Weekend Travels: May 2013

Ratnadurga Fort - Ratnagiri

Ratnadurga is only 4 kms from Ratnagiri bus stand. MSRTC has arranged a decent frequency of city buses from the bus stand up to the foot of the fort. It’s a journey of only 15 mins. Even visitors can travel by Auto rikshaw from the bus stand to fort.

The fort is surrounded by the Arebian Sea from three sides. The fort is having a shape of Horse Shoe and a length approximately 1300 m and width 1000m. It’s having strong fortifications from south-east to west side. Approximately at the center of the fortifications, there is a main entrance gate. There is a Lighthouse on one of the bastion. This bastion is called as “Siddha Bastion”. One small temple of Hanumanji is at the entrance of the fort. In front of this there is a beautiful temple of Goddess Bhagawati. Due to this Goddess, the fort is also named as “Bhagawati Durga”. This fort was constructed during the rule of Bahamanee. After that it was captured by Adilshah and from Adilshah Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj (founder of Maratha Empire in India) took the charge of the fort in the year 1670. Ch. Sambhaji raje (son of Ch. Shivaji Maharaj) stayed at this fort in the year 1680. In subsequent time this fort was controlled by Karawir Chatrapati. Then the fort was hand over to Aangre family. During the war between the Aangre and Peshva, Peshva won this fort with the help of Britishers in the year 1753. But unfortunately in the year 1818, the fort was captured by the Britishers.

Best time to Visit:

August to April

What to see?

Bastian, Fortification, Water cisterns, Goddess Bhagawati Temple, Lighthouse, Temple of Hanumanji

Water and Food

Water is available on Fort but no food. There are stalls outside fort.

Stay / Accommodation

There is place to stay on fort but need to take permission or else accommodation is available in Ratnagiri city.

Places around

Aquarium in Ratnagiri, Ganpati Pule, Aare-Ware Beach, Ratnagiri

Approximate Distance from Ratnagiri Bus Stand

4 Kms

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Ratnadurga Fort ( Also Known as Bhagawati Durga )

For more photos see link below

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Reaching Ratnadurga Fort from Ratnagiri ST Stand :-

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Jaigad Fort - Ratnagiri

Jaigad Fort is coastal fortification that is located at the tip of a peninsula in Ratnagiri District, in the state of Maharashtra, India. It has a commanding view of the bay and the open sea. A jetty port, and a lighthouse is located nearby. Although in ruins, most of the fort's outer wall and ramparts still stand. A deep moat surrounds the fort side not facing the cliff edge. It is a protected monument.

The meeting point of the river Shashtri and Arabian Sea is called as the creek of Jaigad. For the protection of this creek two forts were constructed, one is Vijaygad at the north direction and the other is Jaigad at south.

Jaigad fort is besides the village Jaigad. Vehicles can reach up to the main entrance of the fort by a tar road. There is a deep pit (Khandak) around the fort on east and north direction. On the right side of the bastion near to the main door, there is a door to enter into the deep pit. After entering through this door, steps are there to reach to the fortifications of the fort. The fortifications are still in strong and sound condition.

There are few rooms into the eastern fortifications. Two wells of approximately 70 feet deep are there in the premises. The third well of around 100 feet deep is present on the right hand side of the main entrance. All these wells are having a huge stock of potable water (In spite of the close by Arebian Sea). On the left hand side of main entrance small temple of Hanumanji is being constructed. Auspicious place Goddess is present into a cave near to the fortification.

In short, one can say that Jaigad Fort is an ancient and beautiful place to visit.

The main entrance is after the deep ditch. This entrance is in between two bastions. On the top of these bastions government rest house is being constructed. In the premises of the Jaigad Fort there is a Lord Ganeshji’s Temple, Light house and an old splintered mansion of care takers of the fort.

Best time to Visit:

August to April

What to see?

Bastian, Fortification, Water cisterns, Light House

Water and Food

No water & food on the Fort. But there are stalls outside the fort.

Stay / Accommodation

No place to stay on the Fort.

Places around

Jaigad Light House, Jindal Power Plant, Ganpati Pule, Aare-Ware Beach, Ratnagiri

Approximate Distance from Jaigad Jetty

1.6 Kms

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Jaigad Fort

For more photos see link below
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Reaching Jaigad Fort from Dabhol :-

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Gopalgad Fort - Ratnagiri

Gopalgad hill is a scenic, trekking place located in the Anjanvel village in Guhagar. There is a historical fort known as Gopalgad fort, overlooking downhill. The fort is assumed to be built by Siddi's during the beginning period of 16th century. Shivaji Maharaj later captured the fort in 1660. An adventurous trek for about a mile through the hilly trails will lead the visitor to the top of the ruined fort. The hill breasts two small but attractive temples and a lighthouse at the top. One can get the stunning view of the nearby places from the lighthouse premises. This place offers all the exquisite beauty of the nature.

Presently it is having a mango orchard owned by a local villager. It can be called the fort of Anjanwel

Best time to Visit:

September to April

What to see?

Bastian, Fortification, Water cisterns.

Water and Food

No water & food on the Fort.

Stay / Accommodation

No place to stay on the Fort. Once can stay in Guhagar.

Places around

Guhagar Beach, Tarakeswar Light House, Tarakeswar Mandir, Ratnagiri Gas and Power Ltd.

Approximate Distance from Dhopave