Parnera Hill
Fort of Parnera, Valsad
Highest point
Elevation	152.4 m (500 ft)
Coordinates	20°32′58″N 72°56′53″E / 20.54944°N 72.94806°E / 20.54944; 72.94806
Geography
Parnera Hill Parnera, Gujarat Show map of India Parnera Hill Parnera Hill (Gujarat) Show map of Gujarat
Geology
Mountain type	Hill

Parnera Hill is situated in Parnera town of Valsad district, Gujarat, India. It is located around 6.5 km away from Valsad city and 200 miles away from Mumbai. Height of hill from ground is around 152 metres (499 ft). It has two entries one from Atul and one from Parnera.^[1]

History

As per known information, a Hindu king had made a fort on the hill. Upon inspection of the Fort's relics and structure use of skillful engineering methods of that time may be seen. The fort was under Dharampur state (called Ram Nagar state at that time) during the 15th century. Sultan Muhammad Shah Begda won this fort at the end of 15th century. In 16th century, portuguese of Daman seized and destroyed this fort in 1558 and 1568.^[2] After that, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's raid on Surat in 1664 and 1670. That time, while moving back they had passed through the fort of Parnera Hill. That time, a huge war took place at the hill. Based on folktales, The Great Shivaji Maharaj jumped away from a big hidden passage of the fort with his horse during this war.^[3][4]

Hidden Passage from where Shivaji jumped away with his horse from the fort.

In 1696, Commander of Shivaji, Shree Moro Pandit took possession of fort and built a military base. It was an era of Mighty Peshwas of The Great Maratha Empire. But, Golden era of Peshwa completed slowly. In 1780, Fort come under the hand of Gayakwad government of Vadodara, then Peshwa Balaji Bajirao 3rd attacked the fort. This fight ran up to 7 days. One poet has mentioned this fight's description in "Parnera ni lol" garba. In 1780, British Govt. took possession of fort under the leadership of Lt. Wales and put military for handling harassment of Pindharas. At the beginning of the 19th century, military was moved away from there. During 1857's rebellion, fort was demolished. Some relics of it still exists on Parnera Hill.

There are three stepwells on Parnera Hill. Army, Commander used water of it during that time.

There are still three cannons in the broken fort. There were around 150 cannons in fort during Indian independence. Some of them are now in Valsad R.P.F. Ground.

Temples

There are three temples on the top of Parnera Hill:

• Shree Maha Kali Mata Temple
• Shree Chandika, Shree Ambika, Shree Navdurga, Shree Sheetla Mata and Hanumanji Temple
• Swayambhu Rameshwar Mahadev Temple

Shree Maha Kali Mata temple is situated on the top of Parnera Hill. In south direction of the fort, there is a big rock where cave is situated in it. Shree Maha Kali Mata statue is inside the cave. There is also one archaeological temple on the hill, where goddesses Shree Chandika, Shree Ambika, Shree Navdurga, Shree Sheetla Mata statues are in the temple. There is also temple of God Hanumanji in front of it. Swayambhu Rameshwar Mahadev temple is also located near this temple on the hill.

Based on one folktale, five goddesses Shree Chandika, Shree Ambika, Shree Navdurga, Shree Sheetla and Shree Kalika was stayed with each other here. Because of some reason, Goddess Kalika became sad. Goddess Kalika was gone to the cave. Therefore, there are two temples on the hill. In every October, a huge fair is organized on Parnera Hill during Navratri.^[5]

Mosque

Chand Pir Baba Dargah is situated on the top of Parnera Hill. Pir was martyred in the fight of truth and non-violence. During fight, Pir's cut head fell down in Parnera and Pir's body fell down in Bilimora.

In remembrance of Pir's sacrifice, Dargah were made in Parnera and Bilimora. Based on one folktale, Pir's body was buried in Pardi's Chand Pir Shah dargah.

References