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Redi Fort (Yashwantgad): a ruined sea fort just north of Goa
Redi Fort, also known as Yashwantgad, is a ruined coastal fort in the village of Redi in Maharashtra, just north of the Goa border and Terekhol Creek. It is a short trip from North Goa, about thirty minutes from Arambol by road. Inside, trees have taken over the walls and chambers, and the ramparts look out over the Arabian Sea.
Redi Fort: also thirty minutes from Arambol, already within Maharashtra territory. Once you cross the state border, you'll notice changes in flora, road quality, and the absence of tourist polish. This is the easiest route to escape the "Goan vacuum" and enter real India. The fort itself is mystical, with a banyan tree growing through its ruins and spectacular ocean views.
Mystical ruins by the ocean
Is Redi Fort in Goa?
No. Redi is in Vengurla taluka of Sindhudurg district, Maharashtra, on a small hill north of Terekhol Creek, near the Goa border. From the northern Goan beaches it is an easy trip, and crossing the state line is part of the point: the roads, the villages and the tourist infrastructure change noticeably once you leave Goa.
History of Redi Fort
Redi was a trading port long before the fort took its present shape: in 610–611 AD it belonged to the Chalukya ruler Swamiraja. The fort was part of the chain of coastal defences associated with the Maratha admiral Kanhoji Angre in the time of Queen Tarabai.
The Portuguese took it in 1746, and the Sawants, who had held it before, tried to win it back; it was returned to them under a peace treaty, but not for long. In 1765 the British captured it. In 1890 they sold the land to local people but kept the fort walls. In 2016 Maharashtra's Directorate of Archaeology and Museums declared it a protected monument.
What to see
The fort covers about three hectares on two levels: the larger Lower Fort reaches down to the creek and has a freshwater well, and the smaller Upper Fort on the hillock was a watch post over the sea. A dry moat some 20 feet deep surrounds it, and you pass four gates to enter.
Today it is a ruin overgrown with trees. Nature has reclaimed the inner chambers, and a banyan grows through the ruins. You walk in through crumbling gateways and along forest paths; langurs and drongos are often seen. The reward at the top is the view over the sea and the coast.
How to reach Redi Fort from Goa
Redi is about thirty minutes by road from Arambol in North Goa. From the Maharashtra side, the fort is 26 km from Vengurla and 33 km from Sawantwadi.
No official opening hours or entry fee are published for the fort, and the card above has none for that reason. Go in daylight: the paths inside are uneven and overgrown, so wear proper shoes and carry water.
❓ FAQ
Is Redi Fort in Goa?
No. It is in Redi village, Sindhudurg district, Maharashtra, near the Goa border, north of Terekhol Creek.
How far is Redi Fort from Arambol?
About thirty minutes by road.
What is the other name of Redi Fort?
Yashwantgad. Redi is the name of the village it stands in.
Who built Redi Fort?
Redi was a port from at least the 7th century. The fort belonged to the Marathas' coastal defences, then passed to the Portuguese in 1746 and the British in 1765.
Is there an entry fee or fixed timings?
No official hours or fee are published. Visit in daylight.