Sad Sagarachi - Ratnagiri,Maharashtra

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Sad Sagarachi - Ratnagiri Sahal

Maza Maharashtra is the best place in the world & Kokan is its paradise.This is what I was convinced when I returned from 4 day picnic from Ratnagiri in JUne 2009.3rd week May when we were enjoying tea & snax at Bala Kaka's residence in Versova when someone suggested a family picnic to Kokan in the monsoons.It was readily accepted by all around which is namely myself, Namita, Balakaka,Nutan Kaki & Vinayak.It possibly was a passing thought for few of them but when I informed them that I have booked 6 return tickets on Mandovi Express for Jume 10th - 13th from Mumbai to Ratnagiri, everybody realised its not so.Kaka equally reciprocated by booking their bank quarters for same period which took care of our stay.In 2 days our logistics were in place to be in Ratnagiri for enjoying Kokan in Monsoons.Bhijlela KOkan!!

Fun started no longer we reached Dadar station barely 5 mins before the scheduled departure as Kaka started pulling my leg on how easily I can fool people on phone around our whereabts when we left home for Dadar!Mahesh joined us from GIrgaon & we unfortunatelt were the last one to reach the destination.Those 10-15 mins that we spent together while waiting for Mandovi Express was enough to give me a peek into all the fun that I can expect in next 4 days!Namita has experienced it in her last trips with Bala Kaka & Fly in the past before marriage.It was repeat of that experience;ofcourse after long gap!

Bhaja,shira,Upma, Chaha ..kahi kahi vicharu naka.Je Je Antil Te Te Khawe asa janu kahi pavitrach amhi ghtala hota.Rammiche Dav,Gappa yat kadhi amhi Ratnagiri la pohochalo he kalalech nahi!Yes but one funny incident that Iam sure all will remember on our way was the way Nutan Kaki rushed away while we were standing for a grp photo at Chiplun station.Guard Uncle was abt to click when Motorman blew thw horn.Nutan Kaki rushed as if Train if already off, leaving Guard Uncle wondering if he did something wrong!Trailor Accha Hota Hai par Picture Bakwas.This is a dialogue from AB starrer Bluff Master.But here trailor bhi accha tha aur picture bhi!As you approach Ratnagiri, you can see all the green mountains around, misty air ani madhunach dikavnare Dhabdhabe!Actual picture in Ratnagiri is no different from this trailor.

Infrastructure in Konan is improving steadily & Ratnagiri Station is apt example of that.Arranngements there are very traveler friendly.Epitome of this was banners put up outside station telling passengers what to see in Rantagiri with list of all its attractions.Vinayak & Kaka have called for some driver to pick us up at Station.But that deal turned out to be bad one for us as that journey from Ratnagiri to our BOI quaters in Ganapatipule was the only trip that we did with that guy.The deal he agreed initially, he turned down as soon as we reached our destination.We did his full & final settlement & got a good replacement by referance of caretaker of the Quarters.After unwinding at the modest 1 room equivalent apartments on top floor, we quickly assembled to have a sneak peek at famous Ganapatupule Mandir.We were told its 10 mins walk but it was around 20 mins twists & turns that lead us to the temple which is on the banks of the arabian sea.What we did there is not visit the temple (which was slated for next day morning) but had some cute family snaps.Again with Balakaka as company it was time for some good food.We selcted a decent joint near the temple & had some snax.Back at the quarters,it was time for some good food again.This time dinner before going to sleep.

The driver that we have fixed turned up on time but with two ladies we were bound to be late!(Namita & Kaku forgive me for this ;-)Finally by 10 am we all managed to start the journey.Itinerary was Rantagiri Darshan & we started by taking blessings of Ganapati Bappa.Temple there is considered to be one of the best placed temples around the world & you have to be there to feel why!Pristine sea, waves touching the footsteps of the temple as if they are bowing their head in front of all mighty.Simply wonderful.Whats makes you feel spend more time there is the sound of waves crushing at the beach.First stop on our ! Day tour was Kavi Keshvsut Smarak.His place of birth has been now converted into a museum with his famous poems engraved on wide stones which stand next to each other in the forefront of the museum.Part of this musem also hosts children from nearby area who are too poor to have a place of their own & sponsers their education.A section of that museum features all the famous literates of Maharashtra.Be there, read their words & feel proud that you are a Maharashtrian.Undoubtly We are the best breed of people in art, culture & valour!From Good to better.Next stop was Pracheen Kokan.A museum built on small mountain by a Die Hard Kokan Fan (I dont recollect the name now) that takes you back 500 years in history of Kokan. its people, culture & Heritage.I have been to many museums abroad & happy to say that this one stand in line with them for the way its organised,maintained.I felt proud that such a worldclass museum is in my own homeland.It has the Bara Balutedar's of ancient Maharashtrian social system explained by their life size statues & whats more than a volunteer explaining you all abt their life & importance in then society in Marathi.Would you believe that that museum also has a river on the way & its noise adds a totally different touch to that place!

We never felt like leaving that place but time was constraint.From there we started moving towards the Ratnagiri City & on the way one of the best..in fact I shud say the best road along side the sea that I have travelled in my life.Something that we often see in Bollywood movies where hero takes his heroine onhis car.No wonder we halted there for a moment to feel it , see it & store in our memory.In next 45 mins we reached the city area which among others houses the famous Patit Pawan Mandir alongside Swatantravir Savarkar Museum.This Mandir is the place where in British India Savarkar for the first time legitimised entry of the harijans in the temple.The museum which is in the same premises not only houses some personal items of Savarkar but also shows visitors a movie on life of this brave Freedon Fighters.Its there that I read that Swatantravir Savarkar was the first Indian to do many a things against British such as first one to pronounce Freedom for India openly. first one to fly Indian flag abroad etc.Unfortunately not much of literature is available on him that widely but seeing his deeds I have today the highest respect for him in my mind.From there we quickly moved towards Pavas Math which is temple of Swami Swarupanand.Nice quiet place.They serve Prasad in the afternoon which we availed of & had some nice & cool sarbats before taking our individual seats in the Tata Vinger.One good thing abt being in Kokan in June is everywhere you see waterfalls. So when we saw one on our way to Thiba Palace we couldnt control stopping by (Also 2 of us ie Vinayak & myself has to answer Nature's call as well)!Thiba Palace which is often cited as one of the populer Ratnagiri attraction is a palace built by British to house arrest Bermese King Thiba in 1920's who was captured by British when they won the battle against them & brought him to India under arrest.He died in this very place some years later but this palace stands to remind of his sad story.Prasad at Pavas Math digested quickly so we again took a break to have some snax at a nearby hotel.Me & Mahesh (who was incidently not keeping well..tyachya Tangdya nantar galyat alya hotya!!) took a power nap before rest of the folks returned the car.A few kms away from the Thiba Palace is ancient Bhagwati Fort which dates back to 12-1th century.Not much of Shivaji Maharaj Era events happened here so you wont trace any major spots on this fort except routine temples,some canons etc.But what this fort offers is a breathtaking views of the sea from 3 sides.Must be around 100 meters high from sea level.One can see both Pandhra Samudra & Kala Samudra from here & not to forget gushes of strong sea wind.I would bet if anyone can light a cigarret here!!Somewhere in 1980's a huge dead whale was found on the Ratnagiri beach.Today his 60 feet long skelton adorns the center room of Ratnagiri State Acqarium.Nothing major to see there but definitely to have a acqarium in town is good for children going to school who must be coming here often.Markets & shopping is a weakpoint of all women & our ladies are no exception.I have often heard abt Nutan Kaki's craze for "Bazarpeth" from Namita but this time I experienced it.While going to Tilak Janmasmarak she made us stop so that she can go & see Ratnagiri Bajarpeth.While she enjoyed the market, me & Mahesh enjoyed relaxing in the car only.Tilak Janmasmarak was few meters away from there.He was born here & like Keshavsut this place has also been converted into a museum of sorts.I Like Keshavsut Smarak better than this though.Now it was around 5 pm & i think we have covered whetever was listed on that banner outside Ratnagiri Station which I saw on arrival, by now. Journey back was fun remembering all the fun that we had in the day & reviewing all the snaps taken in the day.

Dinner that day was strictly veg due to Sankashti & it was honour of M/S Joshi to host Khavayye Like us in his hotel near the beach for dinner.Who can forget the cross questioning that Nutan Kaki did to Mr.Joshi abt his cooking which in turned made him angry & give us yet another topic to laugh abt.Our driver was kind enough to drop us back to the querters where we slept..like after selling horses.

Next day morning,we have set up time of 10 am wit our driver.Itinerary was Marleshwar Waterfall.Its abt 75-80 km away from our place.On the way it was lot of fun.Singing, timepass what else can you expect when you have Namita & Vinayak for company!!First halt was at a malvani dhaba if I may call it.Roadside tea & snax shop.Otherwise I would be conscious to eat at that place but it was company of Balakaka that made me enjoy the food there.So did Namita!We among 5 of us must have had almost 8-10 dishes of snax, ranging from Wada,bhaji,omlet pav etc.After petpooja,we drove non stop till we reached Marleshwar.This place is famous for 2 things.One the Lord Shiva temple on top & the Marleshwar Waterfall next to it.In modern time with increasing human population in that area, we dont see much of snakes.But oldies share the story that inside the cave where the Shivpindi is located, one would see snakes strolling around in big numbers.Thankfully today its not!The snakes have disappeared but monkey's have not.And we got a taste of their mischief when one of them snatched away a snax packet from Kaku's hand on our way up.Personally Iam afraid of both snakes & Monkeys but thanx to people around me,we managed to go up & come down without much trouble from both of them.Due to monsoons, inside the cave the surface was slippery as there was water dripping down from various corners.Outside the waterfall is simply amazing.Due to rains, it was in its best mode.Vinayak had been here in summer also.He showed us pictures of summer waterfall & we had the monsoon form of the same in front of us.ANybody can make out the difference.Simple Awsome!After offering out prayers to Lord Shiva, we came down admist some rain.Now it was time for lunch.Having a local to see places around is of immense help.This time as well it helped as he stopped at one of the best restaurants in the area for food.We had some zanzanit malvani non veg food there before resuming out journey back to home.On the way we saw quiet a few animals that you wouldt see otherwise.A Peacock, a Eagle flying with a snake in her paws (who ultimately escaped in front of us).Great fun.In morning when going towards temple, we have made up our mind that we want to bathe in one of the many waterfalls that we saw on the way.We have already identified one in a narrow mountain.On our return journey, we stopped there.We changed & were quickly under the water.The fall look tiny but force of water was tremendous.We realised it only when we remain under it for 5-10 mins. It was not only fast but also cold.Nam joined 3 of us & then what.We had some of funniest poses cliked under the watre by our expert cameraman Balakaka.By now driver has realised that we liked the sea facing route very much so on return travel he ensured that he took us again by same road.Beauty of sunset on that road is best enjoyed driving down the same.No words can describe it!We reached home in time for evening tea.At night, we have ordered for some home cooked fish & our caretaker obliged.We had some nice fish & rice for dinner.

Next day was Monday.Our day of return.The train was scheduled at around 2 pm.We got up early,packed our bags & decided to go to Ganapatipule temple yet again.We wanted to thank the lord for making this trip one of the best familiy picnics that we have had in our life & seek his blessings for a happy life.We had one complete pradakshina of the temple.Our driver was good on reminding us all the time of our train.Just when we thought its over,we had yet another surprise in store.He took us to Hotel Durvankur for lunch.Trust me I had one of the best veg lunch thali in my life there,especially the chapatis.They were simple amazing.Till today we swear by it.From hotel to Ratagiri station was a journey of 40-45 mins.We settled drivers dues on the way.And then we had another funny incidence by which Iam sure Balakaka will tease me even today.He loves pan and you dont get that in train, he made the car stop at a panwala.We were running without much margin (as per my calculations) and admist that I felt Kaka is taking unnecessarily long in getting his pans packed.In rush of moment,I climbed down from the car & ran to fetch him.When he saw my urgency, he was puzzled as to why Iam making such a rush b'use as per his calculations we would reach station on time.Which finally came true.Ofcourse he has travelled much much more than me.When we saw train yet to arrive at platform, guess what!He started pulling my leg on how I made him run on war footing at the pan shop!!Train was not much delayed.We all boarded.We had food like a hour before so nobody was hungry.Now what to do till we reach Mumbai.The cards came out.We started playing 6 way Badam Satti.Vinayak & Mahesh signed off citing some cheating etc but we three (Nam,Kaka & Me) continued.I was leading for some time.But soon Nam & kaka overtook me.Ultimately Kaka won by small margin over Nam.Experience counts!!It was raining heaviliy when we got down at Dadar.We all came to western side.Bid bye bye to each other.Took our respective trains & reached home safely.

It was truly speaking my first family picnic in a long time & what a event it turned out to be.There was not a single dull moment thruout.I think largely due to the company that I had.Balakaka & Fly are a true joy to be out on picnic.I saw Nam as a totally different person during this period.Carefree,funny..She enjoyed every bit of this.Vinayak & Mahesh added their touch to this wonderful experience as well.I never felt alien,uncomfortable & out of sorts anywhere in spite of the fact that I was travelling with these guys for the first time.They made me feel at ease.We havent had many family outings yet but Iam sure, this will remaing in our memory as the first & hopefully one of the best in time to come.

Top 10 experiences of Ratnagiri -

1.Prachin Kokan Museum
2.Train Travel to & From Ratnagiri.
3.Savarkar Smarak
4.The Seafacing road from Ganapatupule to Ratnagiri City
5.Stay & morning breakfast at the Bank's bunglow.
6.Bath in the waterfall
7.Marleshwar temple
8.Kavi Keshvsut Smarak.
9.Lunch at Durvankur
10.Ganapatipule temple & the surrounding beach

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Comments

[sanjay]

MI MARATHI
Very nice photo at post chiplun my hert in kokan[chiplun/ratnagiri/ganpatipule/marleshvar]

[Sachin]

Really nice treap and good snaps.
good snaps.