Konkan Diaries-The world is your Oyster-Anganewadi Jatra

Anganewadi Jatra

The name Anganewadi indicates a predominance of people with surname Angane. According to a legend, a goddess materialized in the village in the form of a stone plaque, 400 years ago. Since then people have been flocking to a village for 'Darshan', every year. There is no fixed day or date for the fair. It is decided by consent of the villagers.

Anganewadi is supposed to be Konkan's Kashi in South. The ancient temple of Bharadi Goddess is a famous prominent place of Pilgrimage. This fair is its changing date which is finalized by mutual consent in February every year. Thousands of devotees from all over Maharashtra, Karnataka and Goa visit Anganewadi to evoke the blessing of Bharadi Devi. In fact, the tradition of the fair began 300 years ago. A sanctified, self-emerged stone is believed to the idol of Bharadi Goddess.

A theory to explain the origin of the fair is that a man from the village of Anganewadi, was working as an Intelligence officer/spy for the Maratha Empire during the reign of Shahu Maharaj (son of Sambhaji Maharaj) and the Peshwas (Baji Rao I & Chimaji Appa) and single-handedly helped them achieve tremendous success in their campaigns in North India, when the Marathas were expanding their empire & planted the Maratha flag in Attock. When he came back after fulfilling his duty, one of his cows would discharge milk in the green woods which turned into a stone plaque (Swayambhu Idol). When the owner went out to look for the cow, he found the stone plaque. On the same night, he got a divine message in his dream from the Goddess, who believed is to be an incarnation of Goddess Bhavani herself and the village started to worship the stone plaque. The word spread and people have since visited the place annually. The Peshwas, Baji Rao I & Chimaji Appa themselves came to worship the Goddess for their future campaigns in India & the Maratha Empire sanctioned 2000 acres land to the village.

Since the plaque was found in rocky soil, (Bharad) the goddess came to be known as Bharadi. Over the years, the crowds have swelled to the extent where the queue found by devotees for 'Darshan' extends up to several kilometres.

The Bharadi Devi is a very famous deity for her wish-fulfilling(Navas) power. Her devotees express their wish(Navas) before her and once the wish is fulfilled they come again for her Darshan(visit) to express the gratitude.

The highlight of Anganewadi is an annual fair (sometime in February, the date is declared after getting approval from the goddess) lakes of devotees attend this fair. The villages of Anganewadi have deep faith in ‘Bharadi Devi’ and they behave as per her wishes.

This small hamlet completely abstains from alcohol. Alcohol consumption is strictly forbidden in this hamlet.

There is no fixed day or date for the fair. It is decided by consents. The method of arriving at a concert for the day of the fair is interesting. After farming operation is over, the villagers get together to decide out the hunting of Bharwild animal to offer ‘Prasad’ to the goddess. The male folks go out for hunting with a stipulation not to return till the animal is trapped down. The animal’s flesh is then cooked & distributed among the villagers who then decide on a suitable day for fair. A decision is taken sitting on a mat (made by the peel of bamboo) commonly known as ‘Daali’ in Malvani lingo. The villager’s decision is then known as ‘Daalap’.

 On the day of the fair, the stone plaque is adorned with mask, ornaments & apparels. The village barber then stands outside the temple & after sunrise releases reflected sunrays over the sacred plaque. In view of enormous crowd attending the festivity, the rituals now begin at 4 a.m. & end at 10 p.m. One female member of each family then joins in the mass cooking. A food thus prepared is offered as ‘Prasad’. This event is commonly known as ‘Taate Lawane (To serve the dishes)’ in Malvani. This event also marks the end of the first day in fair.

On next day, rituals restarted at 4 a.m. & continue until the afternoon. This day is called ‘Mode Jatra (End of fair)’. Though the Naivedhya of Bharadi Devi being distributed fair thus officially last in one & half days, a variety of entertainment programs like music, dramas, as a folk were continued for the next 4 to 5 days. People from all corners of Maharashtra as well as from off places in Karnataka flock the place for the duration of fair. Over the years, the crowds have swelled to the extent where the queue found by devotees for ‘Darshan’ extends up to 2 kilometres.

Konkan Diaries-The world is your Oyster-Why Konkan Should be your next tourist destination?

Why Konkan Should Be Your Next Tourist Destination?

Konkan in Maharashtra is probably the state’s most underrated regions. With a beautiful coastal stretch starting from Thane district and going all the way down to Goa, Konkan is home to some of the most beautiful beaches and the most majestic forts. Come monsoon and the weather in the region goes from sweltering hot to pleasantly cool. Konkan turns a new leaf with its forests receiving a fresh coat of green. The places in Konkan are perfect for travellers who want to get away from all the hubbub of the city life and find some solace in the lap of nature.

'Konkan' is the coastal region of Maharashtra state lining the Arabian sea. It extends from north to south and is made up of the districts of Thane, Mumbai, Raigad, Ratnagiri & Sindhudurg. The Konkan region is separated from the rest of the state by the Sahyadri mountain range also known as the Western Ghats. This region has remained in isolation for a long time for lack of proper means of transport. About ten years ago (around the early 90s), this region opened up with the advent of the 'Konkan railway' - the rail route that connects Mumbai (Bombay) with the entire western coast of India. 'Konkan railway' in itself is an unparalleled achievement of engineering excellence for India involving the construction of several bridges and tunnels through its entire run across the state.

The region boasts of a unique culture that is unlike any other region in the country. People are quite friendly and hospitable. There are several places of geographical, cultural and architectural interest in the Konkan region. Most places offer long stretches of unexplored beaches, which have a serene character without much commercialisation.

From north to south, Vangaon, Tarapur, Dahanu, Chincholi, Kihim, Alibaug, Nagaon, Revdanda, Kashid, Murud Janjira, Dighi, Shrivardhan, Harihareshwar, Murud Harne, Anjarla, Devgarh, Ganpati Pule, Ratnagiri, Malvan, Vengurla, Ubha danda, Sagareshwar & Terekhol are just a few coastal towns from where one could enjoy an interesting dialogue with the endless ocean. Amongst places of cultural interest, there are a large number of temples and temple complexes spread all over the region, most of which are at least 100 years old. Along with the temples, there are quite a few places connected with the political history of Maharashtra such as forts and palaces built during the rule of the Marathas (the great Maratha warrior prince - Shivaji & then the Peshwas). The forts of Arnala, Vasai, Alibag, Janjira, Raigad, Vijaydurg & Sindhudurg offer an insight into the history of the region along with splendid views of unexplored landscape/seascape.

 The Mumbai (Bombay) and Thane are highly commercialised cities and these districts do not have much to offer. Chiplun & Ratnagiri are two strategically located and fast-developing towns south of Mumbai. These are the only two major commercial towns (or cities?) in the region. Kudal & Kankavli in the south & Mahad in the north is also trying to catch up with development. However, fortunately, most parts in the districts of Raigad, Ratnagiri and Sindhudurg have managed to remain free from commercialisation and adulteration of the landscape. Travelling through these districts of the Konkan region is an experience in itself.

I have divided the Konkan coastline into eight different sections or trips

•    Alibag, Murud & Janjira Fort

•    Srivardhan, Harihareshwar & Diveagar

•    Dapoli, Harne & Kelshi

•    Chiplun - Guhagar

•    Ganpatipule - Sangameshwar

•    Ratnagiri - Pavas

•    Malvan - Sindhudurga

•    Devgad - Vijaydurga

•    Amboli - Savantwadi

•    Vengurla - Terekhol

1. Alibag -Murud- Janjira Fort Trip

In your trip to Alibag, you can visit the Kulaba fort at Alibag and Janjira at Murud. The beautiful beaches at Alibag, Murud, Kashid, Nandgaon, and Kihim would definitely quench your thirst for the seashore.

Alibag -Murud- Janjira Fort

The other interesting places include Sea forts of Khanderi, Underi, Korlai, Revdanda and Kasa. The 150 years old Magnetic Observatory in Alibag is also worth your visit.

There are a lot of Hotels and Resorts in and around Alibag to suit your budget and making your holiday a memorable one.

2. Srivardhan - Harihareshwar - Diveagar Trip

Harihareshwar located at only 18 kilometres from Srivardhan is also a beautiful place with an ancient Shiv Temple and Kalbhairav Temple situated on the beach. Harihareshwar beach is also a very clean and excellent beach. MTDC has very a good resort at Harihareshwar with Tents to stay.

Diveagar, a nearby town shot to fame when an ancient half statue of Ganpati made of gold and some ornaments were found on a farm. The Shekhadi Road leading to Diveagar is a very pleasant drive as the road is parallel to the coastline and you can see many breathtaking views along the entire stretch of the road.

Srivardhan - Harihareshwar - Diveagar 

The Kuda caves near Tale are also worth your visit but are slightly off the road. Visiting Kuda while coming to Srivardhan is more convenient as it is on the way to Mhasala near Mangaon and you will only spend a few hours more. However, you are advised to take food and water with you as there are no hotels or shops nearby for many kilometres.

3.  Dapoli - Harne - Kelshi Trip

A trip to Dapoli - Harne will give you the pleasure of staying at a hill station and still being close to the sea. Dapoli is considered a Hill Station and the climate is pleasant. There are a lot of places nearby like Suvarnadurga fort and a very beautiful beach at Karde.

The Konkan Krishi Vidyapeeth at Dapoli is also worth your visit, Nature lovers will surely like it. There are a lot of good Hotels in Dapoli and Murud.

 Dapoli - Harne - Kelshi 

A trip to Kelshi is a perfect Getaway for a rustic Konkan and its serenity. If you want to taste the real village life in Konkan, Kelshi is the ideal getaway.

The village is very small and you can experience real peace away from the hustle and bustle of modern cities.

4. Chiplun - Guhagar Trip

A trip to Chiplun - Guhagar is a pleasant experience which will give you a combination of nature with the modern day amenities.

A lot of people visit Chiplun - Guhagar because this trip gives a good mix of a holiday in the city as well as the rustic Konkan.

Chiplun - Guhagar

Chiplun is a big city with a lot of Hotels and restaurants, and a lot of people stay in Chiplun because of its easy accessibility as it is on the Mumbai - Goa highway.

Guhagar is a small town compared to Chiplun and a lot of people prefer to stay in and around Guhagar if they are looking for a quieter place and Seashore.

5. Ganpatipule - Sangameshwar Trip

Ganpatipule is fast becoming a hot tourist destination and lots of people visit Ganpatipule every year. Ganpatipule Beach is one of the best beaches on the Konkan coastline.

It is famous basically for its Ganpati Temple and beautiful white sand beach. The MTDC has a very good resort near the beach and there are many other hotels & resorts to choose from in Ganpatipule.

Ganpatipule - Sangameshwar

Bhandarpule, near Ganpatipule, also has a very beautiful beach. The beach at Bhandarpule is secluded and less crowded than Ganpatipule.

Sangameshwar located near Ganpatipule is also a place worth mentioning. There is an ancient Shiv temple at Sangameshwar on the confluence of Shastri and Alaknanda rivers.

The temple is beautiful and constructed in the old Hemadpanthi style, the carvings in the temple are very beautiful.

6. Ratnagiri - Pawas trip

A trip to Ratnagiri - Pawas is perfect getaway if you want to stay in a big city and do some pilgrimage also. Ratnagiri is a beautiful city and an important port. The city is quite industrialized and has many fish processing and exporting units.

Ratnagiri is also famous for the 'Hapus' or Alphonso mangoes produced in the adjoining areas. There are a lot of places in and around Ratnagiri and the city also has a lot of good hotels for a pleasant stay.

Ratnagiri - Pawas

Pawas, near Ratnagiri, has become an important pilgrimage centre because of the Shri Swami Swarupanand Samadhi Mandir. Lakhs of people visit Pawas every year.

The Samadhi Mandir was constructed in the memory of Shri Swami Swarupanand Who took a samadhi here on 15th August 1974.

7. Malvan - Sindhudurga - Devgad - Vijaydurga trip

A trip to Malvan, Sindhudurga, Vijaydurga and Devgad is lots of fun, Many people come to Malvan as it is easier to find accommodation here and visit various places in and around Malvan.

The sunset at the Malvan beach is spectacular with Sindhudurga fort in the background and also there is a big fish market in the evening with auctions of fresh fish taking place right on the beach.

Malvan - Sindhudurga - Devgad - Vijaydurga

Malvan is famous for its food and its proximity to Sindhudurg fort, the star attraction of the trip. Sindhudurga fort is an excellent example of fort building architecture and the foresight of the great Maratha king, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. You have to take a boat ride to visit the fort.

Another attraction of the trip is the nearby fort of Vijaydurga situated at Devgad. It is advisable to stay in Malvan and Visit Vijaydurga as there are fewer facilities for accommodation in Devgad.

8. Amboli - Savantwadi - Vengurla - Terekhol Trip

Amboli is fast becoming a hot tourist destination and becoming a favourite with the tourists because it is very small and not crowded as other hill stations in Maharashtra.

The natural beauty and peace of this ECO-Friendly Hill Station offer much more to the visitor than the traditional Hill Stations.

Many people visit Amboli especially in the monsoons for enjoying the numerous waterfalls that cascade down the hills in Amboli.

Amboli - Savantwadi - Vengurla - Terekhol

There are many points in Amboli and the nearby places like Savantwadi, Vengurla and Terekhol add to the pleasure of your trip. You can also make a one day trip to Goa.

The accommodation in Amboli is quite reasonable and this trip will give you an economical yet pleasant vacation.

Konkan Diaries-The world is your Oyster-Lakes of Sindhudurg

Lakes of Sindhudurg

"A Lake is the landscape's most beautiful and expressive feature. It is earth's eye; looking into which the beholder measures the depth of his own nature." As compared to beaches Konkan has quite a few but beautiful lakes. The lakes add their own old world charm to the vicinity.

The lakes in Konkan are scattered over the vast expanse. They are looked upon as important tourist destinations, for the people.

Here are few famous lakes across Konkan, which are not only splendid but also magnificent.

1. Dhamapur lake

Dhamapur lake deserves the special mention because of its “uniqueness”. This is the biggest lake in the district.

The lake is situated between Are and Katta village. This man-made lake was constructed in 1530 by the king Nagesh Desai (A tributary of Vijaynagar Dynasty) and has beautiful scenic hill ranges on its two sides. The water is crystal clear and has a dense plantation of mango, kokam,  coconut and areca palm. These are the typical fruits of Konkan region. The region has also a rich variety of flora and fauna.

Dhamapur Lake

Now the MTDC has made boating facility available in the lake and walks surrounding the lake the forest depth has also constructed beautiful huts on the bank to enable the tourist staying here to enjoy the panoramic view from their cottages.

2. Moti Talav

First look at Sawantwadi, and you can be forgiven for wondering if it is a piece of Nainital which has lost its way and landed up at the foot of Western Ghats. The town was the seat of the Royal family of Bhonsles and still retains some of the stately grandeur. It sits in a bowl of lush green hills encircling a huge lake called Moti Talav.

Moti Talav

The palace gate and the imposing clock tower are reflected in the waters. Tourists can take a round of the lake in a peddle-boat or can simply feast on the emerald beauty while walking in the lakeside gardens. As the sun sets, streetlights come on at once around the complete perimeter of the lake. It is a moment with something extra to make your vacation unforgettable.

3. Walaval Lake

Dhamapur is famous for its wildlife and one of the biggest lakes in the region. Till date, Dhamapur is a small village. It has very limited accommodation facilities. You can consider it for a day-trip program. You can plan a day trip like this - Dhamapur, Walaval, Malvan.

Walaval Lake

Walaval is famous for its backwater trips and Laxmi Narayan Temple apart from the Walaval lake.