Suvarnadurg Fort, built on an island off the coast of Harnai in Dapoli, is one of the famous tourist attractions on the Western Coast in the Konkan region of Maharashtra State.

The literal meaning of the word Survarna is ‘Golden’ in English, and hence it is known as Golden Fort too. This fort is a protected monument by the Central Government of India.

Districts/Region

DapoliTaluka, Ratnagiri District, Maharashtra.

History

The fort of Suvarnadurga is one of the major coastal forts from a Naval strategic perspective. The Fort of Suvarnadurga is known as the birthplace of Kanhoji Aangre. He was the most noticeable warrior of the Maratha Empire, who got the privileged title of 'Sarkhel' from Chhatrapati Rajaram. The father of Kanhoji named Tukoji, was in the service of Shahajiraje during the 1640s. When the reign of Nizamshahi reached an end, this part of southern Konkan was shifted to the ruler of Adilshahi.

The Maratha King Shivaji won the fort of Suvarnadurga. Some experts suggest the tough walls of this fort are constructed during the rule of Nizam of Ahmednagar. Later on, in the year 1669, the Maratha knights did the repairing works of Suvarnadurg.

Kanhoji Aangre, a remarkable Maratha warrior, took charge of the Marathi Naval Force in 1698, and during his tenure, the fleet camps were set up in Suvarnadurga and Vijaydurga. The fort was considered to be peaceful, as it was under the control of the Peshwas until 1731 with no fights. This fort came under the control of the British Empire in 1818 as Colonel Kennedy won the fort from the Peshwas.

The two other coastal forts named Kanakdurga and Goa fort are known as the protectors of the island fort of Suvarnadurga. Fattegad which is also known as Kanakadurga is a small fortified enclosure. This fort is believed to be constructed during the rule of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.

Geography

The fort is located on an island off the coast of Harnai about 250 m away and surrounded on three sides by the Arabian Sea and comes under the jurisdiction of Ratnagiri District of Maharashtra State. 

Weather/Climate

The prominent weather in the region is rainfall, the Konkan belt experiences High Rainfall (ranges around 2500 mm to 4500 mm), and the climate remains Humid and warm. The temperature reaches up to 30 degrees Celsius during this season.
Summers are hot and humid, and the temperature touches 40 degrees Celsius.
Winters have a comparatively milder climate (around 28 degrees Celsius), and the weather remains Cool and Dry.

Things to do

There are two entrances to the fort, the Mahadarwaja on the East and Chor Darwaja on the West. At the main entrance of the fort, we can see a tortoise and sculpture of Lord Hanuman on the wall. There are several bastions with built-in rooms made in them. There are several water sources like a step well and some ponds.

Nearest tourist places

●      Goa Fort -  0.7 KM
●      Fattegad / Kanakadurga Fort – 0.4 KM
●      Palande Beach - 4.4 KM
●      Anjarle Beach - 7.8 KM

Special food speciality and hotel

There are various local restaurants present nearby. The Cuisine mainly includes seafood.

Accommodation facilities nearby & Hotel/ Hospital/Post Office/Police station

There are several places for accommodation nearby.
●      Nearest Police Station is the Harnai Police Station 900 mtrs away from Harnai Port.
●      Nearest Post office is the Harnai Post office 2.1 km away from the port.
●      Nearest hospital from the port is DrDalviHusami Clinic which is 1.1 km away.

Visiting Rule and Time, Best month to visit

●      There are no Government boat facilities available, so one has to take a private boat which frequencies depend on the tourists around.
●      The fees for the boat ranges from 100-350 Rupees per person.
●      The fort opens around 7 AM in the morning and its closing time depends on high tide in the evening.
●      According to people the best time to visit during the day is in the early morning around 7 AM.
●      There is no entrance fee for the fort.

Language spoken in area 

English, Hindi Marathi and Konkani.