Rajmachi
From BikeNomads
RAJMACHI FORT:
The name Rajmachi is applied to the twin forts of Shrivardhan and Manoranjan, situated at 18 0 50' north, latitude and 73 0 24' east longitude. The former, at 826 meters, is a little higher then the latter which is 816 meters above sea level. The forts are about 18.5 kilometers by Dirt track from Lonavla, although just 8 kms as the crow flies. There is a small ancient temple dedicated to Sri Bhairavnath right in between Shrivardhan and Manoranjan, and served as a royal observation outpost or Raj-Machaan for the Kings and his subjects, hence the name Rajmachi. It is said that the idols installed inside the temple were gifted by Shivaji, Shahu and peshwa Bajirao. This fort served as the inspection check point to collect toll/tax and safeguard caravans and convoys enroute to Pune from Western maharashtra. The administrative and residential buildings were within Srivardhan and the Military attache was on Manoranjan.
Some time back the popular belief was that Rajmachi Fort can be approached only on foot. It is surrounded by deep valleys on three sides and a thick forest on one side. There are three ways to reach there on foot
(1) Lonavala through Tungarli village and Dam. There is a small right turn here which is to be avoided and take a left turn to reach the fort.
(2) On the railway route, get down at thakurwadi station, cross a place called Palas Dari and reach Rajmachi and
(3) from Karjat town one can straight away reach Rajmachi.
This fort is very old, it probably belongs to yadav period because of the peculiar twin fort concept. Although extensively occupied and maintained by the marathas, Rajmachi Forts date way back to the times of the early Buddist era as is evident from the architectural details.
Although this is do-able in one day it is advisble to stay overnight and return the next day. That way you can cover trekking up the two forts and some surrounding hills plus give the bikes some rest after the gruelling 18 km rough ride.
The two forts which together form Rajmachi are (a) Shrivardhan (b) Manoranjan.
SHRIVARDHAN FORT
This fort is on the eastern side of Rajmachi. The entrance of this fort is semi-circular in shape and is thus not easy to locate from far away. The entrance of the Shrivardhan fort used to be manned by watchmen. At one end, there are residences or people staying on the fort and the other end is for the guards. There are two huge water tanks filled with water all the year. One tank is near the first cave & the other is near the inside fort. After entering if you go a little further, one can see Buddhist caves which were later used as storage houses for grain and other provisions. Here, along with the Buddhist influences one can also see influence of the Maratha life style, for e.g. The carvings of Ganesha (Elephant God) on the door. The first line of fortifications is some considerable distance from the top and consists of high strong wall. The flat land enclosed by this wall was used for troops quarters and granaries. Further higher up is residence of the fort commander and an image of the fort deity. On the east there is a sheer scarp and no fortifications are required. On the west, however, there are ramparts and bastions. The forts of Lohagad, Visapur, Tungi, Korigad, Nagfani etc. can be seen from here.
MANORANJAN FORT
A road from behind the Bhairavnath temple leads to the Manoranjan Fort. The entrance of the fort is in bad shape, and is in a state of ruin. The only things one can see, are the ammunition depots and the watchmen houses. There is a square Lake, which is filled with clean water all the year round. A straight line of rock divides this lake into two parts, and the person having the knowledge of this place can walk through it. The fort at Pali, Karnala, Nagfani, Matheran or the Khandala railway station can be seen from this height of the fort.