Janjira and Padamdurg Fort

About this tour

The Murud-Janjira fort was more than a fort; it was an architectural marvel of its time. Though most of the fort is now ruined because of the numerous battles fought here but some significant portions of it are still intact today.

The fort houses around 572 canons that would launch cannonballs on the enemy army. Now only 3 of the 572 cannons exist on the fort which is very popular among the visitors. Located on the very top of the fort, the three cannons are Landa Kasam, Kalal Bangadi and Chavri. These cannons used to launch cannonballs which were made from a mixture of various metals. The locals claim that the cannons could fire a ball as far as 12 km.

The fort has 2 main entrances; first is the main entrance and second the gate towards the sea. The entrance gate opens to the beachside and is the entry gate for visitors. The gate has engraved design patterns of animals like elephants, tigers, and lions. Also, the gate is the entrance point of the Durbar Hall where the meetings and several religious celebrations used to take place. The ruined darbar hall used to be a three-story hall in the center of the fort. The second gate which is popularly known as the “Darya Darwaza” opens to the other side of the fort that ends in the sea. During the time of the battles, this gate was used as an escape route.

Padmadurg is a sea side fort an easy trek situated in Rajapuri village of Raigad district of Maharashtra. The fort of Padmadurg is also called as Kasa Fort. Kasa Fort is surrounded all the sides by sea which is about 20 ft deep at its outer periphery. This fort is built by the great Maratha King Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in the year 1676. It was built by Marathas to challenge another seaport Janjira which was controlled by Siddis.