About Govalkot / Govindgadh Fort

Gowalkot is a small fort located on the southern bank of the Vashishthi River around 10 km from Chiplun. This fort was built to guard the port of Chiplun. It is at strategic point as lookout on Vashisthi River Valley, which was an important trade route. This fort is surrounded by a river on three sides & trench on the fourth side. A Karanjeshwari Mandir at the foothills is a famous religious place. There are 22 canons in the fort from the British and Maratha eras. The longest one is around 7.5 meters in the length. Fort offers a great lookout point on the river Vashisthi, which was an important trade route.

The fort is situated at a height of 60 meters from its base and you can reach the fort in 20 mins by climbing the stairs situated besides the Karanjeshwari Temple. Just before entering the fort, you can see 2 bastions and the place of the main door. But today only the signs of the main door, its pillar, and the arch exist. You can find two British-made canons in the next bastion.

While circling from the bastions to the walls of the fort, you can see the banks of the river Vashishthi to your right and beautiful view from there.  You can also see the temple of Vinjhai Devi to the south of the fortification. Outside the temple, there is a dome which consists of an idol of Redjai Devi. The residents living in the fort have been worshipping these Gods since the ancient times. Many such deities are found on various forts which were established and worshipped for the protection of the fort.

It is said that this fort has been built by a king named "Chougle". It later was ruled by Siddhis of Janjira. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj won this fort in 1660 & renamed it "Govindgad". During Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj's period, Siddhis won this fort again. On 20th March 1736, Pilaji Jadhav, Chimaji Appa and their army attacked Siddi Saat. Siddai Saat died in this battle along with his 1300 men and 800 Marathas. A pact was made in which Siddi retained Gowalkot fort with him. After 1745 AD, Tulaji Angre won this fort. Peshwa was the last ruler of the fort & then East India Company took charge from them. Now the fort is under the care of the Government Of India

There is a built water pond but has no water in it. Behind this pond there is an elevated structure from where one can see the entire fort. The fort wall is 8 feet wide and is still intact. There are many steps built at intervals to climb the fortified wall. While descending from the main doorway, instead of taking the steps proceed towards the Chiplun Water filtration center where one can see remnants of the fort wall. Behind this water filtration center there is a bastion. Another dilapidated doorway which is on the west side of the fort takes us to Gowalkot jetty where there are 5 canons buried upside down.