Basavaraj durga fort

Fort wall in a curve shape

Basavarajadurga fort is a fort in the ocean island of Basavaraja Durga in Honnavar taluk, Uttara Kannada district, Karnataka.

Geography

Basavaraja fort is a fortified spot island situated in the Arabian sea of coastal port of Karnataka state, Uttara Kannada district, Honnavar taluk. We can reach this island by boats,fishing trawlers or canoe (Canoe is not recommended for visitors) by a sail upstream on river sharavathi.This island is just 4 km from Honnavar, 3 km from Sharavati bay & just 700 mtr from Taribagilu village (Another beach island).Journey will take about 30 to 45 Minutes from Honnavar and 5 to 10 Minutes from Taribagilu village by sail. The landing place is at the south east part of the island where there is an architectural entrance made by stones which was also the entrance to fort during ruling here. This island has a total area of 19 Hectares and height of the island would be approx 45 to 50 Mtr from the sea level.Top of the island is almost level which has covered with dry grass and plenty of trees can be seen only at the sloping part of the island. Also this island has plenty of wells with fresh, sweet water miracally.

Temple

This island has a Hindu temple on its top surface constructed by the ruler between the 16th and 17th centuries. Now people, especially fishermen and boat owners, visit this temple with their families on Makarasankranti day (a Hindu festival) on 14 January to give pooja to Nagadevate (a Hindu god) to protect and guide them from natures forces while working on the sea.

Structure

This fort is surrounded by a strong fortification raised by gigantic laterite blocks also this fort has eight ruined mounted guns.History The fort was constructed during Vijayanagar rule. In 1690,Keladi ruler Shivappa Nayaka captured it and named it Basavaraja Durga in memory of Keladi Prince Basavaraj.