Raisen Fort

Raisen Fort is a substantial historical edifice placed atop a hill enthralling a vast water reservoir, palaces and a few temples within the fort. Located in the city of Bhopal, the 800-year-old fort has nine gateways, fortifications, domes and the remains of several buildings from the early medieval period. It's now an abode to hundreds of bats. Raisen fort is also a shrine of a Muslim saint Hazrat Peer Fatehullah Shah Baba. It is believed that the shrine can fulfil the desires of the pilgrims. Until the 16th century, the fort was under the hegemony of the Rajputs and other Hindu rulers. Although the nawabs of Bhopal initially captured the fort, it is presently under the custody of ASI. The magnificent fort stands on an outlier of a rock which has a massive stone wall pierced with nine gateways. It drowns in a wilderness and a thick undergrowth of vegetation and wild long grass. Adorned with a large courtyard and a beautiful pool in the middle, the origin of the Raisen fort dates back to the 1200 AD. With four palaces (Badal Mahal, Rohini Mahal, Itradaan Mahal & Hawa Mahal) within its boundaries, the mighty fort also houses a temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. The doors of the temple open every year on the occasion of Shivratri. The pilgrims who visit the temple on other days tie a piece of cloth on the grill gate for the fulfilment of their wishes. Raisen fort also abounds rock shelters with paintings created by the cave dwellers.