Manikgad (Raigad)

Manikgad Fort (Raigad)
Raigad district, Maharashtra
Manikgad fort from Katkarwadi
Manikgad Fort (Raigad)
Coordinates	18°49′33.3″N 73°11′34.9″E
Type	Hill fort
Height	1876.64 feet
Site information
Owner	Government of India
Open to the public	Yes
Condition	Ruins
Site history
Built	1700 (approx)
Built by	Sarkhel Kanhoji Angre
Materials	Stone
Demolished	1818

Manikgad was built to look upon the trade route from Maval(Pune) to the coastal ports. This fort though looks easy requires high endurance and capacity of the trekker for long walk.This fort is situated near Vashivali (Rasayani MIDC), which is 27 km from Panvel.

History

This fort was built by Sarkhel Kanhoji Angre , to whom it was ceded in 1718 by Peshavas

Places to see

The fort is in ruins. There is a big rock-cut cistern on the fort called as "Darya take". There is a small shiva linga and few small rock-cut cisterns. The Ganesh gate is the only standing structure on the fort. There is a circular trench cut in the rock meant for lime mixing. If the sky is clear nearby forts i.e. Karnala, Prabalgad, Chanderi, Malang gad, Irshalgad, Sondai, Lohagad, Visapur, Sankshi are seen.

How to reach

The fort is impregnable from three sides except for the southern side.The trek path starts from village Vashivali . The village Thakarwadi is on a hill south of the village Vashivali. It is a steady climb of 1 hour to reach Thakarwadi. There is a good path from Thakarwadi which takes a southern detour to reach the col near Manikgad.It is about 2 hours to reach the top of the fort. The path passes amidst a deciduous forest of Teak, Ain, and Salmalia. There is no water available on the way or on the fort, so it is advisable to carry it from Thakarwadi. This fort can be visited in any part of the year.

Sunrise in summer

Hanuman gate

Rock cut water cistern

Fortification