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Ch. Sambhaji
raje (sun of Ch. Shivaji Maharaj) stayed at this fort in the year 1680. In
subsequent time this fort was controlled by Karawir Chatrapati. Then the
Fort was hand over to Aangre family. During the war between the Aangre and
Peshva, Peshva won this fort with the help of Britishers. in the year 1753.
But unfortunately in the year 1818, the Fort was captured by the Britishers.
One small temple of Hanumanji is at the entrance of the Fort. After crossing
the first entrance gate there is a door with ancient structure. We have to
cross both of these gates while coming from the city of Ratnagiri. From the
door itself we can view the entire area of the Fort. At the upper fort i.e.
Balekilla (in Marathi) on the left hand side we have one Lord Ganesh deity
and a deity of Hanumanji on right side. In front of this there is a
beautiful temple of Goddess Bhagawati.
Due to this
Goddess, the Fort is also named as “Bhagawati Durga”. Every year devotees
are celebrating the festival of Navaratri at the Bhagawati temple premises.
One well of potable water is present on the left side of the temple in-spite
of the surrounding sea. There is a tunnel joins the upper fort and the
bottom foot of the Fort on north and south side. There are many bastions on
the Fort. Some of them are called as Ganesh, Markya, Baskya, Vetal, Khamkya
Rede, Vagha. From the west side of the Fort, bewitching scene of Arebian Sea
can be enjoyed by the tourists. The waves of the Sindhusagar (Arebian Sea)
are hitting very strongly on to the walls of the Fort. Indeed a beautiful
view especially in rainy season!
Getting There
Ratnadurga is only 4 km from
Ratnagiri Bus Station. MSRTC has arranged a decent frequency of city buses
from the bus station up to the foot of the Fort. It’s a journey of only 15
minutes. Even visitors can travel by Autorikshaw from the bus stand to Fort.
Ratnagiri is well connected by
road that makes the travel easier for the tourists. Ratnagiri is a coastal
district and the most convenient way to reach Ratnagiri town is by train.
The Konkan Railway Line passes through Ratnagiri and there are numerous
trains plying between Mumbai and Ratnagiri. From outside the railway station
local taxis are easily available.
Regular bus services are
available from most of the major cities in Maharashtra to Ratnagiri. State
owned and private buses ply from Ratnagiri to many cities in and around.
Evening trips of tourist luxury buses are available from Mumbai to
Ratnagiri. City buses and auto rickshaws are available for intra city travel
in Ratnagiri.
Ratnagiri has its own domestic airport named as
Ratnagiri Airport. Currently there are no
scheduled airlines operating at this Airport. The nearest domestic /
international airport is Goa
International Airport, located in Dabolim, roughly 258 km from Ratnagiri.
Goa International Airport is
well connected to major cities in India.
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