Durgadi Fort When it Twinkles

After a busy day of work, I took a cab from Ghansoli to reach the Hotel. As the cab arrived at the hotel, I hurried inside and after  quickly freshening myself  rushed to Kopar Khairane station on my way to Kalyan. Upon reaching Kalyan, I walked around to find a place to eat. The sidewalks were filled with vendors selling cloths, sweets and  everything you could think of. After having snacks and tea, I waited there for my group members to arrive.

We were on  our way to Durgadi Fort -  Kalyan city's most adored historical monument.  There is a temple of Durgadi Devi on the fort. The  fort is named after Goddess  Durgadi Devi.

Every year on Tripurari Purnima (also known as Kartik Purnima), the Durgadi Fort is illuminated with hundreds of brightly-lit earthen lamps ('Diya') as a symbolic welcome to the Gods as they descend on Earth. This happens to be 15 days after Diwali.  The fest is also known as Dev-Deepavali ( Deepavali of Gods).

Entrance of Devi Durga's Temple on Durgadi Fort.

History says that Shivaji had built this fort near the Ulhas river and used it as a dock to build boats.The top of the entrance gate is colored orange, to commemorate the orange used in the flag during Shivaji’s regime. The entrance and side walks were filled with people.  People had come from everywhere. With our cameras, we scurried along the busy sidewalks. The whole area was illuminated with diyas. It was  interesting, so exciting.

The illuminated Durgadi Fort

After crossing the entrance a tar road that goes to the top of Durgadi fort. Then a well laid stairs that going upto the temple. You can see a Ganesh Mandir before reaching the temple.

In the day time,  you will get a amazing view of Retibunder, Kalyan-Bhiwandi Bridge and Ganesh Ghat from the top of the fort.

An ancient seal (written in Sanskrit) inscribed on front saffron colored wall of goddess Durga's temple

The temple itself is a small structure with a dome. It is said that, in 1876, the original Durga idol from the temple was stolen, and new idol was placed in 1974 as part of the rennovation of the Durga temple and the fort. The old idol is placed beside the new idol. The idol is four-armed, three and half feet in height, with a lion resting at its back.

After walking around for about two hours, we finally found our way back to Kalyan station.