The day began with a sense of adventure as I embarked on my journey to Karnala Fort. I navigated my scooty (Activa) along the old Mumbai-Goa highway from Panvel, the wind in my hair and the thrill of the journey ahead filling me with anticipation.
Upon reaching the entrance of the Karnala Bird Sanctuary, I purchased my ticket and was frisked by forest officers, a necessary protocol before entering the sanctuary. A fellow primate greeted me at the entrance, and after cautiously avoiding eye contact, I began my hike.
Inside the sanctuary, I came across a caged peacock. It was being treated and would be released once healthy. The sight of the beautiful bird, even in its temporary confinement, added a touch of color to my journey.
The hike to the fort is about 2.4Km to the top, a trek of 1-2 hours depending on one’s fitness levels. Being overweight, I started my climb without giving it a second thought. For me, being overweight was just a feature, not a mindset.
As I climbed, I encountered various elements of nature – trees, rocks, anthills, mole hills, and small snakes. I also came across many young adults, some of whom asked me to take their pictures. Being a lone soldier, I trekked along, obliging their requests on the condition that it was their camera and not mine.
My first checkpoint was a simple structure, a roof made out of sheet metal held together by four metal poles. I took a brief pause here, the thin air at this altitude getting to my head. After a five-minute rest, I continued my journey.
Just before the final climb, I came across a temple. I bowed down and prayed for a safe journey ahead. The thought of the treacherous climb was daunting, but then a 12-year-old girl ran past me, yelling that this was one of the easier forts that Shiv Raya had built. Not one to be defeated by a 12-year-old, I too chose to run. Being obese made me a spectacle, but I charged along.
Then came the stairs, my arch nemesis. A large entrance with spikes on it made with heavy Oak or Teak, and the massive stairs. I chanted Shiv Raya’s name in my mind and charged towards those stairs. I had to climb up, I had to prove myself, I had to get to the top.
I climbed these stairs like a nimble 20-year-old, knowing all too well I was 28 and not young by Indian standards. But I climbed and climbed and reached a point where there were no more stairs but a small pool of water. The water was not the best looking but I was tempted to drink it after my long hard travel, but I resisted out of respect for this historical monument of my Maratha heritage.
I moved forward, ashamed to see some plastic garbage up there. People who litter must be thrown off this very fort’s peak, I thought. The authorities hire personnel to clean this place, but as visitors, we are responsible for not littering.
I had gotten over the ridiculousness at this point and started to admire the beauty of the ruins of the fort that remained. I looked around and saw the peak of the fort had an orange flag representing Maharashtrian pride, and I was glad somebody could do that.
I watched around as people were taking pictures and having a jolly time after having achieved a difficult task. The fort, in all its majesty, was in ruins but still had its candor. I loved exploring the several rooms and caves and observing the different vantage points used by gunners and archers alike. It was a crucial fort in Shiv Raya’s kingdom, responsible for major trade and military advantages.
I admired the beauty of this fort in all its glory. I even witnessed a monkey stealing food from fellow tourists. One lady wore a long dress, and it made me question my athleticism as to how she was able to climb without being able to lift her knees. I gave up on the thought and explored more of the fort and came across some beautiful views during my time at the top.
I had my fill of adventure and decided to make my descent from the fort. Some would think the climb is difficult, but in reality, it is the way down that is more difficult. I had just started to make my way down and met several people still making their way up. I had met some of them on my way to the top, and they were taking their time with the trek.
I made my way down the treacherous climb stealthily and jumped the last stair when an uncle came up to me and said, “You climbed up there?” He was obviously referring to me being obese. I said, “Yes,” and without much to entertain him, I moved on.
I came across that lady who had climbed in the full Maxi. She was faster than I was while going down. Her poor husband was a photographer, and he was carrying all the heavy stuff they had brought along. She had pulled her dress up to her knees and hopped down steep stairs and sat to get down steeper depths with the help of her husband, of course. But then she slipped a few times, at which time I decided to lend a hand to her husband with the gear so he could help her.
The whole trip down was maintaining that woman’s balance. We were so distracted that somehow we did not even realize that we had reached the bottom. The husband offered me a cup of tea at the stall, but I politely refused, saying I had to leave.
I bid goodbye to the couple and glanced at the majestic fort once again. I walked out of the fort, knowing I had achieved something that day. Me being obese was just one hurdle in my life. I was going through a tough time in life at that time. I had lost my father to a heart attack not too long before that, my mother and I were in some serious debt, and we had a lot of problems that we had to resolve before we could move on from the tragedy we had just faced.
I had decided to climb the fort because I had failed a lot before that day, and I still fail a lot, but that experience reminded me to never give up in life. I was reintroduced to the fact that life was about resilience, endurance, and hurdles, not just about being happy or peaceful. I had a great day that day and moved on knowing that things would get better even if they were difficult.
I recommend this trek to everyone. It’s not very difficult, but do get a checkup done with your doctor before you decide to climb. Carry plenty of water with you and wear appropriate clothing and footwear for the trek (No slippers and formal pants).
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