Pali Darwaja

Indeed, as its name suggests, Rajgad is one of the most royal forts on Sahyadri ranges. It is a paradigm of high-class architecture. That's why it furnishes a fantastic experience of treking and sight seeing.

Situated about 50 km south-west to Pune; Rajgad is 4514 feet high. Rajgad is built on the hill, called Murumbdev. This fort is surrounded on three sides by fotified machees (plains)- Suvela, Padmavati, and Sanjeevani.

There are four gates (called as Darwaja) to Rajgad. They are: Gunjawane Darwaja, Pali Darwaja, Chor Darwaja and Alu Darwaja. Here are the ways to reach these gates:

Gunjavne Darwaja: Reach Margasni by Pune-Velha bus. (First bus from Swargate is at 8:30 am. (re check it!)).
Pali Darwaja: This is the easiest way to reach Rajgad. Reach Wajeghar by same Pune-Velha bus, then go to Pali which is at the foothill of the fort. This gate is shown in the above photograph.
Chor Darwaja: Take Velhe bus from Pune to Winzar village, cross Kanandi river and climb up via Sakhargaon.
Alu Darwaja: Take a bus to Bhor from Pune. Bhutonde village which is at the foothill of Rajgad can be reached from Bhor via bus. It takes about 3 hours from Bhutonde to Alu darwaja.

First three gates will take you to Padmawati machi ; which is the most convenient place to stay. There is Padmawati temple where you can spend your night(s).