Ratnadurg Fort

Ratnadurg(BHAGAVATI FORT) is at a distance of 2 to 3 km from Ratnagiri city. It is the main attraction for the travelers because of the beautiful Bhagvati temple on it, nice view of the sea and a secret way to the sea. Ratnadurg is close to Ratnagiri and is built on a mountain near the shore. Fort looks like the horseshoe and its area is about 120 acres. It is surrounded by the sea on three sides and is connected to the land at the southeast. At the base is the local harbour named Mirkarwada.

Type : Hill forts.

Fort Range : Konkan.

District : Ratnagiri.

History :
Ratnadurg was built during the reign of Bahamanis. In 1670 Shivaji Maharaj won this fort from Adilshah. In 1790 Dhondu Bhaskar Pratinidhi reconstructed this fort in 1790 and made it stronger.

Fascinating Spots :
Near the entrance we see a well-built temple of Shree Bhagvati. Some distance ahead we see a place surrounded by walls on all sides. This is the tri-faced gallery, the secret way to the sea. Though it is not in use nowadays, a big cave at the end of this way can be seen from the ramparts on the way between the main entrance and the lighthouse. At some distance ahead we can have a fascinating view of the seashore from a bastion. The name of this bastion is ‘Rede Buruj’ and here we find a pillar. On the fort there is a small lake and a well.

Near the fort there is a lighthouse from which we can view Ratnagiri city and the beautiful sea. From Ratnagiri city we can easily get an auto rickshaw to fort. If we can reach by 5 pm, we can get a permission to go up the lighthouse.

Ways To Reach :
To reach the top of the fort there is a well-built road. At the base of the fort there is a temple of Shree Bhageshwar. Nice paintings are carved on the pillars of the temple and on the surroundings there are coconut trees and a garden of flowers.