Places to visit in Murud

This fort is a sneak peak to history that you can enjoy while on a boat sail, it surely is an experience of a lifetime. Janjira fort is surrounded by water on all sides and therefore it is also called the Island Fort. It is an excellent piece of ancient engineering. The fort withstood for more than 950 years now and though most of its is decayed due to salt water, the fort still remains with resplendent glory and a guided tour is highly recommended to understand all the history. The area on top with guns is awesome and the view from up there is out of the world.

Located on an oval shaped  rock near the port town of Murud at a distance of 165kms away from Mumbai, Janjira is one of the most tested marine forts of India (the word ‘Janjira’ comes from the Arabic word Jazira which means island). The fort can be reached by sailboats from Rajapuri jetty. The primary gate of the fort opens towards Rajapuri on the shore and is viewed only when one is very near to it.

It has a small hidden gate towards the open sea to flee. This fort houses 19 rounded bastions all of them still in very good condition. One can find many canons of European and native made now made to rust on the bastions. At present in vestiges, the fort in its zenith had all necessary facilities like the quarters for officers palaces, a big fresh water tank, mosque etc. On the external wall next to the main gate is a sculpture portraying a tiger-like beast holding elephants in its claws. Though it is difficult to interpret this sculpture appears on many of the fort-gates of Maharashtra.

The Murud beach and the fort are interesting places for kids of all ages to have a great time along with the adults in their weekend getaway. Your children will spend a great time playing and enjoying at the beach along with learning and gaining information about the history and construction of the fort.

The Siddhi Vinayak Ganesh temple is said to have existed since the 1036 AD and is visited by tourist and devotees all year round. Visitors seem to achieve a divine calm when they visit this place. Located on a hill top this temple is also a great venue for sunset viewing.

This 1.75kms long beach is one of the well known beaches of Maharashtra. The beach looks like an embellishment on the neck of Maharashtra. It swanks of crystal blue water devoid of any kind of contamination. This magnetises water sport lovers and tourists to the beach.

The view of sunset and sunrise is tremendously beautiful and the neighboring forts add to the grandeur of the beach. The beach brags of a calm and relaxing breeze round the clock, thus helping the tourists have a peaceful time.

It is a 16thcentury fort with the Arabian Sea on all the side and it boasts of being one of the oldest marine forts to survive in the country. Initially owned by the Siddi dynasty, this fort has withstood numerous British attacks. The fort is surrounded by 19 round citadels. The steeples and towers of the fort were used for storing ammunitions. The exterior gate of the fort has a form of a tiger with an elephant confined in its claws.

The Nawab Palace, another name of which is AhmedganjPalace, was constructed in the year 1885. The palace is owned by the childeren of the Nawabs and depicts Gothic and Mughal architectural styles. It encompasses an area of about 45 acres and has beautiful tombs and a mosque within its premises.

One can also have a fantastic view of the MurudVillage and the Arabian Sea from the palace, built on the border of the cliff. One can avail taxis, auto-rickshaws and private buses to go to the NawabPalace.

Sidi Tombs are widely known to have the tombs of Sidi Khan, Sidi Yakut Khan and SidiSirul Khan. Janjira fort was saved by SidiKhairiyat Khan from ShivajiMaharaj, the great Maratha ruler in 1670. Indo-Sarcenic architectural style is used to build these tombs.

It is widely presumed that the Persian writings on the structures have evidences for unbolting the unseen treasure. With prior permission one can visit this site can be visited during the months of October and November.

Garambi Dam was built by Nawab Sir Siddi Ahmed Khan, the last ruler of the Siddi Dynasty. Constructed in the memory of Queen Victoria, this dam is also known as the Victoria Jubilee Water Works.

DattaMandir is situated on top of a hill and is a well known holy destination. This is a red-domed temple which was built by Swami Bramhendra. The main attraction of this temple is a three headed idol of Shri Dutta revealing the trinity Brahma, Vishnu and Maheshwara.

Garambi Falls is bounded by forests on all sides and is an awesome place to feel one with nature.