MurudJanjira photos on Flickr

The sails may be tattered, but they do just fine! They will get me and my passengers from the coast to the Murud Janjira (Jazeera) fort and back just fine!

Snap info - Taken on the sailboat from the coastal village of Rajpuri village to the island fort of Murud Janjira (really Jazeera is the right word!). The fort itself is just about visible behind the boatman. This guy was one of the men "guiding" the boat. He was in charge of the steering upfront. Born and brought up at Rajpuri, he supposedly has been doing this work since childhood!!

The fort of Murud Janjira was never conquered in its history - all of 900 glorious years! Not by the Mughals, not the Marathas and not even the mighty English! That's something isn't it?! Intrigued? Read more here.

A snap of the fort itself is here.

The break from Austria continues! More coming from Austria soon!

View this LARGE. I am sure you will love it!

demography, murud by nevil zaveri

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see more BURQA WOMEN here.

www.nevilzaveri.com

confessions, murud-janjira by nevil zaveri

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.. of lovesick, scribbled in ruined fort.

see more RUINS here.

NOSTALGIC WALLs

::: Alone ::: by Sydney Alvares

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Shot this early in the morning. Little noisy, as I shot it at a higher ISO. Captured this from a small bridge at Murud Beach (Maharashtra).

This is copyrighted work. For usage in print or internet please Contact Me

Boy in Blue by lecercle

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I'm just back from an extended weekend trip to Kashid, Murud-Janjira and Korlai on the Konkan post of Maharashtra a few hours aways from Bombay. It was beautiful and refreshing and pictures from my trip will follow.

A boy at his door in the village of Rampuri in the Konkan

The Ruins of Murud Janjira by Akshay Charegaonkar

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The ruins of Murud Janjira, in 3-exposure HDR.

The exposures were [-1,0,+1] and HDR was done using Photomatix Pro 3.2 followed by an unsharp mask and cropping in the GIMP.

Gudi Padwa by firoze shakir photographerno1

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Gudhi Padva (pronounced as Guḍhī Pāḍavā) (Marathi: गुढी पाडवा, often mis-pronounced as guDi padwa because ढी sounds like डी when spoken), is the Marathi name for Chaitra Shukla Pratipada.[1] It is celebrated on the first day of the Chaitra month to mark the beginning of the New year according to the lunisolar Hindu calendar. This day is also the first day of Chaitra Navratri and Ghatasthapana also known as Kalash Sthapana is done on this day.

The word पाडवा(pāḍavā) or पाडवो(pāḍavo) comes from the Prakrit word पड्ड्वा/पाड्ड्वो(pāḍḍavā/pāḍḍavo), which stands for the first day of the bright phase of the moon called प्रतिपदा (pratipadā) in Sanskrit.

In the south of India, first day of the bright phase of the moon is called pāḍya(Tamil: பாட்ய or பாட்டமி , Kannada: ಪಾಡ್ಯ, Telugu: పాడ్యమి, paadyami,Konkani: पाड्यॆ). Konkani Hindus variously refer to the day as संसर पाडवो or संसर पाड्यॆ (saṁsāra 'pāḍavo/ saṁsāra pāḍye),संसार (saṁsāra) being a corruption of the word संवत्सर (saṁvatsara). Konkani Hindus in Karnataka also refer to it as उगादि (ugādi).

Guḍhī Pāḍavā in other languages, states and people

Known as Guḍhī Pāḍavā ("Gudhee Paadavaa") in Maharashtra, this festival is also known as[1]

Samvatsar Padvo among Hindu Konkanis of Goa and Konkani diaspora in Kerala[2]

Yugadi among the rest of Konkani diaspora in Karnataka and Ugadi in Andhra pradesh and Navreh or Navreh amongst Kashmiri Pandits

In other parts of India[1] this festival is celebrated during

Ugadi in Andhra Pradesh

Yugadi in Karnataka

Cheti Chand among the Sindhi people[3][4]

[edit]Etymology

The word Pāḍavā is derived from the Sanskrit word Pratipada[citation needed] for first day of a lunar month i.e. first day after new moon day (Amavasya). A Guḍhī is also hoisted on this occasion giving this festival its name. The term padva or padavo is also associated with Balipratipada the third day of Diwali[citation needed] which is another celebration that comes at the end of the harvesting season.

See also: Balipratipada

[edit]Significance

[edit]Astronomical

This new moon day has special meaning from Astronomy point of view. The Sun is supposed to be in first point of Aries, (Hamal) which is first sign of zodiac and is a natural beginning of spring. Many civilzations have known this. People of ancient Egypt knew this and Nowruz( literally "New Day" ) in Persia is also based on this observation. The Sun however may not be exactly in Aries due to Lunar month. This is adjusted by adding a "Adhik" (Literally an extra) Lunar month every three years to ensure New Year Day( "Gudhee Padwa") indeed matches observed season. See Panchang for details.

It has evolved into of many festivals Holi, Gudhee Padwa around this part of year in India It is one of the most famous harvesting festival in India.

[edit]Chronological

Being the first day of the first month of a year, Gudhi Padwa is the New Year's Day for Marathi people.[citation needed]

[edit]Agricultural

India is a predominantly agrarian society. Thus celebrations and festivals are often linked to the turn of the season and to the sowing and reaping of crops. This day marks the end of one agricultural harvest and the beginning of a new one. In this context, the Gudhi Padwa is celebrated at the end of the Rabi season. Guḍhī Pāḍavā is one of the Saadhe-Teen Muhurta (translation from Marathi: 3 and a half auspicious days) in the Indian Lunar calendar. The full list is as follows -

Gudhi Padwa- 1st Tithi of Chaitra (Bright Half)

Akshaya Tritiya- third Tithi (Lunar day) of Bright Half (Shukla Paksha) of the pan-Indian month of Vaishakha

Vijayadashami - 10th Tithi of Ashwin

Balipratipada - 1st Tithi of Kartika (Bright Half)

[edit]Historical

This day also commemorates the commencement of the Shalivahana calendar after he defeated sakas in battle.[5]

[edit]Religious

According to the Brahma Purana, this is the day on which Brahma created the world after the deluge and time began to tick from this day forth.[5]

[edit]Seasonal

On this day, the sun assumes a position above the point of intersection of the equator and the meridians. According to the Hindu calendar, this marks the commencement of the Vasanta ritu or the spring season.[5]

But why this festival celebrating only in Maharashtra any one have that answer...

[edit]The Gudhi

Gudi

On Guḍhī Pāḍavā, a gudhi is found sticking out of a window or otherwise prominently displayed in traditional Maharashtrian households. Bright green or yellow cloth adorned with brocade (zari) tied to the tip of a long bamboo over which gaathi (sugar crystals), neem leaves[citation needed], a twig of mango leaves and a garland of red flowers is tied. A silver or copper pot is placed in the inverted position over it. Altogether, it is called as Gudhi. It is hoisted outside the house, in a window, terrace or a high place so that everybody can see it.

Some of the significances attributed to raising a Gudhi are as follows:

Maharashtrians also see the Gudhi as a symbol of victory associated with the conquests of the Maratha forces led by Chhatrapati Shivaji. It also symbolizes the victory of King Shalivahana over Sakas and was hoisted by his people when he returned to Paithan.[5]

Gudhi symbolizes the Brahmadhvaj (translation: Brahma’s flag) mentioned in the Brahma Purana, because Lord Brahma created the universe on this day. It may also represent Indradhvaj (translation: the flag of Indra).[5]

Mythologically, the Gudhi symbolizes Lord Rama’s victory and happiness on returning to Ayodhya after slaying Ravana. Since a symbol of victory is always held high, so is the gudi (flag). It is believed that this festival is celebrated to commemorate the coronation of Rama post his return to Ayodhya after completing 14 years of exile.[5]

Gudhi is believed to ward off evil, invite prosperity and good luck into the house.[5]

The Gudhi is positioned on the right side of the main entrance of the house. The right side symbolizes active state of the soul.[1]

[edit]Festivities

Rangoli

On the festive day, courtyards in village houses will be swept clean and plastered with fresh cow-dung. Even in the city, people take the time out to do some spring cleaning. Women and children work on intricate rangoli designs on their doorsteps, the vibrant colours mirroring the burst of colour associated with spring. Everyone dresses up in new clothes and it is a time for family gatherings.

Traditionally, families are supposed to begin the festivities by eating the bittersweet leaves of the neem tree. Sometimes, a paste of neem leaves is prepared and mixed with dhane, gul/gur (known as jaggery in English), and tamarind. All the members of the family consume this paste, which is believed to purify the blood and strengthen the body’s immune system against diseases.

Maharashtrian families also make shrikhand and Poori or Puran Poli on this day. Konkanis make Kanangachi Kheer, a variety of Kheer made of sweet potato, coconut milk, jaggery, rice flour, etc. and Sanna.

Kiran Bathan Journalist And Me Kuda Mandad Caves Janjira Raigarh by firoze shakir photographerno1

Entrance to Janjira by Ajit Satam

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Khokari Tombs 12TITLED by Chris Searle

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Steering through a chapter in history by Shantanu Bedarkar

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Shot at Murud Janjira, Maharashtra, India

The Mumbai Shadow Boxer by firoze shakir photographerno1

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The race had not started , so I had my fish thali got down to the beach and shot some cray ones ,the Murud beach is very quiet, isolated and full of the sadness of the sea, provided you stay the night over, leave the next morning via Alibagh and by boat..

The long 5 hour drive by public transport from Murud to Mumbai can break any camels back and ass too..

I had once come here with my wife when my life was down the bin..we both had come here to understand the flow of our desaturated lives..

I thought of her while taking this shot, I could have darkened this image, but I decided not to play God..and represent things as they were pictorially presented to me..

The title is a dedicated to my bruther Bernie in Chicago..

And thank you Fleur you haunt me in my wildest moments..you are a ray of sunshine when the restless soul is inundated with the grim tears of emotional vacuity.

Murud is a wordless poetry time..

It was afer sometime of loneliness I was greeted by Habib Nasser my friend who had reached the Vinayka restaurant with his gang..

This broke me from the retrospective reverie of my restlessness.

I needed company too..too much of silence can drain you of all your spiritual energy..

Murud Janjira Fort by firoze shakir photographerno1

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This haven of peace and serenity has been my favorite place I came here to shoot the bullock cart race.

#murudjanjira

Going To Kuda Mandad Caves With Kiran Batham by firoze shakir photographerno1

by Amit Sharma

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Decluttred

Caught u :) by Ajit Satam

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Kuda Mandad Caves Janjira Raigarh District by firoze shakir photographerno1

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This trip to the caves would have not been possible without my dear friend Kiran Batham who took us in his car from Murud and dropped us at the Murud Depot for the 6 hour ride back to Mumbai today.

About Kuda Mandad Caves Near Janjira

There is a group of ancient rock-cut Buddhist caves in central Maharashtra, near the sea, at Janjira creek. These are Kuda Caves - 26 caves made for Buddhist mendicants some 1700 - 2100 years ago.

Buddhist temples near ancient port

Often the oldest Buddhist rock-cut caves were made near port cities and on ancient trade routes. Seems that Kuda Caves were not an exception to this. Most likely here was located the ancient port of Mandagora mentioned by Ptolemy, ancient Greco-Roman geographer.

Caves were cut for Buddhist mendicants in Hinayana tradition, in 1st century BC - 3rd century AD. Later, in 6th - 7th century AD there were made additions in Mahayana tradition - including numerous sculptures of Buddha.

26 caves

Kuda Caves are 26 rock-cut caves and 11 rock-cut cisterns. Some count more caves here, for example 28 - but these other caves are just small chambers.

Caves are located some 45 - 60 m above the sea level, they are cut in the side of some 75 m high hill.

All caves are located in compact group, outer caves are not further than 200 m away. Entrances open to the south-west, there opens beautiful view on fine landscape - estuary with steep hills around it.

Researchers have numbered the caves - from Cave I to Cave XXVI.

Part of caves - caves I-XV are located somewhat lover but caves XVI-XXVI are located some 12 m higher.

Sculptures, inscriptions and paintings

For thousands of years these caves have experienced the impact of storms and rain. Natural forces have erased sculptures, inscriptions and drawings in the front part of caves. Less exposed inscriptions and artwork though have been preserved.

Interior of Kuda caves for most part is plain and not adorned, caves are quite similar.

There is an exception though - Cave VI has lavish interior with many reliefs.

Walls of caves were plastered with earth and rice-shaff. Several caves contain traces of paintings.

Many caves contain inscriptions, Cave VI contains even six inscriptions. Five of these inscriptions (in Cave VI) belong to 5th - 6th c. AD. All other inscriptions have writing characteristic for 1st century BC. Nearly all inscriptions mention the names of donors to the monastery and the donated gift - cave, cistern.

Five caves are chaityas - temples - with dagobas - shrines - inside. Other caves are leni - created for dwelling. Lenis for most part consist of verandah with a door and window in the rear wall. Behind the rear wall there is cell or chamber with cells with rock-cut benches where monks slept.

Doorframes contain a groove - once here were placed wooden doors.

As it is common in ancient rock-cut architecture, the design of caves strives to imitate wooden architecture.

Description of caves

Cave I consists of verandah with two pillars and two pilasters. Walls in antechamber contain traces of plaster. Cell above the door contains inscription which tells that the cave has been donated by some Sivabhuti.

Cave II has small forecourt. Walls also contain traces of plaster.

Cave III contains traces of inscription, mentioning the person who donated this cave.

Cave IV contains front court with benches and steps leading to verandah. Verandah has two pillars and two ornamented pilasters, cave is large.

Cave V also is large, contains traces of plaster. Cistern in front. Verandah has one pillar. Cave contains three inscriptions. One mentions the person who donated cistern and ends with swastika. Second inscription has five lines and is nearly unreadable - it hints at some donors. Third inscription is inside the verandah and consists of six lines and mentions that cave has been donated by female ascetic Padumanika.

Cave VI is chaitya and the most interesting cave in this monument. Forecourt adorned with sculpture of front part of standing elephant - initially there were two but one is lost. In the front of cave there is small sculpture of Buddha, seated on a throne, upheld by naga. Two vidyadharas hold a crown over Buddhas head. Above this sculptural group there is arch supported by sculptures of alligators and with two flying figures above. Interior of the cave is adorned also with sculptures of Buddha, Avalokitesvara, women, lion with dwarves, elephant, bull, tiger. Main hall contains sculptures added here in 5th - 6th century, sculptures have remnants of paint on them. Whole interior of the cave - columns, ceiling, walls - contain traces of plaster and painting. Inside the cave there are several inscriptions left by donors. Left end of verandah contains long inscription with beautiful calligraphy, in seven lines. This inscription also is left by donor.

Cave VII has a plain forecourt with two cisterns in front. Verandah has two columns and two pilasters. Walls have remnants of plaster. Left end wall contains inscription in four lines which tells that cave has been donated by physicist Somadeva. One cistern also contains inscription left by donor.

Cave VIII is an oblong chamber with benches for monks.

Cave IX is chaitya. It has verandah with two columns and one pilaster, it contains chamber with dagoba. Walls contain traces of plaster. Inscription left by donor.

Cave X has small forecourt, damaged front part. Oblong hall inside with a cell to the right. Inscription left by donor - gardener.

Cave XI has open verandah, damaged front part. On the right end wall of verandah inscription left by donor.

Cave XII is in bad condition, with verandah nearly lost. Contains inscription telling that this is dwelling-cave of Goyamma, daughter of minister. Inscription starts with an etching of lion.

Cave XIII has an open verandah, this is dwelling. Contains inscription left by donor.

Cave XIV is similar to previous cave. Inscription of donor. In front of cave cistern with inscription.

Cave XV is chaitya. It located somewhat further away - some 50 m from previous cave. Verandah has four columns. Contains shrine with dagoba. Traces of plaster on the walls and roof, traces of paintings on columns. Well preserved inscription in one long line, made by donor.

With this cave ends the first "line" of Kuda Caves and next cave belongs to the next group.

Cave XVI has two cisterns in front. Front part of cave has a bench along the facade. Cave itself is an oblong chamber and cell at rear wall. Cave contains inscription left by donor - nun. Another inscription is left on the cistern - this cistern has been donated by a gardener.

Cave XVII is similar to the previous one, contains traces of plaster. Inscription by donor - trader and house-keeper.

Cave XVIII contains traces of plaster on walls and inscription left by donor - some merchant.

Cave XIX has plain forecourt, verandah and cell. Remnants of plaster on walls.

Cave XX is a bit harder to access. Front part is nearly lost.

Cave XXI was planned as chaitya but not finished. It has plain forecourt and two roughly cut pillars leading into verandah. Chamber is unfinished, there is rock massif intended as dagoba. Cistern in front with inscription left by donor - merchant.

Cave XXII has a court with bench in front. Cave consists of chamber, also with a bench. Cistern in front of cave.

Cave XXIII contains inscription left by donor.

Cave XXIV contains inscription left by trader - donor. Front part of verandah is broken.

Cave XXV also has lost front part. Part of verandah and chamber behind it.

Cave XXVI has a common wall with cave XXV, it is partly broken. Small chamber behind verandah.

www.wondermondo.com/Countries/As/India/Maharashtra/Kuda.htm

AC Chamber by Ajit Satam

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This is the coolest place on the fort....even if its very very hot outside (all over the fort)......here it remains cool, like someone had turned on the AC.

Murud Janjira (or Jazeera) by Nagesh Kamath

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The island fort of Murud Janjira off the coast of Maharashtra, near Alibaug. The fort was built by the Siddhis and was never conquered in its proud 900 year history. Not by the Mughals, the Marathas, the Portuguese or the English! When the Indian Union was formed, the Siddhis acceded into the union and hence ceased to exist as a separate kingdom.

You can find more details here.

Snap info - Taken off a hill on the road leading into Murud village. This is the first place on the road that you get a glimpse of the majestic fort which has stood the tide of time and even to this day remains as solid as ever! The boatmen who took us to the fort and back speak of the huge waves during monsoon and also during the horrendous Tsunami of 2004 off the coast of Thailand which caused huge waves even at Murud.

View LARGE to see the minute details of the village at the bottom

Looking out of Janjira by Charukesi

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Janjira - the invincible fort in the sea... Just after we got off the boat and got into the fort I turned around and saw this. The tide was rising rapidly and had covered half the steps by the time we were ready to return to land...

Murud Janjira Gudi Padwa 2013 by firoze shakir photographerno1

273,731 items / 2,156,218 views

Murud-Janjira ( pronunciation (help·info)) is the local name for a fort situated on an island just off the coastal village of Murud, in the Raigad district of Maharashtra, India.[1] It was occupied by the Siddis and is famous for being the only fort along India's Western coast that remained undefeated despite Dutch, Maratha and English East India Company attacks.[

The word Janjira is not native to India, and may have originated after the Arabic word Jazeera, which means an island. Murud was once known in Marathi as Habsan ("of Habshi" or Abyssinian). The name of the fort is a concatenation of the Konkani and Arabic words for Island, "morod" and "jazeera". The word "morod" is peculiar to Konkani and is absent in Marathi.

[edit]Major features

Murud-Janjira Fort is situated on an oval-shaped rock off the Arabian Sea coast near the port town of Murud, 165 km (103 mi) south of Mumbai. Janjira is considered one of the strongest marine forts in India. The fort is approached by sailboats from Rajapuri jetty. The main gate of the fort faces Rajapuri on the shore and can be seen only when one is quite close to it. It has a small postern gate towards the open sea for escape.

The fort has 19 rounded bastions, still intact. There are many cannons of native and European make rusting on the bastions. Now in ruins, the fort in its heyday was a full-fledged living fort with all the necessary facilities, e.g., palaces, quarters for officers, mosque, two big fresh water tank, etc. On the outer wall flanking the main gate, there is a sculpture depicting a tiger-like beast clasping elephants in its claws. There are prominent "ASHOK-CHAKRAS" on all major gates of the fort Janjira. There are images of playing elephants, lions etc.

The sculpture on the main gate

The palace of the Nawabs of Janjira at Murud is still in good shape. The palace was self-sufficient and must have support of the locals. It has secret gates to hide and escape. Its construction is unique and very strong.[citation needed]

Originally the fort was a small wooden structure built by a Koli chief in the late 15th century. It was captured by Pir Khan, a general of Nizamshah of Ahmednagar. Later, the fort was strengthened by Malik Ambar, the Abyssinian-origin Siddi regent of Ahmednagar kings. From then onward, Siddis became independent, owing allegiance to Adilshah and the Mughals as dictated by the times.The last surviving prince Roby Philip lives in New york.

[edit]History

Inside the fort

The fort was originally built in 15th century on a smaller scale by a local Maratha-Fisherman Chieftain- Ram Patil to protect his people from pirates/ thieves and was known as " Medhekot". He was a fearless man with independent bent of mind who was quite popular with the local fishermen. Nizam, the ruler from Ahmadnagar sent one of his Siddi commanders Piram Khan, who came with three ships armed with necessary weapons and soldiers and captured the fort. Piram Khan was succeeded by Burhan Khan, who demolished the original fort and built an impregnable much bigger, 22 acre, stone fort sometime in between 1567 and 1571. The fort was called 'Jazeere Mahroob Jazeera ' which in Arabic means an Island. Siddhi Ambersatak was nominated as Commander of the fort.

Despite their repeated attempts, the Portuguese, the British and the Marathas failed to subdue the power of the Siddi's, who were themselves allied with the Mughal Empire. Major historical figures from Murud-Janjira include men such as Yahya Saleh and Sidi Yaqub. The fort has a tunnel which opens in Rajpuri. The fort was made by a mixture of lead, sand and gul.

The Marathas led by Shivaji attempted to scale the 12 meters high Granite walls but failed in all his attempts. His son Sambhaji even attempted to tunnel his way into the fort but was unsuccessful in all his attempts.[3]

Janjira ruins

The small pond inside Janjira fort

In the year 1736, Siddis of Murud-Janjira set out to recapture Raigarh from the ravaging forces of Baji Rao, on 19 April 1736, Chimnaji attacked the gathering forces in the encampments of the Siddis during the Battle of Riwas near Riwas, when the confrontation ended 1500 Siddi's including their leader Siddi Sat were killed. Peace was concluded in September 1736, but the Siddis were confined to Janjira, Gowalkot and Anjanwel.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Murud-Janjira

005 Murud_125 by Meghna Girohtra

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Murud Janjira Fort by Vikas Rana

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