Konkan Trip

Last year, when Sachin and I came back from the Kerala trip, we decided to go on a similar one every year. Through out the year, there were so many things, that we could not plan for a very big one this time. As a change, we had been to Banaglore to meet friends and had a small one day trip to Karnala, and a very spiritual types Ashtavinayak Darshan tour. Finally as we are nearing towards year end, we thought to go on a short Konkan Trip. We decided to go to Diveagar, Harihareshwar and Srivardhan Beaches and Janjira and Raigad forts.

We started on a early Sunday morning, towards Diveagar. As it was a sunday morning, and just 2 days prior to Diwali, it was not much crowded, the roads were all clear.....we headed towards Chandani Chowk, and then via Pirangut ghat....we headed to Tamhini Ghat...on the way we stopped at a village for breakfast. The place was surounded by lake....which extended for almost half and hour.....the scene was beautiful and pleasant :)

We reached Diveagar by 11.30 we freshened up...and went for lunch..The place we stayed was a small hotel, near by to beach..it was a walking 5 mins distance from the beach.....the backyard was full of coconut tree plantations...and many more spices too..... We had a typical konkani style lunch....and decided to have some fish as well :) Surmai was yumm !! After having a heavy lunch...we could not think of anything but sleep....we slept for nice 2 hours.....then had some tea and went towards the beach.

The only word I could say to describe the beach was , "awesome" . It was a clean, beautiful completely deserted beach...with lush green trees and clear water. The beach is not a crowded one.....it was great to spend much time playing in the water and running through the waves...As it started getting dark.....we prefered to sit and watch the setting sun.....the sunset was too good...it seemed that everything near by was so calm and serene....We then started to prepare a house...so started digging the sand.....we could not prepare a very fancy one...so we just made a small Igloo kind of house :) and returned back to the hotel.

After having a warm shower, we went to the nearby " Suvarna Ganesh Temple" ....the idol was supposed to be found in the sea...which was locked in a big suit case.....it weighs almost 10 kg of gold. After coming back...had nice sea food in the dinner, with drinks and had a relaxing evening ...sitting in the open garden and enjoying the stars.....up !!

The following day, we went to Janjira fort, which is situated in the midst of sea....on a rock Island....the fort was constructed sometime in 11th century, and remains to be one of unconquered fort !! The remaining day we visited Harihareshwar and Srivardhan Beaches. Harihareshwar is supposed to be the " Swayam bhu Shankar Temple" also considered as the Dakshin kashi.

Third day we went to Raigad fort....we spent almost 3-4 hours on fort, understanding the history , it being the capital of all forts at that time. There was a MSTDC guide who accompanied us, and have us worthwhile information about Raigad and Shivaji Maharaj. We reached back to Pune at around 9 that night. The trip was a small one, but a very relaxing, must say Konkan is such a beautiful place, which will definetely rejunevate and relax you !! Looking forward to a next trip soon now !! :)