Manikgad (Raigad)

Manikgad was built to look upon the trade route from Maval(Pune) to the coastal ports. This fort though looks easy requires high endurance and capacity of the trekker for long walk.This fort is situated near Vashivali (Rasayani MIDC), which is 27 km from Panvel.

History
This fort was built by Sarkhel Kanhoji Angre, to whom it was ceded in 1718 by Peshavas

Places to see
The fort is in ruins. There is a big rock cut cistern on the fort called as "Darya take". There is a small shivalinga and few small rock cut cisterns. The Ganesh gate is the only standing structure on the fort. There is a circular trench cut in the rock ment for lime mixing.If the sky is clear nearby forts i.e. karnala, Prabalgad, Chanderi, Malang gad, Irshalgad, Sondai, Lohagad, Visapur, Sankshi are seen.

How to reach
The fort is impregnable from three sides except southern side.The trek path starts from Village vashivali. The village Thakarwadi is on a hill south of the village Vashivali. It is a steady climb of 1 hour to reach Thakarwadi. There is a good path from Thakarwadi which takes a southern detour to reach the col near Manikgad.It is about 2 hours to reach the top of the fort. The path passes admist deciduous forest of Teak, Ain, Salmalia. There is no water available on the way or on the fort, so it is advisable to carry it from Thakarwadi. This fort can be visited in any part of the year.