routes & trails - january 2013

www.thewesternroutes.com

routes& trails

Vol.1 Issue 1. January 2013

cover story

WONDERS OF COASTALRATNAGIRIphoto feature

KONKANCHE LOKPRIYA KHELETWR contest

KUTHE?

Photo%Cred

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Wonders Of Coastal Ratnagiri

You'drive'up'mountains'and'glide'down'green'valleys'and'all'along'yearn'to'finally'reach'the'ocean'front.'Just'as'you'wonder'if'the'journey'is'on'forever,'suddenly'the'ocean'meets'your'eyes.'You'remain'transfixed!

In'this'issue,'we'take'you'around'places'along'the'Ratnagiri'coast.'Some'of'them'you'might'have'already'heard'of'and'some'unknown'ones'waiDng'to'be'explored.

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Cover Story

Photo.credit:.Vidyuth.Singh

Situated.on.the.gorgeous.western.coast.of.India,.the.Ratnagiri.district.is.home.to.some.of.the.most.stunning.landscapes..

Thanks.to.the.presence.of.the.majes@c.Sahyadris.range.on.one.side.and.and.the.beau@ful.Arabian.Sea.on.the.other..The.sandy.beaches,.rocky.outcrops.and.small.but.vital.estuaries.along.the.Ratnagiri.coast.are.ideal.spots.to.reconnect.with.nature..Add.to.this.the.friendly.and.ever.helpful.people.and.the.yummy.Konkani.cuisine..A.combina@on.that.you.don't.want.to.miss!.

VelasEver.wondered.how.it.would.be.to.witness.an.Animal.Planet.

like.moment.when.@ny.turtle.hatchlings,.make.that.journey.

from.the.hatched.egg.to.the.sea?.Between.February.to.April,.

nature.enthusiasts.can.actually.experience.this.rare.event.on.

the.Velas.beach.in.the.Mandangad.taluka.in.Ratnagiri.

district..

A.local.NGO.from.Chiplun,.Sahyadri.Nisarga.Mitra,.started.

this.project.in.2002.and.in.the.first.year.they.protected.50.

nests.of.Olive.Ridley.(Lepidochelys.olivacea).and.released.

more.than.2700.hatchlings.in.the.sea..

Now,.Sahyadri.Nisarga.Mitra,.has.joined.hands.with.the.

Gram.Panchayat.at.Velas.and.the.local.Forest.department.

office.to.organise.a.unique.Turtle.Fes@val.each.year..The.

villagers.are.ac@vely.involved.in.the.conserva@on.of.these.

turtles..They.offer.their.homes.as.home\stays.to.the.tourists.

who.come.to.Velas.during.the.fes@val..Once.in.Velas,.you.

can.also.visit.the.Himmatgad.fort.or.take.a.ferry.boat.from.

Bankot.to.the.beau@ful.Harihareshwar.Beach.

DID YOU KNOW?Since 2002, the Sahyadri Nisarga Mitra (SNM) conducts a Turtle Festival at Velas, Ratnagiri with an aim to conserve of marine turtles along the Konkan coast. In 2012, the organisation managed to protect 68 nests and could release 3255 hatchlings into the sea!

PURNAGAD'FORTPhotograph.by.Vidyuth.Singh

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GANESHGULE'BEACHPhotograph.by.Jayesh.Paranjape

HARNAI'FISHING'VILLAGEPhotograph.by.Kedar.Champhekar

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DID YOU KNOW?The Ganesh Idol at the Kadyawarcha Ganapati at Anjarle is rare and locally known as ‘Ujwya Sondecha Ganpati’ (trunk turned to the right side). This Ganpati is also known for its wish fulfilling powers, traditionally called as ‘Navsala Pavnara Ganpati’. Hence in the customary dialect, it is referred to as ‘Jagrut Daiwat’ or a very lively God.

Anjarle'Anjarle.is.one.of.the.most.secluded.beaches.in.the.Konkan.belt..The.2.km.stretch.is.full.of.crystal.like.scin@lla@ng.white.sand.and.sparking.clean.water,.surrounded.by.an.array.of.palm.trees..Adjoining.the.beach.is.the.tradi@onal.pastoral.Anjarle.village..Anjarle.is.also.known.for.the.legendary.Ganpa@.Temple..

The.Kadyavarcha.Ganpa@.(temple.on.a.cliff).is.one.of.the.

well\known.prehistoric.temples.of.India.and.dates.back.to.

1500.A.D..It.is.known.for.its.architecture..The.temple.has.a.

very.beau@ful.primordial.décor.with.stone.staircases.leading.

to.the.temple’s.Kalas.(mast).on.the.top..There.is.also.a.

fishpond.in.front.of.the.temple.alongside.a.shrine.of.Lord.

Shiva..

The.Ganesh.Idol.here.is.rare.and.locally.called.as.“Ujwya.Sondecha.Ganpa@”.(trunk.turned.to.the.right.side),.a.very.rare.sight.for.the.devotees..This.Ganpa@.is.also.known.for.wish.fulfilling.powers,.tradi@onally.called.as.“navsala.pavnara.Ganpa@”..Hence.in.the.customary.dialect,.it.is.referred.as.‘Jagrut.Daiwat’.or.a.very.lively.God..

Murud,'Karde'&'HarnaiHave.you.ever.been.to.a.fish.fight.(fish,.fishing.and.trading)?.You.can.experience.one.at.Harnai.village,.around.12.km.from.Dapoli..Being.one.of.the.natural.harbors,.it.is.an.ideal.wharf.for.fish.trading..The.fish.auc@on.at.Harnai.village.is.one.of.the.most.sought.aher.events.in.the.area.and.is.a.daily.custom.held.between.8.am.to.10.am.in.the.morning.and.4.pm.and.7.pm.in.the.evening..The.market.is.known.to.sell.different.varie@es.of.fish.like.Pomfret,.Surmai,.Tiger.Prawns,.

KADYAWARCHA'GANAPATIPhotograph.by.Kedar.Champhekar

DID YOU KNOW?There is a debate as to who really built the Purnagad Fort. One story suggests that it was built by Shivaji Maharaj and he named it Purnagad. After its completion, he decided not to reform its further extension and called 'purnaviram' hence the name Purnagad. There is some evidence which also suggests that the fort was constructed by Sakhoji Angre, son of Kanoji Angre.

Squids,.Lobsters,.Mackerel,.and.many.more..The.fish.quality.is.high.and.has.lured.many.travelers.and.photographers..

Tourists.can.also.indulge.in.the.fish.fest.of.bekng.and.auc@oning..Apart.from.the.auc@on,.Harnai.is.also.known.for.the.magnificent.Harnai.Fort.located.on.the.northern.front.of.the.village.

The.Murud.&.Karde.beaches.are.known.for.its.marvelous,.mesmerizing,.and.friendly..Dolphins..The.Murud\Karde.beach.stretch.is.situated.around.12.km.from.Dapoli..The.coastal.hamlet.of.Murud.serves.a.variety.of.yummy.fishes.cooked.in.local.masalas.(seasoning).that.are.known.world\wide..

The.area.is.also.a.culturally.rich.coastal.community.acknowledged.for.its.Diwali.and.Holi.celebra@ons..Head.to.these.twin.beaches.to.indulge.into.some.touristy.things.like.water.sports.and.boat.rides.or.simply.for.the.breath\taking.sunset.or.being.in.the.company.of.the.affable.Dolphins.

Velneshwar'&'HedviAround.20.km.south.of.the.famous.Guhagar.Beach.and.to.the.north.of.the.Shastri.River.lies.the.idyllic.village.of.Velneshwar..The.quiet,.coconut\fringed.beach.offers.tourists .the.ideal.opportunity.for.swimming.or.just.relaxing.without.any.tourist.disturbance..There.is.an.old.Shiva.temple.in.the.environs.which.is.ohen.frequented.by.pilgrims.par@cularly.during.the.Maha.Shivratri.fes@val..

A.few.kilometers.away.from.Velneshwar.is.Hedvi,.which.is.known.for.its.unique.Dashabhuja.Ganapa@..Standing.3.feet.tall.and.carved.in.white.stone,.the.ideol,.is.beleived.to.be.from.the.Kashmir.region.and.has.ten.hands,.hence.the.name.‘Dashabhuja’..While.in.Hedvi,.do.not.miss.experiencing.the.water.rising.to.almost.30\40.feet.at.one.point.along.the.beach..This.is.called.as.Brahman.Ghal..It.is.a.rare.natural.phenomenon.where.the.sea.water.has.created.a.gorge.in.the.black.rock.patch,.which.is.around.20.feet.deep.and.2.feet.wide..When.the.sea.water.gushes.in.the.veritcal.column,.it.rises.through.the.gorgre.for.almost.30\40.feet!

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GanpaDpule‘Ganpa@pule’.–.the.name.itself.suggest.the.place.of.Lord.Ganesha..Ganpa@pule.is.one.of.the.‘Astha.Ganpa@s’.(Eight.Ganesha.pilgrim.centers).of.India..The.idol.is.believed.to.be.nearly.400.years.old.is.‘swayambhu’.or.self\created..The.divine.abode.is.blessed.with.sparkling.beaches,.and.jagged.coconut.palm.and.mangroves.along.the.coastline..

The.picturesque.12.km.stretch.is.an.ideal.place.to.rejuvenate.and.immerse.within.the.self.and.nature...The.silver.sand,.swaying.palms,.gliqering.beach,.and.the.beaming.moon.is.medita@ve.in.itself.and.ought.to.leave.you.spell.bound..The.narrow.red.mud.roads.and.vegeta@on.of.mangoes,.jackfruit,.betel.nut,.and.bananas.along.with.thatch\roofed.dwellings.bring.travelers.closer.to.their.true.home...For.adventure.lovers,.this.place.offers.paragliding.and.other.water.sports..

Over.the.years.Ganpa@pule.has.emerged.to.be.one.of.the.most.visited.beaches.along.the.Konkan.coast..During.tourist.seasons,.the.beach.gets.crowded.around.the.temple..A.simple.solu@on.is.to.walk.a.bit.south.away.from.the.crowd.and.find.a.patch.which.is.devoid.of.any.tourists!

AareWWareAare.and.Ware.are.liqle.twin.beach.brothers,.naked.and.virgin..The.beaches.are.safely.tucked.away.from.the.crowds.which.throng.the.Ganpa@pule.beach..Aare.Ware.beach.is.situated.en\route.from.Ratnagiri.to.Ganpa@pule..If.you.are.travelling.from.Ganpa@pule,.you.will.first.witness.the.beau@ful.Ware.beach.that.is.about.a.kilometer.from.the.Aare.beach..

You.have.to.take.a.meandering.path.through.the.village.to.get.to.the.Ware.Beach..At.a.certain.stretch.of.the.beach,.there.is.a.belt.of.dense.Suru.trees,.which.looks.like.a.stunning.emerald.on.the.white.sand.alluring.the.travelers..The.sunset.point.from.the.hilltop.near.Aare.beach.is.a.breathtaking.view.covered.by.the.blue.sea.from.all.three.sides.

PurnagadMaharashtra,.a.land.whose.sheer.size.and.diversity.fascinates.people,.is.also.known.for.its.warrior.history.and.forts..Purnagad.is.one.such.fort..The.majes@c.structure.with.its.grand.entrance,.huge.walls.guarding.the.bas@on,.beau@ful.ancient.carvings.are.sure.to.leave.you.awe\struck..

GANAPATIPULE'TEMPLEPhotograph.by.Jayesh.Paranjape

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DID YOU KNOW?A myth states that at the Ganeshgule Temple, water used to surge from the navel of Lord Ganesh and one fine day it just stopped flowing. Hence Ganesha shifted from Ganeshgule to the now famous Ganpatipule.

The.fort.has.a.sphere.of.four.entrances..Its.main.entrance.door.is.engraved.with.pictures.of.the.Sun,.Moon.and.Lord.Ganesha.alongside.which.there.is.a.giant.statue.of.Lord.Hanuman.covered.with.shendur,.an.orange.colored.paste..A.nice.walk.on.the.walls.of.the.fort.will.give.you.a.bird’s.eye.view.of.the.surrounding.area.with.its.scin@lla@ng.azure.sea,.Suru.Ban.trees,.and.the.Muchkundi.river.creek.at.its.base..The.legend.goes.that.the.fort.was.named.Purnagad.because.it.resembles.the.size.of.a.full.stop.or.when.the.construc@on.of.the.fort.was.complete.Shivaji.Maharaj.decided.not.to.reform.its.further.extension.and.called.'purnaviram'.hence.the.name.Purnagad..Similarly,.there.is.some.evidence.which.also.suggests.that.the.fort.was.constructed.by.Sakhoji.Angre,.son.of.Kanoji.Angre..But.historical.debates.notwithstanding,.the.fort.is.stunning.and.the.ruined.state.adds.to.the.charm!

Ganeshgule'(Agargule).................................................(Gulyaacha.Ganpa@.Pulyaalaa.Gela).is.a.famous.proverb.that.goes.with.the.primordial.

temple.of.Ganeshgule,.which.is.an@cipated.to.be.about.400.years.old..The.shrine.is.unique.in.itself,.as,.it.is.a.South\facing.temple,.which.is.very.rare.in.India..

The.temple.premise.has.a.70.feet.deep.well.with.steps.to.go.@ll.its.boqom..A.myth.states.that.water.use.to.surge.from.the.navel.of.Lord.Ganesh.and.one.fine.day.it.just.stopped.flowing..Hence.Ganesha.shihed.from.Gule.to.Pule..The.temple.is.situated.on.a.hillock.that.is.about.40.feet.from.the.seashore..

Ganeshgule.beach.has.a.2.km.shoreline.with.crystal.white.sand..This.lazy.beach.is.scarcely.developed.and.is.a.nice.respite.aher.a.strenuous.day..

To.know.more.about.these.des@na@ons.and.if.you.want.to.include.these.in.your.trip,.click.here.

VELAS'BEACHPhotograph.by.Jaideep.Kanhere

http://thewesternroutes.com/tours.htm

photo feature

KONKANCHE LOKPRIYA KHELEby Bhavpreet Ghai-Talwalkar

Each'and'every'region'in'Maharashtra'has'a'different'and'unique'local'art'form.'In'the'Konkan'region'local'arDsts'perform'the'Bhajan,'Naman,'Jakadi'and'LathiWKathiWBanaD'during'various'fesDvals'around'the'year.'But'the'most'famous'form'are'the'Khele'(!ळ#).'Each'village'in'Konkan'has'a'local'art'group'who'are'summoned'to'perform'at'weddings,'poojas'and'other'auspicious'occassions.'Acts'generally'include'famous'stories'from'the'Ramayan'and'Mahabharat.'There'is'no'formal'announcement'or'invitaDon'to'such'performances.'People'from'that'parDcular'village'and'someDmes'the'surrounding'villages'turn'up'to'see'the'Khele.'We'were'lucky'to'experience'the'Khele'along'with'a'strong'audience'of'400'men,'women'and'children'at'Guravwadi'near'Devrukh'in'the'Sangameshwar'Taluka'of'Ratnagiri.'Here'are'some'moments'captured'on'and'off'stage'by'photographer'Bhavpreet'GhaiWTalwalkar.

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It.is.a.complete.different.feeling.to.drive.into.the.outskirts.of.pune.city.on.a.beau@ful.winter.morning..On.23rd.December,.I.did.exactly.that.and.joined.The.Western.Routes.for.a.day.ou@ng.to.Bhigwan.&.Mayureshwar..The.trip.began.at.the.break.of.dawn..As.we.drove.along.the.Pune\Solapur.highway.the.mist.covered.fields.and.streaks.of.orange.sunlight.breaking.the.monotony,.enchanted.us..A.quick.halt.for.tea.gave.us.a.chance.to.interact.with..the.fellow.travelers..An.hours.journey.later.we.reached.the.Ujjani.Dam.back.waters.near.Bhigwan.(Approx..105.km.from.Pune)..

A.pair.of.Ruddy.Shelducks.were.the.first.to.greet.the.bus..Tugging.along.the.mud.road.the.bus.moved.further.towards.the.dam.water..The.sight.that.was.to.

TWR traveller

A SUNDAY WITH FLAMINGOS & CHINKARASby Sagar Dave

follow.can.be.hardly.put.into.words..Imagine.a.vast.endless.expanse.of.gree\blue.water,.small.wooden.boats.bobbing.up.and.down,.a.haze.in.the.air.and.a.host.of.water.bird.showing.off.their.bounty..We.then.boarded.a.boat.which.took.us.much.closer.to.the.wading.birds..It.was.amazing.to.watch.the.flamingos,.grey.herons,.river.terns,.wooly.necked.storks,.openbills,.spoonbills.and.ibises.going.about.their.business.with.natural.grace.as.the.boat.inched.closer.to.the.birds.

Aher.a.sumptuous.lunch.and.refreshment.stop.we.headed.to.the.stop.the.chinkaras.(Indian.Gazelle).at.Mayureshwar.Wildlife.Sanctuary..While.on.a.walking.trail,.we.were.briefed.about.the.sanctuary.and.some.general.rules.about.wildlife.watching..No.sooner.did.we.enter.the.sanctuary.than.we.spoqed.our.first.chinkara..S@ll.as.a.statue,.shiny.brown.hide.and.long.elegant.horns..Soon.aher,.we.spoqed.several.more.but.nothing.could.match.our.surprise.when.we.stopped.at.the.watering.hole.and.caught.a.glimpse.of.a.larger.herd.trokng.into.the.bushes..

It.was.the.perfect.ending.to.a.fantas@c.day..We.unwilling.headed.back.to.the.noise.and.frenzy.of.the.city.with.a.promise.to.get.out.of.the.city.more.ohen!.

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TWR contest

KUTHE?Guess which place this

is and win exclusive merchandise from

The Western Routes

Rush your answers to info@thewesternroutes.com by 15 Jan

2013. The first 3 correct entries would receive some really cool TWR merchandise.

Terms and Conditions: The contest is valid for residents of India only. Prizes are non-

transferable, non-negotiable, subject to availability and there will be no cash alternative. These terms and conditions are governed in accordance with the laws of India.

Photograph.by..Waman.Parulekar

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