MURUD JANJIRA FORT

Located off the coast of the Murud village near the Arabian Sea, Murud-Janjira fort is one of the strongest and beautiful marine forts of India. Around 55 km from the popular town of Alibag in Raigad district, Murud-Janjira fort is a very popular historic fort. With the Arabian Sea on all the four sides, this mighty fort has stood for centuries and is a symbol of the brave Marathas of the region. The fort is around 50 feet in height and is regarded as an ancient architectural marvel.

The name Murud-Janjira originates its name from the Arabic word ‘Jazeera’ meaning “Island”. One can take a boat from the Rajapuri Jetty to reach the fort. The fort was originally built by the Sultans and later various modifications were done by the Marathas. The fort was a full-fledged living fort with natural lakes, offices, palaces, religious centers in it. During the times of conflicts, the roof of the fort was used as a watchtower. Now the roof provides a splendid view of the blue, crystal clear water of the Arabian Sea and golden sands of Murud Beach. 

In the Murud-Janjira Fort, there were around 500 cannons that were used in fights. Now, only a few cannons exist and are very popular among visitors. Other than that, the fort has housed some of the beautiful tombs, water tanks, and a few stone sculptures. The very popular gate of the fort is the entrance gate which is known as “Sher Darwaza” (Tiger’s Door) with a small sculpture of six elephants and a tiger.

Location: Murud-Janjira, Murud, Raigad District

Timing: 7 AM to 6 PM

Entry Fee: No Entry Fee

The fort was built by the Malik Ambar, a minister under the Sultan of Ahmednagar in the second half of the 17th Century and was under the control of the Sultan for many years. Some many conflicts and battles happened in and around the fort which destroyed some of the parts of the fort and its towers. 

At the beginning of the 18th Century, the Siddis had total domination over the Murud-Janjira fort and controlled the fort for over 100 years. Due to its varied structure and location in the middle of the sea, the enemies were easily spotted. The mighty Siddis defended the fort and defeated enemies like the Portuguese, Britishers, and the Marathas. 

In 1736, a battle was waged between Siddis and Peshwa Bajirao of Marathas. Alongside Peshwa Bajirao, his commander-in-chief Chinmaji Appa fought the Siddis and killed around 1500 Siddis and their leader. In a span of a few months, the battle ended in the side of the Marathas. The remaining Siddis were given lands in Gowalkot and Anjanwel.

Later with the decline of the power of Peshwa Bajirao and the diminishing Maratha Empire, the fort remained unconquered for decades and post-independence became a part of the Indian Territory.

Structure of Murud Janjira Fort

The Murud-Janjira fort was more than a fort; it was an architectural marvel of its time. Though most of the fort is now ruined because of the numerous battles fought here but some significant portions of it are still intact today. 

The fort houses around 572 canons that would launch cannonballs on the enemy army. Now only 3 of the 572 cannons exist on the fort which is very popular among the visitors. Located on the very top of the fort, the three cannons are Landa Kasam, Kalal Bangadi and Chavri. These cannons used to launch cannonballs which were made from a mixture of various metals. The locals claim that the cannons could fire a ball as far as 12 km.

The fort has 2 main entrances; first is the main entrance and second the gate towards the sea. The entrance gate opens to the beachside and is the entry gate for visitors. The gate has engraved design patterns of animals like elephants, tigers, and lions. Also, the gate is the entrance point of the Durbar Hall where the meetings and several religious celebrations used to take place. The ruined darbar hall used to be a three-story hall in the center of the fort. The second gate which is popularly known as the “Darya Darwaza” opens to the other side of the fort that ends in the sea. During the time of the battles, this gate was used as an escape route.

Places to Eat near Murud-Janjira Fort

The food available here is among the tastiest foods in India. The Konkani food is famous for its seafood and some of the popular dishes include Valva, Konkani Fish Curry, etc. and other dishes are Gashi, Poha, Usal-Misal, etc.

Here are some of the places to eat near Murud-Janjira Fort

1. Hotel Sea-Rock:

Tasty Food and a beautiful view of the sea, what else could one ask for? 

Hotel Sea-Rock is located on a cliff close to the sea. The restaurant is one of the most popular restaurants in the locality and serves some of the finest traditional Indian dishes. 

2. Patil Khanawal:

Patil Khanawal is located near Murud Beach and is popular for its seafood dishes. The restaurant serves the ultimate purpose of mouth-watering food on one side and fine beach ambiance on the other side. Some of the popular seafood dishes here are Pomfret, Surmai, etc. 

3. Hotel Vinayak:

Located near the beach, Vinayak Hotel serves the best Malvani Thali in the region. The hotel is also known for its Kokam Syrup Juice along with some spices.

Places to Stay near Murud-Janjira

Who would not want to spend their night near the calm and awesome beach? There are many stay options near the fort.

Here are some places to stay near Murud-Janjira Fort.

1. Murud Marina Hotel:

Located in the Bhandarwada Area of Murud, Murud Marina Hotel is a very popular stay option in Murud. With services like Free Wifi, outdoor and private pool, beach and wheelchair accessibility, this hotel is a perfect stay option for families. 

2. Golden Swan Beach Resort:

With its complementary tasty breakfast and beach facing villas, Golden Swan is the ultimate place to stay near Murud-Janjira fort. With a kid’s playground and ample parking space, the hotel is the best place to stay near the fort. 

3. The Nest Bamboo House:

A perfect stay option which is very close to the beach, the Nest Bamboo is a good option to stay near Murud-Janjira. With facilities like outdoor games and spacious parking spaces, you can have the best stay in the Nest Bamboo house.

Travellers' Tip before Visiting Murud Janjira Fort

Due to the unique location and setting of Murud Janjira Fort, there are some things that one has to keep in mind.

Here are some tips:

1. The distance from the beach and fort is around 2 km. And there are no shops or stalls that sell food or water near the fort. It is advisable to carry snacks and water. 

2. You can take an entire boat at cheaper rates if you are traveling in a group.

3. If you do not want to miss the beauty of this place, carry a camera with you. 

4. Do not litter the fort nor the sea near the fort. Carry a garbage bag to dispose of all the trash. 

5. Travel alongside a local as this will help you know the fort better and also you may hear some of the interesting stories about the place.