Vijayadurg

About:

Vijaydurg (formerly also known as Gheriah) is a seaport 485 km from Bombay on India's West Coast. It boasts a safe harbour with average depths in excess of 100 feet.From Vijaydurg, Goa is a 200km drive South along the National Highway 17. The beach facing the Arabian Sea has a historic fort ( 800 years old) from which the town/seaport derives its name. The region offers a very panoramic view of the creek and the fort. A number of virgin beaches abound near Vijaydurg.

'Vijaydurg, which literally means "Victory Fort", is a fort built by Shivaji in the Sindhudurg district in Maharashtra, India. The main purpose of building this fort was to defend the shoreline on the Arabian Sea. This fort is a complex in itself, having a commander's house and three lines of defences. The three fortified walls stand proud and tested by time and the unforgiving sea.

The Vijaydurg fort was built by Shivaji at the mouth of Vaghotane creek. The fort is on a peninsula into the sea and is spread in an area of six hectares. The fort has 27 bastions and is still in a very good condition. The huge stones used for the fort walls and the strength of the walls are still visible, and it is quite interesting to think how these huge walls were built in the open sea.

Vijaydurg Located in Devgad taluka, Vijaydurg is famous all over the world for its delicious Alphonso mangoes, and this becomes quite evident on the approach to Devgad.

Vijaydurg, is situated 48kms south of Ratnagiri, is one of the strongest marine forts on the west coast of India. It is also an excellent harbour. Built on a hill on the mouth of Vaghotan River, the fort was protected on three sides by the sea and on the east side by ditch, now filled up. After crossing the front gate on the east, the path, skirting round the massive middle wall, enters the hidden inner gateway. The strong triple line of fortifications had 27 bastions, some of them two-storeyed. Within the citadel there were many buildings and storehouses, now all in ruins except a structure called Rest House. For the supply of water there were several wells and large tanks

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History:

At the beginning of the 18th century the pirate chief Angria made Viziadrug the capital of a territory stretching for 150 M. along the coast and from 30 to 60 m. inland . The fort was taken by Admiral Watson and Colonel Clive in 1756

The oldest fort on Sindhudurg coast constructed in the regime of Raja Bhoj of shilahar dynasty in 1205 (construction period 1193-1205). The fort was earlier known as "Gheria" as it is situated in the village "Girye". Shivaji Maharaj won this fort from Adilshaha of Bijapur in 1653 and renamed it as “Vijay Durg” as the then Hindu solar ear’s name was “Vijay”. Vijay means Victory.

Chatrapati Shivaji extended the area of fort by constructing three fort walls on the eastern side. These three fortifications are of 36 m height and he also constructed 20 bastions of the fortwall. This is only one of the two forts of the Maratha kingdom, where King Shivaji personally hoisted the saffron flag. The other fort is "Torana". This fort was also known as "Eastern Gibraltar" as this fort was impregnable for a long time like the fort “Gibraltar” in Europe. This impregnable fort has some locational advantages. One such advantage is 40 km long waghotan/kharepatan Creek. The big ships can’t enter the shallow water of this creek and hence Maratha warships were anchored in this creek. These ships were invisible from deep sea.

A historic place with serene, coastal beauty, Vijaya durg fort testifies the martial supremacy of the Marathas during the reign of Sivaji. Numerous towers, the triple line of huge walls, and the spacious interior buildings of this impressive monument are added by Sivaji.

Interesting things to do:

Interesting things to Visit:

• Visit the twin forts of Vijaydurg and Sindhudurg on a low rocky 48acre island of Malvan coast. With a serene coastal beauty, the remnants of history prevail here on every brick of the Vijaydurg-Sindhudurg forts.
• Bhavani Temple
• Mahadeo Temple
• Jarimai Temple
• Mahapurush Temple
• Shivaji Temple
• Kunkeshwar Temple is not only a beautiful temple but the setting of this temple is absolutely marvellous.
• Devgarh fort is a small fort, not really worth a visit, but it has a small beach tucked away inside it

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Nearest Visiting places:

The palatial house of Dhulap in ‘Vijaydurg’ village has some beautiful wall paintings of natural colours. These paintings are of Maratha style.

The Rameshwar Temple at Girye is 3 Km from the fort. This stone archway and pathway leading to the temple is a sight and behold. This temple also has beautiful wall paintings and wooden engravings on the columns.

Wind mills, Devgad Fort (30 kms) and Kunkeswar Temple ( 40 kms.)

Nearest Petrol Pump:

Hotels/Lodge/Accommodation:

• Hotel Krishna Sea View at Ratnagir
• Mamacha Gaon at Ratnagir

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Nearest Hospital:

Varavade Rural Hospital at Sindhudurg
Sushrut Surgical and Maternity Hospital at Ratnagir