Shivaji Maharaj and Sahyadri have an inseparable relationship in the establishment of Swarajya. Because of Sahyadri some of the important events that took place were successful for the establishment of Swarajya. One of the important events was the oath taken by Shivaji Maharaj to establish Swarajya. This incident is true or fictional, but the place where this incident is said to have taken place is the temple of Shambhumahadev on Raireshwar. Many people refer to Raireshwar as a fort, but this not exactly a fort but an 11 km long and 1.5 km wide plateau. Located at a distance of 85 km from Pune and only 30 km from Bhor, this plateau can be reached by many paths although through Bhor you can directly reach the base of this plateau by private vehicle or by S.T. bus. The Bhor-Ambawade-Vadtumbi-Korle route is convenient for this. When you reach the base, you come to a gorge where Kenjalgad fort is on one side and Raireshwar is on the other. ... Raireshwar Plateau is in Pune district while Kenjalgad is in Satara district. After crossing about 100-125 steps made out of cement and an iron ladder, we come across 15-20 steps carved in the rock. Previously when the ladder was not placed here, one had to climb this path by using mountaineering equipment and techniques. From here, on the way to the temple by a paved footpath, one first comes across a rainwater harvesting lake and then a water cistern. The cistern has a mouth carved in stone and water flows into the cistern from its mouth. There are about 40 families of Jangam people living on the plateau and they use the water of this cistern as drinking water. From here onwards we reach the temple of Raireshwar. Half an hour is enough to reach this temple from the base. The structure of the temple dates back to medieval times and there is a compound wall outside the temple. The temple is facing east and is divided into three parts. Initially, there is a newly constructed gallery, then a prayer hall and a sanctum sanctorum. There are two broken Nandis in the gallery of the temple and on the inside, there is a worn-out inscription on the left-hand pillar about the restoration of the temple. This inscription has been read and it is mentioned that Hari Patil of Dapkeghar village in Raireshwar renovated this temple in Shak 1805 at a cost of Rs.700. While visiting the Shivling in the temple, one can see the shield and sword given by a devotee on the wall. There is a pool of water behind the temple and a bust of Shivaji Maharaj can be seen on the quadrangle structure in front. A limestone wheel is lying next to this quadrangle structure. Rice and other crops are cultivated on the plateau and there is not much to see except Shiva temple but the beauty of this plateau is indescribable after the monsoon. The Raireshwar Plateau has an elevation of 4393 feet above sea level. Accommodation and meals can be arranged by the Jangam family in the temple or village at Raireshwar. The story about Raireshwar is that at the age of 16, Shivaji Maharaj took the oath of establishing Swarajya on 27th April 1645 in the temple of Raireshwar with his family. This can be derived by a letter of Shak 1567, Vaishakh Shuddha 1. “Shri Rajshree Dadaji Narasaprabhu Deshpande VA Kulkarni ta|| Rohir Khore, Velvand Khore Yasi Prati Shivaji Raje Su || Khamas Arvan Alaf Shri Rohireshwar Tumche Khoriyatil Adikuldev || Tumcha Dongarmatha Patharavar Shendrilagat Swayambhu aahe. Tyanni aamhas yash dile va pudhe toh sarva manorath hindavi Swaraj karun puravnar aahe. Rajashri Dadapantache Vidyamane Bavache va tumche va aamche Shripasi eman Jale je kayam vajraprai aahe. He rajya vahve he shriche manat faar aahe ||” This letter is not genuine but a copy of the original letter. This is the area where the movement took place in the early days of the establishment of Swarajya. Dadaji Narasaprabhu Gupte prayed to Lord Shiv daily and appointed a Pandit called shiva Jangam to carry out all the rituals over there. Most of the forts in Pune, Satara, and Raigad districts that can be seen from this plateau should be visited at least once.
© Suresh Nimbalkar