Tales of Alibaug - Murud Janjira - Dec 2008

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Amey was in Mumbai with his family after a long gap & everybody was approaching Alibaug, where he was based.His alibaug home.And thingsworked out nicely.Prakash Kaka decided to have a Satyanarayan Pooja on this nice occassion.Its a reguler yearly ritual at his place but this time since Amey was returning, I think he decided to push it few months ahead in December.He was hoping that he will sit for the pooja which ultimately he didnt so Kaka & Kaki only had to sit.

Myself & Nam,two of us left Mumbai on a friday.Distance of approx.125 kms was reached in around 3-3.5 hours.Navin,Anuja, Bhushan who are Amey's maternal cousins were already there.All of us shared same age group, between 25-30 except Bhushan who is the juniormost among us. I think he was in his sweet 16.When we reached Prakash Kaka's place, only Anuja was at home.Amey & rest of the folks have gone out somewhere.By the time they returned, we have unwound & settled down.Now that all of us were on, it was only natural for plans to get crystalised.It didnt took us long to freeze on Murud Janjira picnic.Anu Kaki has prepared some nice Panu Puri for us.We all had it & went to sleep..chatting up as we lay on our bed, about anything & everything!!

Next day morning we woke up in batches!!I think everybody except me woke up in first batch.They had their morning walk in the surrounding garden of the bunglow, washed the car, soaked in the morning due..in nutshell, enjoyed everything that wonderful morning had to offer.Soon we were on our way to Murud.It was Tata Indica V2.Distance from Alibaug to Murud must be 70-80 km one way.You first go towards Alibaug city, take the road towards Birla Temaple.At the plaza, take a left towards Kashid Beach & continue to drive on.We have 5 idiots on the car and when idiots are together, it means loads of fun.We had our share too!We halted at each photogenic place but our first halt was not b'use we had a a good spot but rather b'use we had a minor problem with the car.Some part of it was hanging from the engine at the back & was making noise when hit against the road.When we parked, Amey was quick to get down & fix it.Didnt took long so quickly we resumed our journey.On the way we stopped over at Kashid beach.There is well known eating dhaba called Patil's Khanawal.It has a narrow entrance but spacious inside.Somebody said that they have heard good things about its food.And what they have heard was proved right.We had variety of snax among 5 of us.After this pet pooja,we again resumed our journey.It was around 30 past noon that we reached the beach from where you can pick up the local ferry to go the fort ..

The thing that I liked there is the car park.They actually made us park on the beach near the water & also charged us.Nice way to make money!It was low tide & they did assured that the car will not wash away with the waves.We took their word & moved towards the ticket counter.They charge you some ten bucks I think for a return ferry.Being holiday season, we had students from some local school,standing in the same queue as us.As we wait in the queue for our turn, Amey took some snaps of those innocent little folks.Till we board the boat,we had no clue of how crowded its going to be.Its a small boat but If Iam right, they had allowed close to 60 people on that boat,which was driven manually.No engines.Amazing balancing act I must say.Some of the snaps that we clicked while onboard can give you some idea of fun that we had.Reminds me of a scene in movie "Swadesh" where Shahrukh Khan travels in a similer boat!

The Janjira fort, (which enjoys the identity as being the only fort in Maharashtra which Shivaji Maharaj was unable to conquer, during his lifetime in spite of repeated attempts), derserves that in all respects.Firstly its in the middle of sea & secondly, it is built to be "inconqurable".People are unable to see the main gate till they actually come within shooting distance of the fort walls.And anybody comes within shooting range, obviously will not survive the bullets of fort's guards.I was told that the fort was built back in 12th century.Considering the technology available then, nobody can help but wonder how the hell it was built this way in the middle of the sea!!The outer structure amuses you but when you enter the fort thru its gates, you get equally disappointed.The fort which once enjoyed rich heritage of mightly Siddi Johars has lost all its glory over a period of time.There is not a single structure which stands today.All you see is only ruins!!The fort is big.Its sad to see that forts like this which are testimony to our rich history are neglected for maintainance by Government & rendered in such a bad state.APart from a single plate which carries of declaration of that fort being a historical monument, there is no evidence of govt attention to this fort.

Good part of our picnic was the company.We had loads of fun on the fort as explored all the areas of fort.After spending some hour or so on the fort, we again stood in queue to get back to land.This time also it was crowded but in good company you dont really feel the pain of such things!!Back on the land, we jumped onto our car & started our journey back to Alibaug.By evening, Navin has to leave as Bhushan has some exams that week for which he needed to study.So after reaching, we all had snax with tea, post which both Navin & Bhushan left.Now only 4 of us were left there..myself, Nam, Amey & Anuja.And that was enough for loads of fun on the late evening. If I remember correctly, rest of the day we spent visiting two uncles ie Ashok Kaka & Uma Kaki place.Amey has got gifts for both his niece ie Arya & Rutuja.At both the places, whole family was delighted to see Amey.We all spent some good quality with them & returned home.


Next day ie Sunday, Prakash Kaka has organised for his yearly Satyanarayan Pooja.They wanted Amey to for the rituals but escaped tactfully!!Finally Prakash Kaka & Anu Kaki did the honours.Bhatji was someone from the friend's circles only. I dont remember his name but I think he enjoyed fast friendship with one of Amey & Nam's uncle.The pooja started early in the morning.By the time, it was in last stages,guests started arriving.The list was long.I think they had apart from us, all matrenal aunties of Amey & their families, all paternal uncle's & their families.All ladies got together on the first floor & got themselves engaged in preparing for the food.Good team work!!On the ground floor, all gents were chatting & having good time.Prakash Kaka & Amey along with Kaki were playing perfect hosts by welcoming all to their houses & making sure that they are taken care of.Around noon, even Bala Kaka & Nutan kaki arrived from Mumbai.The lunch was ready.Thanx to good co ordinated effort by alll the leading ladies!!We decided to sit in the varanda the entrance of the house.It was all veg meal being Pooja but each of the aunties have added their bit of touch to it so it tastes nice!!

Post lunch, from afternoon to evening, timewent by as all of us chatted to each other.As evening ended, all gentleman came together to kick start their session on one of the common passion.ie Drinks.Each one had their choice & whatever one wanted was made available.Nam,Amey,myself & Anuja were inside the house tossing up ideas as to what to do at night.And sudenly a fantastic idea came up.ie to Have a Karaoke night.The family is full of singing talent, in the form of Nam, Shweta & company.I thought that it will be limited to young ones on both sides.But that turned out to be exactly opposite.It took some time to get the momentum going but it was the Ice Breaker by Bala Kaka that got things going.Realising that things are not energised even after spending good 30-45 mins after we started, he decided to step in with a golden oldie ie Ae Meri Zohra Jabi" .We have the whole songs captured on cam & it was absolute fun.The way he sang, pronounced words was simple awsome!!Everybody not
only enjoyed what Bala Kaka did but most importantly it got the ball rolling.Everybody got in the mood.Bala Kaka's solo singing performance was followed by a solo dance performance by Rutuja on the song "Nakva ..Botine Neshil Ka.."We all still remember that step where she on mukhda she does that 360 degree round of hand waving in the air!!Once Nam, Shweta & Anuja started the Ladies wing, even their Mom's joined the fun.Each one of them sang!!I dont know what was the last time they all sang but whatever they did that evening was nothing short of what you describe as "Absolutely Fantactice time!!".As midnight approached, one by one many departed for their bed.It was left to me, Amey, Nam & Anuja to finish the proceedings.I think one of his aunts & Prakash Kaka was there till last.Some time past midnight, we stopped & only b'use if we continue then many of them will not get good sleep.Else who wanted to finish it!!

Last 3-4 days have great fun for all of us.Many joined us mid way, some left mid way.From Murud Janjira to the karaoke, it was one of the best time that we had with such a wide group from family in ALibaug.Iam sure noone would disagree!!

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Photos

Murud Janjira Fort
As seen from the Boat that takes you to the sea fort

Everybody enjoyed it thoroughly!!
Me, Amey & Anuja !!

Princess of the Fort!
Nam in one of the corners!

Karaoke Night
Me & Amey holding the show !!

Family Kodak Moment!
Anuja,Amey,Arya, Swapna & Nam

Comments

[Amey]

You remember even the
Dude...sachin...! Amazing blog...i read this now...you remeber even the minutest details of our trip :).. - Amey Kanade