Murud Janjira In Murud

This fort is a sneak peak to history that you can enjoy while on a boat sail, it surely is an experience of a lifetime. Janjira fort is surrounded by water on all sides and therefore it is also called the Island Fort. It is an excellent piece of ancient engineering. The fort withstood for more than 950 years now and though most of its is decayed due to salt water, the fort still remains with resplendent glory and a guided tour is highly recommended to understand all the history. The area on top with guns is awesome and the view from up there is out of the world.

Located on an oval shaped  rock near the port town of Murud at a distance of 165kms away from Mumbai, Janjira is one of the most tested marine forts of India (the word ‘Janjira’ comes from the Arabic word Jazira which means island). The fort can be reached by sailboats from Rajapuri jetty. The primary gate of the fort opens towards Rajapuri on the shore and is viewed only when one is very near to it.

It has a small hidden gate towards the open sea to flee. This fort houses 19 rounded bastions all of them still in very good condition. One can find many canons of European and native made now made to rust on the bastions. At present in vestiges, the fort in its zenith had all necessary facilities like the quarters for officers palaces, a big fresh water tank, mosque etc. On the external wall next to the main gate is a sculpture portraying a tiger-like beast holding elephants in its claws. Though it is difficult to interpret this sculpture appears on many of the fort-gates of Maharashtra.