Vijaydurg-Sindhudurg Beach, Maharashtra

Vijaydurg-Sindhudurg Beach, Maharashtra

Vijaydurg or Fort Victory is one of the great naval forts of Shivaji. They bear testimony of Maharashtra's martial supremacy during his reign. Formally a dilapidated fortificationnof the Shilahar period Shivaji captured it from the Bijapur kings and made it into a major naval base. To rival Murad - Janjira. He had a triple line of walls built and numerous watch towers and the massive interior buildings. The fort has hollowed out entrance to take vessels of 500 tons. The Maratha naval commander, Angre had his base here. Sindhudurg, off the Malvan coast was built at a site personally selected by Shivaji. The construction began in 25th Nov 1664 and completed 3 years later. Sindhudurg's strength was its inaccessibility. It is approachable only through a narrow navigable channel between the two smaller islands of dhontara and Padmaged. inside the premises are the statue of Shivaji along with his palm and footprints. GETTING THERE : By Rail: Rajapur and Kudal are the nearest railheads on Konkan Railways. By Road: Sindhudurg is 510 km and Vijaydurga 425 km from Mumbai via the Goa highway.