A DAY TRIP TO AWESOME GHODBUNDER FORT, MAHARASHTRA

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I love visiting old forts and my blogs has covered quite a bunch from all over the country. India - the cradle of civilizations since time immemorial has hundreds ( if not thousands ) of forts, with the state of Maharashtra itself having hundreds within it. My interest lies in learning the history of these magnificient structures as well as experiencing their 'spooky' quotent; because, every historical fort almost always has a bloody history of sorts. And when its a fort thats as old as the Ghodbunder Fort, one can be rest assured of its spine-chilling story. Bombay has a rich history that goes back to Portugese occupancy and then the British, in between the native Marathas fighting them both tooth and nail, so these forts has seen maximum battles and deaths from attacks and captures in a repeat mode. These forts were of importance as they stood in strategic locations and were of great importance both from administration and defence, as well as trade point of view. The Ghodbunder Fort served both these purposes. At present, although, it is currently in ruins and lay abandoned, one can't help but recall what glory it must've witnessed and upheld in its past.

I had made a mental note to visit all the forts surrounding Bombay - there are quite a many, so, Ghodbunder Fort was definately on that itinerary. One has to go via the 20 kms long Ghodbunder Road to reach Ghodbunder Fort. It lies somewhere in between from both Borivali ( western line ) side or Thane ( central line ). As soon as one reaches the famous Fountain Hotel Circle ( all buses stop at this point ), taking the opposite straight road to the ghodbunder village it is a 3km or so walk. I asked couple of locals the directions and it was quite a straight road - only at the end it becomes circular with two split roads reaching the same spot. The place is on top of a small hill so the climb was inevitable. I was surpised to see so many houses clustered so close to each other throughout the entire length of that hill road on both the sides. Its amazing to see what remote corners people lived and thrived. I spotted some monkeys too jumping from one roof to the other. The view of the Ulhas river or Vasai Creek kept me company till I reached the fort. At first, I was bit dissapointed as I saw those construction ladders all over the place at the entrance - its going under renovation. Nonetheless, I went in and slowly my mind changed from disappointment to excitement as I reached the interiors of the Fort. The entry is free. Its a comparatively small fort and can be covered within 1-2 hours. It has couple of courtyards ( small and big ), with certain enclosed sections with high walls. Locals playing cricket in one such sections was bit disappointing again - I hope its restricted. However, I was glad the fort walls were not defaced with graffiti. There were just few other tourists too so it was quite enjoyable - not too noisy. I hate it when tourists create a nuisance in histortical spots. A flag stood tall at the cylindrical bastion and I loved the views from it. My experience was lovely and I had a great time exploring all corners. Here's my entire experience at the fort. Enjoy :-)
view from the entrance...



these walls were crumbling at one point...it has been restored by the ASI...


landscaped garden...newly made...


stone steps going up...gives that typical 'ancient' feel...


hidden secret narrow stairways...for quick escape...




the enclosers where horses were kept in the past for trade by the portugese and arabs...


the central courtyard...
I was alone for a while in this particular area and had quite an eerie feeling of being continuously watched. Oddly enough, it was quite 'cold' as well in this spot compared to other parts of the fort that were scorching hot, adding to the discomfort of being 'watched' and engulfed by those dwellers of the past whose souls still roam this place. While capturing and protecting this fort throughout history, many people have died. Their spirits to this date, are stuck and roam these grounds and have been witnessed many times particularly at nights by visitors as well as locals. The place had a strange smell too ( of horses? ) that lingered on even when I reached home and was preparing this post the next morning. Quite weird!


the cylindrical bastion of the fort...

it gives great 360 degree views from the circular top of the entire coastal surroundings - of the Arabian Sea, the Vasai creek to the looming heights of the forested hills of Sanjay Gandhi National Park at a distance and the highway...


the great maratha 'saffron' flag flying high at 105 feet...



fort ruins before it was renovated...quite spooky...( pics from archives ) Since this place has been taken over by the Archeological Survey of India and is being restored under the 'adopt a monument', scheme, the place has changed a lot and the difference is quite evident. The looks might have changed with beautification, proper maintainence and re-structures, but will it change its history - nops!


The Ghodbunder Fort Ghodbunder Fort is a fort located in Ghodbunder Village, Thane, Maharashtra, India, on the hill just south of the Ulhas River. It was built by the Portuguese and then occupied by the Marathas, before being used as the East India Company's district headquarters ( wiki ).
Address : Ghodbander Village, Ghodbunder, Mira Bhayandar, Maharashtra 401107
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PRASHAANTI UDYAN, DIGHALI PUKHURI GUWAHATI

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Almost every city in India ( and also world ) has a historic lake as a prime landmark and attraction; and, Guwahati boasts one its own as well, right in the middle of the city. Dighalipukhuri is an ancient lake built during the Ahom reign with almost 200+ year old trees surrounding it. Its a major tourist destination and very popular with locals too. One day I went exploring and it was quite a nice experience with its leafy canopies making it a nice and cool environment. It has undergone major changes over the years and is quite a popular recreational spot. On north-end of the lake, a small war memorial park has been recently added with an army tank and fighter jet ( both having being used in kargil war ) being displayed. Although, the surroundings are a busy area, with High Court, Judges Field and Fatasil playgrounds; and colleges like Hendique, Cotton and others around it, once you enter the lake premises you are automatically transported to another zone altogether; one that of greenery, serenity and calmness. Its location makes it easily accessible.




history before my eyes...




beautiful garden...


relaxing activity like boating is available...booking area...


war memorial...



On the main entry gate, south side of the lake is a park for kids that has games and a playground with affordable entry fee of Rs 10 for adults and Rs 5 for children. Its open till 8pm. There are many street food stalls outside the park that remain open till late night. Its a perfect place to hang out with friends and family. The lake also has an errie side to it, with many suicides having taken place over the years in it. It was also once reported as haunted, but, with increased commercial activity over the years around the area, such reports have declined. Although, a late night visit ( when everyone's gone ) can still give one goosebumps and a chill down the spine.

Dighalipukhuri is a rectangular man-made pond in Guwahati, about half a mile long. Dighalipukhuri is believed to have been built during the Ahom dynasty. The pond is said to have been dug by King Bhagadatta during the swayamvara of his daughter, Bhanumati. The pond's name comes from its length, which is dighal ( ong ). The legend goes that at the base of this tank are seven deep wells, which were used to draw water for various chores during the wedding. Later the King ordered a canal to be dug so that the tank was permanently connected with the River Brahmaputra, and due to the incoming waters from the river the tank itself grew longer. Subsequently all the later kingdoms, the Burman, the Kamata, the Koch and the Ahom, had used Digholi Pukhuri as a ‘Naoxal’, a place to keep their naval boats and probably where they also constructed them. The legendary Ahom general, Lachit BorPhukan had used Digholi Pukhuri to ‘hide’ his numerous boats, which he so successfully used against the larger Mughal ships during the famous Battle of Saraighat ( wiki ).
Address : Dighali Pukhuri Road, Tayabulla Road, Guwahati - 781001
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HAUNTED PLACES IN GUWAHATI, ASSAM - THE HAUNTED HOUSE

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My curiosity to seek paranormal is quite well known. I have explored almost all notable and famous haunted places around India. I do so only if that place is insanely famous, well documented ( in mainstream media ) and has plenty of testimony. But sometimes, there can be spook lurking in our backyards too. These things are almost everywhere and have always existed. However, not all experiences it. Some people who are more sensitive or has certain planetory and murmerical alignnments ( favorable ) in their birthcharts make them more prone to experiencing all things paranormal. Then, there are others who practice to get certain 'siddhis' ( tantrics ) to experience or even control them. Sometimes these entities too can get weak or strong, and manifest ( or not, based on what energy can can draw or feed from ). I've personally had so many experiences, that I donot seek them anymore. However, some good spook story naturally gets me curious and wanting to explore that place ~ as it happened in this case. Couple of years back, two women knocked on our door frantically around evening time. They came twice seeing a to-let sign in our house. In the evening, when I opened the door, they showed urgency in shifting asap. I showed them the empty rooms which we had at that time. At first, they were quite eager to book the place. However, that room was in our terrace and had washrooms couple of feet away outside. I told them nobody uses those washrooms, and that there was enough security in our building, so no one could come to the terrace. Also, I informed them, there were other females who had lived there previously for many years, so, there was nothing to worry or be scared of. However, from the terrace a muslim kabirstan was visible at a distance. I told them we lived for many years, and that there was no problems as such. Which was true anyways. The females at first was eager to book; but, one said what if they needed to use the washroom at midnight or at around 3am. I said, other tenants ( who were also females ) never had any issues with it. But for some reasons, these two females started to get worried with couple of 'what ifs'. I told them only if you fear these things, they can affect you; if you don't fear, nothing can harm you. Fleetingly, I asked, did the two have any experience that they had suddenly become so anxious. Thats when they started narrating to me their tale and why they wanted to shift so urgently. They told me of their current rented house.

They told me, it was barely two or three months that they had been living in their current house. Earlier, they not aware of things. However, after living in that house they started experiencing lots of strange things. For one, they were aware no one lived on the floor above. That was the topmost floor at that time - only later, another floor was added. So, when they were there, they always heard footsteps walking about in the upper floors at night, and of furnitures moving about, also lots of banging. Since, that floor was locked, it seemed odd to hear noises at night, that too so loud. When they tried creeping up to investigate, they'd hear disembodied voices, strange growls, laughter and whistles. Things got worse, when they started experiencing strange things downstairs too where they lived. As if whatever lived above knew about their curiosity and was visiting them. Lots of scary nightmares followed, mysterious air drafts and other things indicating someone's constant presence made them wonder if they should continue living in that place. It was as if something invisible ( and very evil ) was watching them all the time. Finally, when they heard of the suicide stories, they knew they had to leave that house immediately. There were not one,but couple of back to back suicides in that particular floor that occured which made the owner eventually shut the entire floor. Nobody went there and the place also came to be called 'suicide gully'. Strange occurances happened right in middle of the city in that house which was located in front of a busy flyover.

This story had me intrigued. And although those females didn't rent our flat ( someone else eventually did ), I knew I had to check it out next time I was in the city. It was not far from my place and once spotting it, I could sense the mystery immediately. There it stood, in front of the busy flyover, in middle of the city. The building now has another floor on top. The top most floor as well as the floors below the controversial one are occupied or atleast is maintained; but, watch that particular floor and your hair in the neck will definitealy stand up. Broken windows and all dust gathered! In evening when other floors are lit, that particular floor remains dark and unoccupied; even during daytime a look at those windows make you feel creepy indeed. And, its been almost four years since I heard that story and since I noticed that floor - the window panes remain broken and the place deserted. Its strange because, it can be rented and can get quite a decent rent amount. But why owner has not bothered to repair or rent it out? Like they say, there's no smoke without fire. Today, I pass by that building often and that particular floor remains in same deserted conditions. Pics of the haunted house err the floor below :-)

looks like any other normal building no? wait till you have a much closer look ;-)


spot that broken window? thats not the only one...


more broken windows in front of the building...isn't that weird especially when thats the scenario for years...


people live upstairs and below, but not on that particular floor, spooky right?


busy flyover with traffic flying past throughtout the day unwwares of other-worldly spectators looking on...


I'd love to go there inside some day and explore it myself. Hope I get to do it. But for now, lets just continue to observe it from outside. Will update, if the owner renovates and rent it in future. Its in this particular state for many years now, btw.
Address : Guwahati, Assam
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Our Rating Scale is : 1 to 5 = ***** - It was Spooky!