Murud Janjira

If your idea of a holiday is just unwinding in the beach or going for walks in a sleepy coastal town – doing and seeing very little during the process, then Murud is just the place for you.



Though the climate is similar to that of Mumbai, the views and the beaches are not! Murud, 100 kms from Alibagh has a wide coastline and a fairly clean beach, making it one of the coolest holiday spots near Mumbai.

























































A ferry from Gateway will take you to Mandwa from where you can get a bus to Alibagh.
Alibagh to Murud is a two hour journey (depending on the breaks that you decide to take) and it takes you through picturesque coastal roads and sleepy towns. From the town you can hire an auto to the ferry point from where you can sail towards the fort.

Murud Janjira (Or Jazeera – Persian for island) has probably the only impregnable fort in the 720 km coastline of Maharashtra. From frequent attempts by the Marathas, the British and the Portuguese for over 350 years to overpower it; to the incessant lashing of the sea waves on all the sides of the fort from the time it was built - this majestic island fortress has survived it all.







The Fort on the Island has been built smartly to take advantage of its strategic location. The layout of the fort is fascinating and the planning impeccable. Though the fort is battered and bruised inside, the emblem of the African Trader - the Siddhi Lion (controlling six elephants) at the entrance proudly beckons you inside to unravel some of the architectural mysteries of its time.





























Designed in such a manner that the entrance is not visible from any angle that you attempt – till you reach vulnerably close. More fascinating is the fact that over 400 years ago, Indians had the technology and know-how to build a tunnel over 70 feet deep and 2 kms long built underwater.



Nature also throws in a few surprises of its own. The presence of two fresh water sources, right in the middle of the highly saline Arabian Sea.

























Apart from the fresh water lake, the fort has a mosque, a temple, a well, huge storage provisions for food grains, goods and ammunition. Of course, most of them are in a dilapidated condition due to neglect. Must see is the beautiful palace hall which even it's dilapidated condition looks beautiful as ever. And the three storey building to accommodate over 500 residents of Murud.

We spent less than an hour in the fort, but the views and the experience would definitely be etched in our minds for a very long time to come ...

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By the way - If you are feeling spiritually inclined, there is a Birla temple
and a Siddhivinayak temple en route.