Showing posts with label Fort. Show all posts

December 26, 2020

My TripAdvisor Review No.672: Bidar Fort, Karnataka.

Historic Fort.

Bidar is a small town in the northernmost tip of Karnataka state. It is about 135 km driving distance from Hyderabad. The Bidar Fort is the most impressive and historic monument in Bidar. Sultan Alla-Ud Din Bahman of the Bahamani Dynasty built this fort when he shifted his capital from Gulbarga to Bidar in 1427. The fort compound is protected by a moat and a wall. There are about 30 monuments inside the fort compound.

When we visited the fort in October-2020 there were very few visitors due to the restrictions on travel during the pandemic. There is a parking lot next to the entrance. There were some security guards posted at the entrance gate and we had to enter our details even though the parking and entry was free. We were quite impressed with the imposing structures, though they were in a decaying condition, and the wide moat which was surrounded by the fort walls. There were well laid out gardens and parks and the monuments are being taken care of by the ASI.

The main monuments to visit inside the fort are the 1) Rangin Mahal (Painted Palace), 2) Takht Mahal (Throne Room), 3) Jami Masjid (Great Mosque), and 4) Sola Khamba Masjid (sixteen pillar mosque). One can easily spend a couple of hours browsing at the fort and admiring the ancient and imposing Persian style of architecture. A song from the hit 2011 hit Bollywood movie ‘The Dirty Picture’ was filmed inside the fort premises.

Date of experience: October 2020

February 14, 2020

My TripAdvisor Review No.622: Bekal Fort, Kasargod, Kerala.

Beautiful Fort On The Malabar Coast.

This Bekal Fort was completed in the year 1650 by Shivappa Nayak of the Keladi Nayak dynasty. Later Hyder Ali conquered the Nayaks and Bekal fell into the hands of the Mysore Kings. It was an important military station for Tipu Sultan when he led a military expedition to dominate Malabar. In 1799 the fort came under the control of the British East India Company after the defeat of Tipu Sultan during the Fourth Anglo Mysore War.

The fort is in a fairly well preserved condition and is one of the most visited tourist sites in North Kerala. It is open for tourists every day from 8 am to 6 pm. There is a large parking lot for cars and buses. Entry charges are ₹15 per head. The fort is at a beautiful elevated location overlooking the Arabian Sea and is quite a nice area to walk around in with a lot of greenery and good views of the sea along the ramparts of the fort.

It is a must see attraction if you visit Kasargod. It will take around an hour to walk around the scenic precincts of the fort, but well worth the effort. The best time to visit is early morning before it gets too hot, or in the evening just before sunset.

Date of experience: December 2019

February 7, 2020

My TripAdvisor Review No.614: Fort St. Angelo, Kannur, Kerala.

Five Hundred Years Old Fort Of The Portuguese Era.

This is an over five hundred year old fort built by the Portuguese after the 1498 visit of Vasco Da Gama to India. The fort was used by the Portuguese to provide naval supplies for their conquest of Goa and Malacca. Later in 1663 the Dutch captured the fort from the Portuguese and pulled down the original wooden structure and built a stronger stone fort. In 1772 the Dutch sold the fort to King Ali Raja of Arakkal. In 1790 it was seized by the British and used as their chief military station in the Malabar till 1947.

The fort is in a fairly well preserved condition and being looked after by the Archaeological Survey of India. It is open for tourists every day from 8 am to 6 pm. Car parking charges were ₹20 and entry charges ₹25 per head, which can be paid with credit card as well. The fort is at a beautiful location overlooking the Moppila Bay Harbour and is quite a nice area to walk around in with a lot of greenery and good views of the sea along the ramparts of the fort, with the old canons still in position as they used to be ages ago. There is also an amphitheatre where Light and Sound shows are sometimes held in peak tourist season.

It is a must see attraction if you visit Kannur. It will take around an hour to walk around the scenic precincts of the fort, but well worth the effort. The best time to visit is early morning before it gets too hot, or in the evening just before sunset.

Date of experience: December 2019

July 2, 2018

My TripAdvisor Review No.329: Hatgad Fort, near Saputara.

Go for a Trek Up to the Fort.

Hatgadh Fort is located about 6 km south of the hill station of Saputara in Gujarat. It was built by the Maratha King Chatrapati Shivaji, and lies in the northern part of the Sahyadri hill range, in the state of Maharashtra, strategically overlooking the Gujarat border. It is on the top of a plateau which rises about 600 feet from the level ground, which itself is at about 3000 feet above mean sea level.

We were staying at Club Mahindra Hatgad, and the Fort serves as a majestic backdrop vista to the resort. I decided to ‘conquer’ the fort by trekking to the top all by myself. It was a stiff uphill climb and I accomplished the 1.5 km climb in about 40 minutes, taking a few breaks to recover my breath. About 1 km climb is a motorable road, and the remaining climb is a steep flight of steps built along the rocky hillside.

On reaching the top one gets a feeling of accomplishment, like conquering a mountain peak. At 8 am in the morning I was the only person on the deserted and ruined fort. There was a stiff breeze which quickly dried my perspiration. The view of the surrounding plains was mind-blowing. The pre monsoon winds were blowing up wisps of clouds making the scenery look even more ethereal. There were a couple of broken down watch-towers, and some water tanks which were full of brackish water. The edges of the plateau were barricaded by huge boulders and an iron safety railing which had been more recently installed.

The climb down and walk to the resort took only 20 minutes. One can drive half-way up to the fort, and walk up the steps for the remaining distance, but vehicles can enter only between 8.30 am to 5 pm, via the forest department check-post.

It is an excellent hill trek which can be enjoyed by trekking enthusiasts of all ages.

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This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC

April 12, 2018

My TripAdvisor Review No.306: Chitradurga Fort, Karnataka.

Picturesque Fort.

This amazing stone fort located in the town and district by the same name, in the state of Karnataka, was originally called Chitrakaldurga, which means picturesque fort in Kannada language. It is about 200 km north of Bengaluru city on the National Highway No.48, which connects with Pune.

The fort is laid out in a series of seven concentric fortification walls with interconnecting passages. There are many warehouses for grains and oil, interconnecting tanks to harvest rain water, many temples and one masjid. The fort was built in stages between the 11th and 13th centuries CE, by the dynastic rulers at that time including the Chalukyas, the Hoysalas and the Nayaks of Chitradurga. The fort was taken over by Hyder Ali in 1779, and captured by the British 20 years later when they defeated his son Tipu Sultan.

We stayed overnight at Hotel Mayura Yatrinawas and visited the fort early next morning. The gates are open from 6 am to 6 pm and there is a token entry fee of Rs.15. There are no charges for still camera. Guides are available for around Rs.300, but not really necessary because there are boards, put up by the ASI, near the monuments with interesting details about each monument.

We had a lot of walking and climbing to do, as we ascended to the higher reaches of the fort, which is spread out over 1500 acres of hilly and rocky terrain. The huge blocks of granite which make up the ramparts blended well with the boulder strewn landscape, and reminded us of the terrain of the Hampi heritage site, with its monuments and temples in the midst of huge rocks and boulders.

We visited the Ganesh temple, the Hidimbeshwara temple, the ‘Onake Obavva Kindi’, the granaries, and the water and oil tanks. It is said that the fort never faced any water shortages because of its unique rain water harvesting tanks.

Hyder Ali besieged the Chitradurga Fort thrice between 1760 and 1779. Obavva, the wife of a soldier guarding the fort, was substituting her husband during a lunch break, on one such attack. She heard some attackers trying to infiltrate through a crevice in the fort, and hiding behind the crevice hit and killed many of Hyder’s soldiers with an Onake (pestle). Her heroics have made her a legend in the folklore of Karnataka state, and there is a statue commemorating her bravery in Chitradurga town.

We had only about 3 hours to explore the fort and so we did not attempt to climb the surrounding hills and battlements. But I can definitely say that there is much more to see here. A history or archaeology buff can easily spend the whole day at Chitradurga Fort, especially if he also likes rock climbing. It is also a landscape photographer’s delight.

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This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC

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My TripAdvisor Review No.305: Hotel Mayura Yatriniwas, Chitradurga, Karnataka.

Good Property to Explore the Nearby Chitradurga Fort.

Review of Hotel Mayura Yatrinivas Chitradurga

Reviewed yesterday

This Government run KSTDC hotel is located bang opposite the ancient Chitradurga Fort, 200 km north of Bangalore. Not only is it a good base to explore the famous Chitradurga Fort, but is also a good stopover for someone travelling from Pune to Bangalore along the National Highway No.48.

We stopped here for an overnight stay on the way from Badami to Bangalore. Chitradurga is about 320 km from Badami. We left Badami at 10.30 am, stopped near Hubli for lunch and reached Chitradurga by 5 pm. It is about 3 km off the main highway. If you cannot find it on G-Maps, ask any local the way to the Fort

We had booked an ac double room online. The rates are slightly higher on the weekends. The room was well furnished, neat and clean. There was a king size double bed, a small Onida LCD TV, a full sized cupboard, a round coffee table with two sofa chairs, a writing table, and a dressing table. The bathroom was smaller compared to the one at KSTDC Badami, but adequate with a large boiler for hot water. There was also a nice sit-out with lovely greenery and a good view of the fort. The surroundings are scenic and peaceful.

The restaurant was fairly well equipped and the service was good. Most of the items on the menu were Indian dishes, both veg and non-veg. We had dal fry with parothas for dinner. The dosas for breakfast were exceptionally tasty.

We explored the fort early in the morning and relaxed till 12 noon (check-out time) after breakfast, well in time to reach Bangalore by evening.

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August 18, 2017

My TripAdvisor Review No.225: Sajjangad, Satara.

“Fort of the Gentleman Saint.”

Reviewed yesterday

NEW

‘Sajjan’ literally means Gentleman and ‘Gad’ means Fort. This rugged fort atop a hill near Satara is also the ‘samadhi’, or the final resting place, of the Saint Samarth Ramdas Swami. Sant Ramdas was one of the teachers of Shivaji Maharaj and his teachings are followed by many people even today. The Fort and Samadhi are looked after by the Ramdas Swami Sansthan. They have daily prayers and bhajan singing and they distribute free food as Prasad between 12 noon and 1 pm to all the devotees. They have a ‘Bhakta Niwas’ where the devotees can stay free for one night inside the fort.

Sajjangad is located about 12 km from Satara on the route to Thosegarh waterfalls. It is on top of a hill and there is a steep incline on the right hand side as you are going from Satara to Thoseghar. We had to park our car at the base of the fort and the parking charges are Rs.50 (more if you staying the night at the Niwas). Free parking is available outside the gates. Then you have to trudge up about a hundred steep steps and enter through the fort gates till you reach the top. It takes about 10 to 15 minutes depending on your fitness levels. If you are not fit enough or have luggage to carry then you can hire some men to carry you on their shoulders in a palki or chair.

The views from the top are very beautiful especially in the monsoons, when ever thing is painted in different shades of green. The backwaters of the Urmodi dam made the scenery even more enchanting. Our only regret was that we could not make it in time for the Puja and Prasad. We had some wada paos and onion pakoras at a food stall near the parking lot.

This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC

https://www.tripadvisor.in/ShowUserReviews-g1162199-d3836190-r514308886-Sajjangad-Satara_Satara_District_Maharashtra.html#

September 25, 2015

My TripAdvisor Review No.126: Jaigad Fort, District Ratnagiri, Maharashtra.

“The Fort is in Ruins, but it's Worth a Visit.”

Reviewed 24 September 2015 NEW

The Jaigad Fort is about 20 km north of Ganpatipule on the coastal road. The drive along the Arabian Sea is very scenic and beautiful. We passed a couple of quaint fishing villages, and the huge industrial estate and township of JSW Energy, till we arrived at a dead end after the Jaigad village.

The Fort is right at the edge of a cliff overlooking the estuary of the Shastri River flowing into the Arabian Sea. The place was deserted, but as you enter between the bastions guarding the gate you get the aura of the erstwhile majesty of this fort. There were some steep steps leading up to the ramparts. I climbed up and walked along the wall for a while, feeling like a Maratha King. There was not a soul in sight, but the view was awesome, stretching over the sea to the horizon. But when I looked backwards the sights were not so beautiful, because then I could only see a tall chimney and an ugly industrial township. The Jaigad port and jetty were to my right.

There is a small temple in the centre of the fort. Due to the rains the floor of the fort was carpeted with green grass. The whole scene with the grass, rugged ramparts, deep blue sea and fluffy clouds in the background was indeed very enchanting.

I would say that Jaigad Fort is worth a visit during the monsoons, especially if you staying at Ganpatipule or Malgund.

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This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC

http://www.tripadvisor.in/ShowUserReviews-g641715-d3217679-r313206995-Jaigad_Fort-Ratnagiri_Maharashtra.html#

August 11, 2015

My TripAdvisor Review No.109: Shivneri Fort, Junnar, Maharashtra.

“Birthplace of Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, Founder of the Maratha Empire.”

Reviewed 10 August 2015 NEW

This impressive fort is located in the Junnar district of Maharashtra, about 100 km north of Pune. It is situated on top of a 300 metre high hill which is clearly visible as you approach Junnar town. There is a 5 km motorable road that climbs steeply up to the Fort entrance from Junnar. After that you have to trudge up the stone staircase that takes you to the top. The ascending path to the top is defended by seven gates, the fifth one being armoured with anti-elephant spikes. There are more than about 400 steps to be climbed and it can take an able bodied fit person about 20 to 25 minutes to reach the top. The climb is not recommended for the aged or weak of heart.

For keen trekkers and hikers the fort, and the areas around it, is a wonderful and rugged destination for a day long trek. The steps take you past some beautifully landscaped gardens, and of course the view from the top is indeed breathtaking and sufficient reward for the trouble.

There are mud and rock walls all around the fort. Inside the fort the major buildings are the prayer hall, the tomb and a mosque. There are statues of Jijabai and young Shivaji in the temple inside. Shivaji is said to have been born at this site on 19 February 1630. The fort has several rock hewn cisterns and ponds which have water throughout the year. There are also some Buddhist caves in the hillside below which the fort stands, but this may not be easily accessible unless you are equipped with proper trekking gear.

Shivneri Fort is one of the iconic forts of Maharashtra. It is a must visit if you are anywhere near Junnar town. Entry to the fort is free and the timings are from 6 am to 5 pm.

The other nearby tourist spots is the Lenyadri Buddhist caves and Girijatmaj Ashtavinayak Ganesh Mandir, about 8 km away. Malshej Ghat, well known for its monsoon scenery is about 30 km further towards Kalyan. From Pune the route is via Bhosari, Chakan, Rajgurunagar and Narayangaon on the Pune Nashik highway (NH50). At Narayangaon you have to take a left turn after the ST bus stand to Junnar town.

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August 7, 2014

My TripAdvisor Review No.36: Kumbhalgarh Fort

“Majestic Hill Fort, A UNESCO World Heritage Site.”

Reviewed 7 August 2014 NEW

Kumbhalgarh Fort is located in the Aravalli hills in the Mewar region of Rajasthan, about 85 km north-west of Udaipur. It was built in the 15th century by Rana Kumbha and is also the birthplace of Maharana Pratap, the great warrior king of Mewar. It is the 2nd largest fort in Mewar after Chittaurgarh, and also has the 2nd longest wall in the world (after the Great Wall of China), running along its boundary for 36 kms.

The fort is built on a hill at a height of 1100 metres and requires a considerable effort to climb to the top. But once you are in the palace at the top of the fort, also known as ‘Badal Mahal’, you are rewarded with awesome views of the forested Aravalli hills, with the Mewar region on the eastern side and Marwar region on the west. The forests surrounding the fort comprise the Kumbhalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary which is home to leopard, sloth bear, monkeys, wolf, jackal, sambar, peacock, jungle fowl and a host of other birds and animal species.

It is worthwhile for a tourist to spend at least one day at Kumbhalgarh. He can arrive here from Udaipur or Ranakpur and have some refreshments at one of the two restaurants at the base. There is a nominal entry fee and parking charges to be paid before entering. Guides can be made available for a fee, if you ask at the counter. There are many Jain and Hindu temples near the base of the fort. It takes between 30 to 60 minutes to reach the top of ‘Badal Mahal’, depending on how much time you spend at each of the many sights and views on the way up. It is a stiff climb but there are benches and boulders beneath shady trees, where you can sit and catch your breath. When you reach the top you are literally blown away by the views and the wind!

Every evening there is a Light and Sound show (chargeable) where the story of the fort and its erstwhile rulers is recounted in an open air amphitheatre. You are transported into the past and the old history and events of Kumbhalgarh Fort comes alive. It is quite impressive, and worth waiting for at the end of the day. But to witness this show one must spend the night in a nearby hotel, or drive back to Udaipur in the dark.

There are a number of good hotels on the road from the fort to the nearest town, Kelwara, where one can put up for the night.

See all 3 reviews by EkMusafir for Udaipur

Ask EkMusafir about Kumbhalgarh Fort

This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC

August 4, 2014

My TripAdvisor Review No.32: Club Mahindra Fort Kumbhalgarh

“A Rustic Royal Retreat”

Reviewed yesterday NEW

Club Mahindra’s Fort Kumbhalgarh is a Royal Retreat set amidst rural and rustic surroundings in the Mewar region of Rajasthan. Its architecture and setting in the Aravalli hills gives you the feeling of living like the warrior kings of the region lived decades ago. At the same time it is not at all like the desert region that Rajasthan is famous for, and there is a lot of greenery all around, and being at an elevation in the hills the climate is quite pleasant, even in summer.

We arrived at Falna by the Mysore-Ajmer Express and got a cab to Kumbhalgarh easily. The driver gives you the option of visiting the famous Jain temples at Ranakpur on the way. We arrived at our resort in a little over 2 hours and immediately checked into our Studio Apartment. It was very tastefully furnished and had a dry kitchenette with microwave, toaster, fridge and kettle. There is a little sit out surrounded by a hedge and beautiful flowering bushes all around, where you can sip your morning and evening cup of tea.

There is a grocery store where you get your basic requirements for breakfast like bread, butter, cheese, milk and noodles. The restaurant serves excellent buffet as well as a la carte and you have the option of dining at the restaurant or out in the open-air Gazebo, which has a barbeque. Food is priced a bit on the high side. There is a lone street-food stall located just outside the gates, where you can order parathas, dal and subji, if you don’t mind compromising on quality and hygiene.

There is a nice clean swimming pool with aqua-zorbing facility. It gets quite crowded here in the evenings since it’s not very big. There is also a spa and beauty salon. There are activities for kids in the Fun Zone, and there’s also an artisan available to teach you the basics of pottery. Cultural shows are arranged in the evening where local artistes perform live.

The main attraction in Kumbhalgarh is the Fort which is the second largest after Chittaurgarh. It is famous for its long wall and its majesty, towering above the plains of Mewar and Marwar. There is a sound and light show conducted every evening, depicting its history and that of its Maharajas. Other attractions include the Ranakpur Jain temples, an hour’s drive away and the Parshuram Mahadeo cave temple, which can only be approached by a 1.5 km trek through the woods. The Travel Desk at the resort can make arrangements for these trips, as well as day trips to Udaipur, Nathdwara and Kankroli.

After enjoying 2 days in our Studio Apartment we shifted to a Tent (Hotel Unit) as we wanted to savour this experience too. We were lucky to get one located right at the edge of the property with a fabulous view of the hills all around. The sit-out had a deck chair where we could relax and watch the world go by. It was truly an out-of-this-world experience. Inside the tent was well furnished and air-conditioned, and even had a rocking chair. However being a Hotel Unit it did not have a kitchenette. We enjoyed the food at the restaurant, and had their ‘Pizza Rusticana Gardenia’ at the Gazebo.

We returned to Pune via Udaipur and Mumbai, after doing some sight-seeing in Udaipur and catching the 9.30 pm Super-fast train to Bandra Terminus from Udaipur.

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