Ratnadurg Fort

Ratnadurg Fort, also known as Bhagwati Fort, is a historic coastal fort located approximately 2 km from Ratnagiri city in Maharashtra. Built during the Bahamani period and later strengthened by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in 1670, it served as a strategic Maratha naval watchpoint against pirates. The horseshoe-shaped fort spans 120 acres and is surrounded by the Arabian Sea on three sides. It houses the revered Bhagwati Temple, a lighthouse, and several bastions, making it a significant heritage and religious site.

Visitors can explore the ruins of a horseshoe-shaped coastal fort featuring ancient ramparts, bastions like Rede Buruj, and panoramic views of the Arabian Sea. The complex includes the active Bhagwati Temple, shrines to Hanuman and Ganesha, a pond, a well, and a cave below the fort. A lighthouse within the Parkot section offers sunset views. The terrain involves uneven masonry and exposed edges, requiring sturdy footwear. Visitors typically walk around the fort perimeter and visit the temple grounds.

Originally built during the Bahamani period, the fort was captured by Adil Shah of Bijapur before being conquered by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in 1670. It served as a crucial Maratha naval base and pirate watchpoint. Admiral Kanhoji Angre improved defenses between 1750 and 1755, and minor repairs were conducted during the Peshwa regime. The British captured the fort in 1818.

The fort houses the Bhagwati Temple, dedicated to Goddess Bhagwati, the presiding deity of Ratnagiri. The temple is a major pilgrimage site where devotees celebrate Navaratri annually. The presence of this sacred shrine within the military fortification gives the site its alternate name, Bhagwati Fort.