Janjira – The majestic island fortress

Janjira fort is one the sea fort in district of Raigad in Konkan region. The majestic island fortress of Janjira was the 16th century capital of the Siddis of Janjira, descendants of sailor traders from the horn of Africa. It is one of Maharashtra’s most commanding sea forts. The forts high walls made it impregnable to everyone, even the marathas. Shivaji tried many times to conquer this fort and failed every time. His son even tried to tunnel through it.

The fort is approached by sailboats from Rajapuri jetty. The main gate of the fort faces Rajapuri on the shore and can be seen only when one is quite close to it.  It has a small postern gate towards the open sea for escape.

The word Janjira is not native to India, and may have originated after the Arabic word Jazeera, which means an island. Murud was once known in Marathi as Habsan. Some of the people also split the name as “Jal Jeera” meaning fort in the water. The name of the fort is a concatenation of the Konkani and Arabic words for Island, “morod” and “jazeera”. The word “morod” is peculiar to Konkani and is absent in Marathi.

Specialty of fort is that it is situated deep is the sea 3kms from Murud. The Arabian Sea crashes relentlessly all around the fort battered all the sides by sea waves. Janjira fort is spread over 22 acres. There are two water tanks inside fort and deep well with cold and sweet water. A wonder of nature in middlest of the saline sea provides pure water to thirsty visitors. There are 19 towers and number of turrets in in the fort. Evey tower has huge cannon on it, specially three huge cannons by the names Kalal bangdi, Chavri and Landa Kasam is worth a mention. It is said that these guns could fire at a distance of two Kms. from the fort making it impossible for enemy ships to come near. From the fort you can see the sea fort of Kasa or Padmadurg which was built by Shivaji Maharaj to counter the might of Siddhi.

The fort is an excellent example of fort building architecture and its outer walls are still in a good condition. Now in ruins, the fort in its heyday had all necessary facilities, e.g., palaces, quarters for officers, mosque, a big fresh water tank, etc.  On the outer wall flanking the main gate, there is a sculpture depicting a tiger-like beast clasping elephants in its claws.  This sculpture, its meaning difficult to interpret, appears on many fort-gates of Maharashtra.

We are sure you will be awed looking at the fort by thinking how the hell people would have built a fort in the middle of the sea? You have to take a boat ride to go to the fort, and there is a lot to see on the fort.

About location

• District: Raigad
• From Mumbai: Approx 150km – 2 hours 45minute
  • Mumbai – Murud via Alibaug, Kashid
  • Mumbai – Murud via Nagothane, Roha
  • From Pune: approx. 175km – 3 hours 30minute
    • Pune – NH4 – Paud – Tamhini ghat – SH97 – SH60 – Kolad – NH17 – Roha – Janjira

Alibaug – A perfect weekend gate-away from Mumbai

Every bustling city needs an oasis of calm just around it to shield you from the crazy pace of everyday life. Alibaug provides just the perfect home away from home. Accessible by a simple ferry ride all through the year except the monsoons or it would take a three hour drive from Mumbai to get to Alibaug.

Alibaug is about 300 years old city. Alibaug was developed in the 17th century by Sarkhel Kanhoji Angre, the Naval chief of King Shivaji’s kingdom. Many people used to call Alibaug as Shribag. Now they formed ‘Shribaug’ as a part of Alibaug. Some people used to mention Alibaug as ‘Kulaba’. Alibaug was not directly connected to Mumbai at that time. People used to travel by sea from Revas, Dharmtar or Mankule. The scenario changed in 1964. The bridge of Dharamtar Creek was built; Alibaug got attached to the other cities like Mumbai.

Alibaug is a small town with an unhurried pace of life, a beautiful beach and the green hills on the other side, free of pollution and noise to charm.

A small walk from Alibaug depot is the Alibaug beach, this charming beach is a sight for sore eyes, with its proud coconut trees swaying in the breeze and the great sea glistening in the light of the gorgeous blue skies above. Kaluba fort is 1 km off the shore of this marvelous beach. One can walk down only during low tide because during high tide you can only access this fort by boat. Do check on time of tides while taking adventurous walk in Arabian Sea.

On coastal road from Alibaug to Murud, one can find beautiful beaches like Kashid, Kihim, Nandgaon and Murud-Janjira. For bird lovers, Phansad Wildlife sanctuary is on way to Murud.

Akshi Beach is a mere 15 minutes from Alibaug on the Alibaug -Revdanda road. A quiet fishing village with quaint houses built right in the calming shade of the coconut grove, it is a great throw back to a quiet and peaceful time and you automatically breathe easier and just leave your worries behind.

Nagaon Beach is situated 7 km from Alibaug and its picturesque beach is just what you need to revive your battered senses. This fishing village is not very crowded with tourist, so you can expect some solitude and plenty of fascinating sights to take in. This place is known for coconuts and betel-nuts.

One of best known beach around Alibaug is Kihim Beach. The woods in Kihim beach are home to a plethora of unique butterflies, birds and flora. Being developed place, Kihim beach still retaining its rustic flavor. One can cool off in the sea and spend a night underneath the stars on the golden sand beach of Kihim. Kihim is a wonderful beach with the right mix of beauty and development, solitude and activity. Kihim is so easily accessible, and so beautiful that it is the ideal getaway for a little “me” or “us” time with a variety of experiences to offer.

Chaul Rewdanda is located 25 km from Alibaug and besides being a very attractive beach; it has several historic monuments such as Buddhist caves, Portuguese ruins, a Hamam Khana and a range of places of worship including a church, a temple and even a synagogue.

Kashid Beach is an absolutely mesmerizing beach almost 30 km away from Alibaug which will make you fall in love to come again and again. With emerald green forest covered hillocks on one side and the most beautifully quiet silver sand beach on the other.

From Kashid you can venture towards the sea fort of Murud Janjira where you will be treated to countless postcard perfect sunsets with the awe inspiring fort in the background and romantic little sailboats flitting across the horizon. Images that will last a lifetime are what you can be promised at Murud Janjira.

20 km north of Alibaug is Mandwa which is the jetty that the ferry to and from Mumbai will land. This stretch of the beach has a line of magnificent bungalows all owned by the glitterati of Mumbai. Mandwa is a lovely beach to live on if you can get a hold of one of these bungalows.

A few other noteworthy beaches on this incredibly lovely stretch of sand and sea include Awas (16 km ), Saswane (18 km), and Rewas (24 km ). So pack your bags for a lazy week end that will give you a fresh lease of life and memories that will last forever.

How to Reach

From Mumbai

• 110 Kms off NH 17 Goa road good motorable scenic road
• Route: Mumbai – Panvel – NH17 – Vadkhal Naka – NH4B – Alibaug

From Pune:

• 128 Kms by road
• Route: Pune – NH4 – Lonavala – Left at Khopoli – on Khopoli Pali road – NH17 – Vadakhal – NH4B – Alibaug

Season & Climate

• Winter : Nov. to Feb., Temp. between 15° to 22° C
• Summer : March to May & Oct., Temp. between 28° to 32° C
• Monsoon : June to Sept., Rainfall 2000mm

Exploring beautiful Dabhol beach on Konkan Coast

Dabhol town is located on the south-west border of Dapoli in Ratnagiri district of  Maharashtra in Konkan. Vashishthi River flowing from Chiplun merges into the sea at Dabhol and is called as Dabhol creek. Major attractions of Dabhol are Chandikadevi Mandir (temple of Goddess Chandika) and a fishing jetty has made it increasingly popular as a tourist destination in Konkan.

The idol of Godess Chandika here, believed to be have formed naturally on its own (Swayambhu) and the temple is underground in a natural cave. To reach the deity, you have to pass through a low darkened passage. No light is allowed inside except that of oil lamp. There is a live spring of fresh water nearby which water all around the year has. Every year pilgrims throng here during Navaratri. This temple is very ancient and used to be frequently visited by Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.

Panoramic view of Dabhol Power Project (Enron), creek and town is one of beauty of Dabhol. An ideal place to enjoy serenity is a small but amazingly hidden beach of black sand and thick plantation of sheoak (Suruche Ban) along the Dabhol backwaters and the beautiful port in Dabhol Harbor. Dabhol has something to give whether fishing from the jetty, boating, or just scroll along village street. Over the last few years, dolphin watching has come of age as an exciting, inspiring activity of growing popularity in this area. There are some ferry boats also which take you into Dabhol Backwaters as well as into the deep sea for a ride and dolphin watching.

The Dabhol port boasts of centuries old history. Dabhol was of great importance in the 14th, 15th and 16th centuries. It used to be the principal port of South Konkan region, carrying on trade with ports in the Mediterranean, the Red Sea and the Persian Gulf. During 13th to 15th centuries this port was ruled by the Bahamani dynasty and was known as Mustafabad. Later on it was Hamjabad and then it was Dabhol. You can find many religious places of Hindus and Muslims. There is a fine mosque called Shahi Masjid with dome and minarets standing close to the port which was built in Adilshah’s Regime. It is said that Adilshah’s Begum spent around 1.5 million rupees in Indian currency for the construction of this mosque. Shahi Masjid is an excellent example of Muslim architecture. Dabhol was previously very famous, but of late much ruined by the Wars, and decreased in trade.

Gopalgad is another historical fort can be witnessed half an hour’s walk through the wood from the fishing village Anjanvel. Beautiful lighthouse and two ancient temples are located at the end of sea side of the fort.

There are ferry services to take you with your vehicles even cars and jeeps across creek from Dabhol to Dhopave.

Dabhol is one the place to eat fish and is definitely treat for non-vegetarian lovers to enjoy local fishes in local recipe to end up spicing up routine life.

Travel Details

From Mumbai

275kms, approximately 5 hours by road

Panvel – NH17 – Right@Goregaon – Ambet – Mandangad – Kadivali – Dapoli – Dabhol

From Pune

225km, approximately 4hours by road

Pune – NH4 – Right onto Bhor ghat – Birwadi – cross NH17@Rajewadi – Dapoli – Dabhol