Forts near Guhagar

Guhagar has one ancient fort overlooking the arabian sea in Gopalgad. To the south of Guhagar just across the Jaigad creek is the Jaigad fort which offer a view of the confluence of the Jaigad creek with the sea. To the north Dapoli is a region with more than one sea fort of which Suvarnadurg near the Harnai coast is the most prominent.

Gopalgad fort located about 11 kms from Guhagar bus depot is a fort in ruins overlooking the sea. Although not open to tourists at this point in time the views from the hill top with the walls of the fort next to you itself is great. The Anjanvel lighthouse and the Talkeshwar temple is just about a kilometer from Gopalgad fort. The lighthouse is open between 3-5 pm.

Gopalgad Fort

Forts near Guhagar

Gopalgad fort

Gopalgad fort built in Guhagar on the banks of Vashishti creek for the protection of Dabhol an ancient port city which also finds its mention by the famous geographer from ancient Greece Ptolemy. The fort now is in ruins with some of its walls crumbling. There is a well in the fort almost at the centre around which there are remnants of an erstwhile palace. Some canon balls can be seen in the fort. Currently there is a private Mango orchard in the fort

Jaigad fort

Built with red sandstone Jaigad is located across the Jaigad creek 35 kms from Guhagar. Jaigad currently is in ruins and only the fortification remain with a remnant of a building inside. The 17th century Jaigad fort offers some beautiful sea views especially during evenings. Although in ruins Jaigad Fort is a great sightseeing option and a perfect place for a picnic perched on a bastion overlooking the confluence of river and the arabian sea.

Kanakdurg fort

Kanakdurg fort is located in Harnai 60 kms from Guhagar. The fort is in complete ruins now except for a few things like water tanks, two dilapidated bastions and a beautiful lighthouse. Kanakdurg Fort was built to protect Suvarnadurga slong with Fattegad and Gova fort. Kanakdurga is built on a huge rock and there are rock steps to ascend the fort. There is a lighthouse on the fort. To the left side of the steps is a strong bastion built in black rock.

Suvarnadurg Fort

Suvarnadurg fort

Located about a quarter of a mile off the coast from Harnai port is the fascinating Suvarnadurg Fort. A rocky island, Suvarnadurg is about 8 acres big with stone wall bastions. There is no landing jetty at the Suvarnadurga fort. However, the landing is on the shores of the sandy beach of the rocky island.

History

Building of the Suvarnadurg fort is credited to Shivaji maharaj. Built for the Maratha Navy for defence purposes, the fort also had a ship building facility. The basic objective of establishing the fort was to counter enemy attacks, by the colonialists of Europe and also by the local chieftains.

Tourism

Suvarnadurg fort is open to tourists from November to end of May post which the ferry service is suspended due to rains. Land forts were also built to support the sea fortress and in the past, the land fort and the sea fortress were connected by a tunnel, which is now defunct.

Thibaw Palace Ratnagiri

About 30 Kms from Ganpatipule, Thibaw Palace is a historical building in Ratnagiri. Thibaw palace was built fror Thibaw, the king of Myanmar who was exiled to India by the British.

Thibaw palace is a three storied structure with sloping roofs and semi-circular wooden windows. There is a dancing hall with marble floor on the first floor. One Buddha idol is installed at the back side of the palace. This idol was brought to India by king Thibaw. Presently the palace is maintained by ASI


The king went to a point on the hill to look at the fishing boats as they returned to the harbor every evening . The fishermen could tell that he was looking from the glint of his binoculars and began to regard him as a guardian angel. This place is now called the Thibaw point.

Thibaw Palace