Rajmahal of Pachad is a castle located in Pachad village, Mahad taluka, Raigad district of Maharashtra, India. It was built by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj for his mother Rajmata Jijabai, who was the queen and the mother of the Maratha kingdom. The castle is a symbol of the love and respect that Shivaji Maharaj had for his mother and the culture and heritage of the Marathas. In this article, we will explore the location, timing and entry fees, how to reach, things to do/must see, significance and history of Rajmahal of Pachad. Raigad Fort One day Trip From Mumbai by Private cab
Rajmahal of Pachad Location/ Timing and Entry Fees
Rajmahal of Pachad is located about 21 km from Mahad town and about 166 km from Mumbai city. The castle is situated at the foothill of Raigad fort, which was the capital of the Maratha empire under Shivaji Maharaj. The castle overlooks the scenic valley and the river below.
The castle is open for visitors from 9 am to 5 pm every day. The entry fee for Indian nationals is Rs. 10 per person and for foreign nationals is Rs. 100 per person. There is also a fee for parking, camera and video recording.
How to Reach Rajmahal of Pachad
Rajmahal of Pachad can be reached by road, rail or air. The nearest airport is Mumbai International Airport, which is about 162 km from the castle. From there, one can take a taxi or a bus to Mahad town and then hire a local vehicle to reach Pachad village. Alternatively, one can also take a flight to Pune International Airport, which is about 140 km from the castle, and then follow the same route.
The nearest railway station is Mangaon Railway Station, which is about 25.5 km from the castle. From there, one can take a bus or a taxi to Mahad town and then hire a local vehicle to reach Pachad village.
The castle can also be reached by road from Mumbai or Pune via NH-66 or NH-48. The road condition is good but may be crowded during peak hours or weekends. There are many signboards and directions along the way to guide the travellers.
Things to Do / Must See Rajmahal of Pachad
Rajmahal of Pachad has many attractions and activities for visitors of all ages and interests. Some of the things to do/must see at Rajmahal of Pachad are:
- Samadhi of Rajmata Jijabai: This is the final resting place of Rajmata Jijabai, who died at Rajmahal of Pachad in 1674. The samadhi is a simple stone structure with a dome and a spire. It is surrounded by a garden and has a statue of Jijabai in front of it. The samadhi also has an eternal flame that burns in her memory.
- Statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj: This is a statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj that stands near the entrance gate of Rajmahal of Pachad. The statue depicts Shivaji Maharaj in his coronation attire and holding a sword in his hand. The statue was installed by the Maharashtra government in 2017 to mark the 350th birth anniversary of Shivaji Maharaj.
- Bell Tower: This is a tower that has a bell that was used by Shivaji Maharaj to communicate with his mother Jijabai. The bell rang at a certain time every day so that Shivaji Maharaj could come to the bastion of Raigad fort to see his mother from afar. The bell tower also offers a splendid view of Raigad fort and the surrounding landscape.
- Museum: This is a museum that showcases the history and culture of the Marathas and displays various artefacts, weapons, coins, paintings, sculptures and documents related to Shivaji Maharaj and his mother Jijabai. The museum also has a replica of the throne that was used by Shivaji Maharaj for his coronation at Raigad fort.
- Trekking: This is an adventurous activity for those who love nature and challenge. The castle can be reached by trekking from various routes that vary in difficulty
Conclusion
Rajmahal of Pachad is a castle built by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj for his mother Rajmata Jijabai in Pachad village, Mahad taluka, Raigad district of Maharashtra. The castle is a symbol of the love and respect that Shivaji Maharaj had for his mother and the culture and heritage of the Marathas. The castle has many attractions and activities for visitors, such as the samadhi of Jijabai, the statue of Shivaji Maharaj, the bell tower, the museum and the trekking.
