Vijaydurg (sometimes written as Viziadrug), the
oldest fort on the Sindhudurg coast, was constructed during the regime of Raja
Bhoja II of the Shilahar dynasty (construction period 1193-1205). The fort was
earlier known as "Gheria", as it is situated close to the village of "Girye".
Shivaji captured this fort from Adil Shah of Bijapur in 1653 and renamed it as
"Vijay Durg" as the then Hindu solar year's name was
"Vijay" (Victory). Earlier, the fort encompassed an area of 5 acres
(1 acre = 4840 square yards or 4047 square metres) and was surrounded by sea on
all four sides.
Over the years the eastern trench was reclaimed
and a road constructed thereon. Presently the area of fort is about 17 acres
and is surrounded by the Arabian Sea on three sides. Shivaji extended the area
of the fort by constructing three walls on the eastern side, each 36 metres
high. He also constructed 20 bastions. According to legend, this is one of only
two Maratha forts where Shivaji personally hoisted the saffron flag. The other
fort is "Torana". Vijaydurg Fort was called the "Eastern
Gibraltar", as it was virtually impregnable. Its location advantage
include the 40 km long Waghotan/Kharepatan creek. Large vessels cannot enter
the shallow water of this creek. Also, Maratha warships could be anchored in
this creek and yet remain invisible from the sea.
Sir J Norman Lankier, a British scientist was
observing a solar eclipse from this fort on 18th August 1868. It was during his
observation that the Helium Gas was discovered on Sun in the form of a yellow
flame! He named this as Helios which was later named as Helium. Vijaydurg can
be credited as the place where Helium was discovered.
Best time to
Visit:
September to April
What to see?
Bastian, Fortification, Water cisterns.
Water and Food
Water & food is available on the Fort,
however there are stalls outside fort.
Stay /
Accommodation
No place to stay on the Fort. Once can stay in Malvan.
Places around
Malvan, Trakarli Beach, Devgad, Sindhudurg Fort
Approximate
Distance from Malvan
72 Kms
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Vijaydurg Fort
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Panorama View - Vijaydurg Fort |
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Vijaydurg Fort |
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Panorama View - Vijaydurg Fort |
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Vijaydurg Fort |
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Panorama View - Vijaydurg Fort |
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Panorama View - Vijaydurg Fort |
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Panorama View - Vijaydurg Fort |
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Panorama View - Vijaydurg Fort
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Vijaydurg Fort
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Panorama View - Vijaydurg Fort |
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Panorama View - Vijaydurg Fort |
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Vijaydurg Fort
For more photos see link below
Reaching Vijaydurg Fort from Malvan :-
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