Konkan, the coastal region of Maharashtra boasts of a unique culture that is unlike any other region in the country, writes Hitesh Brahmbhatt.
OFF ROAD
Hitesh Brahmbhatt
Konkan, the coastal region of Maharashtra boasts of a unique culture that is unlike any other region in the country. We began our trip of the region from Parel bus depot where we boarded a bus for Anjarle. The bus departed at 10 pm and reached at Mandangad bus stand (25kms from Mahad) at 4:10 am. We started for Mandangad fort, which was visible in the moonlight.
A motorable road leads to the fort for one kilometre after which the path starts climbing upwards with zig zag trails. We reached the Ganesh temple at the top temple within half an hour. While some chose to sleep, the rest of us decided to explore the fort. We saw an observation tower, the Ganesh temple, a dharamshala and a small pond. We descended by morning and after having breakfast, boarded a bus for Bankot at 10.15 am.
We reached Bankot at noon via Tulshi dam. We walked for 20 minutes on a good motorable road that leads to the top, nestled between mango farms. The view of the sea from this fort is majestic. The water is clean with various hues of blue. In the 18th century, Bankot fort became the stronghold of the great Maratha admiral Kanoji Angre. In 1756, the Marathas ceded it to the British in exchange for Vijayadurg and it became the first British possession on the mainland of Western India. This fort is also called as Victoria fort or Himmatgad.
From there, headed for Velas village (3 km from Bankot). It used to be the principal port of south Konkan from the 14th to the 16th century. We hired two rickshaws for Velas tar-bandar (tar means a port for small boats to cross the sea, backwaters or a river) reaching Bharja river creek 3:00 pm. We crossed Bharja river by small boat costing for a small fee of Rs2. After crossing the river, we trekked up to the Mahalaxmi Temple situated at Kelshi village. We walked the wadis — orchards having supari, mango, coconut and jackfruit plantations. We saw that the road was divided in two parts — half of it raised a foot above the ground and made up of rocks and stones. This is an arrangement for the monsoons when the paths tend to get flooded.
The beautiful beaches and the Mahalaxmi temple at Kelshi Village have made it a tourist attraction. After having darshan at the temple and resting for 15 minutes, we headed for the rickshaw stand where we had missal paav and wada paav with tea for lunch. We hired a rickshaw for Anjarla for a fare of Rs10 per person for a distance of 25 km. The sun was setting when we reached Anjarla, a beautiful, lush green village. We kept the luggage at a house at the base of this hill temple.
A five-minute walk took us to the temple. This Ganesh temple is situated on a cliff and so is called as Kadayawarcha Ganapati. This temple is situated near a forest and the sea. We spent the night in the temple and in the morning left for Khed after having tea. Khed is on NH 17. Finally, we left for Mumbai by bus. Most of the express trains halt at Khed, so one can also travel back by train.
This trip has offered an insight into the history of the region along with splendid views of the land and sea.
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