Rajmachi Explained

Rajmachi
Native Name Lang:राजमाची
Other Name:Udhewadi
Settlement Type:village
Pushpin Map:India Maharashtra#India
Pushpin Label Position:right
Pushpin Map Caption:Location in Maharashtra, India
Coordinates:18.8258°N 73.3955°W
Subdivision Type:Country
Subdivision Name: India
Subdivision Type1:State
Subdivision Name1:Maharashtra
Subdivision Type2:District
Subdivision Name2:Pune District
Parts Type:Talukas
Parts:Maval
Unit Pref:Metric
Population Density Km2:auto
Demographics Type1:Languages
Demographics1 Title1:Official
Demographics1 Info1:Marathi
Timezone1:IST
Utc Offset1:+5:30
Blank1 Name Sec1:Nearest city
Blank1 Info Sec1:Lonavala
Blank2 Name Sec1:Lok Sabha constituency
Blank2 Info Sec1:Lonavala

Rajmachi Fort (Killa) is one of the many historical forts in the rugged hills of Sahyadri mountains (Western Ghats).[1] It consists of two twin fortresses Shriwardhan and Manaranjan, with a wide machi (plateau) surrounding the two Balekillas. Udhewadi is a small village of about 60 households (as per 2011 census report) situated on the machi, at the southern foot of Manaranjan Balekilla of Rajmachi Fort.[2]

History

The fort played a strategic role in the First Anglo-Maratha War.[3]

Rajmachi Fort has been declared as a protected monument.[4]

Trekking to Rajmachi

There are two approaches to Fort Rajmachi,(a) from Lonavala [5] and (b) from Kondivde or Kondhane village in Karjat Taluka of Raigad District.Lonavala – Rajmachi distance is 15 km and it is almost a plain walk, though there are a few ups and downs on this path. It takes about three and a half hour to cover the distance on foot.From Kondivde or Kondhane village, it is a steep climb up to Rajmachi. An experienced trekker takes about two and a half hour to climb up on this route.In case a Trekkers’ Group is not familiar with the Trek Route, they should hire a local Route GuideDuring the dry season after rains, i.e. from November to May, a strong and sturdy utility vehicle like Tata Sumo, Mahindra Bolero, Qualis, etc. can be taken right up to Udhewdi (Fort Rajmachi). The route is via Khandala, Kune village, Della Adventure Resort, Patel Dam, Phanasrai and Jambhali Phata. The initial section of this route up to Della Adventure Resort is a good road, The further portion of this route is a very rough track and therefore not fit for driving ordinary passenger cars like Maruti 800, Wagon R, Indica, Swift, etc.Sturdy utility vehicle like Tata Sumo can be hired at Lonavla or Khandala for reaching Rajmachi Fort.

Rajamchi Fort is an easy trek, there are vehicles who leave you till the base village and from there you have to walk around 6 Km, which take around 2 hours depending on the speed. Best part about the Rajmachi trek is for the bike riders as the road are muddy and best for the off riding. There are also beautiful waterfalls on the way.

See also

Shrivardhan Fort

Kataldhar Lonavla Waterfall

References

  1. Web site: Rajmachi -The Weekend Getaway for Trekking Enthusiasts . 25 February 2018 .
  2. Directorate of Census Operations, DISTRICT CENSUS HANDBOOK,http://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011census/dchb/2725_PART_B_DCHB_PUNE.pdf
  3. Book: Naravane, M.S.. Battles of the Honorourable East India Company. A.P.H. Publishing Corporation. 2014. 9788131300343. 60.
  4. Web site: List of the protected monuments of Mumbai Circle district-wise. https://web.archive.org/web/20130606093840/http://www.asimumbaicircle.com/images/list-of-protected-monuments-n-forts.pdf. usurped. 6 June 2013.
  5. How to reach Rajmachi fort from Pune via Lonavala:https://www.india.com/travel/articles/road-trip-heres-how-you-can-reach-rajmachi-from-pune-by-road-3239334/