Travel Konkan! See the unseen!

Why this blog?

"Travel Konkan" is an initiative by “Konkanputra”, Ashish Golatkar, to make Konkan visible on the Global Tourist Map.

This blog is being set up to provide comprehensive information about Konkan to promote tourism business in this region. Through this initiative I wish to reach out to millions of travelers around the world who thrive to explore the unexplored.

India is best described as a myriad of cultures. The choices are limitless - you can travel across Rajasthan or you can explore the fascinating cave temples of Kajuraho. Northern Indian states like Jammu-Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh are popular worldwide. Lately, Kerala backwaters have gained popularity amongst local travelers.

But if you really want to get away from these overcrowded tourist places and enjoy unexplored beauty of nature then you must come to Konkan.

Konkan has many beautiful beaches, most of this beaches are not yet truly discovered by the tourists and are far better than the so called popular beaches in India. Besides its magnificent beaches, the picturesque Konkan coast from Mumbai to Goa is studded with forts which have survived in their solid majesty for more than three centuries. It has a lot to offer to the visitor and its diverse geographical features are such that any tourist will definitely find something of his interest. No matter what kind of holiday you are looking for, You'll definitely enjoy your stay in Konkan.

So next time you plan your holidays you know where to go! Enjoy!

Sindhudurg Fort

Just 1 k.m. away from Malvan city; this fort is considered as a soul of Hindavi Swarajya (Hindu empire set up by Shri Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj). If we have to fight with British and Portuguese then we ought to have complete control over sea was realized by King Shivaji and hence he decided to build a fort. When he visited Kurte island he was convinced there’s no other place like this to build a fort. Today after seeing this fort on this island one must feel like offering a salute to this visionary king. On 25^th November 1664 after offering prayers to sea god the first stone of the fort was laid. The construction work got over by 29^th March 1667.

Fort set up over 48 acres of land of is a unique and one of it’s kind example architectural design. The approach to this fort is through ferry boats available at Malavan jetty. Fort wall is built in such a fashion that on first look it’s very difficult to find the main entrance gate. The idea was to hide the main door from enemies to protect it from direct fire from a long distance.

Inside the fort one can visit Jarimari Temple, Bhavani Temple, Mahadev Temple and Dudhbav, Dahibav and Sakharbav which are sweet water wells on the island. Inside Mahadev temple is a well which has secret tunnel. Wonder of the nature, a coconut tree with two branches is also very popular amongst the visitors. In one corner of the fort wall are the handprints of King Shivaji embossed in lime. Shivaji maharaj’s only temple in Maharashtra state “Shivrajeshwar” is also a part of this fort. King Shivaji’s statue without beard inside this temple is in a Navadi’s (sailor’s) get up. Rajaram Maharaj in year 1695 got this statue built in this temple.

The remains of the wrecked meeting room is a must see. The amazing sea view that one can see from here is just awesome. This fort is built 2 k.m. inside the sea and can be visited throughout the year except for rainy season (June – August).

Trakarli

Just 7 k.m. away from the Malvan city, this place is the most developed tourist destination in Sindhudurg District. Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC) has turned this place into a most popular tourist destination in Sindhudurg from an unknown village. Very clean-n-long beach and adjacent creek makes Trakarli a Picture perfect destination.

Trakarli beach has a Tent resort and also well furnished small-little individual bunglows built by MTDC amidst the Suru ban (Suru trees plantation). Sea is just 200 mtrs away from here and it’s a great pleasure to spend a night at this place by seaside. Tourists boats are available to take round in the creek. You can also request to take a tour at unmanned small islands approximately 10 kms from the beach. Dolphin sighting is one major attraction in this sea.

5 kms away from Trakarli is another tourist designation called “Devbaug”. Long beautiful beach, Fisherman’s community and Suru bans (Suru Trees) are the major attractions in this region. The place where Karli river meets sea is also absolutely stunning.

One can go to Devbaug by boat from Tarkarli. This journey is very pleasant. Fishermen catching fishes in shallow water, deep blue water, egrets waiting to catch a fish all this looks so lively and splendid.

Foreign tourists coming by Deccan Odessy travel to a place called Valaval via Tarkarli to enjoy the natural beauty of this place. They say that the scenic view one gets to see here is comparable to Switzerland.

About Konkan

Konkan Geography

The Konkan is a coastal strip of land bounded by the Sahyadri on the east, and Arabian Sea on the west. It is a land where mythology breathes side by side with economic growth; a land with rich mineral resources, dense forest cover and a landscape fringed with paddy, coconut and mango trees.

Konkan History

Mythology says Lord Parshuram the sixth incarnation of Lord Vishnu, created the region. After cleansing the world of evil-forces several times, he is said to have come and rested in Konkan, blessing the area with his presence. Little surprise then that the only Lord Parshuram temple in the country is found in Konkan, near Chiplun, in Maharashtra.

Konkan was also the area where Vasco Da Gama landed in 1498, leading a European onslaught that eventually led to the colonisation of India. Incidentally, spices, especially pepper, so attractive to early European traders, grow abundantly in the region.

Shivaji Bhosle, also known as Chhatrapati Shivaji Raje Bhosle (19-02-1627 to 03-04-1680) was the founder of Maratha empire in western India in 1674. Using guerrilla tactics superbly suited to the rugged mountains and valleys of the region, he annexed a portion of the then dominant Mughal empire. He is considered a great hero in India particularly in the present-day state of Maharashtra, and stories of his exploits have entered into folklore.

This region- was the home to the first organised Indian Navy, set up by the great warrior king Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. Shivaji saw the strategic importance of the-region and the need to have a strong navy to defend this long coastline from European invaders. He did that by setting up a naval force as well as by building strong sea forts along the coast. Some of these forts, like Vijaydurg, survive to this day, a testimony to his vision. Further proof of it importance Shivaji attached to Konkan, is the fact that the massive Raigad fort, which Shivaji made his capital, also guarded the trading route between Konkan and the hinterland.

Konkan People

The Konkani people are a group of people who speak Konkani. Their mother tongue is Konkani.

The word Konkani derives from kum, meaning 'Mother Earth' and kana, meaning 'piece/part' thereby meaning a strip of land along the western Indian coast beyond the Western Ghat mountains called as Konkan. The language they speak as well as the people itself take the name from the region where it originated.

The Konkani people primarily speak Konkani although a very high percentage are bilingual. This is because Konkanis are spread out across the western coast of India,and dwell in areas where they have to interact with other people on a daily basis. They can be found in the Konkan Division, Goa, Canara and small pockets in Kerala.

Ganesh Temple Reddy

Reddy is a small little town by the sea side situated 33 k.m. away from Sawantwadi and 22 k.m. from Vengurla. Town known for manganese mines for years is becoming more and more popular nowadays for Sayambhu two handed Ganesh Temple. The Ganesh idol in this temple was found 8 feet inside the earth. In past the town was always busy in manganese transportation. Trucks were used to bring magnese found in the mines to the port. Mr. Sadanand Kambli who was working as a truck driver dreamt off Lord Ganesh early morning on 18^th April 1976. Lord Ganesh told him about the location of the idol and asked him to get the land freed. Sadanand then started digging the place with help of his friend Mr. Juwelkar and other villagers. Finally the Gnesh idol was digged out on 1^st May 1976.

Ganesh idol is carved out of Murju stone and is in seating posture. More importantly this Ganesh idol is two handed as against four in usual. Devotees feel blessed to see this 6 feet tall and four and half feet wide, beautiful, divine idol of Lord Ganesh. Forty days later they found a staute of mouse which is Lord Ganesh’s vehicle in a near by mine which they kept in front of Ganesh’s idol.

During MAHABHARAT times Pandavas and Rushimunis (priests) built many temples and historians believe that this Ganesh Idol is from one on those temaples. Today we have beautifully built Ganesh Temple here. Just 300 feet away form the temple is the beautiful seashore. This place is very beautiful. Other nearby places to see are Mauli Temple, Sidheshwar temple, Yashawant Gad (fort) and Terekol keri which is 7 k.m. away from Reddy.