Murud is a village in Raigad district of Maharashtra, south of Alibaug. It is just 45 kms. from Alibaug. The place is full of coconut and betel nut trees and has a beautiful seashore . Like other villages in Maharashtra, situated on the Konkan coastline, Murud has a seashore which has boosted its tourism and fishing industry .

Murud is today popular for its alluring beach, whispering casuarinas, coconut and betel palms, and an ancient fort – Janjira.

This old fort of Janjira is an architectural marvel – which was once upon a time considered to be impregnable. The fort is built in the sea 2 kms. inside Murud. Janjira is the strongest marine fort of India and hence reason for a lot of naval importance. The fort is old but still very strong. Though it is not in original splendor today, its hugeness and toughness is absolutely visible.

Much of the Janjira fort has been corroded and washed away after centuries of battering by the ocean. What remains is a brooding structure overlooking a lovely beach where you can spend many a happy hour swimming and sunbathing in solitude.

The beaches and the village have a number of informal restaurants and shacks where you can sample Konkan cuisine and sit around absorbing local colour. Murud-Janjira is certainly an enjoyable getaway from Mumbai. Part of the excitement is a ferry or catamaran ride to get here, or the option of hitching a lift on a bullock-cart or tonga. So pack that swimwear and sunscreen and set of for a great weekend on the Konkan coast.

Best time to visit Murud Janjira:
At any time of the year Murud Janjira, is fun and laid back. It has a lovely and relaxing climate. The visit will be memorable in the summers on the golden sands and in the winters in the warm waters. Tropical climate – between 23°-35° Celsius
Suggested time for visiting is from September to February

Places of Interest at Murud Janjira :
THE JANJIRA FORT :
It was constructed in 1571 by Siddi Burhankhan, the Nizamshah’s commissary. This is one of the vital seaforts in Maharashtra, and the only fort that remained invincible in its lifespan. Even after repeated valorous efforts by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj, and the Peshwas of the Maratha kingdom to capture the fort, it remained with the Siddis.
The 22 rock built bastions, impenetrable and confusing fortifications and the huge cannons like ‘Kalal Bangadi’, ‘Chavari’ and ‘Landa Kasam’ guarding the Arabian Sea explain why the fort remained impregnable for centuries.

ALIBAG BEACH :
Alibag has a lovely beach that is unspoiled.It’s a wonderful place to take a relaxed vacation with nothing on your mind.

KASHID BEACH:
Kashid is reputed to have one of the best beaches on konkan belt. Kashid beaches are normally uninhabited during weekdays and only sparsely inhabited during weekends. The beach is set in a gentle curve of the coast with a thickly wooded hill on one end and a low rocky cliff at the other. The dense green forests on the higher slopes to the west only add colour to the scene and provide a fascinating backdrop.

THE CASA FORT:
This is located on another island.

THE TEMPLE OF LORD DATTARAYA:
On a hillock to the north of the fort is the shrine of Lord Dattatraya, whose three heads represent Brahma, Vishnu and Maheshwara.

DEVKA BEACH:
The long shoreline at Devka has always fascinated the tourists. The beautiful and well tended amusement park with its musical fountain and kid’s corner has become very popular, attracting busloads of tourists every weekend. When the park is illuminated on festive days, it provides an enchanting sight. Most of the good joints and posh hotels are just within walking distance. Taxis and auto rickshaws are easily available to take one to Devka. Children enjoy the facility of a pony-ride on the sands. The traveler can beat the summer heat by taking a swim in the cool waters of the sea.

Those who are not very familiar with the beach at Devka should kindly take note that rough rocky formations are there beneath the water level.

FORTS:
FORT OF NANI DAMAN:
The small fort with high stonewalls encloses an area of 12,250-sq. mt. It has three bastions and two gateways. The most conspicuous part of the Fort is the giant gateway facing the river with a large statue of St. Jerome and two giant human figures, on either side of the gateway. The imposing church of Our Lady of the Sea is the principal building within the Fort.

FORT OF MOTI DAMAN / LIGHT HOUSE:
The massive Fort that runs round the settlement like a girdle, dates back to 1559 AD. The colossal structure in the present form encompasses about 30,000 Sq. Mtrs. with 10 bastions and two gateways. The fort is protected by a moat on the landside and also connects the river to the sea. It is basically polygonal in plan with projections at regular intervals of about 500 feet and carrying splayed angular bastions. The terraces close to the top of the wall are connected to the inner ground surface by open flight of steps at many places.

All along the inner wall, there are barracks for defense personnel. The inscription above the southern (land) gate mentions that this gate along with the bastions adjacent to it was completed in1581 AD after the Mughal invasion in Akbar’s reign. The inscription on the Northern (sea) gate gives the date of when the wall was built. A large number of Portuguese gentry and their families resided within the Fort.

SATYA SAGAR UDYAN:
Satya Sagar Udyan about 3 Kms, from the taxi park at Nani Daman and very close to the Coast Guard Air Station, on the Daman-Valsad Road squats a spell-binding lakegarden ” Satya Sagar Udyan” with its colorful fountains and shrub-skirted promenades offers an enchanting view. The restaurant and snack bar provide a variety of dishes of different regional flavors. One can chill out for hours on a lakeside seat sipping a soft beverage of one’s choice.

Fact File of Murud Janjira:
Famous for/as : Beaches / Fort
Best Season to Visit: September to February
Clothing : Light Cottons clothing are comfortable during the summers and woolens during the winter.
Language Spoken : Marathi, Hindi, English
STD Code : 02144
PIN Code : 402401
District : Raigad
State : Maharashtra

Accommodation at Murud Janjira:
The MTDC Holiday Resort on the beach is a popular means of accommodation. MTDC has simple cottages and rooms near the beach. You can also stay with residents who have rooms and shacks on rent. Food is available at the MTDC resort, stalls on the beach and at shacks in the village.

For further information contact MTDC, Nariman Point

NOTES :
Both luxury and budget hotels are available for accommodation.
Book in advance during peak holiday seasons like Diwali , Christmas to avoid disappointment.
If you would like to stay in the hotel it will be better to stay at Alibaug or Kashid .

How to reach Murud Janjira:-
There are many ways of getting to Murud Janjira
By Air :
The nearest airport is Mumbai.
By Train :
Roha on the Konkan Railway is the closest railway station and is connected to all important cities in Maharashtra.
By 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. Also there are plenty of State Transport buses available from Mumbai via Revdanda, Alibaug (52 kms), Panvel, Rewas (75 kms) & Pune (230 kms) via Mahad.

NOTES :
After reaching Murud one has to take a ferry to reach the fort and the same ferry will bring you back.
The people who ferry you across the sea, who are the locals know everything about the fort, its history and its historical importance etc. and they can be your good guides.
Ferry boat leaves for this fort every 15-20 mins thus making the travel easy.

Map of Murud Janjira:

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