Rajkot Fort, Malvan / Sindhudurg - Timings, History, Architecture, Best Time to Visit

At a distance of 2 Km from Malvan Bus Stand, the Rajkot Fort is an old military fortification situated on the coast of Arabian Sea in Malvan, Maharashtra. It is one of the historical forts on the Konkan coast, and among the must-include places in the Malvan packages.

Rajkot Fort, also known as Malvan Castle, is situated on a rocky hill to the northwest of Malvan town in Maharashtra. It is encircled by water (the sea) on three sides and bordered by land on one side, positioned in the west-north direction of Sindhudurg Fort, which is located half a kilometer away along the coastal route from Malvan jetty. Following the construction of Sindhudurg Fort by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, he subsequently established Padmagad, Rajkot, and Sarjekot forts to ensure its protection.
Constructed by Shivaji Maharaj between 1664 and 1667 AD as part of his coastal defense initiative, Rajkot Fort served as a crucial military outpost for safeguarding coastal trade routes and was incorporated into the larger Sindhudurg Fort complex. In accordance with the treaty signed between the British and Karvirkar in 1766, the British sought authorization to construct a warehouse and accommodate large vessels within Rajkot Fort.

Currently, visitors can observe that only one bastion remains, which features a flagpole used to alert boats about the rocky shoreline. The fort also includes a rock garden where tourists can appreciate the sight of sea waves interacting with the rocks. Nearby, there is a temple dedicated to Lord Ganesh, as well as another temple known as Mauni Maharaj close to Rajkot Fort.

Additionally, one can admire the impressive statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj inside fort area. This statue, standing at 91 feet tall, including a 10-foot base for pedestrians, is recognized as the tallest statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in India. The Maharashtra Public Works Department erected the statue at a cost of Rs 31.75 crore. This statue serves as a symbol of pride and strength, establishing the site as one of the premier forts in Maharashtra.

Timings: 7 AM - 9 PM

Entry: Free