Weekend travel in the lap of Nature

Weekend travel in the lap of Nature

It was saturday night, when during our dinner we decided to take this sunday off from all of our works and spent whole day in the company of the nature beside our family members. It was not new for us as it is a set trend of our family that after a whole day of our regular works we all come together for dinner and not only exchange notes about our work but also disscuss our future plans. As it was decided we left the Kolhapur city before the clock corsses 7am. We were heading towards the Amba Ghat, a hilly destination at about 65km from our residence. It took almost over than one hour to reach there and feast of looking at natural beauty was infort of us with the breakfast. It was a marvellous exprience to have tea sips being coverd with clouds. Stairing to valley with green top from a high altitude Ghat road was not only refreshing for eyes but also was adding calm to minds. The magical effect of the place will reflect from the fact that it took almost one hour for our walk on spirial ghat roads to cover a distence of about 3km, before we decided to go through the rest of about 10km of Ghat by vehicles. Now we are heading towards the Ganpatipule, Swambhoo Temple of Lord Ganesha at sea shore. Almost a two hours driving in the lap of nature was sufficient to take us at one of the most famous temple of Maharashtra. After having Darshan it was time for the sea bath, though it is dangrous to go to sea at Ganpatipule but as usual no visitor comes over the temptation of going in. We all were there under the speeding white, though not far away from the shore but being with family members it was a pleasent play and memorable exprience for all of us, specially when the waves are going high with our shouts "Flood came! Flood Came". After a refreshing bath it was turn of delicious lunch, prepared in Malvani [Kokani] style, minimum use of spices with high coconut contents. "Sole curry" and "Malvani Chicken" were realy mouth watering and tasty. As it was just over 3:00 pm when we finished our lunch so instead of returning back to Kolhapur, We decided to go Jaygad Fort, a seventeenth century monument,constructed by King Shivaji , situated at about 30km from the Ganpatipule. It was a never forget exprience to drive on the sea side road and stairing at natural beauty, the whole one hour that we drive and stoped here and there the hot topic of our discussion was, if goverenment give a slight attention towards the Kokan tourism developement, these beautiful and unexplored sea shore will leave Goa sea shores miles and miles behind. As we reached Jaygad fort it was just as of dropping water on the burning coals, the situation of this reserved monument was a real pity, though it is situated just opposit to Jaygad police station but there was no one to look after the fort which is almost in the ruin status. The view of sea from top of the fort was one to go in and remains in the memmory for a longer time, with heavy hearts we turned to the Jaygad port just one Km from the fort. The narrow bay has not only filled our hearts with its scenic beauty but also assured the bright future of our country, we are heading towards.After having tea and snacks it was all the way journey back but it was once again the late evening beauty of Amba Ghat delayed our reaching back kolhapur by almost one hour.

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Goa Images Reflections and Reality[Part One]

Goa Images Reflections and Reality[Part One]

"Images are the killers of the reality" I can't recall this or this type of words where I read but if you are visiting Goa with some of the images I assure you that you are going to find the vice versa situation , here reality is all prepared to kill your images. The first image that will go under the breakage if you are traveling by road is the Goa is the shortest piece of Indian land with most pictures and scenic nature. As if you preferred to go from the Belgaum, Karnatak, almost whole of the four hours of your journey you will feel mesmerised by the adventurous, fearful and scenic beauty of heights and Vallie's. Many of the,road side cliff top waterfalls will prove hurdle in your journey if you are visiting round the corner of rainy season and will force you to relax for a while at the door step of nature , cloud play during this time adds unforgettable experience to your memory. If your choice is go via the Maharashtra then from Kolhapur there are two options for you One by Amboli road and another by Gaganbawada Road though there is third option by Radhanagari road is also available but most of the visitors opt one from the former two. If you are traveling by the Kokan railway do opt for day journey to have the same experience that you will have by road travel either from Karnataka or Maharashtra.

Geographicaly Goa is situated on the west coast of India and its boundaries on the western side are composed by the Arabian Sea, Where as state is connected with Maharashtra on the north side and with Karanataka in the east and south directions. Population wise it is the fourth smallest and area wise is the smallest state of India. The state was under the Portuguese governance for about 450 years hence being in India you will found many things not matching with Indian customs and traditions, don't be surprised if you feel that life style of Goa is not matching with the rest of India, it is because still the ruins of Portuguese life style are very much alive in the human society of the state even after almost 50 years [ included in India in 1961] of Independence, though India is said to be country of festivals but here you will find the social stimulation towards the festivals only at the time carnival and to some extant during the New year celebration, thus here your second image get killed by the reality.

If we try to turn the history pages we will find that the natives of Goa are basically Saraswat Brahman who were moved from bank of river Saraswati to Bengal and were known as Gaud Saraswat, were shifted to Goa and during the era of Mahabharat & then were known as the Gomantak beside these Brahaman families some migrants from the south called Kundbis were the part of initial human society of the Goa. I am not sure but it is said that When Lord Vishnu was on earth as Parashuram, he defeated Samudra, the sea and since that time Samudra had never crossed the limit fixed by the arrow of Parshuram, which falls at the village Bannali [Bann = arrow and ali=village] presently known as Benaulim.

Some of the Dynasties that rules over the Goa are : The Scytho-parthians [ 2nd-4th century AD] ; The Abhiras, Batpura Bhojas [ 4th to 6th century]; TheChalukyas of Badami [6th to 8th century AD]; The Rashtrakutas of Malkhed[8th to 10th Century AD] ;The Kadambas [1006 -1356AD] ; The Yadavas of Devaguiri (modern Daulatabad) [ 12th to 13th century AD] ; The Hindu Empire of Vijayanagar [14-15th century AD]; The Muslim Bahmani Kingdom of Deccan [15th century]. Portuguese has take the control of the land somewhere near the 1510.

It might be surprise for you that in this era of high communication, Goa state still don't have own Television Transmission, there is no separate news channel for the state,you have to depend on Mumbai Doordarshan for the weather report and for local news on the not so much reliable cable network. The same thing is with the newspapers [though the scene is changing with a vigorous rate] This might be the due to the reason that during the Portuguese times any person seen reading newspaper was punished physically, the hangover of that mentality is so high that natives are still unable to get rid of it. Yet another example of this mental slavery is the tradition according to which during the tourist season [October- December] when Portuguese tourists are visiting Goa, state's cultural and tourism Minister remains present at Air port to welcome them, this tradition remain unbroken even during the rule of Hindutav wadi Party BJP.

Your another image about Goa that is going to become vanish on the surface of reality is the night life, the first thing that will make you spellbound is the start of closing of shops near around the seven in the evening and even in the major cities Like Panaji, Mapusa, Madgaon, Vasco you will have to search for an open hotel for the dinner after 11pm. You will be welcomed by the empty roads even after 9 O'clock at night.

This was all about the historical, Geographical and social life of the Goa, for the star tourist attractions which are in abundance here I will write a separate blog including the reasons why it is said" Go Goa 365 days on Holiday".

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Kokan Tourism...A travel in the lap of nature

In few days schools will have holidays and already started tourism season of India will get over crowded. If you wish to have a calm,pleasing trip in the lap of nature with polution free atmosphere than Kokan is the one. though in these days of summer Kokan days are much hotter but the natural beauty and the pollution free air is making a tourism destination worth to visit.

If you are deciding to visit Kokan during this holiday period do remember days will be hot ones.

My orkut friend Vishwanath Sawant [A professional kokan tour operator] has mailed me following information:

Sahyadri's high cliffs, fast-flowing rivers, pollution-free silver seabeaches, naturalistic backwaters (creeks), ancient temples, seaforts, historical forts, perennial waterfalls. All these are there in Konkan for the tourists. Kokan's natural scenery changes according to each particular season and attracks everyone to konkan. Many desire to tour the thickly forested and full of greenery, i.e. Konkan. Many have the misunderstanding that there are no good facilities available. But now "Konkan Paryatan Vikas Sanstha" has started some special projects to enjoy the tour of Konkan in the real sense. Under these schemes we are planning to organise tours throughout the year.Our special features of these tours: We are starting the facility of backwaters in the naturalistic creeks of konkan for the first time. Other facilities include enjoying nature's beauty of the Coconut-palm fringed gardens on the banks of the creek's backwaters, fishing, visiting unknown scenic places to experience nature's surprises and "Vanbhojan". Along with these observation of Konkan's rural life, "Gof" dance, "Zakadi" dance, Dashavtar, Nakte. All specialities of Konkan's cultural heritage to be enjoyed. Rural recipes made in Malwani Konkani style. Mouth-watering (Spicy) Vegetarian and Non-vegetarian dishes, Fresh Sea-food and Homely Hospitality. These are some of the special features. You will be thoroughly convinced by the response given to us by the Tourists.Besides if you want to go to Konkan independently then we will make all arrangements for you like staying in Farmer's houses, accompanied by guide, who will direct you regarding the programme, eating arrangement, vehicle arrangement, etc.High cliffs of Sahyadri, Shaky turns, Rivers, Sea Nature, Ancient Temples, Historical Forts, Sea Forts all these and many more things are there in Konkan for the Tourists. Though more beautiful than Kerala and Goa, Konkan is much behind than in tourism trade. In the coming time Konkan is going to be the main attraction of the tourists. The need of the hour is a united and good-planning effort to give maximum information to tourists regarding Kokan's picnic Spots and Tourists attraction. Where to go, how to go, where to stay, who will help while travelling, all these information is unknown to the tourists. Because of this, many tourists though desiring to tour Konkan cannot go. Governments of Kerala and Goa give wide publicity to their State's Tourism Industry. Unfortunately this does not happen in Maharashtra. "Konkan Tours " has decided to develope Kokan Tourism on its own efforts. To make more and more tourists to visit Konkan the Sanstha has started "Coastal Konkan Tours" just like Karnataka. We also arranging Varsha Sahal, Shravan Special, Waterfall Special, Nagpanchmi Special, Narlipoornima Special, Ganesh Festival, Backwater Special, Holiday Special & Winter Special in July to December 2004.For details contact : Kokan Tours, 58, 2nd flr, Shetye Building, Dr. D'silva Road, Near Western Rly Station, Dadar (W), Mumbai - 400 028. Tel. : (+91 022) 6523 4595 email : konkantours@yahoo.com

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