Hi Reader, since I had taken a break from blogging for sometime, I am writing this blog little late. This trip actually took place in the year of 2017.
The month of May was approaching and a
group of us 4 friends again sat together to plan for another trip. Tired of
daily chores, we planned to make a two night three day trip in the beloved
konkan region. The region being unique and closer from Pune, it was accepted
unanimously. After discussing various destinations we narrowed down on the
Dapoli region.
Considering the popularity of beaches, we
chose weekdays for our trip so as to encounter minimum rush.
Day
1 (16th May 2017):
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| Road to Mangaon from Tamhini Ghat |
On Tuesday the 16th we left
early morning at 5:30AM. We took the Tamhini Ghat route and chose Panhale Kaji
caves as our first destination. There are some spots like Mulshi lake that will
evoke the photographer in you. Since we had a professional photographer with
us, we had few photography sessions en route. Once you wind down the Tamhini Ghat,
your take left to continue for konkan. There is a small food joint at the
beginning where you can get decent breakfast items like Kanda poha and Vadapav.
Later on we continued to our first destination of Panhale Kazi.
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| Breakfast |
How to reach Panhale Kazi:
From Tamhini
Ghat you reach to Mangaon which is first big town in Raigad district. Take left
once you enter the town and the road leads you to NH 17 i.e. Mumbai – Goa
highway. To reach Panhale - Kazi, continue straight till Khed. From Khed take
right diversion (ask locals for directions) to continue on a road Dapoli. Take
left at a place named Wakavali and you will start getting idea of how the
further travel will be. There is a left turn before Wakavali too which is not
advisable owing to poor road conditions. The road would suit a typical village
route initially which will later turn into a lonely road without much travellers.
Condition of the road is not so good since the spot is not yet a popular
destination. Also, since the connectivity is poor your own vehicle is
recommended. At the end the road goes literally roller coaster with beautiful
towns at its side.
Information
about Panhale Kazi:
These are a
collection of 29 caves that are buddhist and hindu caves. Most of them are in
dilapidated condition. There are some sculptures and idols present but not
enough to deduce the history of caves. These caves are cut through a single rock
thereby emphasizing the skill of the sculptors in those times (approximately
1000 years).
Some history I got from internet is as
following:
Creation of these caves started
approximately at the 3rd century AD, in time when influential merchants were
spreading the teaching of Buddha in India. Many large temples appeared near ancient
trade routes. Panhale Kaji was one of such temple complexes, located at busy
route from inland to Dabhol - one of the most important port cities at Arabian
Sea in these times. Dabhol has been marked even in maps of Ptolemy.
Later, around
the 10th - 11th century AD caves became a stronghold of small group of
followers to Vajrayana sect (Tantric Buddhism). Some of the earlier caves, for
example Cave 10, were adjusted for the worship of deities like Akshobhya and
Mahachandaroshana. Interesting monument of art is five Budha sculptures,
possibly representing Vajrasana Buddha - showing relatedness to iconography of
late Ellora
Buddhist Caves.
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| On the Way To Panhale Kazi Caves |
Flowing parallel to caves is river. The name of the river remains unknown to us. Water levels were really low (lower than the knee) and once could easily walk to the rocks at the centre. The rocks and river overall offers a good food for your DSLR.
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| Panhale Kazi Caves - 1 |
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| Panhale Kazi Caves - 2 |
We left from the caves at around 2:30pm and came to Dapoli for lunch. There is a famous restaurant named Jagadish Lunch Home at Dapoli. Renowned especially for sea food, the place was really crowded. Since we had to move to next destination we had a lunch at another hotel called Chhaya Prakash. The food was okay but the place is not highly recommended.
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| Near Anjarle |
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| View from Near Anjarl |
There is a light house at the port which is an inevitable part of the port. Area surrounding the lighthouse looks awesome with waves slashing against the rocks.
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| View from accommodation at Karde |
From Harne port, we came to Karde where our
accommodation was booked for the first night. We stayed at the New Swapna Sagar
Niwas owned by Jadhav family. Unlike photographs shown on the website, the
resort is not isolated and there is no privacy at all. There is a complete
array of resorts one besides the other with many visitors using loud music and
alcohol. So if you are looking for a serene location this is not the place. The
room was okay but the food was utter disappointment. It is advised to arrange
your dinner somewhere else if you are staying at this place. AC is available.
Day 2 (17th May 2017):
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| Entrance to accommodation at Karde |
On the way back to Dhopawe, we visited a
fort named Gopalgad where a famous Marathi film Killa was shot. The fort is a
private property yet available for tourists. This place offers some good
scenery for photography and it still maintains some of its rustic look.
Approach road is very small and there are many twists and turns.
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| Gopalgad Wall |
Just before Gopalgad, a diversion takes you
to the ‘Talkeshwar Light House’. It is a lighthouse common to the coastal
areas. Used as a signal to fisherman’s boats this lighthouse is available for
common people to visit between 3:00pm to 5:00pm at nominal fees. You can go to
the top of the lighthouse which offers an awesome panoramic view.
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| Talkeshwar Light House Entrance |
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| Talkeshwar Temple |
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| Talkeshwar Temple |
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| View from The Lighthouse |
From Gopalgad we came back to Dhopawe and
reached Dabhol via ferry boat. On Dabhol Dapoli road there is a diversion for a
coastal village named Kolthare where our stay for day 2 was planned. At
Kolthare we stayed at resort named Garwa Beach Resort. This resort was one
pleasant experience. Owned by Bhave family, this resort has spacious rooms,
ample empty space, coconut trees, hammocks, open shower and many more
facilities. The beach was almost deserted except one more group apart from us.
After beach we took stroll around the village. Kolthare still maintains the
traditional konkan looks through its homes and backyards. Mobile networks are
generally not available. The meal cooked by Garwa was really delicious. Three
of my friends had Veg thali while I opted for poplet thali and a poplet fry.
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| Dining Area at Garva Resort |
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| Backyard at Garva |
Next morning, after having breakfast of
Thalipith and Amboli (both recommended), we spent some time relaxing in the
backyard of the resort. Fortunately there was nobody in the resort except us
giving us the peaceful time. Being there on weekday can avail you this luxury.
We checked out at 10:45am.
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| Parashuram Bhumi |
On
the way to Dapoli from Kolthare, there is a spot named Parshuram Bhumi (Legend
tells that it was Parshuram, a sage + warrior, who created the konkan land
pushing the sea back). There is s statue of Lord Parshuram standing on the
earth globe indicating that he had once conquered entire earth. Situated on the
cliff, the spot offers some good view. From Parshuram Bhumi (land) we started
towards Keshavraj which is the temple of Lord Vishnu. One has to take right
turn on Dapoli Anjarle road near Asud village. After descending through a place
called ‘Dabkewadi’, you reach the steps to Keshavraj temple situated at
hilltop. If you want homemade lunch you can book it in advance at few of the
houses below.
Way to Keshavraj:
Way to Keshavraj from Dabkewadi is really
beautiful and full of trees. Depicting the traditional konkan irrigation
system, sakav (bridge on the river) and many trees on hill slope it is really a
beautiful way. Number of visitors is not too high and hence the place has
maintained some tranquility. At the top there is unique water flow system that
runs on the 24*7 underground spring coming to surface. The flowing water comes
from hilltop through this path made of stones and exits through ‘Gomukha’ at
the temple.
View from the top is just awesome.
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| On the way to Keshavraj |
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| On the way to Keshavraj |
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| Keshavraj Temple |
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| Keshavraj Temple |
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| Water Arrangement at Keshavraj |
Taking the stairs down, we again reached Dabkewadi and had delicious homemade meal. You can get modaks if you order in advance.
We left from there at around 3:00pm and
started our journey back. We decided to take a different route passing through
Mahad - Varandha Ghat – Bhor – NH4 Pune. Take left from Dapoli ST stand to take
this route. On the way we visited Shivtharghal where 17th Century
sage Ramdas Swami wrote his famous scripture that is Dasbodh. Coming back
through Varandha Ghat was an awesome experience. Winding down through the ghat
we landed at Bhor. From there we took NH4 and reached home at 10:30pm.
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| View from Varandha Ghat |
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| At Shivtharghal |
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| View from Varandha Ghat |
Contacts:
New Swapna Sagar Niwas, Karde: +91 92716
59020
Garwa Beach Resort, Kolthare: +91 2358 285
232
