Castella de Aguada/ Bandra Fort

One of the many forts in Mumbai, this one is located at the mouth of the Mithi river. Bandra fort along with the Mahim fort at the other side of river, once stood as strategic positions for the Portuguese.
Exact location is next to Taj Land's End.


I set out one Sunday morning just after sunrise with my cousin Nazeef to have a look. Photos are not that clear since they are from a cellphone.
The fort area is divided into 2 parts - the fort ruins and a garden.


I. Fort Area:


Not much of the fort remains. There is hardly any structure remaining; just an entrance, some walls and staircase.


Entire view of fort with the sea link in the background:









Some information at the site:







Entrance of fort which bears marks of recent restoration work. Although restoration is good to strengthen it; it looks like it has been done in a crude way without any expert involved. If you observe the left portion of entrance; the brown part is the original fort and the greyish part is some concrete patchwork done.










Entry into the fort was blocked by a security guard. When asked the reason for the same, he said because many film shootings happen here they have permanently blocked that part.







Anyways, there was an alternative way to climb up the fort through these stairs:







Sea link view from the top of fort:










Another flight of restored stairs:







Taj Land's End from the fort:







The adjoining garden:







End of bandstand with it's infamous rocks:







II. Garden Area:


Although this part looks like it is an independent garden, it bears marks that this was also part of the fort. Like this wall at it's entrance:







Garden views:























Another sign of some old wall. Now used for attaching an electric board:







There is a small amphitheater inside the garden; I think it is still in use:










And that's it; nothing else left to explore here:




The way to the Bandra fort is through a road between Taj Land's End and the now demolished Hotel Sea Rock. Since the Sea Rock area has been purchased by Taj, it is possible that they might purchase the road as well because it would act as a divider to the Taj. So access to this fort might become restricted.