Murud is famous for, the
impregnable fort of Janjira situated deep in the sea. The
historically renowned capital of the Siddhis of Janjira, Murud is
more popular today as a picturesque beach resort.
 The
Janjira fort has a colorful history. As one reaches Murud, you can
see the stately mansion built by the Siddhi Nawab of Murud-Janjira.
In the 15th century the Rajpuri village was inhabited by fisherfolk
and the Nizams ruled the entire shoreline.
The fisherfolk sought permission from the Nizam's Thanedar and built
a wooden fort (Medhekot) on a huge rock in the sea near Rajapuri,
to protect themselves from pirates and thieves. When the headman
of the fisherfolk- Rampatil, later started asserting his independence
and refused to listen to the Nizam's Thanedar, the Nizam sent one
of his commanders, Piramkhan to the fort. Piramkhan, disguised as
a travelling merchant entered the fort with three ships full of
soldiers, captured the fishermen and imprisoned them. Piramkhan
was succeeded by Burhankhan who demolished the wooden Medhekot and
constructed a stone fort sometime between 1567 and 1571. He named
it Mehroob. Siddhi Ambarsatak, the forefather of the Nawab of Janjira,
was nominated as the commander of Mehroob.
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.
Getting there:
There are many ways of getting
there:
Air: The nearest
airport is Mumbai.
Rail: Nearest railroad
is Roha, 122 km. The fare is Rs.230/- for the Ist class and Rs.60/-
for the sleeper on the Konkan Kanya on the central route leaving
Mumbai at 22.30 pm.
Sea Route: There
are regular ferry services available from Ferry Warf upto Rewas
(23 km) starting at 6 in the morning through 6 pm. The service is
suspended during the monsoons. Fare :Rs.13.50. After Rewas, one
needs to take the road transport.
Mumbai Telephone : 3716621/6874.
There are also regular catamarans
from Gateway of India, operated by Maldar Catamarans upto Mandwa
and the oneway fare is Rs.75/-, 100/- & 125/-
Road: Murud
is 165 Kms. and about 5 hours driving distance from Mumbai. One
can travel upto Panvel and then take the road that passes through
the Karnala Bird Sanctuary upto Pen. You have to travel further
to Roha, a town dotted heavily with chemical plants. The Murud beach
is westward from Roha and the road winds through coconut and betelnut
fronds. Local residents have arrangements to serve simple and delicious
Maharashtrian food which you can down with Kokam kadi. Also there
are plenty of State Transport (ST- pronounced "Yesh Tee")
buses available from Mumbai via Revdanda, Alibagh (52 kms), Panvel,
Rewas (75 kms) & Pune (230 kms) via Mahad. |
Nandgaon & Kashid: