Date:
24-25 July 1999
The fort name is Parnera. It is in Atul/Gujarath(160 km
from Borivali). Atul is a small industrial place. We was seven in the
group. We traveled by Virangam passenger from Borivali st. at 11:35pm.
In the train when we was sharing our trekking & mountaineering
experience we was very enthusiast of hearing each other. Nobody had
been to this place out of seven. So we was mentally prepared for the
worst. We reached to Valsad at 3:45am. then went to Valsad Bus depo
& took little rest. Though we need to get down at Atul we could not
do so since this train doesn't have stop at this place. If by luck it
halts at Atul then that was possible. At 6:30 a we went by bus to
Parnera village. You won't find any hotels here. So for tea & all
you need to take at depo only else you need to walk 21/2 kms from
Parnera. So initially we thought of a tiresome trek, but no it was not
a trek for me it was simply walking on the steps & reach to the top
in the man made jungle of Saag Tree. As we reach there heavy rain
started. We took shelter in the Mandir for 20 min. then started to
browse through the Fort. We found it was a lone hill in this area.
Except this there was no such heighten area where who ever have build
this fort could have found commanding place for fort. The place on the
top was so less for fort. But such fort in marathi called Gadhi. The
fort has well planned structure. We found three canon(Tofh) with
different bore diameter kept a side of the fort . As usual their is
construction going on for a Masjid & Temple. Though their are
already two old temple exist. This fort has got few water tanks also.
The fort is constructed by bricks which might be according to us is an
indication of recent construction.
After
browsing the fort we took little rest on the wall of the fort viewing
scenery of the valley down with variety of birds. This is a good trek
for bird watcher. We saw Peacock, Landore, Barbet, Bharadwaj. After
spending one hr. there we started back to search the peacock closely
since they was lot in numbers. So took some different root from where
all peacock was shouting to their mate. It was so beautiful scene when
we saw a group closely. Also we saw take off of one peacock with his
long tell. In the morning sun & natural green wallpaper as a
background, those peacock color's was so beautiful we thought our trek
is successful without physical exertion. It was a highest point when we
saw a peacock opening his colourful tail in the circular fashion and
dancing in the morning sun. It was like he is doing a record dance for
us free of charge. The way he was shaking his pisara & taking round
in the open area made us to watch him completely till he stopped doing
so. It was a call for his loving mate. Then all we came back to home
the same way like Valsad-Mumbai in the afternoon. We had a faught with
local TC in Valsad so get down at Vaphi for clearance. We compromised
the problem for Rs. 100/- though we had a proper ticket according to
us. I was at home in the afternoon at 3:30pm.
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