Karnala fort an important overlook of Raigad Taluka.

Saturday, June 06, 2015 0 Comments A+ a-

Karnala fort

Karnala is a hill fort situated in Raigad Taluka. The best time to visit the fort is in the monsoon season. There is the detail history of the fort given below with its detail transport.

Type                                                    Karnala is a Hill fort.
Difficulty level                               Karnala fort is Easy to trek
Height                                               Karnala fort is 2500 ft (762 meters) high above sea level.
Base village/District/Taluka  Karnala / Raigad, Maharashtra, India.

History of Karnala Fort

Karnala
Karnala fort top view
Karnala fort is in Raigad district for about 10 kilometers from Panvel. Karnala fort is a protected place which is within the Karnala Bird Sanctuary. The fort of Karnala has its importance as it ignored the Bhor pass which is connected to the Konkan coast of Maharashtra
Under the rule of Devagiri Yadavas the formation of the fort was pre-dated as the exact date was not known and under the Taghlaq rules, Karnala was the capital of the north side of Konkan. 
Karnala fort
Side view of Karnala fort
The fort was later felt under the command of Gujarat Sultanate. But in the year 1540 the fort was taken by the Nizamshah of Ahmednagar. Hence the Gujarat Sultans then requested for the help of Dom Francisco de Menenzes which was the commanding officer of Portuguese to win the fort of Karnala back. 
So the officers ordered some 500 soldiers on the fort and then they were able to capture the fort. After the loss of Karnala fort enraged the Nizamshah send about 5,000 of his soldiers and took back the fort as well as the surrounding area.


Karnala Fort
Side Walls of Karnala fort

Again the battle was held between Nizamshah and the Portuguese, they were champions in forcing back further attacks of Nizamshah army, and the fort was won by the Portuguese. 
The Portuguese realized that the fort of Karnala and Sangli were of very little value to them, so they decided to give the fort to Nizamshah for an annual payment of 17,500 or 5,000 gold paradoas to maintain their further relationship. 
In the year 1670 Shivaji Maharaj conquered the fort by building breastworks. In the year 1680 after the death of Shivaji Maharaj the fort was taken over by Aurangzeb. 
After that in the year 1818, Karnala fort was reminded under the command of 'Killedar' Anantrao until the Colonel Porther won the fort and also established the rule of British East India Company.
 

Time to reach the top 
It will take around 1 1/2 hrs to reach the top from base village of fort. (Karnala)


Minimum Duration 
1 day.

Best time to visit the fort 
Any time you can visit Karnala fort.

Water Availability on Karnala 
Yes, water is available on Karnala fort, there are many water cisterns on the fort.

Accommodation Availability 
Yes, shelter is available on Karnala fort in cave which can accommodate 5-6 peoples.
Karnala fort
Buruj of Karnala

Places to visit on the Karnala fort 

Temple of Karmaidevi, Main Entrance Door, Pinnacles, Water Cisterns, Carvings.

Let's Find How to reach Karnala Fort or Transport of Karnala Fort

Way from Pune to Karnala fort 

Pune Shivajinagar - Chinchwad - Dehu Road - Lonavala - Khopoli - Pali - Pachchapur - Karnala.

By Bus
From the Pune there are ST (State Transport) buses to Panvel, Distance between Pune to Panvel is 115 kilometers. Then you can go to Karnala village, which is 14 kilometers from Panvel, there are many buses available for Karnala village.
From karnala village there are two ways go to the top of fort, the right side way goes via forest, where as a more simple way goes to the left side, it takes 1 hrs 30 minutes to reach the temple of Karmaidevi.

By Train 
From the Pune trains are available to Karnala Fort. 

By Road 
From Pune reach Lonavala from Lonavala via Khopoli Pali road reach Pachchapur road reach Karnala. From Pune Karnala fort is around 130 kilometers.



Staircases of Karnala fort.
Way from Mumbai to Karnala

Mumbai - Panvel - Karnala

By Bus 
From the Mumbai there are ST (State Transport) buses to Panvel,Distance between Mumbai to Panvel is 41 kilometerts, Then you can go to Karnala village, which is 14 kilometerts from Panvel, there are many buses available for Karnala village.
From karnala village there are two ways go to the top of fort, the right side way goes via forest, where as a more simple way goes to the left side, it takes 1 hrs 30 minutes to reach the temple of Karmaidevi.

By Train
From Mumbai trains are available till Panvel. Train Time table from Mumbai to Panvel from Panvel there are buses available to Karnala village which is around 14 kilometerts from Panvel.

By Road
From Mumbai Reach Panvel which is around 45 to 50 kilometerts from Mumbai. Then from Panvel reach Karnala Village.