Trip to Nighoj - Malganga Temple and Natures Decoration

Mode of Transport: Bike
Per head cost: 1200 Rs
Journey Date: 14-April-2019

Travel Details and Experience

    We started our journey from Goregaon Mumbai, It was a bike ride of around 400 Kms (Two way).

The trip was suddenly planed we don't have much information about the location. The journey started early morning at 6:00 AM. We took old pune highway and had a halt at Murbad for breakfast at around 08:00 AM.  We took a halt at one of the viewpoints at Malsej ghat at around 09.30 AM and had some photoshoot.

    

Malshej Ghat View Point

Malshej Ghat View Point

    We resume our journey towards Nighoj, but there was a slight changed in the plan, and decided to visit the pimpalgaon dam location. It was a beautiful location for the photoshoot, but need to be care full while entering the water. We spent about an hour and resume the journey as our destination was Nighoj potholes.

Pimpalgaon Dam

Pimpalgaon Dam

    With the help of local people and a Goole map, we are heading toward Malganga temple, but due to the hot summer and it was almost 12:00 PM we were dehydrated, we saw a shop of sugarcane juice. had 2 glass of sugarcane juice, the combination of sugarcane and pineapple juice was awesome. After recharged ourselves, we started heading toward the Malganga temple. at around 1:00 PM we reached Malganga Temple Nighoj potholes.

Malganga Temple

Potholes, Ranjan khalge

    Nighoj potholes or Ranjan khalge and Malganga temple located in the shirur district, border of Pune and Ahmednagar. It is the world largest basalt rock potholes formation. Kukdi river is the border of two cities. there are two temple of godess Malganga one at the side of pune and other at the side of Ahmednagar and these two temples were connected by overhead bridge on Kukdi river. Did prayer in both the temples and did photoshoot at potholes, you can say it a "natures decoration" After spending around 2 hours and collecting some good memories we started return journey towards Mumbai at around 3:00 PM.

Malganga Temple

    While returning goddess Malganga gave us a blessing by showering a rain due to which the temperature went down and had a relief from heat. Also the experience of aroma of soil in first rain was awsome. At around 4:00 PM We took a halt at one of the hotel in pune for lunch, at 5:00 PM we resume our return journey. This time we decided to take Lonaval highway and to cover as much as more distance before sunset. We reached Mumai, Goregaon at around 10:30 PM.

Photos

Old pillar of Malganga Temple

Potholes

Overhead Bridge on Kukdi River

The Ultimate Matheran Travel Guide: A One-Day Trek and Itinerary

Journey Date: 24-March-2019
Mode of Transport: Train / Van

    Are you planning a quick weekend getaway from Mumbai or Pune to beat the heat? Nestled in the Western Ghats, Matheran is one of India's most unique, automobile-free hill stations. This comprehensive one-day travel guide covers everything from train routes, local transport prices, and must-visit viewpoints to our personal trekking experience.

 

The Rich History of Matheran

    Situated at an altitude of 800 meters above sea level, Matheran holds a special place in the history of Maharashtra's hill stations.

    The credit for discovering this lush green plateau goes to Hugh Poyntz Malet, who was the District Collector of Thane in May 1850. Recognizing its potential, Lord Elphinstone, the then Governor of Bombay, laid the foundation for developing Matheran into a future hill station. The British fully developed it as a popular summer resort to escape the intense tropical heat of the plains.

Getting There: Journey from Mumbai to Neral

    Following our successful trek to Karnala Fort, we decided to plan a day trip to Matheran. Here is how we traveled using public transport:

• 7:23 AM: Boarded a Karjat-bound local train from Dadar Station (Mumbai). (Note: You can take any central line local heading toward Karjat, Kasara, Titwala, Asangaon, or Khopoli).

• 8:48 AM: Reached Neral Junction Railway Station. The train journey took exactly 1 hour and 25 minutes.

• 9:00 AM: Had a quick, filling breakfast at a local restaurant right outside Neral station.

Local Transport: Toy Train vs. Shared Vans

    There is a famous heritage toy train that runs directly from Neral to Matheran. However, the toy train takes about 2.5 to 3 hours to reach the top. To save time, we recommend taking the shared local vans parked outside Neral station. They cost around ₹80 per person and get you to the Matheran hilltop entry gate in just 30 minutes (arriving at 10:00 AM).

Aman Lodge railway station at Matheran

View from Malang point

Morning: Walking the Rail Tracks to Louisa Point

    Upon reaching the main entry gate, we paid the mandatory Matheran entry fee of ₹50 per person. After a brief walk from the gate, we reached the Aman Lodge railway station. Since motor vehicles are banned inside Matheran, we started trekking by following the scenic red-dirt paths running parallel to the railway tracks. Even during the early summer season, the panoramic views of the Sahyadri mountain range were absolutely spectacular.

• 10:30 AM: Arrived at the popular "I LOVE MATHERAN" selfie point for group photos. Here, we left the railway tracks and turned toward the market area.

• 12:00 PM: After a pleasant 1.5-hour walk, we reached Louisa Point. This spot offers a crystal-clear, unobstructed view of the majestic Prabalgad Fort (and the famous Kalavantin Durg). We took a break here to rest and eat some snacks while enjoying the mountain air.

Pisarnath Mahadev temple gate

Shivling at Pisarnath Temple

Afternoon: Echo Point, Charlotte Lake, and Pisarnath Temple

From Louisa Point, we kept moving to explore the connected viewpoints:

• Malang Point: A quiet spot where we spent some time soaking in the valley views.

• Alexander Point to Echo Point: We had a lot of fun at Echo Point trying out the natural acoustics by shouting our names into the deep valley.

• King George Point & Charlotte Lake: Located right next to Echo Point, Charlotte Lake is the primary water source for Matheran. We paused here for a beautiful group photograph.

• Pisarnath Mahadev Temple: We walked down to the ancient Pisarnath Shiva Temple. The serene atmosphere inside the temple made it the perfect place for a short prayer and quiet meditation.

Lunch, Horse Riding, and Return Journey

    By 3:15 PM, we were hungry and headed back to the main market area. We had a delicious lunch at Hotel Kumar Plaza.

    After relaxing for half an hour post-lunch, everyone in our group went for their very first horse ride. It cost roughly ₹100 per person and was an incredible experience. At 5:30 PM, we began our walk back to the exit.

    We reached the main exit gate by 6:30 PM, caught a shared van back to Neral station, and enjoyed some evening tea and snacks. We then boarded a central line local train bound for Mumbai CSMT and wrapped up a memorable trip at Dadar.

Comprehensive List of Places to See in Matheran

    If you want to cover all the prominent points in a single day, you must start early in the morning. Hiring a horse or a local hand-pulled rickshaw is highly recommended to save energy and time.

Top Viewpoints and Attractions:

1. Echo Point
2. Louisa Point
3. Panorama Point
4. Porcupine Point
5. One Tree Hill Point
6. Honeymoon Point
7. Charlotte Lake
8. Chanderi Caves
9. Monkey Point
10. Shivaji’s Ladder
11. Alexander Point
12. Heart Point
13. Chowk Point
14. Belvedere Point
15. King George Point
16. Mount Barry
17. Dhodani Waterfalls
18. Olympia
19. Rambaug Point
20. Khandala Point
21. Pisharnath Mahadev Mandir

Nearby Trekking Extensions

    If you wish to combine your Matheran visit with a trek to Vikatgad (Peb Fort), you will need a 2-day, 1-night itinerary to explore comfortably.

Important Travel Notes and Tips

• Hydration & Food: Carry at least 2 to 3 liters of water per person, along with energy drinks and light snacks, as you will be doing a lot of walking.

• Navigation: Keep a digital or physical map handy to plan your route between points efficiently.

• Energy Savers: If you want to avoid exhaustion, hiring horses from the main market is the best way to get around.

• Best Time to Visit: The monsoon season (June to September) offers lush green waterfalls, while the winter season (October to February) provides pleasant, chilly weather perfect for trekking.

Group photo at railway track route

View from echo point

View from Louisa point

View from Alexander point

Lonar Lake: Crater formed by an Celestial Event

Journey Date : 23 Jan, 2020
Mode of Transport : Train and Bus

History of the Lonar crater

    Lonar Lake, also known as Lonar crater, is a notified National Geo-heritage Monument, saline, soda lake, located at Lonar in Buldhana district, Maharashtra, India. Lonar Lake was created by an asteroid collision with the earth's impact during the Pleistocene Epoch. It is one of the four known, hyper-velocity, impact craters in basaltic rock anywhere on Earth. The crater's age is usually estimated to be 52,000 ±6,000 years, although a study published in 2010 suggests an age of 570,000 ± 47,000 years.

Travel Experience

The Transit Pivot: Train Rides, Cancelled Buses, and the Bumpy Journey to Lonar

    Our historical weekend circuit kicked off at Thane Railway Station. Because we had carefully pre-planned this leg of the trip, we boarded the Devagiri Express at 9:00 PM with confirmed reservations. We pulled into Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar (formerly Aurangabad) bright and early at 4:00 AM. After waking ourselves up with a quick cup of tea outside the railway station, we caught a local bus at 4:30 AM, arriving at the CIDCO bus depot Aurangabad in just 10 minutes.

At this point, we made a spontaneous tweak to our itinerary: we decided to explore the magnificent Ellora Caves first and save Lonar Lake for the afternoon. After an incredible day of cave exploration, we arrived back at the CIDCO bus depot around 4:00 PM to catch our onward transport. This is where things went a bit sideways. Upon inquiring about how to reach Lonar from Aurangabad, we were told that the last MSRTC bus to Lonar had been abruptly canceled.

Traveler’s Tip: When navigating public transport in Maharashtra, always be prepared for sudden schedule changes and have a solid Plan B ready!

    Inside the bus depot, you will find private travel agents actively approaching tourists to arrange alternative transport. Left with zero official bus options, we reluctantly agreed to take a private shared vehicle. Honestly, our Aurangabad to Lonar Lake transport experience was incredibly hectic. These private operators routinely cram 12 to 14 passengers into a standard 9-seater vehicle. Unfortunately, because public transport had fallen through, passengers had absolutely no leverage to complain. If you refuse to squeeze in, they simply ask you to get out and find your own way. Sometimes, surviving the uncomfortable rides is just part of the adventure!

Stepway at Gomukh Temple, a way to Lonar lake

Springwater pond at Gomuk Temple

Evening Arrival, Krishna Lodge, and the Trek to Lonar Crater Lake

    We finally rolled into town at 6:30 PM, just as the sun was setting and dusk was settling in. We headed straight to check in at Krishna Lodge Lonar, conveniently located right opposite the bus depot.


    Traveler’s Tip on Accommodation & Food: We highly recommend pre-booking your hotels near Lonar bus depot to avoid last-minute stress. Additionally, finding good restaurants in Lonar—especially if you are looking for non-vegetarian dhaba food—can be quite challenging as the options are extremely limited. It is best to arrive early in the evening so you have plenty of time to hunt down a good spot for dinner!

    The next morning at 8:00 AM, we kicked off our highly anticipated trek to the famous Lonar crater lake. Using Google Maps, it took us just a quick 10-minute walk to reach the main gate of the Gomukh Temple Lonar. After signing the visitor register at the entrance, we began descending the stone steps toward the lake. Along the path, we passed a beautiful natural spring water pond (Kund) where devotees were peacefully bathing. Respecting their space, we quietly continued down to the forest department check-post.

    Because the government has officially protected the crater and its surrounding forest as the Lonar Wildlife Sanctuary, visitors are required to pay a small Rs. 60 entry fee. Just past the check-post, we stumbled upon the ancient, ruined Kumareshwar Temple an absolutely brilliant surprise. But the real magic happened right behind the ruins. Until this trip, I had only ever seen peacocks inside cages, but here, we spotted two stunning wild peacocks. Startled by our arrival, they immediately took flight. Watching a wild peacock fly through an ancient forest remains one of the most wonderful and unforgettable moments of my life!

Kumareshwar Temple

Yadneshwar Temple

Through the Forest to the Crater: Yadneshwar Temple and the Salty Shores of Lonar

    A short walk further down the trail brought us to another beautiful ruin: the ancient Yadneshwar Temple. After taking some time to admire the stonework, our Lonar trek continued deep into a surprisingly dense forest canopy, eventually leading us to the peaceful Lonar Dargha. Just a few minutes from there, the trees finally cleared, and we were standing right at the edge of the majestic Lonar crater lake.

Important Note for Travelers: Stepping into the lake is strictly prohibited. The unique chemical composition of the Lonar Lake water makes it highly alkaline and roughly seven times saltier than regular seawater!

    We spent a peaceful while sitting on the banks, taking in the surreal, otherworldly landscape of the crater. There are actually several more temples around Lonar Lake to explore along the perimeter, including the famous Kamalja Mata Temple Lonar and an ancient water well. Unfortunately, we had to skip them this time—we had started our morning hike without eating breakfast, and our fiercely hungry stomachs dictated that it was time to head back up for food!

Dense forest way towards the lake

View from Lonar crater

Top view of Lonar lake

 

Ancient Architecture and Finding the Best Lonar Lake Sunset Point

    After finally grabbing a much-needed breakfast, we headed straight to the Daitya Sudan Temple, a magnificent ancient shrine dedicated to Lord Vishnu. The intricate stone carvings here are absolutely mesmerizing! We spent a good amount of time exploring the temple grounds before heading back to our lodge to catch our breath.

    We officially checked out at 12:00 PM, but to keep our afternoon hassle-free, we left our heavy bags securely at the hotel reception. We hired a local auto-rickshaw for the afternoon and smartly scheduled a return pick-up with the driver for 5:30 PM. By this time, we were hungry again and headed to the MTDC Gulmohar restaurant for a hearty meal. If you are ever searching for reliable restaurants near Lonar Lake, this is a great, conveniently located choice. After lunch, we had one final mission: golden hour photography.

    Secret Traveler’s Tip for the Best Lonar Lake Top View: Right opposite the Gulmohar restaurant, you will see the closed gate of a government guest house. While the main gate is locked, there is a small, accessible pathway through the metal wire fencing nearby. Slipping through there leads you to an absolute hidden gem—an uninterrupted, panoramic viewpoint of the crater!

    This unofficial Lonar Lake sunset point was quiet and breathtaking. We spent the rest of our evening there, peacefully shooting time-lapses and capturing stunning sunset photos over the water.

Daityasudun Temple

Daityasudun Temple

The idol of Lord Vishnu at Daityasudun Temple

The Return Journey: Navigating the Lonar to Jalna Bus Route

    Around 5:15 PM, we called our pre-arranged auto-rickshaw driver for pick-up. He dropped us back at our hotel, where we collected our stored bags and belongings. Conveniently, the Lonar ST bus depot was located directly opposite our lodge, making the transit incredibly easy. We boarded the 6:30 PM Lonar to Jalna bus and enjoyed a smooth ride, eventually getting down at the Jalna bus depot. After grabbing a much-needed dinner in town, we hopped into an auto-rickshaw that took us straight to the Jalna railway station for our train ride home.

    Crucial Transit Warning: If you are researching how to reach Jalna from Lonar via public transport, be aware that the MSRTC occasionally cancels the direct bus without any prior notice. If this happens to you, don't panic! Your best alternative is to take a private shared vehicle (like a 6-seater tum-tum or jeep) to the nearby town of Sultanpur. From Sultanpur, you can easily board a connecting bus to Jalna. Just make sure to double-check the latest bus timings with the locals or through the MSRTC mobile app!

Places to see nearby

1. Daityasudun Temple

2. Limbibarvi (step well)

3. Motha Maruti Temple

4. Gomukh Temple

Important Note

• Check public transport timing and plan accordingly also keep other options ready if any sudden changes in the timing of public transport.
• Prefer package drinking water to avoid health issues, if you are ok with local normal water then go with it.
• For normal rooms with a reasonable rate, you can contact Krishna Lodge opposite Lonar bus depot for booking. contact number +91-7262221728, +91-9420623777, +91-705731655
• You can visit Lonar directly from Jalna, instead of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar (Aurangabad).

Sunset at Lonar lake

Sunset at Lonar lake

Ellora Caves an Ancient Engineerning Marvel

 

Mode of Transport: Train / Bus

Per head cost: 800 Rs

Journey Date: 23-January-2020

History of Ellora Caves

    Ellora is a UNESCO World Heritage Site located in the Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar, earlier known as the Aurangabad district of Maharashtra, It is one of the largest rock-cut monastery-temple cave complexes in the world, featuring Hindu, Buddhist and Jain monuments, and artwork, dating from the 600–1000 CE period. Cave 16, in particular, features the largest single monolithic rock excavation in the world, the Kailasha temple, a chariot-shaped monument dedicated to Lord Shiva.

    There are over 100 caves at the site, all excavated from the basalt cliffs in the Charanandri Hills, 34 of which are open to the public. These consist of 12 caves of Buddhists from caves 1 to 12, 17 caves of Hindus from caves 13 to 29, and 5 caves of Jain from caves 30 to 34.

    All of the Ellora monuments were built during the Hindu dynasties such as the Rashtrakuta dynasty, which constructed part of the Hindu and Buddhist caves, and the Yadava dynasty, which constructed a number of the Jain caves.

Travel Experience

The Night Train to History: Reaching Ellora and Grishneshwar Temple

    Our journey into the heart of Maharashtra’s ancient history began at Thane Railway Station. Because this was a carefully pre-planned trip, we had our reservations ready and boarded the Devagiri Express at 9:00 PM. We arrived in the historic city of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar at 4:00 AM.

    After waking ourselves up with a hot cup of tea outside the railway station, we waited for a local bus heading to the central depot. We boarded at 4:30 AM and reached the CIDCO bus depot in just 10 minutes. From there, we inquired about buses heading to Ellora (locally referred to as Verul) and quickly hopped on one. We eventually got down at Verul village.

    Traveler’s Tip on How to Reach Ellora Caves: When taking the bus, make sure to ask the conductor to drop you off exactly at the Ellora Caves gate or junction to save yourself some extra walking!

    Since we alighted a bit further down, we used Google Maps to navigate our way back toward the caves. It was a peaceful 6:00 AM stroll, and along the route, we were greeted by the magnificent Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga Temple an ancient and highly revered shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva. We took this beautiful opportunity to visit the temple and offer our prayers. Keep in mind that before entering the main sanctum for Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga Temple darshan, you must deposit belongings like wallets, leather waist-belts, and cell phones at the designated shops located just outside the temple premises.

Unesco Board

Map of Ellora caves

Stepping into History: The Majestic Kailash Temple (Cave 16)

    By 6:30 AM, we sat down for breakfast at a restaurant near the main junction. To ensure we could explore comfortably, we used the restaurant as an unofficial Ellora Caves luggage storage, leaving our heavy bags behind. Carrying only a small handbag, a water bottle, and our wallets, we were ready to wander freely.

    Traveler’s Warning: Be highly vigilant of the monkeys at the entrance! Do not hold your camera, food, or any valuable items in your hands, as they are known to snatch them.

    We paid the standard Ellora Caves entrance fee of Rs. 40 and cleared the security check. The moment you step through the main gates, the breathtaking Kailash Temple (Ellora Cave 16) stands directly in front of you. While there are a total of 34 caves in the complex, Cave 16 is undeniably the most massive and prominent crown jewel of Ellora. We spent about 3 hours completely mesmerized by this structure. It is a masterpiece of monolithic rock-cut architecture, meaning the entire temple was carved out of a single, giant rock from the top down. The intricate detailing on the statues is nothing short of incredible.

    A quick tip for history buffs: While we spent 3 hours here, truly understanding the profound meaning behind the statues and the detailed wall carvings of Cave 16 easily requires 4 to 5 hours of dedicated exploration.

The entrance of cave no. 16

Inside cave no. 16, Kailash Temple

Shiva linga at Kailash Temple, Cave no. 16

Navigating the Complex: Multi-Story Monasteries and the Jain Caves

    After thoroughly exploring Cave 16, we took a left to visit Cave numbers 15 down to 1 (primarily the Buddhist caves at Ellora). To help you visualize the layout, I have uploaded an Ellora Caves route map in the image section above for your reference! Walking through this section is mesmerizing. You will actually find massive two-story and three-story structures—ancient monasteries carved entirely out of a single rock face. After spending an hour marveling at these ancient engineering wonders, we looped back to the main entrance near Cave 16 around noon.

    Our next goal was to visit Cave numbers 31 to 34 (the famous Jain caves at Ellora), which are located a bit further away. We waited at the main entrance for the internal shuttle bus.

Transport & Facility Tip: The Ellora Caves shuttle bus fare is just Rs. 20 per person for a round trip, and the bus runs every hour. Also, if you need to freshen up, there are clean washrooms and toilet facilities located right near this bus waiting area at the main entrance.

    We had a 30-minute wait for the bus, which turned out to be perfectly productive downtime! We used it to book our return train tickets for the next day, as we were heading to the incredible meteorite crater next. (If you are planning a similar itinerary, be sure to check out my detailed [Link your blog post here: Lonar Lake trek/trip guide]!)

Chota Kailash, Cave no. 30

Rameshwara, Cave no. 21

Completing the Circuit: The Jain and Hindu Caves at Ellora

    We boarded the internal shuttle bus and headed straight to the Jain Caves at Ellora (Caves 30 to 33). After spending a fascinating 30 to 45 minutes exploring this peaceful cluster, we hopped back on the same bus for the return trip. However, instead of riding it all the way back to the main entrance, we requested a drop-off a few meters early so we could explore the Hindu Caves at Ellora (Caves 17 to 27). We spent another 30 to 45 minutes admiring these magnificent rock-cut temples before finally wrapping up our tour and exiting the compound around 2:30 PM. We walked back to the nearby restaurant, collected our stored luggage, and sat down for a much-needed, hearty lunch.

A Crucial Travel Warning: The Journey Back to the City. After lunch, we made a major logistical mistake: we boarded a private shared jeep for our return journey.

    If you are researching how to travel from Ellora to Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar, please learn from our error! Ask the locals for the official bus timings and wait for an MSRTC bus. Shared jeeps wait around until they are completely overstuffed, which means you will waste a lot of time, and the journey itself will be incredibly cramped and hectic.

    Our uncomfortable jeep ride finally dropped us at the Baba Petrol Pump around 4:30 PM. From there, we hired a local auto-rickshaw to reach the Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar (Aurangabad) CIDCO bus depot. From the CIDCO depot, we caught our onward transport to Lonar Lake.

Note for other travelers: If your trip ends here, you can easily catch an auto or bus from the CIDCO depot directly to the Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar Railway Station for your journey home!

Placed to see nearby

1. Ajanta caves

2. Devgiri fort (Daulatabad fort)

3. Bhadra Maruti Temple

4. Aurangabad caves

5. Ghrushneshwar Jyotirling Temple

6. Bibi ka makbara

7. Jaiyakwadi Dam

Garden in front of the Ellora caves entrance

Cave no. 15 Entrance

Cave no. 11 (do tal)

Wall sculpture of Shiv

Cave no. 12 (Teen tal)

Cave no. 10

Bhagavan Buddha at Cave no. 7

Lord Mahavir sculpture at Cave no. 33

Karnala Fort Trek Witnessing the History

Journey Date : 21-Feb-2019
Mode of Transport : Train and Auto

History of the fort 

    Karnala Fort is a hill fort in Raigad district, Maharashtra, India, about 10 km from Panvel city. Situated at 1440 feet above sea level. The fort was likely constructed before 1400, under Devgiri Yadavas (1248–1318). From the year 1540, it is under the control of Nizam Shah of Ahmednagar. Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj conquered the fort on 22^nd June 1670

 

    In the year 1879 freedom fighter Vasudev Balvant Phadke used to stay on Karnala fort with his army. Officer pother of the British army announced a bounty for the information of Vasudev Balvant Phadek. One night he got information and he reaches Karnala fort in the night and captured Vasudev while he is in deep sleep at the goddess Karnai temple.

    Maruti B. Chitampalli born 5 November 1932 is a wildlife conservationist and Marathi writer from Maharashtra, India. He was instrumental in the development of Karnala Bird Sanctuary, Navegaon National Park, Nagzira Sanctuary, and Melghat Tiger Project; also constructing orphanages for displaced wildlife at the last two institutions. Maruti Chitampalli inspired by Salim Ali referred to as the Birdman of India, Salim Ali was the first Indian to conduct systematic bird surveys across India and wrote several bird books that popularized ornithology in India.

Travel and Trekking Experience

Mumbai to Karnala Fort: Train Routes, Tum-Tums, and Sanctuary Rules

    Our journey from Mumbai to Karnala Fort kicked off at Dadar Station. We boarded the 6:40 AM Harbour Line local train and arrived at Panvel Station by 8:20 AM. Right outside the station, we fueled up with a comforting breakfast of homemade idlis, upma, and dosas. While eating, my trekking partner, Vinayak, started gathering intel on the best transport options to reach the base of the fort.

    We initially checked the Panvel MSRTC bus depot, but the bus timings didn't align with our schedule. Luckily, an MSRTC employee tipped us off that 6-seater auto-rickshaws (locally known as tum-tums) frequently run along the Mumbai-Goa National Highway. Using Google Maps to navigate, we walked toward the highway, took a left, and quickly spotted the rickshaw stand. The standard fare is about Rs. 60 per person, though a little polite bargaining is always recommended! By 10:00 AM, our tum-tum dropped us right at the Karnala Fort trek starting point—which also serves as the main gate for the Karnala Bird Sanctuary. If you are wondering how to reach Karnala from Panvel, this ride is incredibly convenient and only takes 20 to 30 minutes.

    Traveler’s Tip: Finding a return ride on the Mumbai-Goa highway can be difficult. Be sure to take your rickshaw driver's contact number so you can easily call them for your journey back to the station.

    Right at the entrance is the forest department check post where you must purchase your tickets. The Karnala Bird Sanctuary entry fee is Rs. 35 for Indian citizens and Rs. 60 for foreigners, with a separate charge if you are carrying a DSLR or professional camera (mobile phone cameras are free). The sanctuary also strictly enforces a fantastic eco-policy: you must pay a Rs. 100 refundable deposit if you are carrying any plastic items, such as water bottles, polythene bags, or chips packets. The guards will check your backpack and note the exact count of your plastic items. To get your Rs. 100 back, you must present all the plastic items on your way out, ensuring the mountain remains litter-free!

Entrance gate of Karnala Bird Sanctuary

Peacock at bird sanctuary

Parrots at bird sanctuary

Exploring the Bird Enclosures on the Karnala Fort Trek Route

    Just a short 10-minute walk past the entrance, we came across the sanctuary's caged enclosures. We stopped to take a few photos of the birds at Karnala Bird Sanctuary, spotting species like eagles, peacocks, and parrots. To be completely honest, this part of the experience was a bit underwhelming. There were very few bird species actually available for viewing, and unfortunately, the condition of the enclosures and the birds themselves did not seem ideal. Because of this, we only spent about 30 minutes exploring this section. After a quick look around, we hit the Karnala Fort trek route again, keeping our focus on the primary goal: reaching the summit of the fort!

Information board

Jungle trail

The Ascent, the Pinnacle, and Karnala Fort History

    Before hitting the steep trail, we took a moment to absorb some Karnala Fort history. The forest department has set up excellent information boards at the base, including a fascinating letter written by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj to his ministers—an absolute treat for anyone passionate about Maratha history! At 11:00 AM, the real ascent began. The initial path is easy and straightforward, but don't let that fool you. The trail soon becomes steep, and when combined with the coastal humidity, the Karnala Fort trek difficulty definitely ramps up. While seasoned trekkers can comfortably reach the peak in about an hour, it took our 16-member group of mostly first-timers around two hours. Thankfully, the trail features convenient rest sheds every 15 to 20 minutes, which were an absolute lifesaver for our group.

We finally conquered the summit at 1:00 PM. The fort itself is quite compact and takes only about an hour to explore, but the Karnala Fort top view is nothing short of spectacular, offering sweeping panoramas of the lush Raigad district and the winding Mumbai-Goa highway below. We spent a good chunk of time admiring the iconic Karnala Fort pinnacle (historically used as a strategic watchtower). Tucked inside this impressive basalt pillar are ancient rock-cut water tanks, one of which still holds clean, drinkable water! After navigating through a narrow historic gate, we reached the second section of the fort, where our whole group sat down to enjoy some well-earned snacks. By 2:00 PM, we began our descent, taking a peaceful 15 to 20-minute detour to visit the beautiful, ancient temple of Goddess Karnai along the way.

Goddess Karnai

Basalt Pinacle (sulka)

Fortification (wall)

Completing the Trek: Plastic Refunds and the Return Journey to Panvel

    We successfully completed our descent and reached the Karnala Fort base camp around 3:30 PM. True to the sanctuary's strict eco-friendly policy, we stopped at the forest department checkpoint to present our empty plastic bottles and wrappers. Because our final count perfectly matched their entry records, we happily received our Rs. 100 deposit back a brilliant initiative to keep the trails clean!

    By this point, we had worked up quite an appetite. Right across the Mumbai-Goa highway, directly opposite the main gate, you will find a local dhaba. If you are looking for restaurants near Karnala Bird Sanctuary, this is a highly convenient spot to grab a hearty post-trek lunch.

    While we waited for our food, we called the rickshaw driver we had met in the morning. By the time he arrived at the sanctuary gate to pick us up, we had just finished our meal. The return journey from Karnala to Panvel was smooth, and we were comfortably back at Panvel Railway Station by 5:30 PM, wrapping up a perfect weekend adventure.

Places to see on the fort Karnala

Basalt Pinacle
Water cisterns
Ruined structure of the house
Fortification
Entrance gate

Sculpture on the entrance gate

Goddess Karnai temple

Places to see nearby

 

Shidhon village, Birthplace of freedom fighter Vasudev Balvant Fadke

View from top

Ruined house

Sculpture of Sharab on the gate

A short history of the fort on the bord