Saturday, May 2026
Unlike the usual early morning treks, we decided to keep this one leisurely. After finishing our Saturday lunch, everyone gathered and we began our drive towards the base village of Raireshwar. The excitement among the kids was contagious, especially because they knew camping and star gazing were on the agenda. By around 4:00 PM, we started the climb. Raireshwar is known for its relatively easy trek, making it ideal for families and children. The trail gradually ascends through lush greenery and rocky patches, offering beautiful views without being overly demanding. Conversations, laughter, and photography breaks made the climb even more enjoyable.
Within a short while, we reached the vast Raireshwar Plateau, where our camping area had been arranged. The cool breeze and open grasslands instantly made us forget the city rush. After settling into our tents, a few of us decided to make the most of the remaining daylight by visiting the historic Raireshwar Temple, while others stayed back at the campsite with the children. Raireshwar is not just another scenic plateau in the Sahyadri mountains—it occupies a special place in Maratha history.
The ancient stone temple dedicated to Lord Shiva is believed to date back several centuries. More importantly, Raireshwar is remembered as the place where, in 1645, a young Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, then only around sixteen years old, took the legendary oath of Hindavi Swarajya along with his trusted companions. Inside this temple, Shivaji Maharaj is said to have pledged to establish self-rule for the people, laying the foundation of what would later become the glorious Maratha Empire. Standing inside the peaceful temple, one cannot help but imagine that defining moment in history. The simplicity of the temple, surrounded by vast grasslands and mountains, makes the experience deeply moving.
We returned to the campsite just before darkness settled over the plateau.
As daylight faded, the real highlight of our trip began. Our friend Himanshu, an avid astronomy enthusiast, took charge of the evening's star-gazing session. He had planned an engaging introduction to the night sky, making it equally enjoyable for adults and children. Adding to the excitement, our friend Ameya had carried a powerful telescope all the way to the campsite. Watching him carefully assemble the equipment immediately attracted a curious audience. Soon, the sky transformed into a magnificent celestial canvas.
Far away from city lights, Raireshwar offered relatively dark skies. One after another, bright stars began appearing, followed by familiar constellations. Himanshu explained fascinating stories from mythology, astronomy, and space exploration while helping everyone identify prominent stars and constellations.
The telescope opened an entirely new world. The children were absolutely mesmerized. Looking through the telescope for the first time, many of them excitedly called others to witness distant objects. Their endless questions made the session even more interactive and enjoyable. Watching young minds discover the vastness of the universe was perhaps the most rewarding part of the evening.
Meanwhile, dinner had been lovingly prepared by a local family from the nearby village. The menu was simple, homely, and exactly what trekkers need after an active evening. Freshly prepared local food, served with warmth and hospitality, tasted far better than any elaborate restaurant meal. Sitting together, sharing stories over dinner, made the experience even more memorable.
After dinner, nobody wanted the night to end. The telescope once again became the center of attention. Conversations shifted from history to science, from mythology to galaxies. Every few minutes someone would discover another interesting object in the sky. As the night grew darker, the sky revealed one of its greatest spectacles—the faint glowing band of the Milky Way Galaxy stretching across the heavens.
One by one, families and children retired to their tents after an exciting day.
One by one, families and children retired to their tents after an exciting day.
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| PC: Himanshu Kakade |
A small group of us stayed back a little longer, simply lying on the ground and soaking in the incredible view overhead. Witnessing our galaxy with the naked eye, away from urban light pollution, was a humbling reminder of how vast and beautiful the universe truly is. Only after enjoying this unforgettable sight did the last group finally head to sleep.
VC: Ameya Deshpande
Sunday, May 2026
The next morning welcomed us with crisp mountain air, cool breezes, and complete silence broken only by chirping birds. After a refreshing breakfast, we set out on a short nature trail to witness one of Raireshwar's lesser-known attractions.A brief walk across the plateau led us to a fascinating natural phenomenon where seven distinct colors of soil can be observed within a relatively small area. The varying mineral composition creates beautiful shades ranging from reddish and brown to yellowish and grey tones, making it an interesting geological feature. The location is not only unique because of the colorful earth but also because it offers spectacular panoramic views of the surrounding Sahyadri ranges.
Standing at this viewpoint, we could admire several nearby forts such as Sinhagad, Torna, Rajgad, Kenjalgad, Kamalgad and mountain ranges spread across the horizon, reminding us once again why the Western Ghats are every trekker's paradise.
Before beginning our descent, everyone gathered for a visit to the historic Raireshwar Temple. Unlike the quieter previous evening, this visit allowed everyone—including the children—to experience the temple and learn about its historical significance. It was a wonderful opportunity to connect our adventure with the inspiring story of Shivaji Maharaj's vision of Swarajya.
By around 11:00 AM, we packed our camping gear and started our descent. The return trek was comfortable and enjoyable, with everyone exchanging memories. Before heading home, we made a brief stop at the Samadhi of Jiva Mahale, the brave bodyguard of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. Remembered for saving Shivaji Maharaj during the famous encounter with Afzal Khan by defeating Sayyed Banda, Jiva Mahale remains a symbol of courage, loyalty, and selfless service. Paying our respects added another meaningful historical touch to the journey.
We later stopped near Bhor for a satisfying lunch before continuing our drive home. By around 4:00 PM, we were back home tired but immensely happy.
Although our overnight summer camping trek to Raireshwar had come to an end, it certainly didn't feel like a goodbye. Raireshwar is one of those rare places that transforms dramatically with every season. While summer gifted us crystal-clear skies, star-gazing opportunities, and camping on the plateau, the monsoon paints an entirely different picture.
As the rains arrive, the plateau comes alive with lush green meadows, and a spectacular carpet of wildflowers. Numerous species bloom across the grasslands, turning the landscape into a vibrant natural garden that attracts nature lovers, photographers, and trekkers alike. The mist drifting over the plateau, the cool breeze, and the colorful blossoms create an experience that's completely different from what we witnessed during our summer visit.
Thank you for reading our travel story. Until our next adventure, happy travelling.
Pritesh Kulkarni
Pune
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