Ratnagiri Fort, Maharashtra

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Ratnadurg Fort, also called Ratnadurg Fort or Bhagawati Fort, is a coastal fort near Ratnagiri town in Maharashtra. It’s a popular tourist spot because the Bhagawati Temple is inside the fort.

The fort dates back to the Bahamani period and sits about 2 km from Ratnagiri. In 1670, Shivaji won it from Adil Shah of Bijapur and added protecting towers at the south and near the old court house. The defenses were strengthened by Maratha admiral Kanhoji Angre around 1750–1755. Dhondu Bhaskar Pratinidhi repaired some parts during the Peshwa era (1755–1818). The British took the fort in 1818. The Bhagavati temple was renovated in 1950.

Today it’s easy to reach from Ratnagiri; a wide road leads to the entrance and a walk around the fort takes about an hour. Inside you’ll find the Bhagawati temple, a pond, a well, and a cave beneath. The strongest bastion is Rede Buruj, and there is a lighthouse on one side of the fort.