Located off the coast of Maharashtra, the Sindhudurg Fort is an ancient fortress occupying an islet in the Arabian Sea. This imposing construction is spread over an area of 48 acres, with its massive walls standing tall against the crashing waves of the sea. The main entrance of the fort is hidden away in such a manner that no one can identify it from outside. The Sindhudurg Fort is a tangible example of the Maratha foresight and resourcefulness. Not only is this mighty fort a historically significant attraction, but the natural beauty of the surrounding landscape makes it a popular tourist spot. Protruding right from the midst of the mighty Arabian Sea, this fort makes up for a delightfully charming sight. Its rich historical background only adds to the experience of this place.
About Sindhudurg Fort
Built by none other than Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, the construction of Sindhudurg Fort utilizes the natural protection of the surrounding rocks to their advantage. With its solid walls and conspicuous gateways, this fort is a fascinating piece of history which makes it a favourite tourist spot. Perhaps one of the reasons why this magnificent fort has managed to stand the test of time would be its unique and unyielding construction style. The foundation of the mighty building was laid down in the lead, and the natural protection provided by the surrounding rocks acted as an impregnable barrier against any enemy forces. Sindhudurg Fort also has 42 bastions, which still stand tall and is surrounded by several smaller forts such as the Padmagad, Rajkot and Sarjekot Fort. A small temple dedicated to the Chhatrapati also finds a place within the bounds of the fort.
History of Sindhudurg Fort
Sindhudurg Fort was initially under the command of the Maratha Empire till 1765. It was commissioned for construction by Chhattrapati Shivaji Maharaj with the purpose of providing protection against the rising influence of the English, Dutch, French and Portuguese merchants, and to curb the rise of Siddis of Janjira. The construction of the same was done under the watchful eyes of Hirojee Indulkar somewhere around in 1664. Later on, it was overthrown by the British and was re-named, Port Augustus. It was then handed over to the Marathas, and finally, in 1792 it came under British rule, as per their treaty with the Marathas. The fort offers a spectacular view of the surrounding landscape, and you will surely feel the enigma of the stories surrounding this great fort.
Architecture Of Sindhudurg Fort
The strength of Sindhudurg Fort lies in its unshakable engineering, which utilised indigenous materials to the best of their properties. The main material used to build the fort was sand that was brought from Gujarat, while the foundation of the fort was laid down in hundreds of kilograms of lead. The complex of the fort is spread over a massive area of 48 acres and has a 3-kilometre long boulevard.
The walls of the Sindhudurg Fort stand 30 feet high and 12 feet thick, making it practically impossible scale. The main entrance is impossible to detect from the outside, which was further a deterrent to any invaders. One of the most peculiar yet intriguing details of SIndhhudurg Fort is its zig-zag walls, which house a number of pillars and bastions. As many as 23 Hindu and Muslim families still inhabit the bounds of the fort and a unique painting of Chhatrapati Shivaji without his iconic moustache is safely kept here as well.
How To Reach Sindhudurg Fort
Sindhudurg Fort can be reached from Malvan, a coastal town situated in the Sindhudurg district of Maharashtra.
BY AIR
The nearest airport to reach Malvan is Chipi Airport (SDW) which is almost 22 Kms from Malvan
Other available options are Mopa Airport (GOX) & Dabolim Airport (GOI) both are situated in Goa having approx distance of 78 Kms & 130 Kms respectively
Once you land at one of these airports, you can hire a taxi or take a bus to Malvan.
By Train
The closest railway station to Malvan is Kudal which is about 34 Kms away. Kudal is well connected to major cities like Mumbai, Pune & Goa.
Once you reach Kudal, you can hire a taxi or take a bus to Malvan.
By Road
Malvan is accessible by road via NH-66. You can take a bus or drive from major cities like Mumbai, Pune or Kolhapur to Malvan.
Distance from Mumbai is around 500 Kms
Distance from Pune is around 400 Kms
Distance from Kolhapur is around 160 Kms
Malvan To Sindhudurg Fort
From Malvan you need to take ferry to reach Sindhudurg Fort as it is located on an island about 1 Km from the coast. Regular ferries are being operated from Malvan Jetty which takes around 10-15 mins to reach the fort. These ferry services are suspended during the monsoon season (June to September). The ferry service operates from 9:30 am to 5:30 pm daily & charges around ₹100 per person for a round trip.
Tips
Consider carrying water, snacks, and sunscreen as there are no shops inside the fort. Hiring a guide or purchasing a guidebook is highly recommended for a better understanding of the fort’s history and significance.
