Suvarnadurg

The Suvarnadurg fort is located on a rocky island in the Arabian Sea on the west coast of the Indian peninsula, close to the Ratnagiri District of Maharashtra. The fort has witnessed many naval battles between the Marathas and the invading European colonists like the British, French, Dutch and the Portuguese. Kept mostly under the control of Kanhoji Angre, Shivaji’s naval commander, the fort remained under the command of the Peshwas till 1818. Captain William of the British army attacked the fort and captured the Suvarnadurg fort eventually.

There are two entrance gates in the fort. There is one on the eastern side above the high tide level of the sea – this is the Mahadarwaja or the Principal Gate. The other gate is on the western side which – this is the Chor Darwaja. The main gate faces the island, while the hidden one looks out onto the sea.

At the main entry which is currently accessed by a narrow route (locally called the Devdis), you will be greeted by the figure of Hanuman, the Ramayana famed Monkey God who reportedly built the bridge between the Indian mainland and Sri Lanka, carved on the wall. You can also see the carved figure of a turtle on the steps leading to the inside of the fort. The Chor Darwaja or the sea-gate is adorned with the figures of tiger, eagle and elephant. The fort is now in ruins, but you can see the large foundation plinths abounding the fort and can understate the palace like structures. Stony edifices built at strategic corners point towards the presence of armories and ammunition stores for the use of the army at the times of war.

How to reach: If you are coming by train, then you must get down at the Khed railway station. Take an auto rickshaw from there to go to Harnai. There are some buses too that visit Harnai, which is just a small fishing village. You will have to take a boat from here to visit the fort.

The fort is located on a small island where there is no space for any hotels or resorts to come up, and so, you won’t find any hotels in Suvarnadurg fort, or resorts in Suvarnadurg fort. However, there are some beaches around the place where you will find good accommodation.