There are many locations that you can visit in Mumbai and locations close to the Arabian Sea definitely hold a special position in the city. For both the locals as well as the tourists the locations overlooking the Arabian Sea turns out to be aesthetically pleasing locations. One such location is the Bandra Fort Mumbai. The Bandra Fort Mumbai is a beautiful fort which is majorly in ruins at present. However after renovations this is a popular sightseeing spot in the city as well. So if you are looking for some of the best places to visit in Mumbai then do not miss out on visiting the Bandra Fort. Keep on reading this article if you are interested in knowing about the Bandra Fort. This will be a helpful read for you if you are planning a trip to the Bandra Fort in Mumbai.
Bandra Fort Mumbai
Location: Byramji Jeejeebhoy Road, Bandstand Road, Mumbai, Maharashtra
Timings: The Bandra Fort timings are from 10 am to 8 pm on all days
Entry fee: There is no entry fee
How to reach
By air
The Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport in Mumbai is the nearest airport to reach the Bandra Fort Mumbai. You will get flights from all major destinations in India as well as from abroad. The airport is 10.7 km away from the Bandra Fort and you can reach there in about 30 minutes from there.
By train
If you are travelling by train then the nearest railway station to reach the Bandra Fort is the Shivaji Maharaj Terminus which is a major railway station in Mumbai. From there the Bandra Fort is located at a distance of 18.3 km and you can reach there in about 40 minutes. Another major railway station to reach Mumbai is the Mumbai Central Railway Station. The distance from the railway station to the Bandra Fort is about 14.1 km and you can reach there in about 45 minutes. You can take buses or you can even opt for a car or take a cab to reach the fort from the railway stations as well.
However the nearest railway station is the Bandra railway station but not all major trains stop there. So if you are travelling from within the city then you can opt for this station as well to reach the fort.
By road
If you wish to travel by road then buses will be the best option to reach the Bandra Fort on a budget. There are buses from nearby cities and towns like Pune which is 150 km away and Nashik which is 170 km away. Buses are also available from locations like Ahmedabad or Panaji which are a little away. Both state run and private buses are available plying on this route, so you can opt for them also. The nearest bus stop is the Bandra Bus Stop which is located at a distance of 15 km from the fort.
Other than that you can also opt for taking a car or hire a cab to reach the fort from different locations. Also you can opt for reaching the location by travelling in your own vehicle as well. In case you are travelling from major cities or towns then Mumbai is well connected with other locations by roadways, so that would not be a hassle.
Overview of Bandra Fort
Bandra Fort Mumbai or the Forte de Bandora or Castella de Aguada is an important fort in Mumbai and a major sightseeing spot in Mumbai. Located near Mahim Bay the Portuguese built this fort. At one point of time this fort served as an important location in the city as well. The major reason behind building this fort was to watch over the Arabian Sea. Also fortifying the area around the Sea and guarding the sea route to Mumbai were other major reasons behind building this fort. However later the British took over Mumbai (then Bombay) and they also demolished some parts of the fort. At present the fort is mostly in ruins though. In recent years the fort also went through some renovations and repairs as well.
For the tourists the fort is not only famous for its structure or construction. Other than these things the fort is also popular for its beautiful view as well. Both local people as well as tourists visit this spot to spend some time here. Also the location is universally loved by people of all age groups as well. From older people, to couples to teenagers and family or friends, different kinds of people visit here. If you are visiting here one of the things that you can enjoy here is the majestic view of the Bandra Worli Sea Link. Also if you are fitness lover then this spot can be an ideal location for some morning walks or jogging as well. Even during the evening some people prefer visiting here for their routine exercises. So you can visit here for that purpose as well.
History of Banda Fort
The construction of the Bandra Fort Mumbai dates back to 1640 CE and the Portuguese built this beautiful fort. Originally the fort was called the Castelo de Aguada and later it was mispronounced as Castella de Aguada. In Portuguese Castelo menas castle and Castella de Aguada literally translates to Fort of the Waterpoint. The fort is called so as there was availability of freshwater spring at the fort complex. Located on the Mahim Bay the fort offers a beautiful view of the Arabian Sea and the Bandra Worli Sea Link. At that time Cannons and Guns were also there so that they could defend the Harbour of Mumbai from the invaders coming from the Northern sea route.
But later when the British rulers took over Mumbai they destroyed major portions of this fort during the early 18th century. The main aim of the British was also to prevent the ever growing influence and power of the Maratha Empire. To stop the Marathas from taking control of this fort the British took this step. Otherwise the Marathas were earlier using this fort as a base to attack the city.
The Marathas captured the Bandra Fort in 1739 CE. It was under the control of the Marathas till the First Anglo Maratha War of 1774 CE. After the war the British got control over the fort. In 2003 the Bandra Bandstand Residents Trust started the conservation to conserve the ruined structure of the Bandra Fort. After that conservation the fort got a better shape and certain sections of the fort got repaired. At present the Bandra Fort Mumbai is a serene spot that you can visit on a trip to Mumbai.
Architecture of Bandra Fort
The main attraction of the Bandra Fort Mumbai is the construction of this fort. However the construction of this structure is not just limited to its main structure. The construction of this fort however also includes the beautiful view it offers. The fort is built at a location where it is surrounded by palm groves. And it also offers a breathtaking view of the Arabian Sea as well. Built in European style of architecture the structure of the fort stands at a height of 24 meters or 79 feet above sea level. The height of the fort also helped in saving the location from high tides and flooding as it is located very close to the sea.
Granite blocks are the main component of the Bandra Fort Mumbai and it provides a beautiful aesthetic touch to the ambience. There are arched pillars at the main gateway of the fort as well. You will also find various sections inside the fort that served different purposes back then. At present the majority of the structures are in ruins though. But you can still get an insight about the beauty of the location. On the walls you will find gaps which were used to target the enemies using the cannons and guns. At present after the repair and conservation of the fort one of the main attractions of visiting the Bandra Fort Mumbai is the walkway here that leads to the Arabian Sea. Along with that there are seating areas here as well overlooking the beautiful view of the sea.
Things to do at Bandra Fort
Photoshoot Bandra Fort
Given the beautiful location of the Bandra Fort this is an ideal location for photoshoots. This location is also popular amongst photographers as well as professional photographers. Many photoshoots like pre wedding shoots and maternity photoshoots take place here. And if you are someone who loves clicking photographs then also you can visit here to click beautiful pictures. With the beautiful view of the Sea and the Bandra Worli Sea Link it will be a beautiful location for photoshoots.
Bandra Fort Amphitheatre
There is an amphitheatre near the Bandra Fort as well that you need to visit for sure. At different times this location is popular for hosting concerts as well as various functions. Also this is a popular location for film shootings as well. In general Bandra Fort is a location that directors love and a lot of Hindi film shooting also took place here. Some of them are Dil Chahta Hai, Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Naa, Buddha Mil Gaya etc.
Bandra Fort Garden
There is a park just beside the building in Bandra Fort. This is a really nice location to enjoy and have a lot of fun. Moreover this is also a popular location when it comes to fitness and activities related to it. Many people visit the garden on a regular basis to walk or for jogging. Furthermore this is a location ideal for couples as well. If you are looking for a romantic location then Lover’s Point Bandra Fort Garden would be just perfect for you.
Enjoy the views
A location like Bandra Fort Mumbai is most popular for the breathtaking views that it offers. Most of the time people both locals and tourists, visit here to enjoy the beautiful view here. If you are visiting here before the sunset then you can see the colour of the sky changing here. This is indeed a magnificent view here. Also at night you will be able to enjoy a beautiful view of the Bandra Worli Sea Link from here as well as the lights are all lit.
Wrapping Up!
So that was all about the Bandra Fort Mumbai. If you are visiting Mumbai then you definitely need to visit this location. On a chill day or after a tired week visit this location to enjoy some quality time. Let me know if this article is helpful for you in planning a trip to Bandra Fort in Mumbai.
