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Sindhudurg Fort

Fort · Malvan, Sindhudurg

Sindhudurg Fort
Photo: Aparnavenugopal, CC BY 3.0, Wikimedia Commons

The sea fort built by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj on Kurte island off Malvan, the fort that gave the district its name.

Sindhudurg, the 'fort in the sea', stands on Kurte island just off the Malvan coast. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj had it built in the 1660s to guard the coast and to support the Maratha navy against foreign powers at sea. The district of Sindhudurg is named after it.

The fort's long stone walls follow the edge of the island, with many bastions facing the sea. Inside are temples, wells of sweet water and a few houses where families still live. The fort is known for a shrine dedicated to Shivaji Maharaj, and for marks on the walls that local tradition says are his handprint and footprint, set in lime when the fort was built.

You reach the fort by a short boat ride from Malvan jetty. Plan a couple of hours to walk along the ramparts; the views back to the Malvan coast and out to the open sea are the best part of the visit. Wear good footwear, as the walls are uneven and there are no railings in many places.

Boats to the fort usually do not run during the monsoon, when the sea is rough.

Best time to visit

October to May. Boats usually stop in the monsoon.

How to reach

By boat from Malvan jetty. Nearest railway stations: Kudal and Sindhudurg (Oros).

Places nearby

Facts: Wikidata (CC0) and OpenStreetMap; map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.