Explore Weekends: Jaigad Fort

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