Location of Chapora Fort: - The chapora fort lies in the Bardez area of Goa, this is the north Goa which once was the favorite haunt of the hippies. The capital city Panaji is just 22 kms from chapora the international airport of Goa at Dabolim is around 47 kms. It will take a mere half an hour drive for you to reach the chapora fort from Panji while the airport may take around an hour. It is advisable to hire a rental car/ taxi/ two wheeler to reach chapora fort as you can’t depend on the Public conveyance in this part of Goa.
History of Chapora Fort: - Though now only the outer walls and bastions remain of the chapora fort but it sure was an important military structure in the seventeenth century as it was keenly fought for and was avidly defended. Muslim ruler of Bijapur Adilshah built this fort in 1612, it changed hands multiple times from the Desai’s of Sankhali to the coalition of Akbar and Marathas. The Mughals and Marathas were known enemies but the Mughal emperor Akbar made friendship with Marathas and attacked the fort in 1683. Later in 1717 the Portuguese again got hold of this fort and held it till the independence of Goa in 1961.
Features of Chapora: - The chapora fort is overlooking the Chapora River and the famous Vagator beach, the fort is situated on a sort of hill rising behind the Vagator beach the steep slopes were a deterrent for the adversaries. Hardly any construction can be seen inside the fort though it is said in the eighteenth century fort had barracks and a chapel but now nothing remains. The only reasons to visit the chapora fort are the views it offers Perhaps nowhere else you will get to see the vantage points Chapora offers. If you are a photographic enthusiast then this is a must visit place for you as you will get to click best photographs saddled on the bastions of chapora fort.
Famous Bollywood movie “Dil Chahta Hai” was shot here in the early 2000 as the movie was released in 2001. The movie stars Amirkhan, Saif Ali khan and Akshay Khanna who were picturised as friends in the movie were seen and were shot at the Chapora fort making this location quite popular in India. Some people even today call chapora as the Dil Chahta Hai Fort.
Chapora Fort Hike: - If interested you can wear your hiking shoes and set off for a hike to the Chapora fort from the vagatorbeach, the hike is not very tough but it offers beautiful scenic points where you can make instagram reels and pictures, Chapora fort is just 700 meters from the Vagator beach.
Best Time to visit Chapora Fort: - Chapora is an open area and sun is quite harsh in Goa even in the months of January or December so the best time to visit chapora is in the evening after 4:00 when you can really enjoy the scenic beauty of Chapora fort in cool confines.
Chapora Fort Entrance: - There is not entrance levied on visiting this fort.
Chapora Fort Timings: - The fort is open everyday from 10 am to 5 :30 pm.
