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Alibag Forts, Buildings & Monuments

Alibag has a lot of buildings, forts, monuments, of historic value, and are of great heritage

Revdanda Aagarkot

Revdanda is 17 kms to the south of Alibag where remnants of huge outer walls of this fort, built by the Portuguese in 1558, can be seen. The thick outer walls are hollow from within and these clandestine routs are interconnected. A structure, in dilapidated state today, known as ‘ Saat Khani Buruj’ (bastion) was constructed in 1534 . These walls run 5- 6 kms in length.

Kolaba Fort

It’s presence less than 1 km across Alibag beach, is unmistakable. The Great Maratha – warrior Shivaji was well aware of the naval prowess in State –building and started the construction of this sea fort in 1680 A.D. The fort is 900 ft. long ,350 ft. wide and has 25 ft. high walls which have 17 bastions (burj) on all sides. The fort has braved fierce waves for the last 300 years and withstood them. Interestingly, a portion of land 15 ft. from the main entrance, remain unengulfed even when high tide waves surround the fort from all four sides ! The huge front entrance arch has tigers, peacocks, elephants sculpted on it. Beyond that comes another small gate. Next to that gate are the shrines of Mahishasura and Padmavathi, Kanifnath, Shri Ganesh and the fort – deity. Next to them comes the southern gate which is variously known as Darya/ Yeshwant Darwaja. Raghoji Angre built a beautiful temple of Sri Ganesh in front of the sweet water tank in 1759. The right – inclined trunk deity is vehemently revered by the locals. The inner sanctum sanctorum includes images of Shri Ashtabhuja Devi, Shiv, Vishnu, Surya. The collection of the pantheon lends it the name ‘ Shri Ganesh Panchayatan’. On the auspicious day of Maghi Chaturthi of Hindu calendar, a grand festival is organized. Within the premises, you will find a well and a tank of sweet water in the midst of sea ! on one of the 17 bastions, two cannons in intact condition, can be seen.

You can reach the fort on foot only during the low ebb period. One must study the timings of tide and the ebb. You can know the suitable period with the help of a simple formula. The Tithi ( the hindu calendar numerical for the given day) x ¾ = full tide hour. Six hours after the full tide hour is the lowest ebb hour. Thus , 4 hours past the full tide hour is the safest hour to get into the fort and two ours time is a safe period to be back on the Alibag beach. Horse – driven carriage is also available to and from the fort. For the convenience of the tourists, the Archaeological Survey of the India employees blow a warning whistle, cautioning the visitors to exit. The ASI also charges a token entry Fee for the visitors. 

SAFE PERIOD TO VISIT COLABA FORT

 

THITHI	SAFE PERIOD		THITHI	SAFE PERIOD
Pratipada	4.00 to 06.30		Navmi	10.00 to 12.30
Dvitiya	05.00 to 17.00		Dahsami	11.00 to 01.00
Trutiya	05.30 to 08.00		Ekadashi	11.30 to 02.00
Chaturthi	06.00 to 09.00		Dvadashi	12.00 to 03.00
Panchami	07.00 to 09.30		Trayodashi	01.00 to 03.30
Shashti	08.00 to 10.00		Chaturdashi	01.30 to 04.30
Saptami	08.30 to 11.00		Paurnima	02.30 to 05.00
Ashtami	09.00. to 12.00		Amavasya	02.30 to 05.00

 

KHANDERI

Three to four kilometers into the sea from Thal beach, which is 5 kms from Alibag, this fort was built in 1678 on a small island. Later, a light house was erected. This fort was for long under the Angre’s control. Today it is under Bombay port trust administration. With their permission, you can visit the fort in local boats.

UNDERI

Just 3/4 th of a Kilometer away from Khanderi, this is another island fort built by Siddi Qasam in 1680. Supermacy over this fort kept shifting between Siddis, Peshwas, Angres and later the British . One can visit this fort with permission from the Bombay port trust. Local Thal fishing boats can be hired for a visit.

SAGARGADH

This hill-fort, 7 kms from Alibag is an old fort of Shivaji’s times at 1357 ft from sea – level. A dirt – track road to this fort begins at Khandala on Alibag – Pen road to the East. Half – way to the for is Siddheshwar temple and an Ashram, where you can rest a while. During rainy season, one finds a cascading water fall at this spot. To the left just before the Ashram, the trek – route to Sagargad begins. In an hour’s time, one can reach the fort. The main gate is in completely desolate state while the two bastions are partially dilapidated. Inside, a temple and a small tank are in a disused state. Another tank is known as Pandav Kund.

On the fort proper, one finds nine tombs of Satis. The place is called Sati Plateau. Besides this plateau a thumb like erect land mass is known as Wanartok. The fort is totally uninhabited.

HIRAKOT

In the heart of Alibag town, this fort was built by the angers in 1720 . Its imposing black Bassalt high walls are midicative of the significance of this fort. Legend has it that the Angre treasure used to be housed in it. Today, it is used as District Jail.

OTHER PLACES OF IMPORTANCE

TOMB OF KANHOJI ANGRE

Just five – minute walk from Alibag ST stand, on way to market, is this tomb. The structure has 8 faces and the pillars are exquisitely sculpted. Though in dilapidated state today, it stands in sacred memory of the great Maratha Admiral Kanhoji Angre.

ANGRE WADA (MANSION)

Two minutes distance from Alibag bus station stands this mansion in renovated form. The seat of Angre dynasty, some historic artefacts are kept in the first floor hall.

CHATRIBAG

Chatri is tomb in Marathi. Here, one finds stone tombs of Angre rulers with artistic carvings on them. Most tombs are in ill – kept state.

MAGNETIC OBSERVATORY

Established in 1904, this observatory is the only one of its kind in Asia and one of 13 in the whole world, with whom data is exchanged every 12 minutes. The British period building that houses rare valuable instruments like magnetograph is built only in stone, with no steel used. The observatory records magnetic movement in the earths’ crust and also magnetic storms caused by solar storms.

RAIGAD BAZAR

Founded and managed by Sribag Cooperative central consumer society Ltd., this is the first ever co – operative departmental store in Konkan.

NIKITIN MEMORIAL, REVDANDA

The first ever Russian to land on Indian soil was Afnashi Nikitin, some 500 years back. He first set his feet on the Indian soil at Revdanda in his sailboat. In memory of this historic event, a monument is erected in the premises of SRT High School, Revdanda. The memorial also symbolizes Indo – Russian friendship.

S

RI KANAKESHWAR SHRINE

13 kms from Alibag in North – East direction is this very famous Shiv temple on a 900 ft. high hill. Its a 5000 ft. long climb on well paved stairs, which takes around one hour to reach the shrine. Important landmarks along the route are tombs of MohanGiri and Balgiri, Nagoba Rest, Jambhali Plateau, God’s stair, Gaymandi etc. The fatigue of the uphill climb vanishes the moment one enters the scenic temple premises. It comprises various small temples of Sri Paleshwar, Sri Hanuman, Sri Balram Krishna and Lord Shiv. The special attraction is an ancient sweet water tank enclosed in traditional structure of black stone. The ancient temple was built by Raja Ramdeorai yadav. The height of the Shiv temple is 54 ft. The front gate has Lion sculpture on both sides with traditional lamp – pillar (deepmaal) in front.

The 4 ft. long ‘Pindi’ of Lord Shiv is Silver plated. The carvings on the temple dome is tastily made. The premises also include Nagaar – khana, Bheem Kunda, a garden for flowers to be offered to the Lord, Sri Ram Ganesh temple and Gomukha. Every year, Kartik Poornima in Hindu calendar is the day of fair. On this hill, variety of herbs are found.

At this pristine wooded place, there is Dharamashala by the temple trust and also quality private lodging and boarding facilities available.

SRI DATTA TEMPLE, BHOVALE (CHAUL)

18 kms from Alibag on Alibag – Revdanda road, this is another very famous hill shrine. One has to climb around 700 stairs to reach this shrine surrounded by vegetation. On way to the shrine and around it, important landmarks are Swami Samartha Mutt, Sadhana Kutir, HareRam retiring room, Hare Ram Baba Dhuni Mandir, Audumbar Mutt, Mai Jankibai Mutt. Every year from Datta Jayanti day of Hindu calendar, a 5 – day fair is held on route the shrine.

SRI RAMESHWAR MANDIR, CHAWL

This ancient shrine of Shiv looks like built in ‘Hemadpant’ style of Architecture, though, when it was built is not known. Angre history references say that it was renovated many times. The structure comprises of prayer hall (sabhamandap), sanctum sanctorum and 7.62 meter high summit shaped dome. In front of the prayer hall, there are three tanks (kund) namely Parjanya Kund, Agni Kund and Vayoo kund. Mahashivratri is the festival day.

SHITALADEVI TEMPLE (CHAWL)

On Alibag – Revdanda road, 14 kms away from Alibag is Chaul and from there one can hire an autorickshaw to reach this ancient temple. Originally it was built with a tiled roof and wooden structure. In 1990, it was renovated into a modern structure. It is a greatly revered shrine.

KARMARKAR SHILPALAYA (Sasawane)

18 kms from Alibag on Alibag – Rewas Road, 150 works of art of the famous sculptor Late Mr. Nanasaheb Karmarkar are displayed in his own bunglow. The exhibition is open the whole day, all days of a week and entry fee is Rs. 5/- per head. Filming the sculptures on camera is charged Rs. 10/- while video – shooting is charged Rs. 50/-.

RAIGAD ZILLA PARISHAD, ALIBAG

This central building of Raigad Z. P. on the sea shore is artistically designed. Known as Shivtritha it houses all the department of the Z. P. The main entrance and internal walls are adorned with murals and paintings depicting historic events in the life of Shivaji the Great and meaningful couplets from writing of Marathi saint – poets. The auditoriums in the building are well – equipped.