It was one of those rare instances that we had four days off after a tiring week at work. So I was looking forward to go on a rather long journey covering south of Gujarat. There was an online article which had generated my curiosity. There were some 6-7 forts mentioned in the article which was enough for me to pack my bags and head straight for Gujarat.
I boarded the Ahmedabad passenger at around 11:45 p.m. from Borivili Station so as to get down at Valsad to make further inlay into the unknown territory. The train reached Valsad at 3:55 a.m. The Bus depot is some 10-15 minutes walk from the station.
It is however past six in the morning that Buses start for Parnera, which was my first destination. It took me half an hour to reach Parnera. I made my way to the gate which mentions 'Parnera Panchayat'. There is a school near this gate and one can visit the Radha Krishna Temple on taking the right turn after the school. This temple is at the foot of the Parnera Hill.
After seeking the blessings of the deity I started my ascent to the top. It was 7 a.m. when I reached the top. The walls of the fort are in ruins. What remains now are the temples of the Lord Shiva and Chandika Ambika Manavdurga. The Shiva temple is actually a Swayambhu Shiv-ling situated just before the main entrance of the fort. Further ahead as one descends down the steps from the temple there is a lengthy wall running on the right side while there are some 5-6 water cisterns to the left. After traversing through the narrow path one reaches the Mahakali temple. Just ahead of the temple there is another entrance to the fort. To the left side there are steps leading to the top most portion of the fort, which offers a commendable view of the whole landscape below.
Whilst my trip down I noticed some 2-3 peacocks roaming around the open ground near the Shiv Temple. It was 7:30 when I had started my descent and 8 when I finally found myself at the main road. My next trip was to Killa Pardi. I caught a rickshaw at around 8:30 a.m. which dropped me near the Police Station in half an hour's time. After crossing the Highway there is a road to the left which leads to the Post Office. The fort is just behind the Post Office.
As one enters the fort there is a bastion to the left. I made my way to the Chand Pir Baba's Dargah. Here I met the caretaker of the Dargah, Harish. Harish had some time to spare and hence decided to show me around the Fort. He showed me the ruins which were once the Mamlatdar's office and the jail adjoining the bastion. There are two huge water tanks which draw water from the Parnera River and supply to the whole of Pardi. He pointed at the 99 acre plot, which was once a talao but had been filled up by some anti-social elements who had made their abodes there. Harish also showed me a spot from where he said one used to traverse and reach at Parnera Fort. The same might have been used by Shivaji during his Surat campaigns. The route has been however shut out for safety concerns. Harish remarked that there were many a poisonous snakes in and around the town, but none of them had ever bitten any of the cattle or human beings.
Having done a complete tour of the fort I bade Harish Good bye and started for the next journey, Arjungad. It was 9:30 a.m. and I decided to take breakfast and go forward. After the breakfast I got into a 10-seater which took me to Bagwada by around 10:00 a.m.
There is a railway crossing that needs to be crossed before one gets to the road leading to the fort. It was 10:40 a.m. when I reached the top of the hill. There is a pond full of fishes near the temple. I sat there for some time before exploring the fort. There is only one bastion left of the fort where supposedly Arjun had brought along Subadhra after abducting her. I got down from the other side of the fort and reached near the Kolak River at around 11:45 a.m.
I decided before further journey I should book a lodge or hotel and freshen myself up before commencing the remaining journey. Hence I got into a 10 seater which took me to Vapi. Here I booked a room at Rahat Hotel.
I over-slept and rushed to the Vapi Railway station so as to catch a rickshaw from the other side to go to Daman, Pali Karambeli and Indragad. It was 5:45 p.m. when I reached Nani Daman. Only two wheelers are allowed between Moti Daman and Nani Daman. Another option is to ride the ferry boats plying between the two places. There is a construction going on for a bridge which will connect these two places in the full sense. The two places still bear the distinct Portuguese style of architecture. Having made a foray into these forts I started for Pali Karambeli. It was 6 p.m. when I reached Pali Karambeli. The fort completely in ruins, wanted to be taken care of. The view of the sunset from this fort remains one of the cherished visuals in this trip.
I returned back to my hotel room by around 7 p.m. and did not venture out further that night. The next day I planned to go to the Van Vihar Tourist complex at Khanvel in Silvassa. I however due to sheer negligence on my part missed an opportunity to give a visit to the complex even after coming so close to it. Maybe next time around. I caught a bus which took me to Borivli, from where I reached home looking forward to rest for two days more.
Best time to visit: All year around. Trekking to these forts is not that much strenuous.
Fare:
Borivili to Valsad : 26 Rs.
Valsad to Parnera : 4 Rs.
Parnera to Killa Pardi : 5 Rs.
Killa Pardi to Bagwada: 10 Rs.
Bagwada to Vapi: 10 Rs.
Round trip to Daman and Pali Karambeli cost 690
Bus from Silvassa to Borivili
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