Photo%Credit:%Wikimedia
routes & trails Vol.1 Issue 1. January 2013
cover story
WONDERS OF COASTAL RATNAGIRI photo feature
KONKANCHE LOKPRIYA KHELE TWR contest
KUTHE? www.thewesternroutes.com
Wonders Of Coastal Ratnagiri
You'drive'up'mountains'and'glide' down'green'valleys'and'all'along' yearn'to'ďŹ nally'reach'the'ocean'front.' Just'as'you'wonder'if'the'journey'is' on'forever,'suddenly'the'ocean' meets'your'eyes.'You'remain' transďŹ xed! 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
PURNAGAD'FORT Photograph.by.Vidyuth.Singh
Situated.on.the.gorgeous.western.coast.of.India,.the.
the.Velas.beach.in.the.Mandangad.taluka.in.Ratnagiri.
Ratnagiri.district.is.home.to.some.of.the.most.stunning.
district..
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.
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.
combina@on.that.you.don't.want.to.miss!.
Gram.Panchayat.at.Velas.and.the.local.Forest.department.
Velas
villagers.are.ac@vely.involved.in.the.conserva@on.of.these.
Ever.wondered.how.it.would.be.to.witness.an.Animal.Planet.
turtles..They.offer.their.homes.as.home\stays.to.the.tourists.
like.moment.when.@ny.turtle.hatchlings,.make.that.journey.
who.come.to.Velas.during.the.fes@val..Once.in.Velas,.you.
from.the.hatched.egg.to.the.sea?.Between.February.to.April,.
can.also.visit.the.Himmatgad.fort.or.take.a.ferry.boat.from.
nature.enthusiasts.can.actually.experience.this.rare.event.on.
Bankot.to.the.beau@ful.Harihareshwar.Beach.
office.to.organise.a.unique.Turtle.Fes@val.each.year..The.
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! Routes'&'Trails'''www.thewesternroutes.com
GANESHGULE'BEACH Photograph.by.Jayesh.Paranjape
HARNAI'FISHING'VILLAGE Photograph.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'
The.Ganesh.Idol.here.is.rare.and.locally.called.as.“Ujwya.
Anjarle.is.one.of.the.most.secluded.beaches.in.the.Konkan.
Sondecha.Ganpa@”.(trunk.turned.to.the.right.side),.a.very.
belt..The.2.km.stretch.is.full.of.crystal.like.scin@lla@ng.white.
rare.sight.for.the.devotees..This.Ganpa@.is.also.known.for.
sand.and.sparking.clean.water,.surrounded.by.an.array.of.
wish.fulfilling.powers,.tradi@onally.called.as.“navsala.
palm.trees..Adjoining.the.beach.is.the.tradi@onal.pastoral.
pavnara.Ganpa@”..Hence.in.the.customary.dialect,.it.is.
Anjarle.village..Anjarle.is.also.known.for.the.legendary. Ganpa@.Temple..
referred.as.‘Jagrut.Daiwat’.or.a.very.lively.God.. Murud,'Karde'&'Harnai
The.Kadyavarcha.Ganpa@.(temple.on.a.cliff).is.one.of.the.
Have.you.ever.been.to.a.fish.fight.(fish,.fishing.and.trading)?.
well\known.prehistoric.temples.of.India.and.dates.back.to.
You.can.experience.one.at.Harnai.village,.around.12.km.
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..
KADYAWARCHA'GANAPATI Photograph.by.Kedar.Champhekar
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,.
Squids,.Lobsters,.Mackerel,.and.many.more..The.fish.quality.
Velneshwar'&'Hedvi
is.high.and.has.lured.many.travelers.and.photographers..
Around.20.km.south.of.the.famous.Guhagar.Beach.and.to. the.north.of.the.Shastri.River.lies.the.idyllic.village.of.
Tourists.can.also.indulge.in.the.fish.fest.of.bekng.and.
Velneshwar..The.quiet,.coconut\fringed.beach.offers.tourists.
auc@oning..Apart.from.the.auc@on,.Harnai.is.also.known.for.
the.ideal.opportunity.for.swimming.or.just.relaxing.without.
the.magnificent.Harnai.Fort.located.on.the.northern.front.of. the.village.
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..
The.Murud.&.Karde.beaches.are.known.for.its.marvelous,. mesmerizing,.and.friendly..Dolphins..The.Murud\Karde.
A.few.kilometers.away.from.Velneshwar.is.Hedvi,.which.is.
beach.stretch.is.situated.around.12.km.from.Dapoli..The.
known.for.its.unique.Dashabhuja.Ganapa@..Standing.3.feet.
coastal.hamlet.of.Murud.serves.a.variety.of.yummy.fishes.
tall.and.carved.in.white.stone,.the.ideol,.is.beleived.to.be.
cooked.in.local.masalas.(seasoning).that.are.known.world\
from.the.Kashmir.region.and.has.ten.hands,.hence.the.name.
wide..
‘Dashabhuja’..While.in.Hedvi,.do.not.miss.experiencing.the. water.rising.to.almost.30\40.feet.at.one.point.along.the.
The.area.is.also.a.culturally.rich.coastal.community. acknowledged.for.its.Diwali.and.Holi.celebra@ons..Head.to.
beach..This.is.called.as.Brahman.Ghal..It.is.a.rare.natural. phenomenon.where.the.sea.water.has.created.a.gorge.in.
these.twin.beaches.to.indulge.into.some.touristy.things.like.
the.black.rock.patch,.which.is.around.20.feet.deep.and.2.
water.sports.and.boat.rides.or.simply.for.the.breath\taking.
feet.wide..When.the.sea.water.gushes.in.the.veritcal.
sunset.or.being.in.the.company.of.the.affable.Dolphins.
column,.it.rises.through.the.gorgre.for.almost.30\40.feet!
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. Routes'&'Trails'''www.thewesternroutes.com
GANAPATIPULE'TEMPLE Photograph.by.Jayesh.Paranjape
GanpaDpule
AareWWare
‘Ganpa@pule’.–.the.name.itself.suggest.the.place.of.Lord.
Aare.and.Ware.are.liqle.twin.beach.brothers,.naked.and.
Ganesha..Ganpa@pule.is.one.of.the.‘Astha.Ganpa@s’.(Eight.
virgin..The.beaches.are.safely.tucked.away.from.the.crowds.
Ganesha.pilgrim.centers).of.India..The.idol.is.believed.to.be.
which.throng.the.Ganpa@pule.beach..Aare.Ware.beach.is.
nearly.400.years.old.is.‘swayambhu’.or.self\created..The.
situated.en\route.from.Ratnagiri.to.Ganpa@pule..If.you.are.
divine.abode.is.blessed.with.sparkling.beaches,.and.jagged. coconut.palm.and.mangroves.along.the.coastline..
travelling.from.Ganpa@pule,.you.will.first.witness.the. beau@ful.Ware.beach.that.is.about.a.kilometer.from.the. Aare.beach..
The.picturesque.12.km.stretch.is.an.ideal.place.to.rejuvenate. and.immerse.within.the.self.and.nature...The.silver.sand,.
You.have.to.take.a.meandering.path.through.the.village.to.
swaying.palms,.gliqering.beach,.and.the.beaming.moon.is.
get.to.the.Ware.Beach..At.a.certain.stretch.of.the.beach,.
medita@ve.in.itself.and.ought.to.leave.you.spell.bound..The.
there.is.a.belt.of.dense.Suru.trees,.which.looks.like.a.
narrow.red.mud.roads.and.vegeta@on.of.mangoes,.jackfruit,.
stunning.emerald.on.the.white.sand.alluring.the.travelers..
betel.nut,.and.bananas.along.with.thatch\roofed.dwellings.
The.sunset.point.from.the.hilltop.near.Aare.beach.is.a.
bring.travelers.closer.to.their.true.home...For.adventure.
breathtaking.view.covered.by.the.blue.sea.from.all.three.
lovers,.this.place.offers.paragliding.and.other.water.sports..
sides.
Over.the.years.Ganpa@pule.has.emerged.to.be.one.of.the.
Purnagad
most.visited.beaches.along.the.Konkan.coast..During.tourist.
Maharashtra,.a.land.whose.sheer.size.and.diversity.
seasons,.the.beach.gets.crowded.around.the.temple..A.
fascinates.people,.is.also.known.for.its.warrior.history.and.
simple.solu@on.is.to.walk.a.bit.south.away.from.the.crowd.
forts..Purnagad.is.one.such.fort..The.majes@c.structure.with.
and.find.a.patch.which.is.devoid.of.any.tourists!
its.grand.entrance,.huge.walls.guarding.the.bas@on,. beau@ful.ancient.carvings.are.sure.to.leave.you.awe\struck..
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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.
temple.of.Ganeshgule,.which.is.an@cipated.to.be.about.400.
door.is.engraved.with.pictures.of.the.Sun,.Moon.and.Lord.
years.old..The.shrine.is.unique.in.itself,.as,.it.is.a.South\
Ganesha.alongside.which.there.is.a.giant.statue.of.Lord.
facing.temple,.which.is.very.rare.in.India..
Hanuman.covered.with.shendur,.an.orange.colored.paste..A. nice.walk.on.the.walls.of.the.fort.will.give.you.a.bird’s.eye.
The.temple.premise.has.a.70.feet.deep.well.with.steps.to.go.
view.of.the.surrounding.area.with.its.scin@lla@ng.azure.sea,. Suru.Ban.trees,.and.the.Muchkundi.river.creek.at.its.base.
@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.
The.legend.goes.that.the.fort.was.named.Purnagad.because.
temple.is.situated.on.a.hillock.that.is.about.40.feet.from.the.
it.resembles.the.size.of.a.full.stop.or.when.the.construc@on.
seashore..
of.the.fort.was.complete.Shivaji.Maharaj.decided.not.to. reform.its.further.extension.and.called.'purnaviram'.hence.
Ganeshgule.beach.has.a.2.km.shoreline.with.crystal.white.
the.name.Purnagad..Similarly,.there.is.some.evidence.which.
sand..This.lazy.beach.is.scarcely.developed.and.is.a.nice.
also.suggests.that.the.fort.was.constructed.by.Sakhoji.Angre,.
respite.aher.a.strenuous.day..
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.
VELAS'BEACH Photograph.by.Jaideep.Kanhere
To.know.more.about.these.des@na@ons.and.if.you.want.to. include.these.in.your.trip,.click.here. http://thewesternroutes.com/tours.htm
photo feature
KONKANCHE LOKPRIYA KHELE by 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'LathiW KathiWBanaD'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. Routes'&'Trails'''www.thewesternroutes.com
TWR traveller
A SUNDAY WITH FLAMINGOS & CHINKARAS by 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. 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)..
Aher.a.sumptuous.lunch.and.refreshment.stop.we.
A.pair.of.Ruddy.Shelducks.were.the.first.to.greet.the.
headed.to.the.stop.the.chinkaras.(Indian.Gazelle).at.
bus..Tugging.along.the.mud.road.the.bus.moved.
Mayureshwar.Wildlife.Sanctuary..While.on.a.walking.
further.towards.the.dam.water..The.sight.that.was.to.
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
Photograph.by..Wam an.Parulekar
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 nontransferable, 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.
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