Rajmachi................

This has to be one of the most beautiful serene places i've ever visited. Green, pleasant, quiet, and blessed with nature and life ! About 10 kms from Lonavala, situated on the Rajmachi Plateau, lie these 2 forts, Manoranjan Fort and Shrivardhan Fort ! The taller one is Manoranjan Fort, and just opposite is the smaller Shrivardhan Fort ( Balle Killa : The younger fort ). 

3000 ft Above SL, it gives a magnificent view of the plateau, Lonavala and the surrounding area. People often get confused between Rajmachi Point, and Rajmachi Fort. The Rajmachi Point is located on the old Mumbai - Pune express way at Lonavala from where you see Rajmachi Fort, whereas the fort is situated at Khandala. 

The base of the plateau is accessible through a vehicle even during the monsoons. From that place the fort base is about 11 KMs. It takes about half an hour to reach the plateau base. During the monsoons vehicles do not reach the top of the plateau. There is small village called "Udhewadi" at the base of the fort. From the base of the plateau till this village it takes around 3 to 4 hours of simple hike. Its a road that gets muddy during the monsoons. As we visited there in the peak period of the rainy season, we witnessed countless waterfalls along the way. Its a pleasant treck which can be completed in a day. At Udhewadi  one can get food, accommodation. But ensure you have booked the same earlier. On weekends its quiet a rush there. 

 This is how the entire way upto the base of the fort is. Its a simple hike. please note, the actual fort climb is much more difficult that this. So some good shoes is a must for this trek during the monsoon. Ones you reach the base, it takes around 40 minutes to reach the actual fort. The fort does not have any standing structure. But the wall surrounding the fort is huge and one can imagine what efforts must have gone in to built the same. The view from the top is stunning. 

 The rains here are awesome. Noisy, harsh, and they surely hurt ! A good raincoat wont help, you'll anyways get wet while crossing the small streams that come along the way.

Y

Yes, the above pic is self explanatory. It is an awesome place. Its simple, pleasant and if planned properly you can have loads of fun with friends. 

For further information about this place write me at : prathameshnarode@yahoo.com

I shall provide information about food, accommodation and transport.