District: Raigad
Approximate Budget: Ferry & Parking: ₹120 (return sailboat) + ₹50 (vehicle parking). Guide Service: ₹250 – ₹400 per family/group. Total Excursion Budget: ₹600 – ₹1,200 per person (including ferry, local guide, snacks, and seafood thali lunch in Murud town).
Things to Do
Take a 20-minute wind-powered sailboat crossing from Rajapuri Jetty across the sea channel.
Spot the hidden main entrance (Maha Darwaza), designed to remain invisible until the boat is within 30 feet of the fort walls.
Inspect the third-largest historic cannon in India, the 22-ton alloy cannon Kalalbangdi, alongside the Chavri and Landa Kasam cannons.
Walk around the freshwater lakes (Shesh Talav and surrounding stepped tanks) situated in the heart of the saline ocean.
Walk through the stone ruins of the five-story Siddi Palace (Surul Khan's Mansion) and the ancient mosque.
Enjoy panoramic views of the Arabian Sea and the opposing mainland fort of Padmadurg (Kasa Fort).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can we reach Murud Janjira Fort by car directly?
No. Murud Janjira is located on an island in the sea. Vehicles can only be driven up to Rajapuri Jetty (5 km south of Murud town), where you must board an authorized sailboat to reach the fort.
Are life jackets provided on the ferry boats to Janjira Fort?
Yes, licensed sailboats operating from Rajapuri Jetty are required by maritime regulations to provide safety life jackets for each passenger before setting sail.
Why was Murud Janjira Fort never conquered?
Its massive 40-foot sea-facing stone ramparts, an entrance gate concealed from naval fire, 22 fortified bastions with heavy artillery, and internal freshwater sources allowed the Siddi garrison to withstand years of naval blockades.
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Duration
2 to 3 Hours (including sail-boat transit)
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Best Time
October to March (calm sea swell, clear winter skies, and pleasant walking weather)
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Entry Fee
Free
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Difficulty
Moderate
Why Visit Murud Janjira Fort?
It is India's only unconquered offshore marine fortress, offering a sail-ferry voyage across open sea waves, intact freshwater reservoirs inside ocean walls, and historic artillery like the Kalalbangdi cannon.
About Murud Janjira Fort
Murud Janjira Fort is an architectural and naval marvel located on an oval-shaped rock island off the coastal town of Murud in Maharashtra’s Raigad district. Originally built in the 15th century by local Koli fishermen as a wooden redoubt called Medhekot, it was subsequently captured, reinforced, and turned into an impregnable citadel by the Siddis of Janjira (of Abyssinian/African descent). Despite repeated sea and land sieges launched over centuries by the Marathas, Portuguese, and the British, the fortress walls never fell to a direct military assault. Rising more than 40 feet above the waves, the citadel features 22 circular bastions, living ruins of five-story royal palaces, officer quarters, and two deep natural freshwater lakes amidst saline sea waters. At its ramparts sit historic alloy cannons, including the legendary third-largest cannon in India, the Kalalbangdi. Reached exclusively via traditional sail-powered wooden ferry boats from Rajapuri Jetty, visiting Janjira provides an immersive look into medieval naval architecture and coastal warfare history.
🎒 What to Carry
Anti-slip footwear or sports shoes with grip, sunglasses, wide-brim hat, adequate drinking water, cash for ferry and parking charges, and a waterproof pouch for mobile phones during the boat ride.
⚠️ Safety Information
Exercise caution when stepping off the rocking sailboat onto the slick mossy stone steps of the fort's water gate; stay clear of unguarded rampart cliff edges without parapets; supervise children closely throughout the visit.
🙏 Visitor Etiquette
Do not climb or deface ancient cannons and historical masonry; carry all trash back to the mainland (strict zero-plastic-waste zone); respect local boat association safety guidelines during embarkation and disembarkation.
Visiting Information
| Hours | 7:00 AM – 6:00 PM |
| Closed | Open all 7 days |
| Parking | ✓ Available |
| Photography | ✓ Allowed |
| Drone | ✗ Not Allowed |
| Accessible | Limited |