Fort Sankshi (October 18, 2009)

Members: Vishal Chaughule and Sambhaji Chopdekar.

We reached Panvel at about 9.00 am as we both woke up late as usual. The ST stand was crowded as most of the Mumbaikars were eager to celebrate the Diwali vacation with their near and dear ones at their respective native places. Fortunately enough there were three Alibuag bound STs and we got into the least crowded one. Our destination was Balavali phata which is just ahead of village Jite on the Panvel-Pen highway (NH17). From here, one can easily locate Karnala, Manikgad and Sankshi.

We started toward the Badruddin Dargah which is about 5 km away from this phata. The tar road leads us through the beautiful Balavali village which has a spacious temple. The road accompanies us up to the school, thereafter a wide trail starts that goes to Nidhavali village. After about a 1.5 hr walk we reached the newly reconstructed Baddruddin Durgah.

We were told to go side by side of the pipeline that carries water from one of the water tanks of the fort to this Dargah. The route to the fort from the Dargah, is easy, but we had to struggle a bit as it was quite difficult to find out the pipeline which was not easily visible due to the thick plantation. Actually, it is in front of the old domed tomb which is just nearby the Dargah. But once the pipeline was seen, we were through and reached the wall of the fort bearing over-hangs.

The way toward the right seemed to be lost in the thick bushes, so we took the left path and soon found two water tanks carved out on the cliff. Thanks to the Sony Cybershot, we were able to see the paavtya (small steps) near the left water-tank. But initially, the problem was we could not find the way to reach the wall that bears them, due to the thick bushes at the base of those steps. However, after a short struggle, we made up our minds and rushed into the thick bushes and with the help of the fallen rocks (they provided the much needed support!),we could actually see the small steps. It was an enjoyable moment for us and after clicking some snaps, we started upward.

We reached the left water-tank but didn’t dare to go to the right one as the path seemed slippery and open to fall. Nevertheless a big flat rock there gave ample opportunity to us to have the photo session. Just above the left tank there is a small rectangular shaped excavation which might have borne the Jagai Mata. History says, she had committed suicide after her father, the king Saank, was killed by the ruler of Karnala.

From here the route upward provided a small practice session for rock-climbing and soon we reached the potable water cistern. It was almost 01.00 pm and hence, we finished our lunch enjoying the beautiful views of Karnala, Manikgad and the tiny looking dargah and tomb. It was time to relax and we just roamed the ridge keeping the cliff to our left to find out two more water tanks. The first one had water having yellow surface. The reason may be the presence of phytoplanktons (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phytoplankton). The second one was unique bearing two carved out idols which are now disappeared.

We left these three water cisterns and moved upward to reach the top in just 5 minutes. We were welcomed by a rectangular shaped carving, the purpose of it was not understood. We moved to the eastern part and thrilled to see a complex of four water cisterns, only one of them had water but non-potable. The most astonishing fact is that the top has lots of small craters (you cannot even measure them unless you have been given a task). The next amazing thing is they are joined to each other at some places with cut-patterns (char). According to me, they might have been dug out to have the rain water percolate inside the kaatal.

The western part has four water cisterns but due to the thick grass it was quite difficult to find out what was described in the literature as the easiest route. It was almost 04.00 pm, and hence we abandoned our attempt to find it out and came back to our initial route from where we had climbed up. Going down was really fun but I was equally fearful while going down through the thick bushes (you know the reason - Vishal was advising me to have some knowledge on the first-aid in case any serpent bites us. You can realize it now!)

For snaps do visit: http://picasaweb.google.com/vishalchaughule/FortSankshi18102009#

(Snaps taken by Vishal Chaughule using Sony Cybershot)

Reference: http://www.maharashtra.gov.in/english/gazetteer/KOLABA/places_Sankshi%20Fort.html

Do enjoy!!