Popularly known as the Piplu Fort, it is located 30-35 kilometers away from Hamirpur district headquarters. The motivation behind visitng this fort was not the fort but it was to see the replica of labyrinth [चक्रव्यूह] that was created by Kauravas in the Mahabharat. It is believed that when Paandav’s reached that region during their exile period, they cleared the whole region within one day and made it a plane area. The replica of labyrinth was reported by Aaj Tak news channel. We got to know about it from Aaj Tak itself and went to have a look. The replica is no more in a good position because there is no reach of the state government or state tourism department or archaeological department.
People say that water would enter from one side, travel through mazes and come out of the other side.
As soon as we decided to leave, we got to know that there is a fort, in fact two forts in the vicinity. We decided to have a look. Ten kilometers further into the wild, we reached Piplu where from you need to walk one or two kilometers uphill and then you reach at the fort. Irony is that there is no approach road to this fort, not even footsteps of animals. I wonder if anyone actually goes up there.
The fort actually lies on the top of the SolaSingi Dhaar, which literally means hill range with sixteen peaks. This range has sixteen peaks and all of them can be counted standing at the Mangarh Fort.
The Trek Starts
The Smaller Fort
The Photographer
The smaller fort actually looks small when you reach at the top of the bigger and better fort. On one side of the fort, one can see the state highway and vehicles running at full throttle towards Chandigarh. And one side gives the view of majestic Gobind Sagar Lake. The fort stands at the highest point of the Hamirpur District.
Fort Entrance
White patches on the wall are cereals(माह की दाल) mixed with lime(चूना) , acts as binding material.
Kings and Emperors Once walked through these alleys
One of the best things about this fort are its sunset views. To me, a setting sun never looked so beautiful. When the sun melts down and the water reflects one last time before becoming as dark as coal, life stands still. Silence prevails and that marks the start of the night, to bring another day, brighter and better.
Journey Days : 1
Distance Covered: 100 km
The replica of labyrinth is located in the foothills of SolahSinghi Dhar,on a different route!