16th February 2014

It is a foggy Sunday.Leaves, dripping from tips in the balcony garden, unburden cache of dew. Reminiscence of winter- nip of a chill in the air. In a whim decided- how about a trekking?? 

A bottle of water, money purse and camera  you are off to Karnala Fort.

Karnala Fort is situated within the Karnala Bird Sanctuary. 12 km from Panvel Railway station.

Let's ruminate a bit!!........

The exact date of Karnala Fort formation is not confirmed but it antecedes 1400 AD. Karnala was capital North Konkan region under Devagiri Yadavs ( 1248-1318) and under Tughlaq rulers in (1318-1347). Then it went under command of Gujarat Sultanate, in 1540 was taken over by Nizam Shah of Ahmednagar, later under some conflict of internal battle manipulation it went under command of Portuguese Commanding Office. On 1670 Maharaja Shivaji won it back but on his death in 1680 Emperor Aurangzeb conquered it. Ultimately in 1818 East India Company took over command on it.

How many Kings, Sultans and Lords have fought their bloods for you?? The Yadavs,The Tughlaq, Nizam Shah, The Portuguese Rulers, The great ruler Chattrapati Shivaji,  Emperor Aurangzeb and the finally British Rulers. How many stories, how many memorabilia cached in your stones ?? I wonder. All decayed all ruined -The tower of "Pandu's" still standing erected in lost glory, denies all dilapidation. 

Trekking to Karnala Fort leaves you mesmerised.

The view of ``Pandu`s watch Tower`` from below, allures you for the vantage from there....

In the ticket counter they assured sign boards are all over the route, though not many but rare chance of getting lost:-

Believe me or not this is "THE ROUTE"  waiting, to take you to the fort:- :)

Be bit careful! Though not so gruelling when taken against the word "trekking" ....No?





Hold On!!


Natural steps!! Don't they deserve to be in "Ripley's believe it or not".... ???   What do you think?? Okay! Just kidding!




No  metal road neither a cobbled one, it's a plain light yellow dust covered path - epiphany of great comfort!!

It starts again ....Nature's wonderful stairs!!




The weary wrenched soul flickers and flutters with the views of western ghat range:-

Ambrosia of your jaded soul --the sceneries, they get prettier, steeper the height gets:-

Glimpse of the cynosure. We are almost there. Ecstasy!! :-

Take a tranquil respite on the way:-

The sight entails your reverie:-

The frail sights of railing intrigues the idea of well managed staircase ahead :)

This is abound everywhere in India:-

Well...!! The much expected "well managed staircase" came out to be this....! You must admit..It's embarrassing !!:- 

"The shade", you crossed before-- from the "stairs" of the fort:-

No looking back please! Going ahead is only your motto:-

Needs to be bit careful on the edges, in places no railings are there. Though I have to admit railings are not strong enough to hold a body weight and in places they really have given up and lying flat on the rocks. Hope no accidental history is fastened with the it!!

The window holds back through the decades of bloodshed :-

Taking a stroll inside--the only trusses no gable remained:-

Are we seeing the same thing what Tughlaqs, Chattrapati Shivaji, Emperor Aurangzeb saw from here?? Did it mesmerised them too?? Or they were too engrossed in preventing the possible invaders?? Thoughts leave you enraptured!!

The "Pandu's watch tower":-How many herald blown in premonition, at the first clop of hooves and sight of cavalry from here??

Many Kings and Lords have seen this scene from the fort, while sitting in much comfort than now, we hope! :-

Many question unanswered as we fail to decrypt the language, the stones are speaking in :-

Pondering around, speechless, in the elan to decipher the stories nestle in the silence:-

The word "Fort" stands for protection, fortification, impenetrable strength against the invaders. Though major parts have gone under dilapidation the essence of the "fort"is too proud to give up.

The indents on the fortification:-

It will keep you wondering where these stairs were "up-to" 600 years back??

Some more random pics:- Surroundings are so riveting you become wayward snapper (irrespective of your camera quality.. Ahem!! I have quiet an un-aristocratic one!!) If you don't believe my words simply try yourself !! :)

  Government's effort to refrain us from falling into the old reservoir:-





To the depth!

Some important information:-

Karnala Fort is also called Funnel Hill

Address:-

 National Highway 17 ( or Bombay -Goa highway).

Raigad District; Maharashtra.

Karnala Fort is:-

59.6 km away from Chattrapati Shivaji Train Terminus (by road).

59 km from International Airport (By road).

Way to go:-

From Chattrapati Shivaji Train Terminus direct train to Panvel on harbour line takes 1 hour 20 minutes.

By car it would be more than two hours depending on traffic. 

From Panvel to Karnala fort ( Karnala Bird Sanctuary) is 12 km away. Government buses are not very frequent. 

Auto rickshaws ask for Rs.250/- for three seaters and Rs.300/- for 8 seaters and refuses to go by meter. 

Timing:-

The Sanctuary timing is 7 am to 6 pm.

Best time for trekking:-

November to February. To avoid heat its better to start within 9 am.

The fees are as follows:-

Stay: 

It is better to stay at New Panvel. There are many hotels available nearby the station.

Hotels:-

Panvel Palace Hotel

Ph: 022-2745-2622

126/1-B. Opp. ST Depot

Tariff: Rs.500-2000/-

Payel Hotel

Plot No. 143, Middle Chs.  New Panvel

Tariff:- Rs.500-2000/-

Inside the sanctuary only one eatery is available. And it is highly recommended to carry your drinking water. Trekking is not very hard, it's bit strenuous but highly enjoyable.