The medieval fort at Murud janjira fort, located in Maharashtra’s Raigad district and near Murud’s coastal village, is in the Arabian Sea. This fort, famous for its legendary history, is one of the most fearsome on the Indian coast. Murud Janjira also known as Jajire Mehrub Janjira called Island and Mehrub means crescent.
History Background:-
Initially, the African-born Siddis built the fort, which later functioned as the Janjira Siddis’ seat of control.
From the fourteenth century onward, the Siddis dominated this region with enormous influence.
The fort is said to have been erected in the 12th century, but Sidi Johar upgraded and rebuilt it in the late 17th century. The fort was never captured, despite several attempts by various dynasties, including the Portuguese, British, Marathas, and even the Mughals.
Murud-Janjira was the objective of a late-17th-century attempt by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, the famed Maratha warrior monarch, to seize it. Even Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s well-planned attacks on the fort’s fortifications were foiled by Kanhoji Angre’s naval forces. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj even attempted to attack the Murud Janjira fort stronghold by building Padmadurg, a neighboring fort, but Murud-Janjira thwarted all of his attempts.
In the late 17th century, Murud-Janjira was the target of an effort to be taken by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, the renowned Maratha warrior ruler. Even Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj well-thought-out attacks against the fort’s defenses were thwarted by Kanhoji Angre’s naval forces. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj even tried to assault the Janjira stronghold by constructing Padmadurg, a nearby fort, but Murud-Janjira repelled all of his attacks to know more about Murud Janjira Fort
Architecture:
The fort’s architecture is a unique blend of Maratha, Mughal, and European styles. Nineteen of its bastions remain intact to this day .The fort’s main entrance faces Rajapuri’s beach, which is accessible via ferry.
A smaller gate went to the sea for emergency escape.
Inside the fort, there are still remnants of palaces, cannons, freshwater lakes, and living quarters.
Main Attraction: The fort’s 19 bastions, many of which are still intact, are its main draws. The guns on top of these bastions provided strong defenses against invaders.
Guns:-
The fort’s guns are one of its primary features. The three largest cannons—Landa Kasam, Chavri, and Kalal Bangdi—are especially well-known. These guns are said to have the ability to remotely sink enemy ships.
One of the most fascinating features of Murud-Janjira Fort is the presence of freshwater ponds within its walls. It is incredible that these ponds continued to supply fresh water to the occupants of the fort during lengthy sieges, given that the fort was situated on a rocky island encircled by the ocean.
Palaces & Ruins: Despite the fort’s largely destroyed state, tourists may still see remnants of its royal quarters, palaces, living quarters, and mosques, which offer a glimpse into the everyday lives of its occupants.
Palaces & Ruins:
Despite the fort’s largely destroyed state, tourists may still see remnants of its royal quarters, palaces, living quarters, and mosques, which offer a glimpse into the everyday lives of its occupants.A smaller gate at the fort opens to the sea, and it is thought to be a secret escape route in the event of an emergency. The already interesting design of the fort is enhanced by this mysterious gate.
Nearby Attraction:
Murud beach:
Murud Beach is one of the nearby attractions. It’s a short walk from the fort to a calm, less busy beach. After touring the fort, many tourists choose to unwind here because of its serene ambiance, fine dunes, and crystal-clear water.
Padmdurg fort:
Also referred to as Kasa Fort, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj erected this fortification to oppose Murud-Janjira. While it is not as well preserved as Murud-Janjira, history buffs will nevertheless find it interesting.
Nawab Palace:
The colonial-era Nawab’s Palace, situated in Murud town, was formerly home to the Murud rulers. Explore this mansion’s architectural beauty, which features a fusion of regional and European elements.
Best time to visit:
The best time to visit Murud-Janjira Fort is between October and March when the weather is pleasant and the water is still calm enough for boat excursions.
The monsoon season lasts from June to September. The fort is typically unavailable to tourists during the monsoon season due to the dangerously high waves that make boat journeys to the fort unsafe.
Entry Costs and Schedule:
Entry Fee: While there isn’t a set price to enter the fort itself, visitors must pay for the boat transportation there and back. The cost of the boat journey varies, but it usually costs between INR 50 and INR 100 per person.
Timings: Visitors can visit the fort from 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM. To escape the noon heat and to make sure you have enough time to explore the entire fort, it is best to arrive early in the day.
Accommodation and Dining:
Resorts and Hotels: Murud has a variety of lodging options, ranging from low-cost motels to opulent seaside resorts. Many visitors would rather stay in Murud village and take in the ambiance of the beach.
Dining: Konkani and Malvani cuisine, which is popular for its fresh seafood, is served at a number of the area restaurants. Murud is known for its crab curry, prawns, and fish thali.
Adventure and Ecotourism Activities:
A few tour companies in Murud also provide ecotourism activities, such as birdwatching and nature hikes through the mangroves and coastal woods in the area.
In addition to exploring the fort’s historical significance, Murud Beach is an ideal destination for adventure seekers, offering water sports such as jet skiing and parasailing.
Location and Accessibility:
You must first arrive in Murud village before taking a boat to Murud-Janjira Fort. Here’s a detailed explanation of how to travel to the fort from several locations.
By Road: From Mumbai: About 165 kilometers separate you from Mumbai.
Route: Follow the NH-66 Mumbai-Goa Highway. Travel southward from Mumbai to Panvel, then turn onto the route that leads to Alibaug and Murud. Usually, the drive takes four to five hours.
From Pune: 180 kilometers is the approximate distance from Pune. Route: Travel to Kolad via the Tamhini Ghat Road, then proceed in the direction of Murud. The trip takes about five hours.
By Train: About 40 kilometers distant, Roha Railway Station is the closest train station to Murud. Roha is accessible by train from Mumbai and other large cities. To go to Murud from Roha, you can take a local bus or hire a taxi.
As an alternative, you can drive to Murud after taking the rail to Panvel or Alibaug.
By Air: About 150 kilometers from Murud, the closest airport is Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport. To go to Murud from Mumbai, you can either rent a car or take a bus.
Another option is the Pune Airport, which is a little further away (approximately 180 kilometers from Murud).
By Boat/ Ferry To Murud- Janjira Fort: Rajapuri Jetty, roughly 2 km from Murud Beach, is the place to go after arriving at Murud hamlet.
Boats and ferries are accessible from Rajapuri to Murud-Janjira Fort, which is situated on an island approximately one kilometer offshore.
Depending on the boat service, the boat journey costs between INR 50 and INR 100 per person and lasts for about 15 to 20 minutes. With the exception of the monsoon season (June to September), when the sea can be too choppy for sailing, boats often operate all day.
Alternative Modes Of Transportation:
Buses: The Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) runs a bus service to Murud from Pune, Mumbai, and other surrounding towns. These buses are an excellent choice for those on a tight budget or without Private vehicles.
Important Travel Advice: Avoid Monsoon Season: Because of the strong seas, boat transportation to the fort is typically not possible from June to September during the monsoon
Plan Ahead: It’s a good idea to reserve lodging in Murud ahead of time if you’re visiting during the tourist season, which runs from October to March. This is especially true for weekends and holidays.
Local Transportation:
In Murud village, auto-rickshaws and taxis are available for local transportation, which includes visits to Rajapuri Jetty.
After arriving at the fort, boat operators often allow guests to explore it for 45 to 1 hour before heading back to the jetty.
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