Forts in Mumbai
The Portuguese built it in 1640 after they had settled in the area since 1534, to use the castle as a watchtower overlooking the Arabian Sea, Mahim Bay, and the island of Mahim. The name of the castle originates from a fresh water fountain that was close to the fort, thus the name “Aguada”.
When the Portuguese had control over the fort, the fort was armed with as many as seven cannons and smaller defence equipment such as guns etc. The fort is strategically placed, and back in the days, it was sued to watch the northern sea route to the Mumbai Harbour.
In the early eighteenth century, the British destroyed a large part of Castella de Aguada when Marathas had become a threat to the British in India.
Worli Fort
It has caught the attention of the people due to the construction of Bandra-Worli Sealink. Since then, the footfall of tourists has increased here. Generally, quite a few history buffs, students and foreigners find their way up here.
The fort is pretty sturdy and still looks glorious even after withstanding the adverse weather conditions and negligence by the government over the years. It was refurbished in 2007 and since then has been maintained by a few locals and the Bombay Municipal Corporation.
Although it is quite difficult to reach the fort due to Kolis, the fishing community residing around it, it is open for the public to visit and can be accessed by foot.
You can walk through the frenzy and narrow lanes and reach the fort by climbing up a few steps. The beautifully ornamented and arched gate welcomes you inside the fort. Inside, you can see a weird combination of a Hanuman temple, a well, a gym, and a lot of open space.
From here you can get drenched in the views of the amazing Mahim Bay and the Bandra-Worli Sealink and feel the cool sea-breeze touching your face. This defence structure is one of the few intact forts in Mumbai, that persists in all its glory and is worth a visit for its unimpaired architecture.
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Forts Near Mumbai
Fort Bassein
The name of the fort comes from the word “Bacaim” which is Portuguese. It has been ruled by the Portuguese, Marathas, and the British in old times. At present, the fort is under the protection and care of the Archaeological Survey of India, although not much effort has been made to conserve the heritage site.
The fort is in ruins and you can see vegetation in some parts of the fort. Come here to marvel at the medieval architecture and vastness of the fort, and spend a morning going around the place, for there’s much to see on the inside of the fort. You can see marks by sharp chisels etc on the walls of the fort as well, indicating the times of attack in old times.
Lohagad Fort
Situated close to the famous hill station of Lonavala, Lohagad is one of the most magnificent places to visit in Pune. Located on a beautiful hillock near Malavali, this place is one of the favourite destinations for trekking enthusiasts in Pune. Dating back to the 18th century, this place is an interesting visit to appreciate the charm of ancient architecture nestled in the midst of natural beauty.
Lohagad Fort offers an exciting trek where people can look forward to an adrenaline filled day. Surrounded by beautiful green hills, it also offers various delightful opportunities for photographers and nature lovers to appreciate the panoramic views all around.
Location: Lohagad Fort, Lohagad Trek Rd, Maharashtra
Best Time to visit: The best time to visit Lohagad Fort is during Monsoon season when the surroundings are most spectacular due to the rains and presence of dark clouds without the scorching sun.
Entry fee: There is no entry fee to visit Lohagad Fort
Timings: One can visit the Lohagad Fort from 9 am to 6 pm
Top Experiences To Do in Lohagad Fort
Explore Lohagad Fort
- 1D/1N
- Lonavala
- 1D
- Lonavala
- 1D
- Lonavala
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Located off the coast of the Murud village near the Arabian Sea, Murud-Janjira fort is one of the strongest and beautiful marine forts of India. Around 55 km from the popular town of Alibag in Raigad district, Murud-Janjira fort is a very popular historic fort. With the Arabian Sea on all the four sides, this mighty fort has stood for centuries and is a symbol of the brave Marathas of the region. The fort is around 50 feet in height and is regarded as an ancient architectural marvel.
The name Murud-Janjira originates its name from the Arabic word ‘Jazeera’ meaning “Island”. One can take a boat from the Rajapuri Jetty to reach the fort. The fort was originally built by the Sultans and later various modifications were done by the Marathas. The fort was a full-fledged living fort with natural lakes, offices, palaces, religious centers in it. During the times of conflicts, the roof of the fort was used as a watchtower. Now the roof provides a splendid view of the blue, crystal clear water of the Arabian Sea and golden sands of Murud Beach.
In the Murud-Janjira Fort, there were around 500 cannons that were used in fights. Now, only a few cannons exist and are very popular among visitors. Other than that, the fort has housed some of the beautiful tombs, water tanks, and a few stone sculptures. The very popular gate of the fort is the entrance gate which is known as “Sher Darwaza” (Tiger’s Door) with a small sculpture of six elephants and a tiger.
Panhala Fort
Located in the proximity of Kolhapur city the Panhala Fort is strategically built and is the largest Fort in the Deccan region. It connects Maharashtra to the Arabian Sea through Bijapur and those who love exploring history and geographies will get amazed by it.
The Fort showcases variants of motifs, bastions, and various other relics of different dynasties and the Indo-Islamic architecture is an add on. From here you can take a glimpse at the glorious past of the Maratha empire and also take a 360-degree view from the hilltop. So, add this edifice in your itinerary of sightseeing places in Kolhapur and make the trip even more fantastic.
Essential Information
- Location: Panhala Fort, Panhala, Maharashtra 416201
- Best Time: June to February
- Timings: 24 hours open
- Price: No entrance fees
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Raigad Fort
Raigad Fort is a majestic fort in Maharashtra which you can see in Sahyadri mountain ranges of Western Ghats. The fort is a symbol of Maratha pride and one of the great reminders of the history of Marathas. It was named as Gibraltar of the East by the British due to its strategic location and one of the most important landmarks in the city of Pune.
Some main attractions of Raigad Fort are the Hirakani Buruj, Maha Darwaja, the King’s Durbar, Takmak Tok, Jagdishwar Mandir etc. The fort has become a major tourist spot for its trekking opportunities where one needs to climb up to 1737 steps and enjoy a breath-taking view of the landscape. For those who wish to give trekking a miss, there is a splendid ropeway ride to give you goosebumps as you move through the winds with an exquisite aerial view of the landscape. The place has been dubbed as one of the most exciting Pune tourist destinations for history lovers and adventure freaks.
- Location: Raigad Fort, Raigad, Maharashtra
- Best Time to visit: The best time to visit Raigad Fort is from November to March|
- Entry fee: The cost of an entry ticket for Indians is INR 10 / USD 0.15 and for foreigners, it is INR 100/ USD 1.54|
- Timings: Tourists can visit Raigad Fort from 10 am to 6 pm every day
Top Experiences To Do in Raigad Fort
- 1D/1N
- Raigad
- 2D/1N
- Raigad
- 1D
- Raigad
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More than 100 Portuguese architects and thousands of Indian workers had built a fort to defend the Maratha Empire from the attacks of the outsiders or intruders. This historical site is one of the major places to visit in Tarkarli.
Location: The fort is located in Malvan, Maharashtra.
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Literally meaning the Lion Fort, Sinhagad Fort is one of the most famous historical places to visit in Pune which is believed to have been built about 2000 years ago. It is getting more beautiful as it is ageing and rain adds more to its beauty. Being at its best, a hot cup of coffee with your loved one amidst the mist surrounding this magnificent heritage in rain would be perfect.
Many trekking lovers also flock the place for an enterprising day to complete a one day trek from the village to the fort. Some notable attractions which you can see inside the fort are Tanaji memorial, the tomb of Rajaram Chhatrapati, a Kali temple, some military stables and a brewery.
Location: Sinhagad Ghat Road, Thoptewadi, Pune, Maharashtra
Best Time to visit: The months of winter and monsoon season from July to February are the most preferred time to visit this fort
Timings: Tourists can visit here between 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m
Top Experiences To Do in Sinhagad Fort
Pratapgarh fort is quite nearby Mahabaleshwar, as being one of the most popular hilltops in Maharashtra. Astounding valleys, lakes and the entire city is visible from hill top of Pratapgad Fort.If you want to visit Pratapgarh Fort, then Monsoon would be the right season for you. It gives a mesmerizing pleasant feel of fresh rains, beautiful clouds, and the cold weather.
Location: Poladpur Mahabaleshwar Road, Satara, Maharashtra.
Timings: 6 AM to 6 PM
Entry fee: None.
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Essential Information
Location: Rajmachi Fort, Sahyadri mountains, Khandala
Best Time: June to September, Monsoon season.
Timings: 6:00 am to 6:00 pm
Price: The average trip cost is about INR 1500 per person
Top Experiences To Do in Rajmachi Fort
Explore Rajmachi Fort
- 2D/1N
- Lonavala
- 1D
- Lonavala
- 1D/1N
- Lonavala
Tikona Fort
Tikona Fort is a dominant hill fortress of Konkan’s Pawan Maval region. This is Maharashtra’s popular one-day trekking spot. Locally, it is famous by the name Vitandgad. Situated on top of the Tikona peak, this fort has an altitude of 3633 feet from the sea level.
If you take a look at its present-day geography, it resembles a triangle and thus named as Tikona. Large fortifications, seven water tanks filled with crystal clear water, large doorways, and spectacular surrounding views from its bastion sums up the beauty of this place. Sahyadri’s green hillocks are just like cherries on the cake!
Many Maratha dynasties have marked their presence here in the past and also, Tikona Fort was known as the centre for Pauna Mawal’s primary activities. Tikona Fort’s entrance itself represents beauty with sophistication. As soon as you pass through it, you will witness the presence of Buddhist and Satavahana Caves within.
Both types of caves have great significance in Indian history. Besides, there’s a small Trimbakeshwar Mahadev temple inside which revives the spiritual beliefs of the first residents of this fort.
With no wonders, Tikona Fort is blessed with some stunning landscapes attracting heaps of trekking enthusiasts and those who love Mother Nature. The moment you trek to the topmost summit of this fort, you have the liberty to enjoy the panoramic view of the vastly stretched Maval region. Tung Fort, Bhatrashi Hill, Jambhul Hill, Lohagad, Fagne dam, and Visapur are some sightseeing delights from the topmost position of this Tikona Fort.
Top Experiences To Do in Tikona Fort
Explore Tikona Fort
- 1D
- Lonavala
- 1D
- Pune
- 1D
- Kamshet
Tung Fort
Enclosed in vast tropics and found at an astounding height of 1075m from sea leave, Tung fort is a mesmerizing destination in Maharashtra, India. The fort is specifically admired for its breathtaking views and spectacular treks. The literal translation of the word “Tung” is “difficult” and hiking to this momentous fort is surely a task. Apart from this, the place is also excellent for a family picnic and camping.
Furthermore, the peaky and oval structure of the fort makes it a prominent attraction from a distance. From the top of the fort, visitors can enjoy an alluring view of the dazzling Pawna Lake, Tikona and Visapur fort. After a climb, the visitors can also unwind and visit either the Tungi Devi or Ganpati temples. The best time to enjoy a visit to this glorious place is just after the rainy season, between September and January.
Top Experiences To Do in Tung Fort
Korigad Fort
From the base point, which is the Peth Shahpur village there’s a staircase of 600 stairs that you need to traverse to reach the fort. At this fort, you can take a deep insight into the lifestyle of Maharaj Shivaji and gape at the intriguing architectural style of the building. The entire display reminds of the Maratha warriors and is surrounded by the colossal ranges.
Top Experiences To Do in Korigad Fort
