TraFiTo: WHERE THE HISTORY LAYS

Hello readers!! We are back again with our new travel post.

Last sunday we went to trek KARNALA FORT. It is a easy grade trek for beginners. It is situated at Raigad district about 10 km from panvel railway station.

The fort was likely constructed before 1400, under Devagiri Yadavs(1248–1318) and the Tughlaq rulers (1318–1347), Karnala was the capital of the north Konkan districts of their respective empires. It later fell under the command of the Gujarat Sultanate but in 1540 was taken over by Nizam Shah of Ahmednagar.
The Gujarat sultans then requested the help of the Dom Francisco de Menenzes the commanding officer of the Portuguese at Bassien (modern day Vasai) to win it back. He ordered 500 of his soldiers to Karnala fort and they were able to capture it. The fort was left in charge of the Gujarat Sultanate but with Portuguese garrisons.

Shivaji conquered it from the Portuguese in 1670 by building breastworks as he advanced. After his death in 1680 it was taken over by Aurangzeb. After this the Mughals occupied it for some time after which it in 1740 with the rise of the Peshwas of Pune it went to them. It remained under the command of killedar (garrison commander) Anantrao until a colonel Prother won the fort and established the rule of the British East India Company there in 1818.

OUR JOURNEY

We have boarded a local train from Badlapur towards Thane at 7:06 am and after reach at Thane we again boarded at a local train towards panvel at 8:04 am. We have reached Panvel at about 9 am and then we did our break fast and hire a auto from the station area to Karnala Fort Base. Auto fare is 250 INR for the 10 km ride to karnala fort base. Buses and Tum Tum(local vehicle like auto) are also available from ST bus stand.

We have reached at Karnala Fort Base at about 10 am. It will take almost 30 min to reach karnala fort base from panvel railway station. You have to collect the ticket from the ticket counter to enter the fort. The main gate of the fort have closed at 5 pm.

At about 10:30 am we finally started our journey to the fort. It should take about 2.5 hrs to reach the top. Four rest rooms are there while you trek to the top. The way to the top is going through Karnala Bird Sanctuary. Various types of birds you can observe here. I'm sharing some pictures of birds.

After taking some pictures we started again towards the top and at that time already the rain was started. It was an amazing feeling to go through such forest. At the time of monsoon the forest became more green and the view from the top is thrilling. Monsoon is the best time to visit Karnala Fort. I am sharing Some Pictures we have captured while trekking to the top.

We have started our journey from here

view from 2nd rest point. You can see the Patal Ganga river from here. This is only possible if the weather is clear otherwise cloud will become the barrier for you.

The way towards the fort in the monsoon season.

We found a small temple at the third rest point.

The entrance of the fort

at the country of clouds. From here you can find some railing for your safety. The way became more vertical from here.

The view of Karnala Fort

Historical stairs inside the fort

The view from the top

After reaching at top at 1 pm we did our lunch there and spend sometime at the top and took some pictures of us as well as nature we started again at 2 pm. At about 3:15 pm we reached at Karnala Base safely. While returning some rock that can be slippery. Thus proper shoe is very important for your journey.

THINGS YOU SHOULD CARRY