Bhavani kada of Raigad Fort

Trek: Bhavani kada of Raigad

Base village: Hirkan Wadi - Raigad fort ropeway

Height: 2700 feet

Trek coordinator: Maharashtra Trekkers

Lead climbers: Sachin Mestry, Praful Wahmare

Dates: 1^St March 2014
Map Coordinates of the base Village:  Hirkan Wadi

Route Map for Bhavani Kada Trek at Raigad Fort

Background Info: Raigad is a fort located in the Raigad district of Maharashtra State. The fort is located at a height of approx. 2,700 ft. above sea level.

Raigad Fort served as the capital of Maratha Empire from 1674 AD. Its strategic location on a mountain as well its height makes it one of the unconquerable forts of its time. That highlights its selection as capital fort by none other than Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. 

The fort is based on a mountain with wide plateau on top and steep slopes on sides. This topography provides it a natural defense against any of enemy's aggression.

One of the prominent historical moments recorded on this fort is Chhatrapati Rajaram escape form Raigad fort through Mughals siege on the fort. Rajaram, the younger son of Maratha ruler Chhatrapati Shivaji, after the death of Sambhaji, Rajaram was crowned at Raigad on 12 March 1689. 

As the Mughals started laying siege to the region around Raigad on 25 March 1689, the widow of Sambhaji, Maharani Yesubai and her minister Ramchandra Pant Amatya sent young Rajaram to the stronghold of Pratapgad through Kavlya ghat. The Maratha army fought with the Mughals and led the new Maratha king, Rajaram to escape through Kavlya ghat to the fort of Jinji. This escape route though not recorded in any chronicles, is however said to be the Bhavani kada route as believed by some historical experts. The presence of rock cut steps on this kada/cliff supports the claim of it being possibly the said escape route which Rajaram had used.

My Trek Mates

Given the known historical evidence, Maharashtra trekkers had decided to explore this bold escape route by ascending through the route. It is challenging move as it requires circumnavigating half of Raigad fort through dense jungles to reach base of Bhavani kada (cliff) and rock climbing the almost straight wall of Bhavani kada. We were being guided by elderly person and avid trekker Hira pandit. He is one of experienced trekker and rock climbing experts who is around 65+ years old ...no ...young i must say. He had traversed this route to climb this cliff in 90's. So with such a experienced mentor along with rock climbing equipment's and set up, we all set up to accomplish this adventurous and equally challenging traverse cum climb.

Our team of 15 started from Oberoi mall Goregaon Mumbai for Raigad in a mini tempo traveller. After picking up few fellow trekkers on the way, we begun our journey on Mumbai -Goa highway. To our dismay, we were in end February, and it was raining slightly. By after a couple hours of journey by around 4 AM we reached the Base of Raigad near ropeway depot. Earlier it was dark all around. But as with time we expected to see some light. But it was all foggy white with slight drizzle still going on. We got out of our traveller and finished our morning chores as there was still time for dawn. Then around 6:30 Am we has breakfast at shack near the Raigad ropeway. Trek leads distributed the trek equipments as it was difficult trek and it would be heavy for few to carry all of it. So each one was handed over climbing harness along with carabiner each with ropes each. So we from there we embarked our journey rather late from there on at 7:30 am. Late as it was almost foggy all around with low visibility till 7 am.

Raigad Ropeway

Around 7:30 am the rains had stopped. But route was all become slippery. Trek leads voiced one of their fears; as with such slippery mud tracks on loose rock, rock climbing had become tougher than accounted for. We were to follow route in dense vegetation encircling Raigad on the south end to reach traverse at south east end of fort. After around 9 am we took a small break and recharged ourselves with snacks.

Walk through dried Karvy Jungles

Connecting Ridge

Then after 20 minutes break we were to traverse a route on edge of small hillock to reach base of Bhavani kada. Around 10 am we reached base and each one was geared up harness for rock climbing.

Base of Bhavani Kada - Gearing for the climb

The lead climbers Praful and Sachin started the climb through wet scree and loose rocks. We have to stay clear the climb patch as lots of loose rocks were falling as these duo were making their way up. At around 11:00 am we had climbed half a way of the cliff. There is a small cave like structure there where we waited for our turn climbing up. The cave provided us with necessary cover form falling loose rocks. Few feet above the cave was the Chimney or hollow structure in the cliff. 

Small Cave

Chimneys are cracks or fissures in cliffs that are wide enough for you to fit your body inside. Chimneys are climbed by using opposing pressures with your hands, knees, feet, and back on the sidewalls of the chimney. Advance upward by pushing and pulling against the walls, moving in short spurts rather than big moves. Climber has to use both sides of the chimney to climb it and make progress by pushing and pulling against the opposing sidewalls. One can see Lingana pinnacle and along with the Kaal river valley from the top.

Lingana Pinnacle in the backdrop

There was occasional showers of rains which made the climb more and more difficult and slippery. The visibility was also low with foggy spells time and again. By 11:30 the lead team managed to climb the chimney and fixed there an anchor ropes for others to follow. The spot at chimney is such that if you slip from chimney without ropes, you would end up directly into valley around 1000 ft deep. The team has properly fixed all climbing ropes and ensured everyone was properly harnessed with gears. They also guided us through the climb with instructions of rock cuts to put steps in. Moreover there was Hira pundit Sir to guide our feet in the crevices. As one is needed to push his body against the gravity at the chimney, there was lots of time being taken by amateur climbers at this spot.

First sight of Chimney

Amit Salkar 

My Trek Buddies

Just below chimney are the rock cut steps which highlights the possibility of the escape route discussed earlier.

Rock Cut steps @ Bhavani Kada

As there were occasional rainy and sunny spells we had a mesmerising sight of a Rainbow. Moreover it was unusual sight that we were seeing the rainbow below us and as we were on a considerable height. 

Rainbow 

At around 1:30 it was my turn to climb the cliff. As being well acquainted with rock climbing before in treks Lingana, I cleared the chimney and the patch above it ease. As the gap between chimney is too big, I resorted to Jummaring in the chimney patch and cleared it in few minutes. There is a small temple of Goddess Bhavani just above the chimney on the left side and hence this cliff is named as Bhavani Kada or cliff.

The Chimney @ Bhavani Kada

There were many other climbers after me to clear the rock patch which took around 3:30 pm for entire team to reach top on the fort. 

Entry point of Bhavani Kada

Foggy spells

Connecting ridge as seen from above

The Board says " Dont Go beyond this point" Instead we choosed to "COME FROM THIS POINT"

Then after having lunch we explored the fort.  The Raigad fort has a huge plateau area. There we visited Chhatrapati Shivaji’s Samadhi or Tomb. 

Myself  at the Edge

Huge Plateau of Raigad fort

Chhatrapati Shivaji's Samadhi

Around 5pm we started descend through the regular route of the Raigad fort. There at the base village the trek leaders decide to have dinner at shack called Deshmukh Khanaval. There after a long tiresome trek and rock climbing we had a hearty non- veg dinner.

Sunset atop Raigad Fort

Then our transporter arrived. It started drizzling again by then. Hence our driver had to maintain the speed of the traveller to avoid skidding or an accident as the Mumbai- Goa highway which we followed is notorious for its number of accidents. We reached Mumbai rather late as expected at around 1:30 at Goregaon from where we departed for our respective homes. So finally the bold mission was accomplished without any casualty and exigency.

Trek coordinators: Maharashtra Trekkers

The trek coordinators Maharashtra Trekkers are known for their bold rock climbing and trekking missions. They are aptly equipped with all necessary equipment’s and techniques required for rock climbing. The lead climbers Praful Waghmare and Sachin Mestry both handled the tough climb with equal ease.

Sachin Mestry
Mob: 9820832107

Food Facilities at and near Raigad fort
Food can be availed at local villager at Hirkan Wadi and also local eateries named "Deshmukh Khanaval' which provides for both veg as well as Non- veg food.

Happy Trekking, Keep Exploring!!!!