to 30 min you can reach to Raireshwar Plateau. We did some photo shooting on this point, This point has blessed with some breathtaking view of Sahyadri. We experienced eye pleasing View of the Beautiful Kenjalgad and Dhom Back water.

Ancient View of Kenjalgad

Stunning View of Sahyadri from Parking place near Fort

After finishing photo shoot we moved towards actual base of fort and we were ready to climb the highest peck of this mountain. The high cliff  has arrangement of stairs with railling devloped by Wai state bank in 1988, Thanks to them because of this you can reach easily and safely over this cliff. Once we reached around 2 pm at on top of this mountain the breath taking views & the feeling of untouched nature was just mind blowing.

Stairs to Raireshwar Cliff

We were on 4500 feet hight above from sea level, after climbing stairs actual plateau and Raireshwar village starts. The plateau covered with green grass and flowers, As per info given by local people there post monsoon this area is with full of flowers. The plateau offers gorgeous views of Kenjalgad, Pandhavgad, Mahabaleshwar, Pachgani, Rajgad, Sinhgad, Raigad and Torna Fort. There was one beautiful lake as well on this plateau which is on the way to temple. Several water streams originate on the top of Raireshwar and flow down as small waterfalls.

On Plateau - Towards Temple

Raireshwar village has around 40-50 homes most of them belongs to Jangam Comunnity. People who lives here are very happy and helpful. Agriculture forms the main Occupation here. Couple of villagers can provide meals and snacks on demand & few of them stands at point where the stairs end. One localite boy approched us at this point and asking if we are looking of lunch or snacks.

We have given him the order of Pithala Bhakri, he called to his father Datta Jangam from our phone and informed about our meal arrangement. We walked towards temple with boy to one we had given the meal order. The boy was very humble & I witnessed the pure happiness in his eyes. The boy accompanied with us till temple and informed his little brother take us to his home where the lunch was ready. He moved back again to starting point of plateau looking for some more customers for Meals.

Raireshwar Villagers Homes

Once we reached at Temple we saw once girls group was already entered in temple so we waited outside for getting entry in the temple. The temple is very peaceful place once you enter near shivling. There was one localite person who works there as Pujari to temple, he was giving information about Shivaji Maharaj Oath's event. I felt powerful and Peaceful vibrations after Shivling Darshan.

Raireshwar Temple

We finished our darshan by this time we were very hungry so immediately moved towords Datta Jangam's Home. Mr. Jangam welcomed us in there home. The meal was ready and he served us immediately. We enjoyed the food specially Hot Pithal Bhakri. Mr. Jangam was telling us about the life at Raireshwar village and that because I was asking so many questions to him while having lunch about there routines. Mr. Jangam provided us such delicious food at very fare rates. We are very thankful him for such delicious food.

Lunch Time

Lunch Place

When you are at such beautiful location it gets difficult to keep track of time, it was already 3.30 pm. and we started our downhill trek, while we coming down we were not at all in mood to leave this place. We did some photography and moved down.

Stunning View from the Top

Stunning View from the Top

We reached at Base of fort Korle village around 5.10 Pm where we had parked our vehicle. Now we all were full exhauted and started our journey towards Pune. We dropped Prashant at Ambavde village and Thanked him for joining this trip.

We reached to my place around 7.30 pm Finally I accomplished my most awaited trip. We both were so happy because of such wonderful trip. Really it is best place as Prashant was telling us before reaching to fort its a Swarg Experience on the Top and yes I fett it is Swarg safari.

Random Click while coming back

This area will make you crazy by memerising its natural beauty. The deep forest, deep valleys, tall pinnacles and wide speard plateaus makes this area Gem of Sahaydri. Most peoples dont know about this spot so i called this area as Hidden Gem of Sahyadri. Overall Raireshwar is Excellent and Ideal place for Nature lovers, Travellers, Photographers and Trekkers. Come let explore absolute beauty of Raireshwar. Happy Travelling.

Happy Travelling