Sindhudurg Fort - Chatrapati Shivaji personally
selected the site for the fort. The construction of a sea fort is a stupendous
task, and at Sindhudurg no efforts were spared. Over 2,000 khandis (4,000
mounds) of iron were used for casting and the foundation stones were laid down
firmly in lead. Even today, as one approaches the fort past a rocky reef,
navigable through a narrow channel, one marvels at the transportation of such
heavy material through such choppy waters.
The fort houses a temple dedicated to Chatrapati Shivaji. Built by his son Rajaram, this is the only shrine of its kind in the
country. The fort also has the hand and feet imprints of Chatrapati Shivaji on one of its
walls. In course of exploration three triangular and three grapnel types of
stone anchors were noticed at the entrance of the Sindhudurg Fort. Anchors were
made out of local available sand stones. Presently these anchors are cemented
on the platform of the small jetty of the fort, two other grapnel types of
stone anchors are used as the mooring stones.
The original place of these anchors is not
known. But, it should be from nearby area only, where there might have been a
number of ancient wrecks. The submerged rocks of adjoining area caused wrecks
due to inexperienced navigation. Local fishermen informed about the several
shipwrecks behind.
Malvan has lot of resorts and restaurants.
No restaurants on the fort.
How to reach Sindhudurg Fort :
Boat/Ferries: The fort can be approached
only through a narrow navigable channel, between two small islands of Dhontara
and Padmagad. Ferries ply at regular intervals from the Malvan port to the
Sindhudurg fort.
By Air : Nearest airport is dabolim.
By Rail : Rajapur and Kudal are the nearest railway
stations on the Konkan railway.
By Road : Sindhudurg by road is 510-km from Mumbai
via the Goa Highway.
Places to visit in Sindhudurg Fort :
1. Maratha pantheon (as Maruti, Bhavani,
Mahadeo, Jarimai, Mahapurush, etc)
2. Vijaydurg Fort
