Major city · India
Mahad
Mahad is a half-day stop for Raigad Fort and the Gandharpale Caves, not a base. One night if you want to climb the fort at sunrise.
Mahad is a small market town in Raigad district, Maharashtra, 175 km from Mumbai and 105 km from Pune. Most travellers use it as a gateway to Raigad Fort, the 17th-century Maratha capital, and the nearby Buddhist caves. The town itself has a few temples and a lake, but the main draw is the fort climb.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- INR
- Best months
- Nov–Feb
- avoid Jun–Sep (heavy rain, landslides on ghat roads)
- Airports
- BOM · PNQ
- Nights
- 1
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 6
- South Asia ↗Trekking regions, border districts and several Indian states need separate permits on top of the visa; check the permit before you book transport into them.
- South Asia ↗Remove shoes (and in many Jain and Hindu temples, leather) before entering; cover shoulders and legs; ask before photographing people or rituals.
- India ↗Apply for the e-visa only on the official government portal (indianvisaonline.gov.in); lookalike sites charge extra. Check the current rules, fees and how far ahead to apply.
- India ↗Do not follow anyone who says your hotel is closed, the station ticket office is closed or a road is shut; use the prepaid taxi counter, the metro or an app car.
- India ↗Carry Indian rupees in small notes (10, 20, 50, 100); change for 500 is often refused.
- India ↗Parts of the Northeast, Sikkim, Ladakh, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and all border belts need a Protected or Restricted Area Permit or an Inner Line Permit for foreigners; check before you book the route.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Mahad112 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Mahad, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Indian rupees (INR, ₹) in small notes for autos, street food, tips and entry tickets.India-wide
- SIM or eSIMJio, Airtel and Vi sell tourist SIMs at airport counters and their shops; passport, visa and a photo needed; activation can take a few hours.India-wide
- Tap waterNot drinkable from the tap.India-wide
- TippingRestaurant: 5–10% if no service charge is on the bill.India-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets C/D/M. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.India-wide
- SafetyMahad is safe for travellers.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsWestern toilets in hotels, malls and airports; squat toilets with a water jug or hose in stations and villages.India-wide
- Emergency numbers112 police · 112 fire and ambulance (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysThe Taj Mahal is closed on Fridays; many museums close on Mondays; banks close on the second and fourth Saturdays…India-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportBOM Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (Mumbai) (175 km (109 mi); about 4 h by car via NH 66).BOM Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (Mumbai) (109 mi (175 km); about 4 h by car via NH 66).
- Getting aroundThe town is walkable.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Street or quick mealTea at a stall₹10–20 (≈ under US$1)
- Budget bedDorm bed in a lodge, a night, per person₹500 (≈ US$6)
- Mid-range bedDouble room (budget lodge), a night, per room₹2,000 (≈ US$25)
- High-end bedDouble room (budget lodge), a night, per room₹3,500 (≈ US$40)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget ₹2,000 (≈ US$25) · Mid ₹4,000 (≈ US$50) · High ₹7,000 (≈ US$80)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- BOM Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (Mumbai) (175 km (109 mi); about 4 h by car via NH 66) · PNQ Pune International Airport (105 km (65 mi); about 3 h via Bhor Ghat)BOM Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (Mumbai) (109 mi (175 km); about 4 h by car via NH 66) · PNQ Pune International Airport (65 mi (105 km); about 3 h via Bhor Ghat)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Feb
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Mar
not flagged
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Apr
not flagged
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
May
not flagged
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
Jun
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Jul
Avoid
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Aug
Avoid
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Sep
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Oct
not flagged
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Nov
Best
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Dec
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Best: Nov–Feb. Avoid: Jun–Sep. Month by month →
Warmest Apr (34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)), coolest Jan (16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C) low), wettest Jul (23 rain days), driest Jan (0). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Mahad: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
0 rd
Feb
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
0 rd
Mar
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
1 rd
Apr
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
2 rd
May
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
5 rd
Jun
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
18 rd
Jul
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
23 rd
Aug
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
21 rd
Sep
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
14 rd
Oct
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
5 rd
Nov
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
1 rd
Dec
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
0 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
The town is walkable. For Raigad Fort (19 km), take a shared jeep or auto-rickshaw from Mahad bus stand; the climb takes 45–60 min. For Gandharpale Caves (2 km), a short auto ride or walk.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Raigad Fort
goDoor to door: About 1.5 h
Shared jeep or auto from Mahad bus stand, about 30 min to Pachad village, then 45–60 min climb
Start early to avoid heat; the fort has a museum and Shivaji's samadhi.
Gandharpale Caves
goDoor to door: About 30 min
Auto or walk 2 km (1.2 mi) from Mahad centreAuto or walk 1.2 mi (2 km) from Mahad centre
A group of 30 Buddhist caves; allow 1 h.
Door to door: About 2 h
Bus or car via NH 66, about 1.5 h
Beach town; combine with Kashid or Murud if you have a full day.
Door to door: About 3 h
Car to Neral (about 2 h), then toy train or walk
Hill station; too far for a day return from Mahad.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Mahad town centre
Budget lodges and a few mid-range hotels near the bus stand; walkable to local eateries.
Raigad Fort base (Pachad village)
Basic guesthouses and homestays for early-morning fort climbs; limited dining.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- ₹1,500–2,500 (≈ US$18–30) excl. bed
- Mid
- ₹3,000–5,000 (≈ US$35–60) excl. bed
- High
- ₹6,000 (≈ US$70)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Double room (budget lodge)1 × 1 night × ₹2,000 | ₹2,000 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × ₹4,000 | ₹8,000 |
| Shared jeep Mahad → Pachad (one way)2 × ₹50 | ₹100 |
| Auto-rickshaw Mahad → Gandharpale (one way)1 × ₹200 | ₹200 |
| Guide for Raigad Fort (optional)1 × ₹500 | ₹500 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | ₹1,080 |
| Trip total≈ ₹5,940 per person per day, bed included | ₹11,880≈ US$140 |
2026 estimate in rupees; flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Thali meal (veg) | ₹100–200 (≈ US$2–3) |
| Tea at a stall | ₹10–20 (≈ under US$1) |
| Bottle of water (1 L) | ₹20 (≈ under US$1) |
| Shared jeep Mahad → Pachad | ₹50 (≈ under US$1) |
| Auto-rickshaw within town (up to 3 km) | ₹50–100 (≈ US$1–2) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Raigad Fort has a steep climb with no shade; carry water and start before 9 am in summer.
- No railway station in Mahad; the nearest is Veer (check), about 20 km (12 mi) away with limited express trains.No railway station in Mahad; the nearest is Veer (check), about 12 mi (20 km) away with limited express trains.
- Monsoon (Jun–Sep) brings landslides on the Bhor and Tamhini ghats; check road conditions before driving.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 112
- Fire and ambulance
- 112
Pocket card
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MahadMahad
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
या पत्त्यावर, कृपयाTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police / Fire / Ambulance112
Embassy
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Mahad → Raigad Fort base (shared jeep): about ₹50 (≈ under US$1), 30 min
- Mahad → Veer railway station (auto): about ₹300 (≈ US$4), 30 min (check)
- Mahad → Mumbai (bus): about ₹250–350 (≈ US$3–4), 4 h (check)
Say or show
- किती? — How much? (kiti)
- किल्ला कुठे आहे? — Where is the fort? (killa kuthe ahe)
- एक चहा द्या — One chai, please (ek chaha dya)
- धन्यवाद — Thank you (dhanyavaad)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Mahad. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Nov–Feb · avoid Jun–Sep (heavy rain, landslides on ghat roads) · month by month →
- 2 airports and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
- Walking clusters with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Field-verified times and fares
Sources
Ask about Mahad
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