Arjungad aka Bagwada fort in Bagwada near Vapi in Gujarat (India)

Monday, January 30, 2017

After visiting Kille Pardi, we decided to walk on the over crowded roads of the Pardi town to reach the Mumbai Ahmedabad Highway.

Fortification of Bagwada fort aka Arjungad

We had refreshments there and boarded a shared rickshaw to Chauraha (Crossroad of four roads) at a cost of Rs.20 for two. From there we boarded another shared rickshaw to alight at the Bagwada Toll Plaza. It cost us Rs. 20 for two. 

Bagwada Rail station

We asked the locals for directions and they asked us to cross the railway line to reach the Bagwada fort base village. The Bagwada Rail station is located very close to the rail crossing. So if you alight at the station, when travelling by the passenger train to Valsad. You can walk it out to the fort. 

It took us around 25 minutes (walking) to reach the Bagwada Fort base village from the Rail crossing. We asked the locals of directions and finally reached the stairs that would take us, straight to the fort. 

Stairs to Bagwada fort aka Arjungad from Bagwada base village

After climbing up the stone staircase for about around 20 minutes we reach the Main and only entrance to the fort. The shade of the trees will stop the sun's heat from reaching you. There is a bell at the entrance. We rang the bell and then walked in the fort premises. 

We were greeted by identical rooms  on either side once we entered the fort premises. Not sure of the significance of these rooms. 

Entrance to Bagwada fort aka Arjungad

The fort is rectangular in shape and has four bastions on the four corners. The bastion offers a fantastic view of the land. We can see the railway line, Mumbai Ahmedabad highway and the  long and winding Kolak River from the side that is not fortified. The fort is fortified on three sides. 

Not much is known about the history of this place. But if you know about it, then do share with me, so that I can upload it on my blog.
The fort is very small in size, it will hardly take 15 minutes to see it. There is a Mahalaxmi Temple atop the fort premises. There is also a water body near the fort premises. Not sure if the water is portable. As there was no one atop the fort premises. 

Thats us

There is no food and water available on the fort premises. So food and water needs to be carried. Food and water is available in the base village.  

We then headed back to Bagwada village and from there to Bagwada Toll Plaza. From there we boarded a shared rickshaw to drop us to Chauraha (crossroad at Vapi). It cost us Rs. 40 for two. 

From the crossroad, we boarded another rickshaw to reach to Vapi Rail station. It cost us Rs.20 for two. 

Mahalaxmi temple atop Bagwada fort aka Arjungad

Fathima stood in the line to book a ticket to Valsad from Vapi. She booked the unreserved tickets at a cost of Rs.90 for two. By then Mohsin messaged me that our return tickets to Mumbai from Valsad via the Jodhpur Express have been confirmed. That bought a smile across my face. Now we didn't have to travel by the general compartment to Mumbai. 

View from Bagwada fort aka Arjungad

We boarded the Karnavati Express, from Vapi to reach Valsad in around 25 minutes. Now we had a major task ahead of us. We had to hunt for a place to stay in Valsad. As it was the Diwali, we were sure that we might not get a place to stay. After checking out a couple of hotels,  finally we got a place to stay in Hotel Sunshine near the Chauraha (crossroad at Valsad). The rooms were descent, though the cost was a bit high. Rs.900 for a double bed, non ac room. 

We had dinner in the form of Gujarati Thali at Hotel Mansarovar. It was filling, Cost us Rs.80 each. but I was more happy and content with the Thali I had at Junagadh.

Bastion at Bagwada fort aka Arjungad

The next morning, we woke up and headed to Raja and Rani, to have some mouth watering vada pav and cutlet. It was the best food I had on this Valsad trip so far. The Vada in the Pav was big and size and very tasty.

We then boarded the Jodhpur Express at 9:52 AM at Valsad to reach Borivali in Mumbai around 11:45 AM. The train traveled non stop to Borivali from Valsad. Again shortest travel time. There was hardly anyone travelling in the train. 

Gujarati Thali at Hotel Mansarover

On our return we could locate, Parnera Fort and Arjungad Fort perched atop the hill when we passed by from the respective closest stations. 

I was happy that I managed to explore Parnera Fort, Kille Pardi and Arjungad in Gujarat. I was saddened that I couldn't explore Ballalgad in village Kajali, Dhinsu Fort in Phanse and Indragad in Pali Karambeli. These formed the itinerary of next bike trip. 

Morning breakfast

We enjoyed the trip a lot, thanks to the winters, it wasn't that hot and made travelling easy up and down the hill. it didn't tire us out.

Keep reading and Keep exploring...

Kille Pardi in Pardi near Valsad in Gujarat (India)

Wednesday, January 25, 2017

After exploring the Parnera Fort in Atul, we headed down the stairs to reach the base. From there we boarded a shared rickshaw to the Mumbai Ahmedabad Highway. The rickshaw driver agreed to take us to Kille Pardi in Pardi a couple of KM's away at a cost of Rs.80 for two. 

Fortification at Kille Pardi in Pardi

The moment we exited the highway, we entered the small and crowded town of Pardi. Looks like everyone from this town had taken the road, which made travelling on the road a difficult task. The rickshaw driver managed to dodge the traffic on the narrow and winding roads and finally alighted us at the entrance of Kille Pardi. 

Kille Pardi in Pardi

Outside the fort premises is a small bust of Shivaji Maharaj, with a write up in Gujarati. There is also a Post Office outside the fort premises. Another landmark to reach the fort. 

Post Office outside Kille Pardi in Pardi

Statue of Shivaji at Kille Pardi in Pardi

The fort is in ruins and is not occupied at all. Most of the structures on the fort premises are in ruins. 

A couple of houses had the no. 1745 and 1910 atop them, so not sure if the structures were built in that year or if it is just a number given to the structure. Dogs have made themselves a home in a couple of structures. So the moment we walked in they started barking at us. Oops, looks like we trespassed in their homes without their permission. 

Fortification at Kille Pardi in Pardi

Structures at Kille Pardi in Pardi

There is a lot of wild vegetation growing in the fort premises. There is also a bastion with a cylindrical pillar made of stone in its premises. Not sure about the significance of the stone pillar. Have been to forts in plenty, but haven't seen anything like this one.
There are a couple of house like structures in the fort premises. Again they are like ghost houses.

Ruins at Kille Pardi in Pardi

There is also a Dargah here.It is in use and prayers are offered. I am not sure of its name, but if you can read Gujarati then do post it in the comments. 

Structure at Kille Pardi in Pardi

The couple of walls are still standing in the fort premises. Some of them are still standing thanks to the support of the Banyan Tree.
We also saw a snake roaming freely in the fort premises. Fathima was stunned when she saw the snake. We didn't harm the snake nor did it harm us in any way.

Fathima and Me, at one of the bastions at Kille Pardi in Pardi

There is another way to enter the fort premises from the other side. There are a couple of bastions too, again due to thick vegetation we couldn't visit certain parts of the fort. The ASI should take this fort under its belt and work towards the renovation of the fort to be accessible to the public. 

Structures at Kille Pardi in Pardi

I was happy to see that there was no graffiti on the fort walls. Thank God, idiotic people have no visited this fort premises. 

Structures at Kille Pardi in Pardi

No food or water is available in the fort premises, the fort can be explored in 30 minutes. As the Pardi town is close by we can easily get refreshments there. 

Structures at Kille Pardi in Pardi

Pardi Rail station is close by, again only passenger trains stop at this station. One can reach the Rail Station and then board a rickshaw or walk it out to the fort premises. 

Structures at Kille Pardi in Pardi

Dargah at Kille Pardi in Pardi

We then had refreshments and headed over to the last fort on our itinerary. The Bagwada fort aka Arjungad located in Bagwada.

Parnera Fort atop Parnera Hill in Atul near Valsad in Gujarat (India)

Monday, January 23, 2017

Parnera Fort is located atop of Parnera Hill in Atul, near Valsad in Gujarat in India.

Parnera Fort (Zoom in to see)

Fathima who had accompanied me in exploring the Sopara Stupa Site, joined me on my trip. Click on Sopara to read about my trip. We planned on exploring Parnera Fort at Atul, Kille Pardi in Pardi and Arjungad Fort aka Bagwada Fort in Bagwada located between Vapi and Valsad in Gujarat.

Rajkot Express

We planned the trip just 4 days in advance, there was no chance that we would get reservation in the train at such short notice but I still wanted to try my luck. So I asked Mohsin to check for Tatkal tickets for the to and fro journey. Remember Mohsin, I had accompanied him to Jaora. Click on Jaora to read about my trip.

We decided to take the train with the shortest travel time to reach Valsad from Mumbai. After researching, we finally narrowed down on the Rajkot Express. As it takes 02 hours and 10 minutes to reach Valsad from Vasai.

Poha

Vada

Rajkot Express departs from Coimbatore on Thursday night and reaches Rajkot on Saturday evening, we boarded the general compartment of the train at Vasai Railway station on the Western line as we didn't have any reservations. The unreserved train tickets cost us Rs.130 for two. The train reached Vasai at 6:10 AM. The train departed from Vasai at 6:20 AM, The train was on time, I was sure that it would reach us at Valsad at 8:30 AM. 

Stairs to Parnera Hill from Parnera Village

The train was packed, but we managed to get place to stand near the entrance. As the train gained momentum, it grew chiller. My fingers had turned numb due to the extreme cold. The sound of the diesel engine, was music to my ears. 

We alighted at Valsad station at 08:31 AM and then headed out to have some breakfast in the form of Poha and Wada. Gulped it down with a cup of hot tea. 

View from Parnera Hill

There are two ways of reaching Parnera Fort in Atul. Either we travel via a shared rickshaw from the Chauraha (crossroad or intersection of four roads). The second way is to travel by train. Atul is a small rail station before Valsad, when travelling from Vasai. As it is not the main station, only passenger trains halt here. The frequency of the passenger trains is poor so we decided to travel to Atul by the shared rickshaw. If you alight at Atul, then you can either walk it out or board a shared rickshaw to reach the Parnera Hill base. 

Fathima and Me at Parnera Fort

The rickshaw traveled via the Mumbai Ahmedabad Highway.We had already instructed the rickshaw driver to alight us somewhere near the Parnera Fort premises. We alighted us outside Parnera village. The base village to Parnera fort. The shared rickshaw charges cost us Rs.30 for two.

Cannons at Parnera Hill

We then asked the locals for directions in Parnera village and finally reached the stairs that would reach us to the top. There are two cannons here. But they are buried face down and painted yellow. Not sure why. I guess it is to make the start of a long climb.
The climb is taxing and it will test your stamina and also your leg muscles. There is shade so that the sun doesn't beat you down. After taking two halts we were finally atop the Parnera Hill.
But where is the fort, I asked myself on seeing the temple ahead of me. 

Ruins at Parnera Hill

The steps led us to the Rameshwar Mahadev Temple atop the Hill. Now the temple structure looks new. Not sure if the old historic temple has been replaced by this new one. 

Fortification at Parnera Fort

The Parnera Hill offers a wonderful view of the surrounding. We could even see the train going to Valsad. But as we were so high up, the train was so small in size. I am not sure if the photo I have taken with my phone can be zoomed in to get a  clearer view of the fort. 

Ruins at Parnera Hill

We finally managed to see some fortification, around some part of the Parnera Hill. This is the Parnera Fort. There are a couple of ruins atop the fort premises too.

Refreshments are available here. Restrooms are available  too, so no need to carry excessive baggage on back and in the bladders. LOL.

Water Tanks at Parnera Fort

There are three cannons also piled up in a corner of the fort. 

There are a couple of water tanks on the fort premises. Not sure if the water in them is portable or not. Water flowers were growing in it. 

Temple atop Parnera Fort

Again a couple of idiots have written their names on the walls of the fort. Spoiling the beauty of this historic structure. 

Fortification of Parnera Fort

There are two ways of reaching the fort premises, one is from Valsad and the other is from Atul Rail station. Both ways will take the same amount of time to reach the top.

Entrance to Parnera Fort

Fortification of Parnera Fort

Parnera Fort was built by Shivaji Maharaj. There are a couple of other temples atop the premises. But the signboards were in Gujarathi. Don't know to read it. There is also a 'PIR' of Chand Pir Baba.

Fortification of Parnera Fort

Information on Parnera Fort

We got down, the Atul route as we had to board a shared rickshaw to Kille Pardi in Pardi.

Journey Daman to Udvada

Wednesday, June 20, 2012

I had buffet breakfast at a place called Hotel Gurukripa in Daman for just Rs 73, inclusive of taxes.

I had planned to travel hardcore from Daman to Udvada. I wanted to have a good breakfast as I had no idea when my stomach would be fed its next meal. So a buffet breakfast was just the thing I was looking for and with an offer of eat-as-much-as-you-want for just Rs 73, I couldn’t resist it.

Breakfast consisted of customized egg preparations served with bread toast and brown bread, three types of jam, vegetable croquette and fruit salad along with tea or coffee. I had my full here as I was uncertain about my afternoon lunch.

Udvada is the next station after Vapi if one is travelling by train, but that would make the journey too simple, so I decided to take on-road transport. I had a lot of free time and I wanted to do some freestyle travelling.

Buses to Patalia, which is on the Daman and Gujarat border, depart from the road next to Hotel Sagar Presidency. Note that there are no buses or rickshaws that go across the border, so from Patalia, I had to figure out another mode of transport to take me to Udvada.

The bus is not a bus but a small tempo in which people are huddled as sheep and then dropped off at their destinations. The tempo was packed with people. Luckily I got a place to sit , but I had to rest my luggage on my lap as there was no space to keep it in the tempo.

Food items and other necessities are also transported by this tempo. These are stacked up next to the driver. The driver then drops them off at hotels and collection points on the way.

This tempo is a private vehicle and so the bus driver doubles up as the conductor to collect the Rs 15 fare from the passengers.

After a journey of 30 minutes along the mini roads of Daman, we finally reached the border. I was relieved. The tempo had been quite cramped.

For a fare of Rs 15, I guess one has to travel in a congested tempo. Alternatively there are rickshaws that ply here as well. These are special rickshaws and their fares are quite high.

I spoke to the driver regarding my further course of journey to Udvada. When I told him that I wanted to go to the Parsi Temple, he advised me to cross the border and board a rickshaw to Char Rasta.

From Char Rasta I had to board another rickshaw to Udvada. The bus driver had told me that the fare would be around Rs 10 each for both the journeys.

I crossed over from Daman to Gujarat and boarded a rickshaw. The first question the rickshaw driver asked me was, “Apke pass bottle hai?” (Do you have a bottle?) My face must have betrayed my confusion, because he re-phrased the question. “Apke pass drink hai”? I got his point then. He was asking me if I was carrying liquor across the border. No, I replied.

Carrying liquor across the border is considered a serious offence. Liquor bottles are confiscated. So it is better to be safe than sorry.

Within 10 minutes, I was at Char Rasta from where I was supposed to board another rickshaw to Udvada. Char Rasta means junction of four roads. There were no sign boards to indicate where the other two roads led.

Finally after a wait for 15 minutes, I hailed another rickshaw to Udvada. Overall, the journey had taken a little more than an hour.

Freestyle travelling by public means of transport -- I am certainly loving it.