Nirmaan – JANUARY

The trek to Rajmachi Fort via Kondane Caves is one of the historic routes in the Sahyadri mountains near Karjat, Maharashtra. The trail begins from the base village of Kondiwade and first leads to the ancient Kondane Caves, which are believed to date back to around the 1st century BCE. These rock-cut Buddhist caves were carved during the period when trade routes passed through the Sahyadri ranges, connecting the Konkan coast with the Deccan plateau. The caves include beautifully carved pillars, prayer halls and stupas, reflecting the architectural style of early Buddhist settlements in western India. From the caves, the trail continues through dense forest and gradually climbs towards Rajmachi Fort. Historically, Rajmachi was an important strategic fort that guarded the ancient Bor Ghat trade route between the Konkan region and the Deccan plateau. The fort complex consists of two strongholds Shrivardhan Fort and Manaranjan Fort, which provided a commanding view of the surrounding valleys and trade routes. The fort later came under the control of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj during the rise of the Maratha Empire and played an important role in securing movement through the Sahyadri passes.

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