Chapora Fort Goa: A Guide To The Dil Chahta Hai Fort

Chapora Fort: Goa's Iconic Landmark

Chapora Fort, located on a hilltop near Vagator Beach in North Goa is that iconic fort in Goa which gained fame through its appearance in the Bollywood movie "Dil Chahta Hai".

This ancient fort offers stunning views of the Arabian Sea, Chapora River and nearby beaches. Chapora fort changed hands several times between the Portuguese and the Marathas, until it was finally abandoned in 1892. It also has a rich and fascinating history that dates back to the 16th century, when it was built by the Sultan of Bijapur.

History of Chapora Fort Goa

- Sultan Adil Shah of Bijapur constructed the fort in 1510 as a defense against the Portuguese invasion, naming it after the nearby village of Shahpura.

- The Portuguese conquered and reconstructed the fort in 1617 with red laterite stone, adding bastions, ramparts, and gateways.

- The fort faced repeated attacks by the Marathas trying to expand their empire in Goa, notably in 1684 and 1739, but the Portuguese repelled them using cannons and secret underground passageways.

- After losing Pernem province to the Marathas in 1741, the Portuguese abandoned the fort, leading to its gradual decay and ruin.

- The Archaeological Survey of India restored the fort in 1961 after Goa became part of India, clearing vegetation and debris, making it accessible to visitors, and installing informative signboards and plaques.

- Legend has it that the Marathas captured the fort using monitor lizards, tying ropes around them to climb the walls, astonishing the Portuguese into surrendering without a fight.

Architecture of Chapora Fort Goa

- The fort is constructed using red laterite stone, giving it a durable and erosion-resistant quality, and a distinctive reddish hue that contrasts with the green surroundings.

- It features four bastions named after the cardinal directions, providing extra protection, along with ramparts for cannons and guns, and two gateways leading to Chapora village and the beach.

- Inside, the fort has tunnels for escape and supply transport, barracks for soldiers, and quarters for officers.

- The fort offers stunning views of the Arabian Sea, Chapora River, and nearby beaches, with the west bastion providing a mesmerizing view of the sunset.

Activities and Experiences at Chapora Fort Goa

Historical Exploration: Delve into the fort’s past, exploring its ruins and learning about its significance in various historical conflicts.

Sunset Spectacle: Witness a breathtaking sunset from the fort’s ramparts, providing a picturesque end to your day.

Picnic Amidst Ruins: Enjoy a relaxed picnic in the serene surroundings of the fort’s ruins.

Bird Watching at Chapora River: Spot a variety of local and migratory birds along the Chapora River.

Explore Vagator Beach: After visiting the fort, head to the nearby Vagator Beach for some relaxation or water sports.

Shopping and Dining: The area around Chapora Fort offers various shops and eateries where visitors can shop for souvenirs and enjoy local Goan cuisine.

Nearby Beach Visits: Chapora Fort is located close to popular beaches like Vagator Beach and Anjuna Beach, allowing visitors to combine their fort visit with a beach outing.

Best Time to Visit Chapora Fort Goa

The best time to visit Chapora Fort is from October to March, which is the winter season in Goa. The weather is pleasant and cool, and the sky is clear and sunny.

The worst time to visit Chapora Fort is from June to September, which is the monsoon season in Goa. The weather is humid and rainy, and the road is slippery and muddy.

Entry Fee & Timings for Chapora Fort Goa

The entry fee for Chapora Fort in Goa is free of charge, allowing visitors to explore this historical gem without any cost.

The fort is open for visitors from 9:30 am to 5:30 pm daily, providing ample time for exploration and sightseeing. The best time to visit Chapora Fort in Goa is during the early morning hours up to sunrise and late evening hours when the sun starts setting.

Places to Visit Near Chapora Fort

Vagator Beach: Just a KM away from the fort, Vagator Beach is a scenic beach with white sand, black rocks and swaying palms. It is a popular spot for swimming, sunbathing and relaxing.

Anjuna Beach: This lively beach with flea markets, shacks and parties is about 3 km away from the fort. It hosts the famous Anjuna Flea Market every Wednesday from 9 am to 6 pm near Anjuna Beach.

Ozran Beach: This secluded beach with rocky cliffs and caves is about 2 km away from the fort. It is a quiet spot for meditation, yoga and romance.

Morjim Beach: Morjim Beach is a serene beach with olive ridley turtles and dolphins, just 12 km away from the fort. It is a protected area for the endangered turtles and their nesting sites.

Ashvem Beach: It is about 15 km away from the fort, surrounded by beach huts, restaurants and yoga centers. It is a peaceful spot for relaxation, wellness and rejuvenation.

Arambol Beach: Arambol Beach, a hippie's beach with drum circles, paragliding and live music is a popular spot in Goa. It is about 20 km away from the fort and also has a freshwater lake and a hot spring nearby.

St. Michael's Church: St. Michael's Church is a historic church with a red facade and a white cross, located near Anjuna Beach. It is one of the oldest churches in Goa and a heritage site for Goa visitors.

Must Read: Chapora, Goa – The fort you must visit in Goa

How to Reach Chapora Fort Goa

Chapora Fort is about 10 km away from Mapusa, 21 km away from Panaji, 18 km away from Thivim railway station and 43 km away from Dabolim airport.

By air: Dabolim airport is the nearest airport, about 43 km away. Taxi fare is around INR 1000-1200, and bus fare is around INR 50-100.

By rail: Thivim railway station is the nearest, about 18 km away. Taxi fare is around Rs. 300-400, and bus fare is around INR 20-40.

By road: Mapusa is the nearest town, well-connected to Panaji and other places in Goa by buses and taxis. Taxi fare is around INR 200-300, and bus fare is around INR 10-20.

Bike rentals are available for around INR 300-500 per day.

Tips For Visiting Chapora Fort

- Carry water and snacks, as there are no shops or vendors near the fort.

- Wear comfortable shoes and clothes, as there is a steep climb to reach the fort.

- Avoid visiting during midday, as it can get very hot and sunny at the fort.

- Respect the historical and cultural significance of the fort, and do not litter or vandalize it.

Must read: This Dil Chata Hai Fort in Goa you must visit

Chapora Fort Reviews

Jagan Nadar

124 Followers

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Day 3:- Goa Today’s plan was to explore goa.Muntazir couldn’t take a day off so he said he will join us in the evening .so i and mateen went ahead. I had already seen the most of the popular beaches of goa like baga,calangute,anjuna,vagator,etc several times, so decided to skip all these and see the places which i had not seen. So we decided to see a port nearby where we were staying. We went there as there was many ships which come for minor repair work, clicked few photos and started towards chapora fort. The one which was seen in dil chata hai movie. Meanwhile i got a call from a school friend who was holidaying in goa. So we decided to meet for lunch after visiting chapora fort. It didn’t take much time to reach the fort. We had to park the bike at a distance and walk till the fort. The way to the fort was accent it was a sunny day which took a considerable amount of energy. Once inside the fort which has only the walls. We tried to take a photo in dil chata hai style. But there was two problem we were 2 people instead of 3 in the movie and other obstacle was crowd. For the first time we took few pics using Dslr after which i never used it in the whole trip. We started to descend. I heard someone calling by my name from behind but mateen was ahead of me. So i continued to walk. I heard someone calling again, i didn’t pay heed and continued. For the third time i heard my name. This time i was sure someone is really calling me. When i turned back it was my school friend kiran who had come to goa with his friends for partying. We chatted for sometime and took a pic and left for lunch as my other school friend were already waiting for me at a restaurant at baga. We met there had lunch and they had to leave for airport to catch a flight for mumbai. So they left and we called muntasir to check where he is, as he told us he would join in the evening. He asked us to wait in baga beach and he came there in an hour. We then explored few places and private resorts and sat down at a beach side resturant called curliez near anjuna. We spent around 2 hours there. It was a good feeling to sit in beach and stare at the sea. From there we left by the evening 8pm and he took us to a spot in dona paula where a fight scene in singham movie was shot. It was already 9pm so we had our dinner at a khau galli on the way. Before we head towards home which was 40km from there i wanted to go to Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception Church. Though i know it would be closed i just wanted to take a pic of my machine in front of it. Luckily it was on the way so we went there took some pic and now finally left for the room.

Muktadhara Ray

3588 Followers

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History : Chapora Fort, located in Bardez, Goa, rises high above the Chapora River. Before the Portuguese arrived in Goa in 1510, this location was the site of another fort. The fort changed hand several times after Portuguese acquired Bardez. Trying to end the Portuguese rule in Goa, Prince Akbar joined his father’s enemies, the Marathas in 1683 and made this place his base camp. It became the northern outpost of the Old Conquests. After the Portuguese recovered from an encounter with the Marathas, they strengthened their northern defences and provided shelter to the people there. The present fort was built in 1717, replacing the older fortifications. Across the Chapora river, the Hindu ruler of Pernem, the Maharaja of Sawantwadi who was an old enemy of the Portuguese held the fort for two years after it fell to the Marathas in 1739 in its first test. When Goa's border moved northwards with the acquisition of Pernem as part of the New Conquests, the fort lost its military significance towards the end of the century. It is a pleasant place to wander that offers fantastic views north across the Chapora river to Pernem, south over Vagator and also far out to the Arabian Sea in the West. The fort sits on a prominent position which commands views in all directions. It also has steep slopes on all sides. The fort follows the outline of the higher slopes. This forms an irregular outer wall that uses the natural form to add defensive height to the fortifications. This offers an advantage over dry ditches being dug. At the top of the steep approach track, the main gate is small and unpretentious, but narrow and deep. Depending on defence requirements, the positions of bastions are irregularly spaced with enormous embrasures for cannon. Each bastion has a cylindrical turret offering a special character to the fort. Vagator Beach with Fort Chapora in the background Inside the fort, the church, once dedicated to St. Anthony, has disappeared and inside only a few signs exist of the barracks and housing that once filled this vast area. The wide expanse of open space is only a tumble of stones, where a few herds of goats graze and cashew bushes grow. A natural valley to the beach protected by rocky promontories provides an excellent natural access to the sea. State : Goa (Source : Wikipedia)

Suman Prabha

90 Followers

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So, monuments were the only things we were up for? Well! Not really. We set off early on our motor bikes and set our GPS to Chapora fort. It’s in North Goa, placed 21.7 km from Panjim and just 700 meters from Vagator beach. The fort sits on a prominent position, commanding views in all directions. It is nestled on a small hill above the Vagator beach. It is popularly known as the “Dil Chahta Hai” fort as the movie was filmed there. The best time to hike up the hill is early morning and late afternoon; you wouldn’t like to miss watching the amazing sunset, would you? What adds to its glory is the blue water and the huge expansion of greenery. Subsequently, we rode downhill to take a glimpse of the Vagator beach. It was quite calm when we reached. During the peak seasons, the beach hosts numerous rave parties, whereby the party goers go bonkers. All the same, it goes cold turkey during monsoon. The much talked about Thalassa is rested here. It’s a Greek restaurant famous for fresh, crispy salads, mezes, starters, and gyras. White table cloths alongside white curtains doll up the restaurant and the spectacular views of Vagator beach are to die for. Our next attraction in the itinerary was neither a fort nor a beach. It was a pristine narrow road called Parra road. The road is guarded by tall coconut trees, lined up on both the sides. Adding glam and glitz to the location are the lust green fields like carpets, rolled on both sides of the roads. The wed series,” Four more shots” and “Dear Zindagi” were shot here. The best time to visit is around the monsoons, when this rural fraction of Goa bathes in natural shower and looks as fresh as dew drops. How to locate Parra road? Simply, google St. Anne’s Church at Parra and you’ll find it. With this we returned to Panjim and wrapped up our North Goa spree. Goa is not just the land of beaches or city of churches; it’s a feeling that unbridles thrill in the most incredible way. So, what are you waiting for? Pack your bags and get going.

Dhanashree Deshpande

35 Followers

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Chapora fort is one of the most underrated forts in Goa. It has one of the best views. People also come here for Pre-wedding shoots. This fort can be covered in 1-2hours depending on the amount of time you want to spend on top of the fort. History This fort was built by Adil Shah and had named it Shahpura which was later named a Chapora by the Portuguese . Location It is located in Bardez , North Goa. Expense The fort does not have any entry fee. However if you have a car or bike it might get charged if you park it inside Transportation You can take your car or bike till the fort entrance. Be prepared to walk a few steps as it has a little hike. Time It is advisable to go early in the morning or in the evening. It gets really hot in the day and if you have kids along with you , then it can get quite tideous to climb the fort. Facilities It has few small restaurants around it . You might come across few local vendors selling coconut water, green mango , local fruits etc. Have fun buying it from the local vendors. There are also a few gift shops if you want to buy local Goan magnets , hats etc. Most importantly , have fun watching the sunset or sunrise whenever you get there! Comment down below if you have any doubts.

Abhinav Ranjan

132 Followers

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Food is not an issue here as everywhere you go you will find some excellent food joints. The same day could be clubbed to visit the Dil Chahta hai Fame Fort. The road to the place is very smooth and you can reach here without any one's help. The beauty of the place is in its location situate at the edge of cliff overlooking the arabian sea the place is neatly maintained and has a great view of the places all around. While coming down saw a beautiful building with a huge statue of Lion at the passageway. Assuming to be the a view point as we moved towards it, a tall serious looking guy told us to elsewhere as it turns out it was the prized possession of kingfisher baron Mr. Mallya. These are the moments that makes me realise we are the peanuts in the world of riches. If you follow the Google Map you can detour and also visit the Jail at the end of the road which is guarded by Sea and cliff from three sides making any escape attempt really futile. Ironical if at all Mr Mallya is sent to serve his sentence here.