Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
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Around Mahabaleshwar
Pratapgad Fort
The windy
Pratapgad Fort
(admission free; 7am-7pm)
, built by Shivaji in 1656 (and still owned
by his descendents), straddles a high mountain ridge 24km northwest of Mahabaleshwar.
In 1659, Shivaji agreed to meet Bijapuri General Afzal Khan here, in an attempt to end a
stalemate. Despite a no-arms agreement, Shivaji, upon greeting Khan, disembowelled his
enemy with a set of iron
baghnakh
(tiger's claws). Khan's tomb (out of bounds) marks the
site of this painful encounter at the base of the fort.
Pratapgad is reached by a 500-step climb that affords brilliant views. Guides are avail-
able for ?200 who will take you to 20 points of interest taking nearly two hours. The state
bus (?90 return, one hour, 9.30am) does a daily shuttle from Mahabaleshwar, with a wait-
ing time of around one hour. A return taxi ride (2½ hours' waiting time) is about ?750.
Raigad Fort
Some 80km from Mahabaleshwar, all alone on a high and remote hilltop, stands the en-
thralling
Raigad Fort
(Indian/foreigner ?5/100; 8am-5.30pm)
. Having served as Shivaji's capital
from 1648 until his death in 1680, the fort was later sacked by the British, and some colo-
nial structures added. But monuments such as the royal court, plinths of royal chambers,
the main marketplace and Shivaji's tomb still remain, and it's worth a day's excursion.
You can hike a crazy 1475 steps to the top. But for a more 'levitating' experience, take
the vertigo-inducing
ropeway
(return ?175; 8.30am-5.30pm)
, which zooms up the cliff and of-
fers an eagle-eye view of the deep gorges below. Guides (?200) are available within the
fort complex.
Sarja Restaurant
(snacks ?30-100)
, adjoining the ropeway's base terminal, is a
good place for lunch or snacks.
Public transport to Raigad is infrequent and the road from Mahabaleshwar is in a ter-
rible state. A return taxi from Mahabaleshwar will cost at least ?2500.
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