Janjira fort

On January 28th, after visiting Harihareshwar temple, we headed to Dighi via Shrivardhan - Diveagar marine drive. Reached Dighi port at around 2pm and waited for more than an hour to catch a steamer to Janjira Fort.

It was past 3:30pm and still no sign of steamer to Janjira Fort...all the steamers were headed to Rajapuri and other places. 

The only option left was sailboat. I was a bit hesitant as no one was ready to board the sailboat... but my brother insisted us to give it a try. As soon as we stepped into the sailboat, people started pouring-in one by one. In no time, enthusiastic people filled the sailboat and sailors started unwrapping the mainsail to catch the wind power.

So far so good....we started enjoying the nice breeze and the closeness of the sea.

After 5 minutes from the starting place, realized that the sea wanted to get more closer to the people inside the boat. We could see the waves running high.

After another 5 minutes, we got scared as the boat started swinging heavily and could see the water level above us. And my sister-in-law and other lady started throwing up...even I felt very dizzy. One of the scariest experiences we ever had in life. Only hope was the Janjira Fort view from far :-(.

People on board started screaming and infants added their pitch with loud cries. Gosh...felt like why the hell we boarded this boat with small kids. 

The moments were intense....everyone could imagine the boat flipping in no time. We could visualize Titanic....at least, it had some time to slide, swing and sink...but this boat...haha....no way...one big blow is enough to flip the boat. 

People started enquiring the time left to reach the Fort and any prior accidents. Sailors answered all questions patiently with a witty smile. By looking at their quiet and smiley faces, we got some courage. They were sitting as if nothing is going to happen and the sailboat will reach the fort in no time :-). 

Big smile on eveyone's face as we saw more sailboats heading to the Fort from Rajapuri.

Sailors started changing the direction of the boat with mainsail and tiller.

The main gate of the fort faces Rajapuri on the shore and can be seen only when one is quite close to it. 

At last, we could see the main entrance of the Fort.

To our surprise, there were around ten sailboats with people ready to enter the Fort.

Sailors started their preparations to stop the boat and land it near the entrance. Another scariest moment was getting down to reach the steps of the Fort. To add more excitement, the person in white shirt slipped into the sea. Even though it is just 4 feet near the entrance, it's the fear that drowned him further. Swimmers at the entrance got him back to boat.

We entered the Fort with a Guide and covered most important points. Took pictures, recorded video, relaxed for sometime and then took deep breath to prepare ourselves for the return journey.

We headed back to Fort's entrance in an hour. We were too exhausted and wanted to go back very badly .....and of course with a fear to cross the water again...

After 45 minutes of sailing and kids' Kolaveri singing to ease the tension, we reached the shore. What a big relief....don't think we'll ever dare to go there again...once in a lifetime experience ;-).

Here is a video clip of our journey back to shore...

Here are some links with more information on Janjira Fort:

A trip to an immortal fort Janjira 

Janjira fort (originated from Arabic word Jazeera which means island Some of the people also split the name as “Jal Jeera” meaning fort in the water also known as ‘Fort Mehroob’ ) was initially wooden fortification erected by fishermen in 1538 (under Ram Patil leadership) to protect them from Two Nizam warriors Mirza Ali and Kalab Ali.
A Sardar named Piramkhan (dispatched by Nizamshah) disguised as a traveling merchant entered into the fort with 3 ships full of soldiers. And he captured fishermen. In 1567 -- 1571 this fort was replaced by rocks and the strong fortification by Burhan Nizamshah.
In 1587 Alargkhan was appointed here. Then in 1612 his son Ibrahim Khan and then Siddi Surur Khan came to rule on this fort. 20 Siddhi Nawabs enjoyed rule till 1947-1948. And finally it becomes the part of the Indian constitution.

Dighi (Murud Janjira) - The sea fort

A trip to Murud - Janjira from Dighi is what can make your Harihareshwar - Shrivardhan - Diveagar trip truely unforgettable. A 20 minute ferry from Dighi will get you to this formidable sea fortress. Few forts in Maharashtra have a history as exciting as Murud-Janjira, the legendary sea-fort. The fort belonged to a dynasty of Siddhis who are believed to have their origins in Abyssinia, in far North Africa. This fort also hold the distinction of never been captured by force, be it the Marathas, British or the Dutch Shivaji Maharaj made six unsuccessful attempts to conquer this fort. Later Sambhaji and even the Peshwas tried to conquer Mehroob, but in vain. The fort Janjira, thus remained unconquered and labeled as impregnable. You could see the splendor of this fort even today. There are a few majestic cannons, which have their own names, and remind you of the many ships they must have destroyed in wars. Janjira caves offer another attraction one cannot resist. But after that you are absolutely ready to hit the beach. Spend your time gleefully lapping amidst the waves and the lush coconut and palm trees, not forgetting the tranquility of the setting sun.

Murud-Janjira Fort

Originally the fort was small wooden structure built by a Koli chief in the late 15th century. It was captured by Pir Khan, a general of Nizamshah of Ahmednagar.  Later the fort was strengthened by Malik Ambar, the Abyssinian Siddi regent of Ahmednagar kings.  From then onward Siddis became independent, owing allegiance to Adilshah and the Mughals as dictated by the times.  Despite their repeated attempts, the Portuguese, the British and the Marathas failed to subdue the Siddi power.  Shivaji’s all attempts to capture Janjira fort failed due to one reason or the other.  When Sambhaji also failed, he built another island fort, known as Kansa or Padmadurg, just 9kms north of Janjira.  The Janjira state came to an end after 1947.  The palace of the Nawabs of Janjira at Murud is still in good shape.