My Konkan Trip Travelogue

Hi,

We had fantastic trip to south konkan in last week. Its my friend Mr Ravi Kamat who had been to this area last year by Motorcycle and suggested me to go there. In addition to inputs received from him various web sites gave me enough information about Konkan. I had planned a family trip but was more keen to have friends with their families with me. As usual I was checking with my various friends, Jagadish was keen to come but family front was bit busy as they were to attend important functions. I was checking with other friends but almost everybody was busy. When checked with Deore, our another close friend, he said Yes.. we are coming !! I planned to start on Friday the 13th April, Deore said it will be bit difficult but he agreed to arrive at Pune on Friday morning. But Rajashree told me that we need to prepare for trip and will need a day. I also realized that we have other some work and decided to start on Saturday the 14th. Deore family arrived at Pune on 14th morning. Saturday morning I received a call from Suhas [my another friend, we were class mate for BCS] enquiring about Deore and our program. We invited him again with us. At 10.00 we received a call from Suhas he is also joining us with family and parents if we are ready to wait for him for 2 hrs. Happily we waited for him and finally we started from Pune around 12.30.

14th April  (Saturday)

From Pune we drove to Kolhapur. With 1 big break for Lunch before Satara and one small break for Sugar Cane juice after Satara, we reached Kolhapur around 7.30. Stayed in hotel nearer to Station. Had fantastic dinner at hotel……..

Suhas had few concerns as he experienced very hot summer at Goa last year and was expecting similar weather at places we had planned. He suggested to visit Ganpati Pule, Ratnagiri area instead of places we decided.

Lot of discussions happened during dinner, we studied map, checked with few other people about route, alternate places of interest and finally we suggested him to take a different route for himself (Panhala, Jotiba, Narsinha Wadi, Mahabaleshwar, Pachgani) and told that we will stick to our plan. Though it was not good suggestion we stick to our plan.  

15th April (Sunday)

On 15th Morning, Suhas also decided to join us for rest of trip. We started with Mahalaxmi temple at Kolhapur. Original plan was to go via Kolhapur -- Radhanagari – Dajipur – Deogadh  But keeping in view feedback received we changed our original route Kolhapur – GaganBawda – Karul Ghat – Deogadh. We (all males with kids) enjoyed river bath at Ramling-Palsambe, a place before Gaganbawada while ladies were busy in shooting / photography. Beautiful panoramic view of Karul Ghat is simply amazing. Its almost 15 KM ghat section but with very good road conditions and very minimal traffic. Would love to drive from this route again and again. We touched Mumbai Goa highway at… and had first Malvani Fish Lunch. It was marriage anniversary of Deore and he hosted lunch !!. Soon after having lunch + Pan we moved towards Vijaydurg. The fort is beautiful and still almost all structures are intact. It is surrounded by water from 3 sides and only entrance side is connected to land. We were told there is water on fort we had complete round of fort but could not find single drop of drinking water there. But had beautiful view of sea from different points of fort. Kids were having more energy than we while having round of fort. Soon after coming back we had deal with local fisherman for boating and we could get a good deal. Rs 100 for big round in a sea. It was deal where every one was happy, fisherman was happy as he could earn almost 75-80 Rs in 30 minutes as a bonus. We were happy as we got a good boating trip for 100 bucks. Vijaydurga also called as Gibraltar of east is worth visiting once. On our way back we stopped on Tube well with handpump where we washed our hands and faces. Rameshwar temple a beautiful spot just 2 KM away (its on road only) from Vijaydurg is a place one MUST visit. Beautiful old konkani temple, difficult to maintain but still in a good shape. Had bread + butter + jam and lot of fun with parents and others. Second halt was suppose to be at Deogadh. Suhas enquired about BEST accommodation @ Deogadh which was fortunately not available. We were having few contacts from Deogadh, Aunty of our colleague Dhanashree + cousin of another friend Shirish (Warik Medical) . In consultation with Shirish’s brother we got a beautiful place to stay. Also with very competitive rates. This place (Jamsande) is actually a suburb of Deogad. Had Fish Thali in dinner. I am having another connection in my memory with Jamsande. Unseen colleague from Wockhardt was from this area and we (myself + Sharad Puranik) used to get some publications on his name. Beautiful letter received from one of editor is still in our collection. ( I remember Dipak Bhole taking its original with him)

16th April  (Monday)

Started around 8.00 in morning, had breakfast on way and visited Shirish’s brother, Mr Warik at his medical store in front of Deogad bus stand. Deogad port is bit away from residential area and had interview of all workers on small boat being used for survey of oils in sea. We got an opportunity to see/operate all communication + navigation equipments, boat engine, learnt more about life on sea. While kids enjoyed horn of boat, ladies enjoyed watching movements of crabs + fishes in water. Deogad fort is another place. Ganesh temple, light house are places of interest. This fort also gives beautiful view. Deore got 2/3 KAIRYA from tree when local girl told us not to take such risk as we may have to pay fine upto 500 / mango !! Person at temple were very kind and offered us Mangos. It was Sankashti Chaturthi. On way back got beautiful view of Wind Mills on a background of Deogad beach. Lunch was at Kunkeshwar another place one MUST visit. Lord Shiva’s temple on sea shore reminded me Sorti Somnath. We enjoyed this as we had good lunch before coming to temple. {Aadhi potoba mag shankar}Here is first time kids had an opportunity to play with sands. Journey towards Tarkarli was nice. We did not get accommodation at MTDC and did not had energy to look for better option. Stay at Manali Resort was like punishment. Only good things which we enjoyed fully were Rum which Suhas brought from US.

17th April (Tuesday)

I gave a ring to Deore on mobile at 5.45 and both of us were on beach by 6.00. We had interview of local fisherman to whom we helped in pulling his boat. Before we returned to hotel, had fixed a FISH lunch at his place cooked in special Malvani Style. There was big tortoise died in fisherman’s net on beach.

This was a great day in a trip, soon after breakfast we had been to Sangam Beach on an island almost 5 KM away in deep sea. 45 minutes boat ride was just like a Kerla back waters. We had maximum photographs on this route. This is a virgin island having only sea birds. Best place to enjoy sea bath / sun bath. It was experience as if we were in paradise. We also learnt that there are almost 40+ such places around Malvan. Marathi film SHWAS was shot in same place.

We enjoyed beer and left for lunch. Having lunch with ………was memorable event. Very simple people took lot of efforts in cooking and we were treated as special guest at their place. All family was waiting for us and we have not family friend at Tarkarli. !!! All of us enjoyed NAP after having Bangade.

After having lunch + nap we left for Malvan. Checked for alternate accommodations on our way back and realized that there were many and we should have explored it more before staying at Manali. It was good learning.

Inconvenience caused by stay at Manali created lot of tension between we three friends. Halted at Daryasarang, another beautiful place suggested by Suhas at Malvan. Enjoyed Dinner with India Pakistan cricket match on background.

18th April (Wednesday)

After having heavy breakfast we left for Malvan Fort (Sindhudurg). It was very hot as we started around 10.00 but Malvan is a fort one must VISIT. Three wells having sweet water, BHUYAR from one well connecting to land is simply amazing. It must be first ever tunnel under sea. (Euro tunnel during Shivaji’s temple). Fort is also having one coconut tree with branch. Temple of Shivaji Maharaj and footprint + hand print of Shivaji Maharaj taken by Hiroji Indulkar are worth visiting.

On way back we visited Ozar a place where Saint… had taken Samadhi. Place reminded me a place called Kundeshwar at Beli from my place. Filled petrol from Narayan Rane’s petrol pump at Malvan. Heavy breakfast forced us to skip the lunch we arrived straight at Aravali next to Vengurla. On our way to Vengurla beautiful river view from 2 bridges made our day. Accommodation at Aravali again created tension, and we missed each other for almost 2 hours. Finally we arrived on amicable solution and decided to stay at place suggested by Suhas.

Room boy took 1 hr to prepare our room and hence we took more time to go down. Suhas and Deore arranged meanwhile for drinks program. We enjoyed local liquor called Khurak. It was just like Fenny. Open discussions + Khurak released all tension and we were again fresh.

19th April (Thursday)

The place where we were staying was in lavish green area… almost in a field.. like MALA we have there was concrete bunglow, ground floor occupied by owner and first floor is converted in few rooms. Fortunately, there were almost 5 rooms out of which 2 were occupied by my family and Deore’s family. Whole WAWAR WAS OUR..there was nice Varandah with BANGAI + lot of open space almost 500 + sq feet covered from top, open from 3 sides.. its little bit inside towards sea shore.. from road .. Sea shore was walk able from our hotel.. and took only 5 minutes.. we were able to hear GAJ of sea at our place.. We decided to start bit leisurely and started approx 9.30 to 10.00. As we came to main road, next village is having beautiful temple of VETOBA.. Vetal..like any other Konkani village there are lot of temples of ANDHAR DEVATA like Vetoba, Mhasoba, etc.. who are more famous for all BHUTATAKI and allied activities. But this VETOBA’s idol was so beautiful, complete black with UGRA MISHA but still loveble and I fall in love with him.. Nice DHOTAR + UPARANE.. also temple was well maintained.. lot of others mainly staying away from home (Mumbai + other places) donated some big amount for temple (From board I could see all names Salgavkar of Kalnirnay was one of them) and there seems to be facility of stay, puja for them. Beautiful paintings + puja saman.. we had nice darshan. I could capture VETOBA in my handycam from little bit away .. it is not allowed to take photo / video of VETOBA.. Hope he is not angry with me.. because I liked that GOD I took his photo..

After Vetoba, we drove to place called REDY .. its famous for GANESH TEMPLE.. The board outside temple was having story about it.. Once Ganesh came in dream of some local devote and told him to dig a specific place where they found this idol of Ganesh. Its big idol almost 5 feet high and 3 to 4 feet wide.. Location is fantastic.. its on hill, and sea shore at bottom of hill.. from there you get a beautiful birds eye view of sea shore and large area with coconut trees.. we had been to sea shore.. enjoyed for some time.. and came back.. There is another fort called YASHVANTGAD which is abandoned now .. which was owned by Great Shivaji.. during old time.. as usual.. not maintenance.. but very difficult to attach.. on road towards yashwantgad there is beach named PARADISE .. and as its name says.. its really beautiful beach.. but very dangerous deep sea just on 5 feet distance and vibrant currents.. by looking at it only we realized if some one falls in side then no hopes of life.. there were few big KHADAK made of sea shells .. you must have seen such rocks if visited Harihareshwar or Janjira.. all shells coming together forming rock.. and it has very sharp edges .. if you stand barefoot on that rock.. 101 % sure of having cut.. with salty water.. imagine how burning it would be.. one of our friend was to jump on that with bare foot.. fortunately I told not to do so.. by that time.. I had cut in my foot.. so we dropped idea of going on Yashwantgad and started for Terekhol fort..

Sea shells layer on Janjira fort made it impossible for others to climb on walls of fort using rope.. even leather foot wear will get cut by sea shells.. !!!

While we were traveling towards Terekhol fort, we saw 2/3 iron mines.. one was very huge.. and JCB at work was looking like a toy .. it was supplying iron ore to factory nearby now owned by Tata.. it was owned by some other company earlier.. being  bankrupt.. sold to Tata Metalics and operational since last 2/3 months.. We thought of entering there but me being in drive like dress, they would not have belived that I am tata employee.. so dropped idea.. One beautiful curve and there was hotel on left side.. having beautiful view of KHADI with small + big launches + usual green view of konkan.. It was owned by some christen family staying there.. We decided to have a lunch there.. AS we parked our cars there.. I saw a JAMUN Tree full of jamuns.. I went on top.. and first time saw these many jamuns under any tree.. I could not see the roof, it was completely covered by all jamuns.. and being sweet lot of MUNGALE ../ MAKODE.. without disturbing them I collected almost 250 gm.. and gave it to my son / wife and went back on roof …. Had fantastic feast.. I must have ate at least 500 to 700 gms of Jamuns.. remembered my loving friend Kishore Patil and our plans which we had when staying together at Dombivali..

When we came down we saw lot of KAJU’s fallen on road.. and no body was bothered. Natural Kaju need to be processed before they come in a form what we eat !! There is bhatti in which they are rosted.. then comes oil out of it.. which is like BHILAWA’s oil also having some medicinal use.. then only it takes a form which you and me are used to see.. these KAJU generate employment for poor people at Konkan.. they collect all kajus from road or from fields.. Kaju what we eat are at end.. but before that there is big fruit.. like small apple or PERU and it tests some time sweet or like TEMBHURN.. after taking kaju out that fruit is crushed in a thresher like machine liquid + what ever solid comes out of that is fermented and then used for distillation… liquor coming out of this is called FENNY .. on opposite site of hotel, there was old lady (Aunty) having that Bhatti.. we visited bhatti.. and had 3 pegs mixed with Limca.. Purchased 2 bottle fresh fenny for future use.. By the time food was ready.. once started, we finished all CHAPATI’s and hotel wala said NO, now only rice can be served.. not to mention we asked for more rice..

As we had fantastic lunch.. Suhas my friend said, now drivers would like to slip under tree where there is water nearby.. Deore made a joke by suggesting him to look for a ATTACHED tree.. he was always insisting for rooms having attached toiled and bathroom.. and everyone of us busted laughing.

Just 500 meters from that place was TEREKHOL fort.. it was built by Portugese.. as VAKHAR ..Other bank of KHADI was GOA.. rather people from that area consider that they are GOAN though staying in Maharashtra.. Fantastic location and beautiful sculptures.. there is church inside.. its not very big.. but at very important location from where one can keep a watch on much more larger area.. and also difficult to attack.. !! Now its converted in 5 star hotel.. tea costing approx 300 !!! Suhas wanted to have but I apposed the proposal.. as its not worth.. (My experience says.. that.. I could never understand reason of having such high rates in 5 * hotel.. more over why people go there.. !!!)

That was the end of our Paryatan.. as per plan.. we returned home.. played hollyball.. we carried foot ball with us for kids.. but did not had an opportunity to enjoy it there.. so took a chance.. there was net and time too.. after playing.. we went on sea shore.. it was trip of only MENs, had lot of interesting discussions on subjects varying from wife to carrier, life to money, college to friendship.. and we all 3, myself, Suhas and Deore agreed that we had fantastic trip.. all were happy.. while coming back we lost the road.. there were no lights.. and we had to seek help for locating our hotel.. Before dinner again enjoyed khurak.. I am sure it was fenny sold to us by different name.. with plans for return journey we went to bed..

20th April (Friday)

Next day we were not in hurry.. as usual we were open for change in our travel plan.. Original plan was to go via Kolhapur ..we wanted to avoid Mumbai Goa highway due to its unsafe traffic and wanted to go to Kolhapur.. one option was to return by same way.. which would have been long distance.. but then planned to drive cautiously on Mumbai Goa highway till we get diversion for Kolhapur.. when discussed with hotel person who happen to be from that area only, he suggested us to go Via Sawantwadi – and suggested that we can even visit Narsobachi Wadi.. as per his guidelines.. we started for Sawantwadi.. beautiful road.. first class mood.. we came to Sawantwadi and decided to do some shopping.. Mango’s were on shopping list.. plus sawantwadi is famous for wooden toys.. ladies took full freedom and spent almost 2/3 hrs in shopping.. We also purchased MANGOS from Sawantwadi.. and had our lunch there itself.. there are few places worth visiting near Sawantwadi but all of us were very happy with our trip and did not had any more desire to see other places.. full of joy.. and satisfaction of trip.. after lunch we drove from Amboli Ghat.. one of fantastic place.. one should visit this area and that too by road.. ideal season is Shravan.. I remember my goa visit when I was studying at Pune.. by bus.. with my friend from Jamner.. who managed to get ST concessions for both of us from Pune to Banda.. which was maximum possible for us.. to save some money !! From Amboli after some time we touched Mumbai Bangalore highway.. as per distance chart from one location Narsobachi wadi and Kolhapur was equidistance.. almost 45 KM.. If we were to go to Kolhapur again another 50 KM for Narsobachi wadi.. so decided to use short cut.. some one told us that road is not that good.. but its very short distance.. We took a turn.. and it was like a punishment given to us.. complete 40 KM road was horrible.. I will never call it as road.. Even road to BHAGPUR from BELI (these are places nearer to my hometown) must be better than this.. and by the time we reached Narsobachi wadi.. we were completely exhausted.. and realized that it was wrong decision to take this route.. any way on arrival we checked for accommodation arrangement.. everyone was tired due to last 40 KM which took almost 3 to 4 hrs..Thought came in mind.. before you can meet god, there is hard way.. long tapasya.. so we were not an exception to that.. While we were finalizing lodge Deore visited one place called SOMAN Yanche Hotel.. he was about to close it and Deore said, can we have dinner here.. ? Hotel owner was bit hesitate to provide dinner for 8 of us + 4 kids.. but agree to server after 45 minutes.. when we came there.. we had Garmagarm dinner.. and had chit chat with hotel wala.. lot of interesting things / people we came across.. Mr Soman was one of them.. its hotel having water tap on every table.. just to avoid water service and provide clean water he arranged.. there were few photos of Mr Soman from different places.. once we started talking came to know he loves driving.. and though he him self is having own cars + other vehicles, just he gets an opportunity to drive different kind of vehicles, he worked as drive for 25 + years.. he had been to Nepal on motor bike.. from Narsobachi wadi.. and returned in 15 days.. He told that he had driven every vehicle to maximum of its speedometer.. that too on normal road.. not on express way like Mumbai pune.. open challenge for any one that he will start after one hr from Narsobachi wadi and reach with you at Pune.. knows all distances by heart.. AJAB VALLI.. hotel is being managed by wife and won with one helper.. we had fantastic time with him… and there was news that Pramod Mahajan was shot by his brother..

21st April (Saturday)

Morning was very pleasant.. wife was not happy as lodge was like any other lodge from small town.. so cleanliness + other amenities were not up to the mark / her level…. For us no problem.. we went to Datta Mandir….even during hot summer outside, Krishna.. river there was flowing like winter and many people enjoying swimming.. (Santha vahate Krishnamai…) I remember one lesson studied during my school days.. Aamachi Vardha May.. Even small kids having mastery in swimming .. thought came in mind I was not aware otherwise I would have come with Jay there only for ANGHOL.. Had darshan of guru dev data.. While Suhas and his wife were busy in performing special puja + abhishet, Deore, suhas’s father and my self were discussing what is god, what is ultimate aim of our life.. and ways to achieve it.. We concluded like ALL ROADS LEAD TO ROAM, all ways lead to same almighty.. kids were playing.. while our wives were silent observer.. I think that was most appropriate place to discuss such things.. we were sitting in Mandap next to temple..

Suhas completed (rather Bhataji completed and relieved him) Pooja + Abhishek and he joined with us with wife.. His wife is well read women and told us few things about Datta guru… and his life.. and why these places are holy places.. after some time we decided to make a move.. It was decided to have lunch with SOMAN again.. and we all checked out from hotel, parked our cars in front of SOMAN’s hotel.. he was very happy to see us there.. had fantastic lunch.. lot of discussions.. last year only that complete place was under water.. after 27^th July in Mumbai even worst condition was there .. it was also covered by TV and other media.. almost 2 floors were under water.. including Soman’s hotel.. and when water level came to normal, he was cleaning his hotel, he found very small kid of TORTOISE.. its so small that can easily sit on our palm.. kids as well as we all were excited to see it.. there.. finally we exchanged our addresses and contact details.. not to mention invited him to Pune.. he suggested us to visit Audumbar another Holi place which was on way only.. and also guided us about route..

We all were happy and left for Audumbar.. yet to calculate our final accounts for last 8/9 days.. Audumbar is another calm place where Guru Datta’s temple is again on bank of some river.. there was one boy and one old person swimming there.. Deore had a keen desire to have a bath there.. and I also had similar desire in morning.. and thought that god has listen to my desire and giving me an opportunity here which I missed in morning.. so both of us removed our cloths and enjoyed river bath, swimming.. Kids too were  excited and without paying any attention to their mothers (like fathers) they too removed their cloths and joined us.. There is beautiful GHAT build of proper square sones.. having steps in water.. kids were enjoying there.. After some time Suhas’s son who was sitting on bank jump directly into water which was shallow for us, but yes, for him it was dip water and we all were stunned.. immediately we run towards him and took him out.. and after another 5 minutes all have to come out..

Settled our accounts on paper.. now we knew how much we owe to each other.. and started for Pune.. stopped for tea + Vada Pav / Bhaji on highway where there is one way going to Satara (pune end) .. all were in good mood.. decided to have dinner of AAMRAS at Suhas’s place.. next day..

Arrived at Pune around 8.30.. We dropped Deore at his co-brothers place.. and relaxed..

22nd April (Sunday)

After complete rest, cleaned all our cloths in both washing machines.. (yes I have two washing machines at my place and many times we use both simultaneously.. ) We went to Deore’s co-brother place to receive him.. and had fantastic dinner at Suhas’s place.. while we were having dinner, handycam was connected to TV and had nice chit chat.. After dinner we dropped Deore again his co-brother’s place.. and next day we were in office and he left for Jalgaon..