2 DAY TRIP IN RATNAGIRI | RATNAGIRI - VIJAYDURG FORT

At a distance of 4 km from Ratnagiri Bus Stand, Ratnadurg Fort is a historical fort situated on the shores of Arabian Sea in Ratnagiri. It is one of the popular forts in Maharashtra and also one of the top tourist places to visit in Ratnagiri.

The fort of Ratnadurg was constructed during the rule of Bahamani Sultans. It was captured by Adilshah and then Chhatrapati Shivaji conquered the fort in the year 1670 AD. Later, the fort was controlled by Kanhoji Angre, and later handed over to Peshwas. The British captured the fort from the Peshwas in the year 1818 AD.

Spread over a vast area of 120 acres, Ratnadurg Fort was once a strong hold of the Maratha Empire. The fort was used as a watch point for keeping vigil on the pirates. Ratnadurg Fort is in the shape of Horse Shoe with a length of approximately 1300 m and width of 1000 m. The fort is surrounded by Arabian Sea on three sides. The fort is divided into three parts - upper fort or Balekilla, the middle Peth Fort and the Parkot. .....

At a distance of 2.5 km from Ratnagiri Bus Stand, Marine Aquarium and Museum is located on Ratnagiri - Bhagwati Mandir Road next to Mandavi Beach in Ratnagiri Town.

The Marine Museum was established in 1985 by the Marine Biological Research Station of Ratnagiri. The Marine museum has some rare and beautiful specimens like Sea horse fish, Lion fish, Trigger fish, Sea turtles, Eels, Sea cucumbers, Star fish, Lobsters, sea snakes and many more. This museum also possess well mounted precious and age-old skeleton of Whale. The original length of the whale being 55 feet long and 5000 Kg in weight is strongly appreciated by everyone who visits this station.

Taking into consideration the growing demand of general public about aquarium, a beautifully arranged and well decorated separate freshwater aquarium section has been recently developed. In this section, along with beautiful and fancy colour fishes, one can also observe locally available freshwater aquatic species like prawns, .....

At a distance of 1 km from Ratnagiri Bus Stand and 3.5 km from Ratnadurg Fort, Tilak Ali Museum is located in Ratnagiri Town of Maharashtra. The Museum is a monument of great historical importance and also one of the top places to visit in Ratnagiri.

Tilak Ali Museum is the ancestral house of Lokamanya Balgangadhar Tilak, a prominent freedom fighter of India. He was born in Konkan region and this museum depicts his life and sacrifice for Indian freedom. The house is a classic example of native Konkani architecture and it has been turned into a museum by the state government in order to preserve the memory of the great freedom fighter.

The Tilak Ali Museum depicts the life of Lokamanya Balgangadhar Tilak and his struggle for Indian Independence through paintings and pictures. The museum had a collection of personal belonging of the great leader. Visitors can also watch here lot of photographs related to the various freedom fighters. This museum is maintained by the Archeological .....

At a distance of 2 km from Ratnagiri Bus Stand, Mandavi Beach is located in the vicinity of Ratnagiri Town of Maharashtra. This is one of the most crowded beaches in Ratnagiri region.

Mandavi Beach is blessed with beautiful seashore, which extends right up to Rajiwanda Port. This fabulous beach is surrounded by Ratnadurg Fort in the west and the majestic Arabian Sea to the south. The beach is known for its black sand and hence, the beach is often referred to as Black Sea. This beach is also known as Gateway to Ratnagiri, owing to the presence of the bastion situated at the head of the bay.

Mandavi Beach is one of the busiest beaches in Maharashtra, as it is popular among water sports enthusiasts. Mandavi Beach although appears a little unattractive because of the black sand, compared to other beaches, yet it is the most sought after picnic spot in Ratnagiri.

Mandavi also has the Ratnagiri Jetty along with Gateway of Ratnagiri, which is a place for evening hang out. .....

At a distance of 2 km from Ratnagiri Bus Stand, Thibaw Palace is a historical building situated on a small hillock in Ratnagiri Town of Maharashtra. This is one of the major tourist attractions of Ratnagiri.

Thiba Palace is an architectural grandeur that was created for King Thibaw of Myanmar (Burma) who was in exile here. It is said that the Palace was built by the British in 1910 to keep the king of Burma under house arrest. The palace came into use from 1910 up to the king's death on 16th December 1916.

The palace is a beautifully constructed three storied structure with sloping roofs. Semi-circular wooden windows with beautiful carvings are the main attraction of this structure. There is a dancing hall with marble floor on the first floor. One Buddha idol is installed at the back side of the palace. This idol was brought to India by king Thibaw. Presently the palace is maintained by ASI and it is currently under renovation. There is also a museum in the palace which displays .....

At a distance of 3 km from Ratnagiri Bus Stand, Bhatye Beach is marvelous beach situated at Bhatye in Ratnagiri district on the Konkan coast of Maharashtra. This is one of the popular beaches in Ratnagiri region on the Konkan Coast.

Bhatye Beach is a wonderful beach in the background of the jagged Sahyadri mountain ranges provides a panoramic view of the surroundings. The length of the beach is approximately 1.5 km and is very flat and straight. Bhatye Beach and Mandvi Beach are next to each other separated by a creek. One can enjoy the nature at its best here. The bluish water, vast expansion of silvery sands and the clean environs sprinkled with casuarina trees, Bhatye Beach is a perfect place to admire the mesmerizing sunset.

The Ratnagiri Lighthouse and the famous Mandavi Beach are visible from Bhatye Beach. A famous temple of Zari Vinayak is situated at the end of the beach. There is also an agricultural research facility specializing in coconuts located quite close to .....

At a distance of 29 km from Devgad, 73 km from Malvan and 100 km from Ratnagiri, Vijaydurg Fort is an ancient fort situated on a hill near the mouth of the Vaghotan River in Sindhudurg district of Maharashtra. It is one of the largest forts on the Konkan coast of Maharashtra and also one of the top places to visit in Ratnagiri. It is a protected monument under ASI.

Vijaydurg Fort is located at the tip of the peninsular region of Vijaydurg in Devgad Taluka. It was earlier known as Gheria because of its proximity to the village Girye and functioned as a strong military base for Admiral Kanhoji Angre. The fort is also known as the 'Gibraltar of the East' since it was so impregnable, surrounded by the Arabian Sea from three sides.

The original fort was built by Bhojraja Shilahar between 1196 and 1206 AD. The Maratha king Shivaji took control of this fort from Adil Shahi dynasty in 1656 AD and renamed it as Vijay Durg. Thereafter the fort was the main Maratha naval base under Kanoji .....

At a distance of 2 km from Devgad Beach, 31.5 km from Vijaydurg Fort, 55 km from Malvan and 103 km from Ratnagiri, Devgad Fort is located at Devgad in Sindhudurg district of Maharashtra. Devgad town got its name from this legendary fort.

Devgad Fort is situated at the confluence of Devgad Creek and Arabian Sea. Placed strategically on a narrow strip of land jutting into the Arabian Sea, Devgad Fort was constructed by Kanhoji Angre, the brave warrior of Konkan coast, in 1705 AD on a highland of the sea port of Devgad. It was used as a surveillance center. It was attacked by the British Naval Battalion in charge of Commander Walter Brown.

After changing many hands, this 120 acre fort finally came under the British in 1818 AD. Now, only a few strips of the fortifications remain. The walls and the structures of this fort are still intact and in good condition. Devgad Fort commands a panoramic view of the Arabian Sea as well as the casuarinas lining the long stretch of Devgad .....

At a distance of 30 km from Vijaydurg Fort and 101 km from Ratnagiri, Devgad Beach is a serene beach situated in Devgad town of Sindhudurg district.

Devgad is located on the Arabian Sea coast in the Konkan region of Maharashtra. The Devgad Beach is a popular picnic spot and lies just 1 km away from Devgad Bus Stand. The beach is sandwiched between the two small hills and there are some windmills located on a cliff on one end. The greenery on the beach side is marvelous. Activities like swimming and sunbathing can be enjoyed at this beach.

Devgad Beach is a very clean, nice and relaxing beach. It has an ancient temple on its shores. Close to the Devgad Beach is the famous Devgad Fort. The beach also has a big harbor and a lighthouse. From the top of the lighthouse, one can enjoy the view of the passing by ships. Devgad is globally famous for its delicious saffron colored Alphonso Mangoes.