Raigad: Forts, Coast and Mountain Landscapes

A fortress in the Arabian Sea, a historic Satyagraha site and car-free hill paths: Raigad brings together a range of travel experiences. The Arabian Sea coast forms the district’s western boundary, while most of its hilly areas lie in the Sahyadri range. Historic sites, beaches, landscapes, and the diverse flora and fauna of the Western Ghats shape the region’s character.

Coast and distinctive landscapes

Raigad’s landscape stretches from the coast to the hills of the Sahyadri range. When planning a trip, you can start by considering whether you want to focus on beaches, nature, or historic sites. Water sports at Nagaon Beach include boating and kayaking; availability may vary. Check before your visit to see whether these activities are being offered.

Routes to Alibag may also factor into your travel plans: catamaran and ferry services to Alibag operate from the Gateway of India. Check the schedules before setting out. Karnala offers a different kind of natural attraction. The area around Karnala Fort is protected as the Karnala Sanctuary. Around 125 to 150 bird species are observed there over the course of the year—a specific highlight for travelers interested in birdlife.

Other landscape destinations include the hot springs in the village of Unhere in Sudhagad taluka. Together with the coast, hills, and the flora and fauna of the Western Ghats, they make for a varied picture of Raigad, without limiting a trip to just one kind of outing.

Forts and history

Raigad’s forts tell stories rooted in different historical contexts. Kolaba Fort was one of the most important naval stations of the Maratha Empire. Murud-Janjira Fort is a sea fort on an island in the Arabian Sea off the coast of Murud. Raigad Fort, in turn, is a hill fort in the district, about 25 kilometers from Mahad. From there, it overlooks the man-made Ganga Sagar Lake.

To reach Raigad Fort, a cable car takes visitors from the valley floor to the fort in just a few minutes. Check before your trip to see whether the cable car is operating.

Another important place of remembrance is Chavdar Tale in Mahad. It is associated with Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar’s Satyagraha on March 20, 1927. The anniversary is observed every year on March 20; hundreds of thousands of Ambedkar’s followers and tourists visit the site for the occasion. The date is therefore an important point of reference for travelers interested in the history of the Satyagraha.

Temples and cultural landmarks

Two Ashtavinayak temples are also among the district’s religiously significant destinations. The Varadvinayak Temple is in the village of Mahad in Khalapur taluka, near the city of Khopoli, and is one of the Ashtavinayak temples. The Ballaleshwar Temple is the third of the eight Ashtavinayak temples; it is in the village of Pali in Sudhagad taluka. These location details help distinguish the temples when planning your trip.

Matheran: car-free paths and a historic railway

Matheran is a gently rolling, densely wooded ridge at an elevation of 800 meters. The town is car-free; visitors explore the hills on foot along trekking paths or on horseback. This makes it easy to distinguish from destinations focused on the coast or the history of forts.

Matheran’s cultural heritage includes the historic Matheran Hill Railway, a toy train listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Matheran is also part of the Western Ghats, which are recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visitors interested in nature and the history of technology will therefore find two distinct themes at the same destination: the landscape of the Western Ghats and the historic railway.

Choose Raigad as your base

The larger towns and tourist destinations in Raigad district are connected by road via buses operated by the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC). If your trip includes ferry services or the cable car to Raigad Fort, check the schedules or operating status in advance.

More destinations

Discover more destinations: Jambhulpada, Neral, Thal, Pen, Ainwahal, Kashid, Belkhar, Khalapur, Juna Sheva, Mandve, Bekare, Bodani, Kune N.m., Durtoli, Kurvande, Bhaliwadi, Korlai, Gaulwadi, Mandave Tarf Bamangaon, Nadode, Vaijanath, Roha, Kolad, Mahad, Matheran, Diveagar, Nagothane, Harihareshwar, Khopoli, Vagholi, Murud, Kihim, Alibaugh, Zirad, Bori, Karjat, Palasdari, Revdanda and Akshi.

For the broader travel overview: Maharashtra.