District: Ratnagiri
Type : Nature Trail
Grade: Very Easy
Duration : 2 Nights/days
Mode of Transport : Private Bus
...
The places that we will be visiting during outing are:
1 1. Velas Beach
2. Bankot Fort
3. Harihareshwar Temple & Beach
4. Pali Ballaleshwar Temple (One of the Ashtavinayak Ganesh)
About Velas:
Velas is a small coastal village in Rathnagiri District of Maharashtra. Olive Ridleys are the smallest of the sea turtles and they got their name because of their olive coloured shells. Though these are the most abundant species of turtles in any ocean, they are yet classified as endangered species. Often people kill these turtles for their shells, meat and mostly for the eggs. People belonging to the shores where these turtles hatch their eggs, call the phenomenon as “Arribada”.
“Arribada” is the process of Olive Ridleys gathering along the seashores in thousands, to lay eggs and hatch them. There are some famous places where millions of Olive Ridleys participate in Arribada along the shores of Atlantic, Pacific and Indian oceans. One such place is ‘Velas beach’ and a couple of other villages where the beach stretches. The Olive Ridleys migrate across thousands of kilometers to lay eggs on these shores every year. About 20 – 60 nests are found every year onshore Velas beach.
Velas Turtle Festival is an event organized by two non-profit NGO called ‘Sahyadri Nisarga Mitra’ and ‘Kasav Mitra Mandal’. People, local and visitors, gather together along the shores when the eggs laid by the adult female Oliver Ridleys hatch. The above NGOs have joined hands with Forest Department and Marine Turtle Conservation centre of the state to preserve the eggs from becoming preys to birds, small animals, crabs, snakes, etc. After guarding them till a reporting of an egg hatching occurs, people gather at this beach to take the young turtles in their hands and leave it in the sea water. This extra-ordinary event is called as “Velas Turtle Festival”.
Velas is also known for the birth place of Nana Phadnavis, a great Indian diplomat.
Bankot Sea Fort :
Bankot stands at the mouth of Bankot creek, where Savitri river (originating from Mahabaleshwar) meets the Arabian Sea. Bankot creek was a major sea trade route, and the ancient caves of Dasgaon and Mandangad are the evidence of the same. Bankot fort is also known as Himmatgad & Victoria Fort.
Bankot is a square shaped fort. On the sides of Bankot fort, there is a dry moat (Revni) dug out in the Jambhya stone. Jambhya stone is peculiar type of stone adorning a purple shade and peculiarly it is incapable of storing water as the water invariable percolates through it owing to its much porous nature. The main entrance (Mahadarwaja) of the fort is north-facing with a well sculpted arch and carvings. Watch guards dug out (Devdya) align on both sides of the Mahadarwaja with some pits being dug out in the right Devdi. On the left, there are steps leading towards Nagarkhana while there is an underground storey and a tunnel on the right. A Maruti idol in the centre stands deserted now. On the west, there is a small entrance (Darwaja) leading to a Bastion on the exterior of the fortifications. A deep well (now dry and filled) occupied the centre of this bastion earlier and the adjacent water tanks too are dry and obsolete now. One can leave the Buruj via a small exit that leads to the surrounding moat and a beautiful “Revni” lying nearby.
Harihareshwar:
Surrounded by four holy hills Harihar, Harshinachal, Bramhadri and Pushpadri Harihareshwar is a region in Konkan which is amazingly beautiful with hills playing the perfect foil for long stretch of pristine beach. The Harihareshwar temple built in the 16th century with the deities of Vishnu Brahma and Shiva is the primary attraction in Harihareshwar along with beautiful stretch of beach.
Tentative Itinerary of the event will be as follows :
Day 1, Friday, 14 March 2013
Meeting time and place: 10.45 PM @ Dadar East Nr. Swami Narayan Temple
11.00 PM @ Travel to Velas
Day 2, Saturday, 15 March 2013
Morning Session:
Early morning arrival at Velas, freshen up
Move to nesting site at Velas beach at 0700 hrs.
Return to Villagers home, refreshment
Visit Bankot Fort at 1100 hrs.
Typical Konkani Lunch at 1300 hrs.
Afternoon Session
Rest time or play indoor games like cards, business, etc.
Evening Session
Move to Velas Beach, nesting site at 1700 hrs.
Dinner at 2100 hrs
Night walk on sea shore.
Day 3, Sundday, 22 March 2013
Wake up early morning
Velas beach, nesting site at 0700 hrs.
Back to house, break fast.
Start for Harihareshwar at 1100 hrs
Harihareshwar temple & beach visit at 1200 hrs.
Lunch at 1330 hrs.
Return to Mumbai, enroute Ballaleshwar Temple Visit
Reach Dadar by 2100 hrs (Time is subjective)
Contribution: Contribution for the tour is Rs. 1900/- (For the age 15 & above) & Rs.1400/-(For the age 5 to 14)
Includes:
1) Transportation from Dadar to Dadar by private Non-AC bus.
2) All Veg. lunch & breakfast.
3) Turtle festival entry charges.
4) Accommodation in typical Konkani villager’s house.
5) Ferryboat Charges.
Please book in advance with payment of Rs. 1000/- for bus & accommodation booking . … Deposit the amount in the following account.
Name: Kumar Suresh Gaudse
Bank: Andhra Bank
Branch : Dombivali East
A/c Type: Savings Bank
A/c No: 079110011012121
IFSC Code: ANDB0000791
Imp Note: -
Emergence of Hatchlings of turtles is a natural process. So cannot give guarantee of emerging possibility of turtles on the mentioned dates.
Things to carry:
Good trekking shoes,
Torch with spare battery ( a must)
A Water Bottle (2 Ltrs) (a must)
Sleeping Bag, Mat (a must)
Towel, a napkin, Extra Pair of clothes (a must)
Camera, Cell Phone, Binoculars (Optional)
Some ready to eat food. Plum cakes, Biscuits etc
Note:
1) Registration through phone calls only
2) Avoid wearing gold ornaments and valuables.
For confirmation please contact
Kumar Gaudse: 9870577761 / 9930252241
Kavish Sukhthankar: 9820330615
Join us @ https://www.facebook.com/groups/156590737807072/
