Sindhudurg

Sindhudurg is one of the few forts which were constructed by Shivaji Maharaj. This was constructed by him in 1664. Shivaji Maharaj had looted Surat and that money was used to build this fort. The island on which the fort stands was known as "Kurte". It was rocky island in Arabian sea off the Malvan shore. Sindhudurg was built to keep the British, Siddhis and the Portuguese in check by Maratha navy.

The foundation of the fort has been laid in molten lead this has provided the robustness to the fortification of the fort. The main entrance is concealed in such a way that it is difficult to point at from outside sea shore. The fort has fortification of about 3 km length with many bastions on it. There are drinking water reservoirs on the fort.

 There is footprint and hand impression of Shivaji Maharaj on the fort. These impressions were taken in lime at the time of construction of the fort Sindhudurg. Below are the pics of the fort Sindhudurg.

Sindhudurg

Way to Main Entrance of Sindhudurg

Way to Main Entrance

Main Entrance

Inside view of main entrance

Jarimari Temple

There is a coconut tree with branch on the Sindhudurg. Generally coconut trees don't have branches. Below is the pic of the tree. This was hit by lightning a couple of years ago.

Coconut tree with branch on Sindhudurg

Below is the pic of Shivrajeshwar Mandir, the temple of Shivaji Maharaj. This was constructed by Chhatrapati Rajaram.

Shivrajeshwar Mandir ; Temple of Shivaji Maharaj

Water reservoir

Water reservoir

Remains of  buildings

Fortification

Fortification of Sindhudurg

Fortification of Sindhudurg

Fortification of Sindhudurg

Fortification

Fortification of Sindhudurg

Fortification of Sindhudurg

Fortification

Fortification of Sindhudurg

Footprint of Shivaji Maharaj

Hand impression of Shivaji Maharaj

Fortification of Sindhudurg

Fortification of Sindhudurg

Fortification of Sindhudurg

Vasantgad

Vasantgad fort is located near Talbid village in Satara district. The Talbid village is place of Hambirrao Mohite, who was fourth commander in chief of Maratha empire. The first three were Mankoji Dahatonde, Netaji Palkar and Prataprao Gujar. 

It takes about half an hour to reach to Talbid from Karad. There is monument of Hambirrao Mohite in the village Talbid. The trek to the fort starts from here. The trek is not so tough and completes within an hour. Please make sure that you have your water bottles with you before you start the trek.

The fortification of the fort is on the verge to vanish. The main entrance has almost been disappeared. There is temple of Chandrasen on the top of fort. There are couple of bastions present at the west side of the fort and a door in better condition on the north side.

It is said that the fort was constructed by king Bhoja of Shilahar dynesty. It was captured by Shivaji Maharaj by Adilshaha in 1659. Chhatrapati Rajaram (Son of Shivaji Maharaj) had stayed here for few days while returning from Jinji. Aurngzeb captured Vasantgad in 1700, and renamed it to "Killa da Fateh". Marathas took Vasantgad back from Mughals in 1706. Here are some of the pics of my visit to Vasantgad.

Vasantgad as seen from Talbid

                                           

Remains of the main entrance of Vasantgad

Inside view of the entrance to Vasantgad from north

Outside view of the entrance to Vasantgad from north

Bastion on the west side of Vasantgad

Remains of the fortification of Vasantgad