Sindhudurg Fort, Maharashtra

Sindhudurg Fort, Maharashtra 

Historic Monuments, Maharashtra, Sindhudurg  

India is full of interesting historical forts. A beautiful and well preserved example is the spectacular Sindhudurg Fort in Maharashtra, looking out over the Arabian Sea.

HISTORY

 
Sindhudurg Fort was built in 1664 by King Shivaji. The strategic rocky island location was carefully chosen to counter foreign forces, and to keep the nearby villages in check.

Located 510kms south of Mumbai and 130kms north of Goa the construction was done under the supervision of Hiroji Indulkar, an able architect. It is said that Shivaji invited 100 Portuguese experts from Goa for the construction of the fort and that 3000 workers were employed round the clock for three years to build Sindhudurg.

After Shivaji, Sindhudurg passed through the hands of Rajaram-Tarabai, Angres, Peshwa and the Bhosales of Kolhapur. It was briefly captured by the British in 1765 Ad And was renamed by them as ‘Fort Augustus’. Later in 1818 AD, the British dismantled the fort’s defence structures.

STRUCTURE

  
The 48 acre Sindhudurg fort has a four km long zigzag line of a 9 metres high and 3 metres wide rampart with 42 bastions.

The fort is approachable from the Malavan pier by a boat through a narrow navigable channel between two smaller islands of Dhontara and Padmagad. The main gate, flanked by massive bastions, faces the city.

One of the most interesting features of this port is that the design of main door is an enigma, a hallmark of Maratha Architecture of fort building so that the entry can’t be located by attacking forces. The technique was so deceptive that the entrance was concealed due to blind curves. The zigzag pattern of outer wall was so built that the enemy would be visible from any point inside the fort and the troops inside could fire their guns and cannons effectively.

INTERESTING FACTS AND ATTRACTIONS INSIDE THE FORT

Shivaji’s palm and footprints are preserved here on dried lime slabs in a tower. Inside the Fort, temples of Bhavanimata, Shambhu Mahadev, Jirimiri, Mahapurush and Shivajeshwar are worth seeing, all of which are in good condition. Chatrapati Shivaji’s younger son Rajaram in his remembrance built this temple. Shivaji’s idol stands in a boatman’s attire inside the temple and probably only one of its’ kind in the country – where the image of Shivaji is without a beard. Outside the southern wall there is a small beach, called Ranichi Vela (Queen’s private beach), where Queen Tarabai, daughter-in law of Shivaji, used to enjoy her sea-bath. Inside the fort there are three wells of drinkable water, which is a nature’s marvel as sea surrounds the fort on all four sides.
On a rocky island between Sindhudurg and the coast stood the small fort of Padmagad, now in ruins. It acted as a shield for Sindhudurg and was also used for shipbuilding
The fort also houses a coconut tree which has a branch and also gives fruit. (No other coconut tree has a branch.)
There is a hidden passage that starts in a temple that looks like a water reservoir and goes under the island for 3 km, under the sea for 12 km, and from there 12 km to a nearby village. The tunnel was used as an escape route for the women if the enemy entered the fort. However, the British partially closed this passage after the fort was abandoned.

Article by :- Mahindra Homestays

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Rajasthan to promote tourism around its salt lake Sambhar

Rajasthan to promote tourism around its salt lake Sambhar

Jaipur, April 15 :-  To attract more tourists, the Rajasthan Government is working on innovating new products in the sector such as salt tourism.

“Sambhar (salt lake) is the largest inland salt lake in the country. The State Government is taking steps to restore basic tourist infrastructure to promote it as a unique destination,” Rajasthan Principal Secretary (Tourism) Rakesh Srivastava said.

He was talking to presspersons on the sidelines of the Great Indian Travel Bazaar (GITB) being organised here jointly by the Ministry of Tourism, Department of Tourism (Rajasthan) and industry chamber FICCI, which has been organising it here since 2008. It is a pan-India international platform for inbound Tourism.

Srivastava said in the short run, the State Government would focus on restoration of British-era infrastructure including Heritage buildings, the Salt Museum, Circuit House and rail tracks.

In the long run, public sector undertakings Hindustan Salts and India Tourism Development Corporation (ITDC) will further create tourism infrastructure and promote it.

The State Government is also mulling over the creation of new tourist circuits such as Jaipur-Sambhar-Ajmer and mega tourist hub with Jaipur, being at the heart of it.

Other new tourism products that are being considered by the State include ecological, Sports and Adventure tours.

“We have plans to change the face of tourism in Rajasthan which is known as a Cultural destination, by developing other tourist attractions such as adventure, ecological, archaeological, sports, rural and tribal tours in the State,” Bina Kak, Rajasthan Tourism Minister said while inaugurating the sixth edition of GITB.

“The State Government is working on ways to promote and implement these new segments in the State’s tourism sector,” said Kak.

The Minister added that the State’s tourism sector will not be able to achieve its full potential if it is only known as a Heritage destination and does not focus on new emerging sub-sections.

Articles source;- thehindubusinessline
 
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Scuba Diving in Konkan

Scuba Diving in Konkan

If you are interested in adventure. Konkan is the best place. Because of some of the famous beaches in konkan. In recent time there are few beaches, where you can enjoy scuba diving under the water.

 

 

 

 

 

The king of the beaches TARKALI Beach which is also famous now for scuba diving, many people from all over India comes here to full fill there passion of scuba diving. 

 

 

 

 

 

The water over here is transparently clear and everything is visible under the sea. Once can explore the under water creatures. It is great Experience. There are many Hotels in Tarkarli, the Travelthemes provides the packages for this sports and as well as site scenes. 

 

 

 

 

 

article sources by:- konkanlifestyle

Visit the websites for more details: http://www.travelthemes.in/

Beautiful beach in Konkan - Tarkarli Beach

Beautiful beach in Konkan - Tarkarli Beach

Tarkarli is a narrow stretch of beach with pristine waters, located at the convergence of the Karli River and the Arabian Sea. It is 546 k.m. away from Mumbai, 6 kms. south of Malvan, on the west coast of India. This place has gained prominence because of its transparently clear seas, where on a fairly sunny day, one can see the sea- bed up to a depth of 20 feet. This beach can be rightly called as ‘Queen Beach’ of Sindhudurg.

Sea and sand blending in enchanting natural harmony, gracefully cruising boats in calm and cool river waters add to the beauty of this beach. Here newly built M .T. D.C. Cottages are ready to provide you comfortable accommodation and recreation facilities. Now MTDC has made houseboat facility available at Tarkarli. 2 houseboats, namely, Hiranyakeshi (a deluxe houseboat) and Karli (a standard houseboat) are at the service of discerning traveler. These fully equipped luxury boats have the Hi-tech equipment and all luxurious amenities on board. For more details and latest tariff visit MTDC site on web.

TARKARLI BEACH

For adventure water sports lovers, snorkeling and scuba diving facilities are also available at Tarkarli. For novice, well-trained snorkeling guides will guide snorkeling trip ensuring safety and make it sure that one can have the first and finest ever experience of marine life.

While at Trakarli, do make a point to taste special Malvani food such as variety of fish items, ‘kombadi-vada’. 
  
Activities to do:  

Scuba Diving: Do you want to explore the Konkan below water in Arabian Sea?   Programs are offered for all ages - Open Water, Advanced Water, Rescue Diver, Dive Master, Certified Diving etc. Water Sport, Scuba Diving, Snorkelling.

Accommodation:

Tarkarli has a huge number resorts, hotels for every budget. During the season these hotels gets full so make sure you book your reservation in advance.. 

Getting there: 
By air: Nearest is Mumbai. 
By rail: Nearest railhead is Kudal, 45 k.m. on Konkan Railway. 
By road:
Mumbai–Tarkarli, 546 k.m.,Kolhapur–Tarkarli , 160 k.m.,Malvan –Tarkarli , 8 k.m. 
State transport buses ply From Mumbai, Kolhapur or Pune to Malvan and from Malvan to Tarkarli . Rickshaws are also available from Malvan.

Places to see nearby:


1) Sindhudurg Fort
2) Devbag
3) Dhamapur Lake 
4) Bhagwati Temple   
5) Bharadi Devi Angnewadi 
6) Jay Ganesh Temple  
7) Rameshwar Temple 
8) Amboli Hill Station 
9) Bhalachandra Maharaj Ashram  
10) Kunkeshwar Temple and Beach 
11) Bhogve Beach   
12) Nivati Beach   
13) Shiroda Velagar Beach  

Article Source: Konkan Online

If you want to get travel with experience in Konkan please visit: http://www.travelthemes.in/