The short answer
Padmadurg (Kasa Fort): what visitors should know first
Look, do not plan to land. Padmadurg is a ruined island fort that needs permission and a private boat, so most visitors see it from Murud beach, especially at sunset. If a boat and permission are arranged, it adds an hour or two.
History and context
The story behind Padmadurg (Kasa Fort)
Padmadurg, also called Kasa Fort, is on a rock in the sea in Raigad district, about 4 km north-west of Janjira. Wikipedia credits Shivaji with building it in 1676 to watch Janjira and to serve as a shipbuilding yard, while other accounts attribute it to his son Sambhaji. It is now partly in ruins and protected by the Archaeological Survey of India, which found about 250 cannonballs during cleaning work in 2012.
Useful facts
Padmadurg (Kasa Fort) facts at a glance
- Location
- Rock in the sea about 4 km north-west of Janjira
- Experience type
- Viewpoint from shore; boat landing by permission
- Known for
- Maratha counter-fort to Janjira; sunset silhouette
- Built
- 1676 by Shivaji per Wikipedia; other accounts say Sambhaji
- Time or schedule
- Daylight only; access by permission
Why it matters
Why Padmadurg (Kasa Fort) is worth your time
Padmadurg explains Janjira. The Siddi fort could not be taken by direct assault, so Maratha rulers built a rival fortress on a rock a few kilometres away, close enough to watch its movements and to bring guns to bear. Accounts credit Shivaji in 1676 or his son Sambhaji, which is a good reminder that sea forts on this coast were part of a long contest for control of shipping and trade rather than single events.
It also served as a naval base and a shipbuilding yard, according to Wikipedia. Even as a ruin, it frames the sunset view from Murud beach and gives you two forts to compare: one that lasted as a Siddi stronghold, and one built to contain it.
Highlights
What not to miss
- 01
Sunset silhouette
From Murud beach the fort stands against the western sky, with Janjira visible to the south.
- 02
Why it was built
A Maratha answer to Janjira, close enough to watch the Siddi fort and fire at it.
- 03
A shipbuilding yard
Wikipedia notes that the fort served as a naval and shipbuilding base, not only as a watchtower.
Plan your visit
How to experience it
For most visitors Padmadurg is a landmark on the horizon rather than a stop. Take position on Murud beach in the late afternoon and look north-west across the water: the low walls of Kasa Fort sit on a rock, with Janjira visible to the south. At sunset the fort turns into a silhouette, which is how it is most often photographed.
If you do want to land, ask at your hotel or at the jetty about the permission process and a private boat, and agree the price and return time before you go. Expect it to be slower and more expensive than the Janjira crossing, and to depend on weather and the tide. Walls, bastions and old cannons remain among crumbling stone, and conservation work has been carried out by the Archaeological Survey of India.
Treat it as an add-on for energetic, steady travellers. For everyone else, the beach view with a cup of tea is a perfectly good way to understand why it was built.
Plan with confidence
Small decisions that make the visit easier.
- Ask locally about permission before you hire a boat
- Agree the price and return time with the boatman first
- Check the weather and tide; small boats are affected by swell
- View from Murud beach if you do not want to land
Know before you go
Timing, access and comfort
- Area
- Rock in the sea north-west of Janjira, seen from Murud beach
- Time needed
- 10 minutes to look from the shore; 1 to 2 hours if you arrange a boat landing
- Best time
- Late afternoon from the beach; calm winter weather for any boat trip
- Walking level
- Moderate
- Senior comfort
- Viewing from the beach is easy and level. Landing at the fort means boarding a small boat in open water and walking over ruined, uneven stone, which is not advisable for older travellers or children.
- Tickets and access
- Wikipedia says visiting needs permission from the customs or navy authorities, and a travel guide says private boats are needed and the permission comes from the Superintendent of Customs. Confirm locally before attempting a visit.
Best for
Plan it with
Plan the practical part
Hotels near Padmadurg (Kasa Fort)
Staying close keeps journeys short — useful for early starts and for anyone who tires quickly.
Affiliate link — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Prices are live on the partner site.
Travelling with parents?
Viewing from the beach is easy and level. Landing at the fort means boarding a small boat in open water and walking over ruined, uneven stone, which is not advisable for older travellers or children.
Raahzo can arrange an arrival or day companion who handles tickets, queues and pacing, and keeps the family updated.
See concierge supportFAQs
Can tourists visit Padmadurg?
Only with permission and a private boat, according to travel accounts. Most visitors see it from the shore.
Is Padmadurg the same as Kasa Fort?
Yes. Kasa is the name of the rock and Padmadurg the fort built on it.
Who built Padmadurg?
Wikipedia credits Shivaji in 1676, while other accounts say his son Sambhaji. The date and builder vary by source.
Sources and further reading
Timings, fees and access rules change. Recheck with the official source before you travel.
