Exploring remnants of lesser known fort in Vasai - Vajragad and Giriz village

Vajragad - Hira Dongri - Datta Dongri - Giriz Dongri, Known by a different name is fort cum watchtower which was built during the Vasai campaign launched by legendary Maratha commander Chimaji Appa. It is situated just outside the Giriz village on Giriz-Nirmal road on a small hill. Today a temple dedicated to Lord Dattatreya glorifies the fort and hence it is known as Datta Dongri.

History of the watchtower: Portuguese started building the Vasai fort around 1526 and gradually started increasing the nearby areas under their command. For that purpose, they also built different forts in nearby areas like Shirgaon, Mahim, Kelve as well as captured coastal forts like Arnala which is located at the mouth of the Vaitarna river. Inhabitants of these areas were either forced to convert their religion or face persecution, In order to seek refuge against the injustice and forced conversions, people sought help from Peshwas. So in 1737, Chimaji Appa started the Vasai campaign to fight out the Portuguese, During the campaign, Vajragad was hastily built by putting huge rocks one above the other and no limestone was used in the structure, Due to its location on a hill, Marathas could keep an eye on both Vasai fort on the North and Arnala fort located in the South of Vajragad. 

What remains today of Vajragad are its two bastions, out of which one is covered in vegetation while the other has been converted into a toilet facility. No other fortification remains on the fort.

Vajragad today is a private property today and the owner's family stays the base. From the main road, it just takes 10-15 minutes to reach the top, the proper route has been marked and halfway the route gets bifurcated into two, one route takes you to the top via proper carved steps while the other is a normal mud road. There are two samadhi memorials while going to the temple. Two entrances built recently lead to the plateau. The recently painted temple of Lord Bhavaangadeshwar on the summit glorifies the area. The platform on which the temple has been built has a border of carved elephants which is also seen in another Hanuman temple located nearby.

At the top, there is another small temple of Lord Hanuman, Old statue of Hanuman, and a Shiva linga is placed under the tree. Close to the temple lies a square-shaped water tank built in stone which exemplifies the engineering expertise of that time. Abundant orange-colored catfish can be found in the water tank. 

Apart from this, there is nothing much in terms of structure but the place is quite peaceful and one can get a view of surrounding areas from the top. Usually, the temple remains open in the morning and in the evenings, and on Thursdays, it is open throughout the day. Even when the temple is closed, A small window is kept open from where one can get darshan of the main deity.

How to reach: Giriz village is located at 14 km from Vasai station, regular bus and shared rickshaws ply on the route, One can also come from Nalasopara via Nirmal - Giriz road.

When one travels from Vasai station towards Giriz and Vajragad via Bangli road, At a junction called Dev Talao junction, lies a beautiful and over 150 years old Hanuman temple. Built in Maratha or Konkan style of architecture, it has got a sloping roof with Mangalore tiles with wooden windows and doors. The Interior of the temple has a wooden frame ceiling and pillars. There are few pictured frames of the founder family members who built the temple.

The sanctum has an idol of Lord Hanuman, there is also another idol of Hanuman outside the temple within the temple compound. But the highlight of the temple is deepsthamb which lies outside the main entrance. The deepstambh is unique in the way that it has 51 small faces protruding on its walls. These faces resemble that of a Maharashtrian person with a turban and curled mustache. There is stone signage indicating the year and name of the person who built the deepstambh.

Also, the main entrance looks like an entrance of a church but has Ganesha with his consorts and Om carved at the top. 

In Giriz village, on the roadside lies this heritage cross, Built-in 1884 it is a memorial cross for the daughter of a Jose Pereira family on her death. 

The stone cross has mentioned the daughter in the local Marathi dialect as well in Portuguese. Such memorial cross can be seen at many roadside junctions in villages of Vasai which are over 100 years old.

Another memorial cross seen in one of the streets of the village was built in 1931.

Giriz - Nirmal road is one of the few roads where you can find "Canopy roads" with trees on both sides of the road. The villages and wadis of the Vasai - Virar belt is a treasure trove for heritage lovers, there is peace and serenity. A stroll in the streets of these villages would transfer you into a world that is completely different than that of Mumbai city which is just 30 odd km away.