Saturday 31 December 2011
Dapoli (Part 2)
Dapoli – Dolphin Safari (Part 2)
When we decided for Dapoli the main attraction was Dolphins. We saw some snaps of it on the net, also some videos on youtube about it but still I was having doubt in my mind that in Maharashtra cost can we really see dolphins? When we were searching for resorts on net, we called one resort and then asked him about dolphin safari and he said ‘baslya baslya dolphins distat ithun’. Still I was having doubt.
Keeping that doubt in mind we reach to Dapoli – Murud beach Saturday early morning. After getting fresh and having breakfast we did the enquiry about charges and duration of dolphin safari. The safari is available in the morning and the guys who arrange it are there to welcome the tourist. Also we asked whether really we can see the dolphins and he said yes. One of us warned him that if we do not see then will sue you :p. We paid him for safari and then they gave us life jackets as safety major. We been boarded on boats and after all arrangements it started. I was seating at one side of boat and I could touch the sea water from the boat. They took us on one side of beach, we were on the boat now for almost and half an hour. We did some photography on board as usual. Half an hour passed but we could not see anything. Our eyes were searching here and there thinking we could see something but nothing but sea eagles everywhere. We started teasing each other, did you see dolphin I saw one here?. After some time we saw another boat coming our side. That boat come near by us and stopped so did our boat. Then both in charge of our boats had some discussion and then they turned our boat and started taking our boat in other direction then again we were travelling almost for 30 minutes and still we could see nothing. Then we saw other boat little far from us and it was standing still in water so our incharge of boat decided to take it there.
We started going near to that boat and we realise why they are there. We went closer and closer and suddenly we saw some gray colour fins coming out from the sea water level and going back in sea. We went little more nearer and then they were almost everywhere, 15-20 in numbers. We took out our cameras and started clicking those but they were not getting captured clearly. Some more time passed but we could see just fins and part of their body and yes suddenly one of them came out fully from water level and went back inside making splash in sea water. This was the first time we saw the whole dolphin. Back to that few more dolphins did the jump and we all were so happy and excited. It was like they knew we were watching them and they were entertaining us. Some more time few of them did the real dolphin jump. None of the jump we could capture in camera. We spend some more time watching them. For me it was like completed one of my wish to see dolphins and that is also in open sea. We headed back to beach with all happy memories and while on return we were thinking about the guy to whom we paid for this. Now he does not have to face and legal action against him ;)
Dolphin Safaris:
It is available early in the morning at Murud beach of Dapoli. They charge around 150 Rs per person. It takes around 1 and half hour for one safari.
When we decided for Dapoli the main attraction was Dolphins. We saw some snaps of it on the net, also some videos on youtube about it but still I was having doubt in my mind that in Maharashtra cost can we really see dolphins? When we were searching for resorts on net, we called one resort and then asked him about dolphin safari and he said ‘baslya baslya dolphins distat ithun’. Still I was having doubt.
Keeping that doubt in mind we reach to Dapoli – Murud beach Saturday early morning. After getting fresh and having breakfast we did the enquiry about charges and duration of dolphin safari. The safari is available in the morning and the guys who arrange it are there to welcome the tourist. Also we asked whether really we can see the dolphins and he said yes. One of us warned him that if we do not see then will sue you :p. We paid him for safari and then they gave us life jackets as safety major. We been boarded on boats and after all arrangements it started. I was seating at one side of boat and I could touch the sea water from the boat. They took us on one side of beach, we were on the boat now for almost and half an hour. We did some photography on board as usual. Half an hour passed but we could not see anything. Our eyes were searching here and there thinking we could see something but nothing but sea eagles everywhere. We started teasing each other, did you see dolphin I saw one here?. After some time we saw another boat coming our side. That boat come near by us and stopped so did our boat. Then both in charge of our boats had some discussion and then they turned our boat and started taking our boat in other direction then again we were travelling almost for 30 minutes and still we could see nothing. Then we saw other boat little far from us and it was standing still in water so our incharge of boat decided to take it there.
We started going near to that boat and we realise why they are there. We went closer and closer and suddenly we saw some gray colour fins coming out from the sea water level and going back in sea. We went little more nearer and then they were almost everywhere, 15-20 in numbers. We took out our cameras and started clicking those but they were not getting captured clearly. Some more time passed but we could see just fins and part of their body and yes suddenly one of them came out fully from water level and went back inside making splash in sea water. This was the first time we saw the whole dolphin. Back to that few more dolphins did the jump and we all were so happy and excited. It was like they knew we were watching them and they were entertaining us. Some more time few of them did the real dolphin jump. None of the jump we could capture in camera. We spend some more time watching them. For me it was like completed one of my wish to see dolphins and that is also in open sea. We headed back to beach with all happy memories and while on return we were thinking about the guy to whom we paid for this. Now he does not have to face and legal action against him ;)
Dolphin Safaris:
It is available early in the morning at Murud beach of Dapoli. They charge around 150 Rs per person. It takes around 1 and half hour for one safari.
Mayuresh
Thursday 29 December 2011
Dapoli (Part 1)
Dapoli – Beauty of Konkan (Part 1)
We office friends were thinking of having one day stay trip from long time. Whenever we started to think of having trip, Goa is the destination used to pop up in our mind and we all used to get lost in dreams about what fun we all can have in Goa. One day we were having less (or you can say No as always :p ) work at office and we started thinking of trip again and this time we all were little serious, being practical about days having in our hand we first thought of Mahabaleshwar, then Matheran, then Tarkarli and finally one of our friend came up with idea Dapoli which is quite near to Mumbai and peaceful beach. We google some pics of Dapoli and the pics which we saw were really awesome and the main thing attracted us is ‘Dolphin Safari’. Yes we can see dolphins in Dapoli beach early morning. Hearing that we all were excited and finally decided to go for Dapoli.
Next milestone is of travel dates, after having number of round of discussions we finalised the dates. Then we started surfing for the hotel/resort for stay, we then found one good beach resort and after having discussion with resort guys over call we booked the rooms. Now next thing was how to travel, everyone giving their ideas of travelling by train, private bus, and state transport bus and at last we finalise private vehicle almost the day before travelling which turn out to be convenient.
We hired Tavera, two of our friends were working in Malad so first both of them boarded the vehicle from Malad then other friend from Goregaon and finally 5 of us joined them in Juinagar railway station. We started from Juinagar around 11 PM. I was carrying cards so to pass the time, 6 of us started playing cards, one of our favourite game Mendhi coat. For Dapoli we have to take Goa road NH17 which starts after crossing Panvel. Goa road is good to drive with some exceptions at Pen and wadkhal naka where some potholes on road will break your speed. Around 1 AM near Karnala our driver took first halt for his dinner. Main adventure started after that. Our driver started closing his eyes while driving and our friend sitting next to him realises this and he took the job to keep his eye open by poking him all the time. Then we took the next stop for the tea near Nagothane but still our driver was not freshen up by that. After crossing Mangaon we have to take exit from NH17 near Veer Railway station for Dapoli. Before that our driver parked the car nearby one small dhaba present on highway for nap as he was feeling too sleepy to drive. Meantime we all again started photography on that Dhaba at around 3.30 AM. We can start taking snaps at any time at any location that is our speciality. We also witnessed one small accident where one truck were taking reverse and he bammed the other truck parked and then little funny argument between both drivers around 4 AM. After 1 hour of nap also our driver was not ready to go ahead so finally we decided to wake him up and asked him to lets go as we don’t wanted to miss early morning Dolphin Safari.
We started our journey once again. We took right turn as per the sign board but believe me its better if we continue NH17 till Khed and then take right turn because thinking this will be a shortcut its actually bumping journey as road was not so good. We touched the Dapoli at around 7 AM but journey is not yet over as the Murud beach where our resort is located was around 14-15 Km form Dapoli. We asked local guys for how to go to Murud. Asking direction at each turn finally our Tavera came in front of huge blue, breath taking view of Arabian Sea. We were on the beach and everyone got fresh by just view of this nature beauty. We asked one of the local guy on beach about our resort address. It was just nearby. Before going to resort we could not hold our self back and we just had walk on beach, we also saw the boat taking tourist for Dolphin Safari, then we started some early morning photography and then went to resort reception to find that still no one is there so we decided to freshen up first and then had breakfast in one of the snack centre present on beach and then we all geared up for our main attraction of the trip ‘Dolphin Safari’.
We office friends were thinking of having one day stay trip from long time. Whenever we started to think of having trip, Goa is the destination used to pop up in our mind and we all used to get lost in dreams about what fun we all can have in Goa. One day we were having less (or you can say No as always :p ) work at office and we started thinking of trip again and this time we all were little serious, being practical about days having in our hand we first thought of Mahabaleshwar, then Matheran, then Tarkarli and finally one of our friend came up with idea Dapoli which is quite near to Mumbai and peaceful beach. We google some pics of Dapoli and the pics which we saw were really awesome and the main thing attracted us is ‘Dolphin Safari’. Yes we can see dolphins in Dapoli beach early morning. Hearing that we all were excited and finally decided to go for Dapoli.
Next milestone is of travel dates, after having number of round of discussions we finalised the dates. Then we started surfing for the hotel/resort for stay, we then found one good beach resort and after having discussion with resort guys over call we booked the rooms. Now next thing was how to travel, everyone giving their ideas of travelling by train, private bus, and state transport bus and at last we finalise private vehicle almost the day before travelling which turn out to be convenient.
We hired Tavera, two of our friends were working in Malad so first both of them boarded the vehicle from Malad then other friend from Goregaon and finally 5 of us joined them in Juinagar railway station. We started from Juinagar around 11 PM. I was carrying cards so to pass the time, 6 of us started playing cards, one of our favourite game Mendhi coat. For Dapoli we have to take Goa road NH17 which starts after crossing Panvel. Goa road is good to drive with some exceptions at Pen and wadkhal naka where some potholes on road will break your speed. Around 1 AM near Karnala our driver took first halt for his dinner. Main adventure started after that. Our driver started closing his eyes while driving and our friend sitting next to him realises this and he took the job to keep his eye open by poking him all the time. Then we took the next stop for the tea near Nagothane but still our driver was not freshen up by that. After crossing Mangaon we have to take exit from NH17 near Veer Railway station for Dapoli. Before that our driver parked the car nearby one small dhaba present on highway for nap as he was feeling too sleepy to drive. Meantime we all again started photography on that Dhaba at around 3.30 AM. We can start taking snaps at any time at any location that is our speciality. We also witnessed one small accident where one truck were taking reverse and he bammed the other truck parked and then little funny argument between both drivers around 4 AM. After 1 hour of nap also our driver was not ready to go ahead so finally we decided to wake him up and asked him to lets go as we don’t wanted to miss early morning Dolphin Safari.
We started our journey once again. We took right turn as per the sign board but believe me its better if we continue NH17 till Khed and then take right turn because thinking this will be a shortcut its actually bumping journey as road was not so good. We touched the Dapoli at around 7 AM but journey is not yet over as the Murud beach where our resort is located was around 14-15 Km form Dapoli. We asked local guys for how to go to Murud. Asking direction at each turn finally our Tavera came in front of huge blue, breath taking view of Arabian Sea. We were on the beach and everyone got fresh by just view of this nature beauty. We asked one of the local guy on beach about our resort address. It was just nearby. Before going to resort we could not hold our self back and we just had walk on beach, we also saw the boat taking tourist for Dolphin Safari, then we started some early morning photography and then went to resort reception to find that still no one is there so we decided to freshen up first and then had breakfast in one of the snack centre present on beach and then we all geared up for our main attraction of the trip ‘Dolphin Safari’.
Mayuresh
Monday 26 December 2011
Mahad - Varadvinayak
Mahad – Varadvinayak TempleMahad is one of the temples from Ashtvinayak located in Raigad district near Khopoli. I have been there many times but 18 Dec 2011 visit was special from many ways. It was my first long drive without any supervision and also it was little picnic with my best buddies after long time. This trip was suddenly planned and I guess that is the reason we succeeded in it. I initiated the plan on Thursday and on such short notice all were agreed to come. We decided to go early in the morning on 18 Dec because we have to attend one of our friend engagement on return which was at 12 Noon. We decided to meet at Nerul railway station at ‘sharp’ 7 and then pick another friend from Kharghar but this trip was not exception as the one travelling from Ghansoli missed her train and it took 8 to reach her to Nerul station. Meantime we 3 guys gathered at Nerul station by 7.30 and then we used our waiting time to fill the fuel tank and had sip of tea.
We started our journey around 8.15 from Nerul station and then picked other friend from Kharghar. I was driving the car for the first time so long so I was little bit nervous and trying to concentrate and rest all 4 guys was doing lots of majjak & masti. We took Mumbai-Pune Expressway which starts from Kalamboli and then first time I took all the control of car. No one was there to restrict me for the speed limit and to direct me how to go forward but still keeping my mind in control I kept average speed of car in-between 80-100kmph. Thinking that old NH4 will have traffic I decided not to take exit of Panvel bypass and took the Khopoli exit which made us to travel around 7-8 km back again. We reach to Mahad by 9. While parking the car we saw around 8 buses and thought of temple will be crowded and we might have to wait in long queue but then we saw people are still getting down from the buses and so we almost started running to reach temple before those 8 buses people stands in queue. We quickly bought some Puja plates and entered into temple and behind us all those 8 bus public came in to the temple. If we would have been late for couple of minutes then I think we should have to stand for long queue which might have took 30-45 minutes for darshan.
Earlier Varadvinayak temple structure was like small village house but now temple is extended and renewed. Temple has late behind it. Temple also has Lord Shiva pindi adjacent to Vardvinayaka. After entering into temple, we saw well made colorful Rangoli in the temple. Rangoli was very nice and attractive which made us to click some photographs of it. Then we took the darshan of Shiva then we took the darshan of Varadvinayak. After darshan we spend little time in temple and then took the Prasad. We came out of temple and then visited Lord Datta temple which is behind the Varadvinayak temple. After taking the Darshan of Lord Datta we decided to do some photography. After Photography we headed towards for some shopping. Some of us bought spices and then we had some snacks. Now the queue was quite long and we were happy that we took the Darshan before that.
After some more fun we look at watch and this was the time to head back as we have to catch engagement too. We left the Mahad around 10:15. This time we took old Mumbai-Pune NH4 highway to return back and I found this road easier to drive compare to expressway. Finally all went good and we reached back around 11:15 almost in 3 hrs from where we started. If we don’t have to catch engagement we were thinking of visiting Pali – Ballaleshwar temple too but no worries some time later.
Few things about Mahad – Varadvinayak
The idol of this temple Varadavinayak is a swayambu (self originated) and was found in the adjoining lake in an immersed position in 1690 AD. This temple is said to be built in 1725AD by Subhedar Ramji Mahadev Biwalkar. The idol of this temple faces the east and has his trunk turned to the left. There are 4 elephant idols guarding the 4 sides of the temple. In this Ashta Vinayak Temple devotees can enter the Garbagriha and pay their homage and respects to the idol personally. Devotees visit the Varadvinayak shrine throughout the year.
How to travel
If you are travelling from Mumbai its maximum 4 hrs return journey. It’s suggested to go by private vehicle. Take Mumbai – Pune Express Highway starting from Kalamboli and take exit of Shedung. After exit from express highway drive straight towards Khopoli from NH4 and at village ‘Hal’ you can see right turn for Varadvinayak-Mahad temple (keep eye on sign boards). You can also catch the Maharashtra state buses going towards Khopoli, Pune from Old NH4.
If you are travelling from Mumbai its maximum 4 hrs return journey. It’s suggested to go by private vehicle. Take Mumbai – Pune Express Highway starting from Kalamboli and take exit of Shedung. After exit from express highway drive straight towards Khopoli from NH4 and at village ‘Hal’ you can see right turn for Varadvinayak-Mahad temple (keep eye on sign boards). You can also catch the Maharashtra state buses going towards Khopoli, Pune from Old NH4.
!!!!Ganapati Bappa Morya!!!!
Mayuresh
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