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Bassein :
Bassein Fort, now in ruins, was under the Portuguese a thriving fortified city from 1534 to 1739 when it was sacked by the Marathas. The ruins of the Portuguese Fort still stand almost hidden by brushwood and palm groves. Some of the walls and churches can still be seen. To the north, is the Agar of Agashi and to the south is the Agar of Bassein. An hour by bus from Bassein station are the Vajreshwari Temple and Akoli Hot Springs. Also easily accessible is Ganeshpuri with the Sadguru Nityanand Maharaj Samadhi Mandir, the Bhimeshwar Temple and other ashrams.
Getting there : From Mumbai, Bassein Fort can be reached easily by local train up to Bassein or Vasai Road station on the Western Railway and then by auto-rickshaw or taxi. By road, it is 77 kms along the Mumbai-Ahmedabad highway. 

Daulatabad Fort :
Situated 13 kms from Noth-West of Aurangabad lies this 13th century impressive fort . It is one of the best preserved fort of medieval times & rates as one of the most impregnable forts in India because of its long wall & complicated series of defences. 
Getting there : From Arangabad, Daulatabad Fort can be reached easily by local buses as also bu private cars & taxis.

Panhala :
The history of Panhala is also the history of Marathas. There are innumerable places of interest , each with its unique share of history.Sajja Kothi, where Sambhaji was imprisoned. Ambabai Temple, where Shivaji used to seek blessings before venturing on expeditions. Pavankhind, where Baji Prabhu laid down his life to cover Shivaji's escape. In addition to history, Panhala at an altitude of 977 m offers some inspiring scenery and a soothing climate.
Getting there : The nearest railhead Kolhapur on SCR is 18 kms. From Mumbai, the journey by road is 428 kms. There is no dearth of ST buses and taxis to take you to Panhala from Kolhapur.
Hotels : For a comfortable stay,one can check into the MTDC resort or into few hotels here which offer good lodging & boarding services like Hotel Valley View Grand ,Tabak Baug ,Panhala,Kolhapur Pin :416201 Tel No :(02328)35036,35325.

Pratapgad :
24 kms from the popular hill station of Mahableshwar is one of Shivaji's most important fort Pratapgad,perched on the summit of the hill ,the road climbs steeply up to its towering walls.After defeating Chandrarao More in 1656 ,Shivaji built a fort as a stronghold over the newly conquered Javali region.Moropant Pingle was entrusted with the task of constructing a fortress high on the crest of the hill.It took him just two years to build the impressive Pratapgad.
Getting there : Pune is the nearest airport, 120 kms away. Pune is also the most convenient railhead, though Wathar at 62 kms is the nearest station. Mumbai is 290 kms away by road via Pune and 247 kms via Mahad. MTDC organises regular tours from Mumbai to Mahabaleshwar. State Transport buses run from Pune and Mumbai.
Hotels : Mahabaleshwar has number of places offering good lodging & boarding facilities. 

Raigad :
This is the very heart of Maratha country -- Raigad, the capital of Shivaji's kingdom. Strategically perched atop a wedge-shaped block of hill, split off from the Western Ghats and inaccessible from three sides. Stories of incredible valour and heroic deeds are etched on every pebble at Raigad. It was here that Shivaji built his capital city in the 14th century, and here that he crowned himself Chhatrapati. For six years upto his death, Raigad remained the capital of the Marathas with its broad gates and magnificent monuments. There was only one pathway leading to the top, and prizes were offered to those who scaled the fort through unconventional methods. Though parts of Raigad are in ruins, yet they inspire an aura of grandeur. You can also visit Gangasagar Lake or worship at the nearby Jagadishwar Temple or pay your respects to the great Maratha warrior at his Samadhi.
Getting there : There are many interesting routes to Raigad, varying from the relatively easy to the challenging. The path starts from Pachad, 24 kms from Mahad, a shallow sea port on the banks of the Savitri River. Raigad can also be an adventure-filled day excursion from the hill station of Mahabaleshwar or from Pune.

Sinhagad :
Sinhagad -- where valour is etched on every stone and the soil has turned red seeped by the blood of martyrs! From the time when a Koli chieftain, Nag Naik stoutly defended this fort (AD 1328) against the might of the Muhammad-bin-Tughlaq for nine months to Jaswant Singh, Aurangzeb's commander, who dragged his guns up the fort's steep shoulders to avenge the insult to Shaista Khan, who was rebuffed by Shivaji, this fort has been infused by tales of bravery. It was here that Shivaji's general, Tanaji Malusare launched an attack to recapture the fort. In the ensuing battle, Tanaji valiantly laid down his life, but captured the fort. A grieving Shivaji is known to have said,"Gad ala pan sinh gela" (The fort is won but the lion has gone). And this is how the fort got its name: sinh (lion's) gad (fort). Lokmanya Tilak, the freedom fighter had a bungalow atop here and Gandhiji is said to have asked for water from Sinhagad, whenever he was imprisoned at Pune, a few kilometres away. You can visit the memorial to Tanaji, or the tomb of Rajaram -- Shivaji's son -- who died here. And if you are fortunate, you may find a priceless jewel or an ancient coin as Sinhgad used to serve as a storehouse of wealth for Pune merchants.
Getting there : The fort can be scaled from its many approaches. You can trek from Donaje upto the top. Donaje can be reached conveniently by bus from Pune, 25 kms away. Another shorter and less steep climb is from Kalyan village past the Kalyan Darwaza.  

Sindhudurg & Vijaydurg :
Once naval bases, Vijaydurg and Sindhudurg bear testimony to Maharashtra's martial supremacy during Shivaji's reign. Vijaydurg or Victory Fort was strengthened around the seventeenth century by Shivaji, to whom it owes its finest features -- the triple line of walls, the numerous towers and the massive interior buildings. Once seized by the British and renamed Fort Augustus, Sindhudurg or the Ocean Fort at Malvan port has history etched all over. Constructed by Shivaji in 1664, at a site personally selected by him. The construction of a sea fort is a stupendous task, and at Sindhudurg no efforts were spared. Over 2000 khandis (4000 mounds) of iron were used for casting and the foundation stones were laid down firmly in lead. Even today, as one approaches the fort past a rocky reef, navigable through a narrow channel, one marvels at the transportation of such heavy material through such choppy waters. Within its precincts are temples holding the shrines of Maruti, Bhavani, Mahadeo, Jarimai, Mahapurush and also of Shivaji -- the only such shrine in the country. As for Vijaydurg and Sindhudurg beaches, they offer the visitor one of the most serene and beautiful coastal views in India.
Getting there: Rajapur and Kudal respectively are the nearest railheads on the Konkan Railway. Sindhudurg by road is 510 kms and Vijaydurg is 425 kms from Mumbai via the Goa highway.
Hotels : A number of modest hotels for lodging & boarding purposes are available at Malvan,Vengurla ,Kudal,Sawantwadi places which are situated near these forts.   

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