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Our Birds Chirp in Karnala

 The other day marked the end of Ganesh Chaturthi. The ten-day long festival comes to an end with the immersion of the elephant-headed god in the water. The devotees wait for another year in anticipation that their beloved god would come earlier than this year. Amidst the Ganapati Visarjan and nostalgia that comes after I decided to go for a trek the following day.

Waking up early in the morning. I started out for the trek to Karnala Fort. The fort is situated on the outskirts of Panvel city. It is one of the many forts built in the Sahyadri Range during the reign of Shivaji Maharaj the great Maratha Ruler. I took a train to Panvel from Thane station. Its a city that is back of the beyond. I could see the Thane Belapur road with its growing IT industry as the train passed through various important stations on the Harbour Line. I could see the settlement and growing city on my left and miles of greenery spread across the land on my right.

I reached Panvel station. Its an elegant station with a palatial roof. It has ten platforms to keep it busy throughout the day. The people were moving about in the station trying to find their train. I came out of the station to find a transport that would take me to Karnala Fort. “It would be two fifty rupees.” A Rickshaw driver said. “That would be too much. I can pay a hundred.” I said. With a beginner level bargaining skills I was trying to persuade the rickshaw drivers to make a to and fro trip to the fort in two fifty rupees.

The proposition seemed to be too ideal for practicality. I started walking towards the fort making inroads into the miles of route that came up on the GPS. The sun was blazing all guns and was relentless in its lovemaking with the earth. I took out my handkerchief and wrapped it around my head as a bandana. The walk seemed to be encumbering. It was fourteen kilometers in its entirety and by walk, it would be three hours before I reach Karnala. I was looking out for transport.

I kept knocking off the meters in the hope I would find some transport along the way. Many a building was built along the sides of the road. I hit the National Highway 66. I could see the state transport buses, six-seaters, and rickshaws. But none stopped. I kept walking along the road crossing the bridge with a river flowing down under. Even though the river was all dried up thanks to the low monsoon and dry weather.

A rickshaw stopped near the end of the bridge. A lady with a kid got down. “Where is the rickshaw going,” I asked. “Where do you want to go?” The rickshaw-wallah asked. “I want to go to Karnala Fort,” I said. “Get in I will drop you near Palaspe Phata.” The rickshaw-wallah said. The highway connects Panvel to the city of Pune. It was busy with many buses and cars whizzing past the rickshaw. I got down near the Palaspe Phata. “Go straight from here.” The driver said pointing towards a certain turn.

Sun was blazing. My bandana was wet with sweat. I crossed the road in a hope to find a vehicle that would take me to the fort. A gentleman was waiting in his SUV for a certain mechanic I went up to him. “Sir, Is there a transport available from here to Karnala Fort?” I asked. “My construction equipment has observed a breakdown. I am going towards Karnala Fort. Get in.” He said. I was elated that I would make it to the fort before one in the afternoon. “I am Sanket and I am pursuing Computer Engineering. I like to go for treks.” I said putting on my most polite behavior and trying to break the Ice. “That is good. I sell machinery that makes roads.” The Gentleman said.
“That is amazing,” I said.

The greenery was in abundance over here with many trees on the sides of the road running deep in the outback. Hills were settled on the sides of the curvaceous road. The distance between the blue dot that was my alter-ego on the map and the location became inconsequential. The power of the engine channelized into the tires made it easier whereas its human counterpart would have taken a good part of the day. I thanked the gentleman earnestly and waved my goodbye as I entered the Karnala Fort.

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