Path towards Arnala

Tripoto
26th Jul 2015
Photo of Path towards Arnala by The Wandering Wolf
Photo of Path towards Arnala by The Wandering Wolf
Photo of Path towards Arnala by The Wandering Wolf
Photo of Path towards Arnala by The Wandering Wolf
Photo of Path towards Arnala by The Wandering Wolf

I wasn't sure as to where i'll be going this weekend. Thanks to Google and the desire to visit the Forts, I ended up with a itinerary to ARNALA FORT. Located in Arnala Village in Virar, a Seafort was the best possible option. After making some Calls, I and my Friends had to make a journey from Point A to point Z of the Western Railway. In order to do so we Caught the Fast Local and sitting for one and half hour we finally reached VIRAR. From there took a bus to Arnala Market and then a boat to the fort. 

It took us only 2 hours to inspect the FORT. Found a Family having a picnic, A group a Youths having fun and a Group of Local Community Youths having a Party in the Fort.

 How to Travel to Arnala Fort.

  1. Take the Virar Fast Local train (Rs 40/- return from Chruchgate to Virar)
  2. Head WEST using the Skywalk towards Virar ST Stand
  3. Get into the First Green Bus which goes to Arnala (Rs. 13/- per seat)
  4. From Arnala Market walk through the narrow path on right towards the beach
  5. Get aboard the boat which takes you to the Island (Rs.15/- per seat includes return journey as well)
  6. Walk through the Concrete path towards right.
  7. At the end of the path The Fort will be waiting for your arrival.

Since checking out the Fort Was done and the Day hadn't come to an End, We decided to Check out Bandra Fort (Also Known as "Castella De Aguada") and to enjoy the View from Bandstand Promenade.

Again we were back to station, by Auto. And headed towards Bandra.

Bandra bandstand Promenade was filled with young couples, some enjoying the view, the weather etcetera. The entrance to fort was visible but inside there was no space to sit and enjoy the view. By view I mean the Bandra Worli sealink and the sea, two different things but combined they give a splendid view.Photo of Path towards Arnala 1/1 by The Wandering Wolf 

Cost Distribution:

  • Local train Journey -40
  • Bus to Arnala -13
  • Boat to the island -15
  • Sharing Auto upto the station -20
  • Bus to bandstand -10
  • Return to Bandra station (by bus)-8
  • Snacks -44

Located about 10Km from Virar Railway Station, one needs to take the sky walk to the Virar ST Stand, from where a green bus which will take you to Arnala Market for INR 13 per seat. Mainly the residential area of the Fisher-mans, so get used to the smell of the fish everywhere. Very friendly, they'll guide you to the fort even if you don't ask them. Do check out their dressing styles which is quite different from the city flocks. Please Note: If you can't stand the smell of fish, then DO NOT visit this place.

Being a Sea Fort, the obvious way to reach would be by Boat. Who could've guessed that one has to get down into the Water just to climb the Boat? Neither did I!!. But it was fun. Luckily I was wearing Shorts and Flip Flops. The Boat was Rocking as if I would fall into the Water as it was rocking in that manner. Compulsorily one has to get Wet while getting into the Boat as well as while Getting off. Being a isolated Fort, it had a Spectacular view of the Sea on either sides. Fort is Just Beautiful but the locals as well as the Young Couples just don't know the value of a Heritage site, who have destroyed it with all their Love Tweets on the Walls. The Fort Walls are huge, which not only gave a Prefect view of the Sea apart from that the Wind Blew made my Gravity to tumble now and then as I standing on the Flag Post of the Fort. Inside the Fort, vegetation was being cultivated by the Locals.

Photo of Arnala Fort, Arnala, Maharashtra, India by The Wandering Wolf
Photo of Arnala Fort, Arnala, Maharashtra, India by The Wandering Wolf
Photo of Arnala Fort, Arnala, Maharashtra, India by The Wandering Wolf
Photo of Arnala Fort, Arnala, Maharashtra, India by The Wandering Wolf
Photo of Arnala Fort, Arnala, Maharashtra, India by The Wandering Wolf
Photo of Arnala Fort, Arnala, Maharashtra, India by The Wandering Wolf
Located at the end of The BANDSTAND Promenade, Just one words to Describe it "CROWDED", might be 'cause it was Sunday, but Still, you can see so many Young Couples with Selfie Sticks were attached to the Fort Walls. Bandra Fort (Also known as Castella De Aguada) is a Small Fort. Which Gives a Splendid view of the Modern Cable Bridge - "Bandra-Worli Sea Link". What more can you Ask, a beautiful garden, Coolest wind, Sea View and a Spectacular view of Modern Day Architecture.
Photo of Bandstand Fort, Byramji Jeejeebhoy Road, Bandra West, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India by The Wandering Wolf
Photo of Bandstand Fort, Byramji Jeejeebhoy Road, Bandra West, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India by The Wandering Wolf