Sunday, October 27, 2013

Sindhudurg Fort

The fort lies on the shore of Malvan town of Sindhudurg District in the Konkan region of Maharashtra, south of Mumbai. This fort is constructed by The Great Maratha Raja Shivaji, Today also we can See His foot & Palm print in fort. Over 4000 mounds of iron were used in the casting and foundation stones were firmly laid down. Construction started on 25 November 1664. Built over a period of three years (1664–67), the sea fort is spread over 48 acres (190,000 m2) with a two-mile (3 km) long rampart, and walls that are 30 feet (9.1 m) high and 12 feet (3.7 m) thick. The massive walls were designed to serve as a deterrent to approaching enemies and to the waves and tides of the Arabian Sea. The main entrance is concealed in such a way that no one can pinpoint it from outside.

Best time to Visit:
September to April

What to see?
Bastian, Fortification, Water cisterns.
1)There are three sweet water reservoirs in ramparts of the fort , and even if the water in the nearby villages dries in summer, these wells do not dry; they always contain water in them.
(2)There is a coconut tree which has a branch, if you see a coconut tree it will never have a branch but this tree not only has a branch but also gives fruit. This tree was struck by lightning a couple of years ago.
(3)There is a passage which is hidden in a temple which looks like a water reservoir, this passage goes under the fort for 3 kilometers, and 12 kilometers beneath the sea, and from there 12 kilometers in a nearby village which was used as a rescue door if the enemy entered the fort; this way was for the women to move out. However, this passage has been partially closed to public view, ever since it was abandoned, by the British rulers.
(4)The entrance gate is hardly visible from anywhere, and unless you are not a regular visitor, and if you are not and you are trying to enter through a boat which is the only possible option apart from air, you would bang at the rocks around the fort which can't be seen to naked eyes, hence you have to be very familiar with the fort ,to enter.
(5) A handprint and a footprint of Shivaji Maharaj is also embedded in one section of the fort. There is also Atmeshwar Mandir, a famous Shivling, and is beautiful place for Adhyatmik Sadhana (Spiritual Activities).
(6)There is a Temple of Shivaji Maharaj, built by his son Rajaram: The only temple of Shivaji in the world. In this temple, festivities like Shivaji Jayanti (birthday of Shivaji), Ram Navami, Janmashtami, Mahashivrathri, Ganesh Chaturthi, etc also take place.
(7) Daily Pooja (worship)and maintenance is done by mainly two families-that were assigned this job since the fort was built, one of them is Shriram Sakpal
  
Water and Food
Water & food is available on the Fort.

Stay / Accommodation
No place to stay on the Fort. Once can stay in Malvan.

Places around
Malvan, Trakarli Beach, Devgad

For more photos see link below

Sindhudurg Fort
Sindhudurg Fort


Panorama View - Sindhudurg Fort



Panorama View - Sindhudurg Fort

Panorama View - Sindhudurg Fort

Temple of Shivaji Maharaj
Temple of Shivaji Maharaj


Panorama View - Sindhudurg Fort
Panorama View - Sindhudurg Fort
 For more photos see link below


Reaching Sindhudurg Fort from Malvan Jetty :-

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Sunday, October 20, 2013

Vijaydurg Fort

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


For more photos see link below
https://www.facebook.com/Weekendtravels.in

Vijaydurg Fort

Panorama View - Vijaydurg Fort

Vijaydurg Fort

Panorama View - Vijaydurg Fort

Vijaydurg Fort

Panorama View - Vijaydurg Fort

Panorama View - Vijaydurg Fort

Panorama View - Vijaydurg Fort

Panorama View - Vijaydurg Fort

Vijaydurg Fort

Panorama View - Vijaydurg Fort

Panorama View - Vijaydurg Fort

Vijaydurg Fort




Reaching Vijaydurg Fort from Malvan :-


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Sunday, October 13, 2013

Devgad Fort

A historical monument, of vital importance, Devgad Fort is located at Devgad in Sindhudurg District of Maharashtra. Devgad town got its name from this legendary fort. The walls and the structures of this fort are still intact and in good condition. Bounded by evergreen mangroves this fortified monument looks pretty good and make oneself to feel proud about the rich cultural heritage. Placed at the convergence of the majestic Arabian Sea and Devgad creek, Devgad fort is a tourist’s delight. The lighthouse in the fort is remarkable for its excellent craftsmanship.

Best time to Visit:
September to April

What to see?
Bastian, Fortification, Water cisterns, Ganpati Temple, Light House.

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 Devgad.

Places around
Malvan, Trakarli Beach, Sindhudurg Fort, Vijaydurg Fort, Devgad & Taramumbari Beach

Approximate Distance from Devgad ST Stand
3 Kms

For more photos see link below

Panorama View - Devgad Fort

Devgad Fort

Panorama View - Devgad Fort

Panorama View - Devgad Fort

Panorama View - Devgad Fort

Panorama View - Devgad Fort

Panorama View - Devgad Fort


Devgad Fort

Devgad Fort

Panorama View - Devgad Fort

Panorama View - Devgad Fort

Devgad Fort


Reaching Devgad Fort from Devgad :-



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