Raigad Fort Ropeway Reopens From November 3 After Six-Week Maintenance Shutdown; What Visitors From Pune Should Know
The Raigad Fort ropeway resumes on November 3 after being shut since September 21 for maintenance, easing the climb for senior citizens, families and Diwali visitors.
Photo: Chetan Karkhanis / CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Raigad, 3rd November 2026: The ropeway to Raigad Fort, the capital of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s Swarajya, resumes service from Tuesday, 3 November, after being closed since 21 September for essential maintenance and repair work, the ropeway management said. The work was completed ahead of schedule, according to Punekar News.
The six-week closure had inconvenienced many visitors, especially senior citizens, families with children and devotees for whom the climb is difficult. The reopening comes just in time for the Diwali holidays, when many Pune families plan fort trips.
Why the ropeway matters at Raigad
Raigad’s summit stands about 820 metres above sea level, and the traditional route has roughly 1,737 steps, a climb that takes most people one to two hours. The ropeway, completed in 1996, turns that into a short ride and is the main way for senior citizens and people with disabilities to see the fort.
The fort is where Shivaji Maharaj was crowned on 6 June 1674. In 2025 it was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site as part of the Maratha Military Landscapes of India, along with other Maharashtra forts. Highlights at the top include the Raj Sadar (royal court), Holicha Mal, Jagdishwar Mandir and Takmak Tok. Rajmata Jijabai’s samadhi is at Pachad village at the base.
Planning a trip from Pune
- Raigad is in Mahad taluka of Raigad district. From Pune, most people drive via the Tamhini Ghat or the Varandha Ghat routes; check road conditions before leaving, as ghat roads can be slippery after rain.
- Ropeway fares and timings were not announced with the reopening; check at the base counter or with the ropeway management before you go, and expect queues on holidays.
- Carry water and start early: the plateau has little shade, and a full walk around the main monuments takes a few hours even if you ride up.
- If you prefer to climb, the stepped path from Chit Darwaja is well marked; many visitors walk up and take the ropeway down.
For more ideas, read our guide to forts near Pune.
Frequently asked questions
When will the Raigad ropeway reopen?
The Raigad Fort ropeway resumes service from 3 November 2026 after being closed since 21 September for maintenance.
How many steps are there to climb Raigad Fort?
About 1,737 steps on the traditional route, which takes most visitors one to two hours.
Who operates the Raigad ropeway?
The ropeway is owned by the Shri Shivaji Raigad Smarak Mandal, a Pune-based body founded in 1886 by Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak.
