20

Forts In and Near Mumbai

Standing tall in the middle of the Worli fishing village, the Worli Fort is a historic, yet overlooked tourist attraction in Mumbai. It was built on a hilltop by the British as a vantage point to keep an eye on the sea activities and a lookout for the enemy ships. 

It has caught the attention of the people due to the construction of Bandra-Worli Sealink. Since then, the footfall of tourists has increased here. Generally, quite a few history buffs, students and foreigners find their way up here. 

The fort is pretty sturdy and still looks glorious even after withstanding the adverse weather conditions and negligence by the government over the years. It was refurbished in 2007 and since then has been maintained by a few locals and the Bombay Municipal Corporation.

Although it is quite difficult to reach the fort due to Kolis, the fishing community residing around it, it is open for the public to visit and can be accessed by foot. 

You can walk through the frenzy and narrow lanes and reach the fort by climbing up a few steps. The beautifully ornamented and arched gate welcomes you inside the fort. Inside, you can see a weird combination of a Hanuman temple, a well, a gym, and a lot of open space. 

From here you can get drenched in the views of the amazing Mahim Bay and the Bandra-Worli Sealink and feel the cool sea-breeze touching your face. This defence structure is one of the few intact forts in Mumbai, that persists in all its glory and is worth a visit for its unimpaired architecture.

Situated close to the famous hill station of Lonavala, Lohagad is one of the most magnificent places to visit in Pune. Located on a beautiful hillock near Malavali, this place is one of the favourite destinations for trekking enthusiasts in Pune. Dating back to the 18th century, this place is an interesting visit to appreciate the charm of ancient architecture nestled in the midst of natural beauty.

Located off the coast of the Murud village near the Arabian Sea, Murud-Janjira fort is one of the strongest and beautiful marine forts of India. Around 55 km from the popular town of Alibag in Raigad district, Murud-Janjira fort is a very popular historic fort. With the Arabian Sea on all the four sides, this mighty fort has stood for centuries and is a symbol of the brave Marathas of the region. The fort is around 50 feet in height and is regarded as an ancient architectural marvel.

The name Murud-Janjira originates its name from the Arabic word ‘Jazeera’ meaning “Island”. One can take a boat from the Rajapuri Jetty to reach the fort. The fort was originally built by the Sultans and later various modifications were done by the Marathas. The fort was a full-fledged living fort with natural lakes, offices, palaces, religious centers in it. During the times of conflicts, the roof of the fort was used as a watchtower. Now the roof provides a splendid view of the blue, crystal clear water of the Arabian Sea and golden sands of Murud Beach. 

In the Murud-Janjira Fort, there were around 500 cannons that were used in fights. Now, only a few cannons exist and are very popular among visitors. Other than that, the fort has housed some of the beautiful tombs, water tanks, and a few stone sculptures. The very popular gate of the fort is the entrance gate which is known as “Sher Darwaza” (Tiger’s Door) with a small sculpture of six elephants and a tiger.

Located in the proximity of Kolhapur city the Panhala Fort is strategically built and is the largest Fort in the Deccan region. It connects Maharashtra to the Arabian Sea through Bijapur and those who love exploring history and geographies will get amazed by it and it is one of the best places to visit in Kolhapur.

The Fort showcases variants of motifs, bastions, and various other relics of different dynasties and the Indo-Islamic architecture is an add on. From here you can take a glimpse at the glorious past of the Maratha empire and also take a 360-degree view from the hilltop. So, add this edifice in your itinerary of sightseeing places in Kolhapur and make the trip even more fantastic.

Essential Information

- Location: Panhala Fort, Panhala, Maharashtra 416201

- Best Time: June to February

- Timings: 24 hours open

- Price: No entrance fees

Raigad Fort is a majestic fort in Maharashtra which you can see in Sahyadri mountain ranges of Western Ghats. The fort is a symbol of Maratha pride and one of the great reminders of the history of Marathas. It was named as Gibraltar of the East by the British due to its strategic location and one of the most important landmarks in the city of Pune.

Some main attractions of Raigad Fort are the Hirakani Buruj, Maha Darwaja, the King’s Durbar, Takmak Tok, Jagdishwar Mandir etc. The fort has become a major tourist spot for its trekking opportunities where one needs to climb up to 1737 steps and enjoy a breath-taking view of the landscape. For those who wish to give trekking a miss, there is a splendid ropeway ride to give you goosebumps as you move through the winds with an exquisite aerial view of the landscape. The place has been dubbed as one of the most exciting Pune tourist destinations for history lovers and adventure freaks.

- Location: Raigad Fort, Raigad, Maharashtra

- Best Time to visit: The best time to visit Raigad Fort is from November to March|

- Entry fee: The cost of an entry ticket for Indians is INR 10 / USD 0.15 and for foreigners, it is INR 100/ USD 1.54|

- Timings: Tourists can visit Raigad Fort from 10 am to 6 pm every day

Literally meaning the Lion Fort, Sinhagad Fort is one of the most famous historical places to visit in Pune which is believed to have been built about 2000 years ago. It is getting more beautiful as it is ageing and rain adds more to its beauty. Being at its best, a hot cup of coffee with your loved one amidst the mist surrounding this magnificent heritage in rain would be perfect.

Looking for some beautiful historical places? Pratapgarh Fort is one of the best Satara tourist places that you mustn’t miss. Well, the fort is completely suitable for clicking stunning pictures and photographs. Pratapgarh fort is quite nearby Mahabaleshwar, as being one of the most popular hilltops in Maharashtra. Astounding valleys, lakes and the entire city is visible from hill top of Pratapgad Fort.

A trek to the Rajmachi Fort will take you to the hidden landscapes of the region that will spellbind you. The Fort was built back in the 17th century and is one of the best trekking spots of Maharashtra. It is snuggled in the Karjat region and was built in the era of Shivaji Maharaj. From here, you can take a look at the Borghat which is a historic trade route and extends spectacular views. Apart from this, it is one of the best places to visit in Khandala.

Tikona Fort is a dominant hill fortress of Konkan’s Pawan Maval region. This is Maharashtra’s popular one-day trekking spot. Locally, it is famous by the name Vitandgad. Situated on top of the Tikona peak, this fort has an altitude of 3633 feet from the sea level.

If you take a look at its present-day geography, it resembles a triangle and thus named as Tikona. Large fortifications, seven water tanks filled with crystal clear water, large doorways, and spectacular surrounding views from its bastion sums up the beauty of this place. Sahyadri’s green hillocks are just like cherries on the cake!

Many Maratha dynasties have marked their presence here in the past and also, Tikona Fort was known as the centre for Pauna Mawal’s primary activities. Tikona Fort’s entrance itself represents beauty with sophistication. As soon as you pass through it, you will witness the presence of Buddhist and Satavahana Caves within.

Both types of caves have great significance in Indian history. Besides, there’s a small Trimbakeshwar Mahadev temple inside which revives the spiritual beliefs of the first residents of this fort.

With no wonders, Tikona Fort is blessed with some stunning landscapes attracting heaps of trekking enthusiasts and those who love Mother Nature. The moment you trek to the topmost summit of this fort, you have the liberty to enjoy the panoramic view of the vastly stretched Maval region. Tung Fort, Bhatrashi Hill, Jambhul Hill, Lohagad, Fagne dam, and Visapur are some sightseeing delights from the topmost position of this Tikona Fort.

Enclosed in vast tropics and found at an astounding height of 1075m from sea leave, Tung fort is a mesmerizing destination in Maharashtra, India. The fort is specifically admired for its breathtaking views and spectacular treks. The literal translation of the word “Tung” is “difficult” and hiking to this momentous fort is surely a task. Apart from this, the place is also excellent for a family picnic and camping.

Furthermore, the peaky and oval structure of the fort makes it a prominent attraction from a distance. From the top of the fort, visitors can enjoy an alluring view of the dazzling Pawna Lake, Tikona and Visapur fort. After a climb, the visitors can also unwind and visit either the Tungi Devi or Ganpati temples. The best time to enjoy a visit to this glorious place is just after the rainy season, between September and January.

Snuggled 20 km away from Lonavala in Pune, Korigad Fort is one of the scenic spots showcasing the grandeur of Shivaji’s Legacy. This elegant edifice was built back in the 15th century and is established at a soaring height of 929 meters above the ground. The serenity of the site is maintained with the three elegant temples that are built on the notch of the peak.