Suvarnadurga Fort

Dapoli

Suvarnadurg Fort – Harnai Dapoli – सुवर्णदुर्ग किल्ला – हर्णै दापोली

Suvarnadurg Fort that is located on a small island in the Arabian Sea, near Harnai in Konkan, along the West Coast of India, in the Indian state of Maharashtra. The fort also includes another land fort (small) called the Kanakadurga at the base of headland of Harnai port on the coast. Building of the fort is credited to Shivaji, founder of the Maratha Empire, in 1660. Subsequently, Shivaji, other Peshwas and the Angres further fortified the forts for defence purposes.The literal meaning of Suvanadurga is “Golden Fort” as it was considered as the pride or the “feather in the golden cap of Marathas”. Built for the Maratha Navy or defence purposes, the fort also had a ship building facility. The basic objective of establishing the fort was to counter enemy attacks, mainly by the colonialists of Europe and also by the local chieftains.

History Behind the Fort

Being one of the most prominent forts in the Konkan region, Suvarnadurg has a rich history. It is where Kanhoji Angre – one of the most famous military leaders in Maratha history – was born. As the reign of the Nizamshahi dynasty neared its end in the 16th century, the fort came under the rule of the Adilshahi family. In 1660, it was conquered by the Maratha king Shivaji. In 1698, Kanhoji Angre became the head of the Marathi Naval Force, earning the title ‘Sarkhel’ in the process. After his promotion, armada camps were established in Vijaydurga and Suvarnadurga. Following his rule, the Peshwas had a strong grasp on the fort till 1731. In 1818, the British took over the fort under the guidance of Colonel Kennedy.

Inside Suvarnadurga Fort

Due to its location on an island, guests can only visit the site via boat. Ferry and boat services can be found at Harne harbour. The ride across the sea sets the exploration in motion, treating travellers to splendid views of the luscious greenery and hillscape nearby. As you step into the main entrance, you can feast your eyes on the marvellous sculptures and carvings of Lord Hanuman on the walls – a living attestation of the bygone era. As you wander through the carved halls, you will soon come in contact with a secret passage that leads to the bastions of the fort. There are a total of 24 bastions which, from above, look like an intricately woven necklace!.

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Best time to visit

Suvarnadurg Fort, Dapoli, is a stunning piece of architecture that holds a lot of history behind its walls. As you walk through the hallways, you are encompassed by the mystical aura of the fort that hides secrets untold! To experience the landmark in its entirety, we recommend visiting after the monsoon months, preferably between November and May. It is the best time to visit, as the lack of rain and resulting vegetation makes the site easy to walk around and explore.

Time

9 am – 6 pm

Address

R38M+9QM, Suvarnadurg Fort, Dapoli, Maharashtra

Places Nearby

Explore other places.

Keshavraaj Temple

The Keshavraaj Temple is a significant Hindu temple located near Suvarnadurg Fort. It is dedicated to Lord Vishnu and is known for its architectural beauty and spiritual importance. The temple complex also includes a stepwell and offers a peaceful ambience for prayer and reflection..

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Harnai Port

Situated 17km from Dapoli, Harnai Port consists of two forts – Suvarnadurg and Kanakdurga. Kanakdurga is the land fort while Suvarnadurg is the sea fort.

It was built in the Adil Shah rule and later captured by Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. Earlier there was a route connecting both the fort but now it can only be accessed by boat, however, there is no boat service to the fort and one has to ask the fisherman for ferry.

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Dabhol Jetty

Dabhol Jetty is a popular spot near Suvarnadurg Fort, offering stunning views of the sea and the coastline. Visitors can take a leisurely walk along the jetty, enjoy the sea breeze, and capture memorable photographs of the picturesque surroundings.

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Reviews

Hear what tourists have to say about their experiences.

This fort is located inside arabian sea, 3 km away from Harne village (Dapoli). Fort is good and has historical significance. Place is not much crowded but its worth to visit the spot in winter. Do not visit this place individually (Visit in group). On the south side of fort thier is one view point from where w’ll get the panaromic view. Boat will take charge of 150-200 Rs per person.



YASH BHANGARE

You can not go by raod . You need to get onto a boat from Harnai beach for dolphin spotting & get off at the fort to view this historical marvel. SuvarnaDurg is a 15 minute ride from the Harnai jetty. As of now there is not much upkeepment or restoration work done , it is in bad condition, fort is now just a historical stamp . However view is beautiful.



Samir Santra

The fort is located near Harne Bandar. The Suvarndurg fort is located in Arabain sea. The ferry is available to reach the fort, it take 10 to 15 Minutes to reach it. Only protective wall of the fort I. E. Tatbandi is in place, we can see the some evidence of inner construction of the fort. It ia little risky to go by ferry since ferry boats are not customise for the passengers. The charges of ferry is 200 per person.



Dr. Rahul Kamble