Shivaji's father, Shahji Bhonsle, had selected Rairi Hill near Mahad as a suitable capital because of its unscalable rock face. The fort that Shivaji later built atop Rairi, where he crowned himself under a chhatri (umbrella) and thus became Chhatrapati, and where he died, remained unconquered during his lifetime. There was only one path up and throughout his career the king offered handsome gifts to people who could figure out unconventional methods of making it to the top undetected. The British, who called Raigad Fort the Gibraltar of the East, eventually got to it and blew up quite a bit of the structure. What remains is largely ruins, with some new structures, the most important of which is the samadhi of Shivaji. If you choose to climb instead of taking the ropeway, you will pass some strategic gates and towers. It's a tough 2 1/2-3-hr hike starting from Pachad Village. If you take the cable car instead, visit the small museum at the base station. You will be shown a short documentary as part of the ropeway package and will get free guides too once you reach the fort. But if you want them to speak in Hindi or English instead of Marathi, they will ask for consideration money. Even though there are no grandiose remains, it's an incredible experience just to be up there. The views are immense and if you happen to go during the rains you will realise that the fort was built as high up as the clouds. Takmak Cliff and Lingmala Rockface can be exhilarating for rock climbers. On the top, there is the gutted Queen's Palace to see, as well as the granaries, Raj Bhawan and Takmak Tok, or the punishment point, from where Shivaji's enemies were unceremoniously hurled down into the valley. There are also Gangasagar Lake, which apparently has waters from the Ganga brought here for Shivaji's coronation, Jijamata Palace and Jagadishwar Temple nearby to visit.