The Western Routes is proud to announce 'MAHARASHTRA KALEIDOSCOPE', an annual photography contest dedicated to photographs taken in our beautiful and vibrant state of Maharashtra!
For the contest we have 4 categories
- Nature & Wildlife
- Built Heritage
- People & Culture
- Landscapes
Here are the necessary details about the contest!
The entry to the contest is FREE
Last date for submission - Midnight of 1 December 2015 IST
Please submit photographs preferably in digital (jpeg/raw) format only. Files must be ideally full-size without borders, watermarks or signatures.
The last date for submission of all entries is midnight, December 1, 2015, IST.
Clearly mention your full name, postal and email address and contact number.
Image file names should include "photographer's name_subject name_location'. For example "Vikram Vyawahare_Tiger_Tadoba.jpg".
Captions
All photographs must be accompanied by captions indicating clearly the equipment used, location, season, brief description of the subject and how the image was taken.
Captions must be added to each image's Properties Summary (Windows) or File Info (Photoshop) or as a separate Word file.
Size
Images for submission should be minimum 3200 pixels / 300 dpi (along the shortest dimension) with the aspect ratio 2 x 3 inches. There is no restriction on the image size.
Manipulation
Images may be cropped (by 20 per cent) before submission, and limited digital manipulation such as cleaning, sharpening, adjusting levels, curves, colour and contrast is permissible when applied to the image as a whole.
Adding or removing elements is absolutely not permitted, nor is the combination of two different images (composites) allowed.
The original capture as it was recorded by the camera with no manipulation applied may be requested at any stage of the competition and must be sent to us when requested.
Ownership
The entrant must be the sole author and owner of the copyright for all photos entered. By entering the contest, the entrant certifies that the entries do not infringe on the copyright, trademark or intellectual property rights of any other person or organization.
Copyright and use of images
Copyright, even over winning images, will remain with the photographer.
The Western Routes, however, reserves the right to reproduce entries in its print and online pages with due credit to the photographer.
Images may also be used elsewhere in connection with the promotion of the contest and the subsequent events like exhibitions etc.
Ratnagiri - A land of virgin beaches, cozy and welcoming home-stays, delicious sea food and yes a land of well known Ratnagiri Alphonso (Hapus) Mangoes. Having said that, it is a given that one would click on the ‘Going’ button immediately when a ‘Mango Tasting Tour to Ratnagiri’ is announced. The three day trip from the 16 to 18 May 2014 was organized by The Western Routes, a Pune-based travel company to Ganeshgule, a small village in the Ratnagiri district.
We started at 6 am from Pune all packed for a long weekend by the beach. The journey was rather enjoyable and very scenic, particularly after Karad city from where we left the NH-4 and took the smaller village roads. The recent sporadic drizzle had started painting the forests of the Western Ghats with different hues of green which contrasted with the bright blue summer skies and called for a snapshot by every twist and turn round the Ghats. The six hour drive had increased our craving for the much awaited mango meal by a zillion times.
When we reached the home-stay, were welcomed by Mithil Pitre our host at Ganeshgule. Mithil welcomed us with glasses of cold Panha; a sweet and refreshing drink made with raw mangoes. Mithil runs a home-stay by the beach at Ganeshgule called 'Oceano Pearl’. Our welcome was followed by a wholesome mango meal with unlimited Aamras (fresh mango pulp), plates full of freshly cut mangoes and the regular Maharashtrian thali delicacies – sol kadhi, bhakri, amti and koshimbir.
After lunch and some rest, we visited the Ganeshgule Ganpati temple. The Ganeshgule temple is about 400 years old and is one of the few south-facing temples in India. One of the villagers at the temple narrated a folklore of Lord Ganesha shifting to Ganpatipule from Ganeshgule after the water stopped surging from his navel!
Once back at the home-stay the next inevitable thing to do was to head to the beach which is literally a hop, skip and a jump away from the home-stay. The Ganeshgule beach is not known to many and hence the feeling of solace adds to the beauty of this white sand beach. We spent rest of the evening taking photographs of the sunset, swimming in the sea and walking by the sea shore. The thoughts of more mangoes awaiting us at the dinner table lured us back to the home-stay.
Ganeshgule Beach | Photo: Raphael Baumann
Ganeshgule Beach | Photo: Jayesh Paranjape
Ganeshgule Beach | Photo: Shruti Karkhedkar
Time-lapse video of the sunset at Ganeshgule beach by Raphael Baumann
Day 2
We started the day with a sabudana khichadi breakfast. Sightseeing was the agenda for the day and Aare-Ware beach our first pit-stop. The Aare and Ware beaches lie next to one another and are separated by a hill. We stopped at a turning on this hill to admire the scenic horizon over the two beaches. Some strategically located shacks served us kokum sarbat, tender coconut water and bhel with loads of kairee (raw mango) pieces.
We then headed to the Ganpatipule temple which is one the most visited and most revered temples in Maharashtra. Needless to say hoards of worshippers awaited their turn to be blessed by the deity. We decided to skip this and take a few clicks of the temple instead. Although constructed recently this red and white structure is aesthetically very appealing unlike many of the modern temple structures.
Ganpatipule Temple | Photo: Raphael Baumann
Ganpatipule Temple | Photo: Raphael Baumann
A trip to Konkan is incomplete without sea-food. On recommendation by a lot of people we had our lunch at Hotel Amantran in Ratnagiri. The lunch was perfect with its crunchy prawn tawa fry, perfectly cooked pomfret fry and a mouth watering surmai. We ended the meal with a rather generous helping of amrakhand (Srikhand with mango pulp). Visit to the Thibaw Palace came next. The palace was used for keeping Thibaw Min, the last king of Burma (now Myanmar) under house arrest. The palace is now used as museum and a number of artifacts excavated from the Konkan region are on display here.
Surmai Fry Thali
Thibaw Palace | Photo: Raphael Baumann
Our next destination was Purnagad Fort which is said to be the last fort constructed by Shivaji Maharaj, hence the name Purna (Stop) Gad (Fort). At the foot of the Purnagad fort is a rocky sea side and there wasn’t a better way of calling it a day than by sitting on the rocks and getting wet by the splashing sea waves.
Purnagad Fort | Photo: Vidyuth Singh
Purnagad Beach | Photo: Raphael Baumann
Purnagad Beach | Photo: Raphael Baumann
Day 3
The day started with a session of making sand castles by the beach followed by a breakfast of ambolis (pancakes made from rice flour) with coconut chutney. We followed this with a fun session of mango picking at a nearby orchard in Ganeshgule. We got to select ready-to-pick mangoes and then use an ingenious and traditional technique to pick the mangoes.
Mango Picking at Ganeshgule | Photo: Raphael Baumann
Finally with a heavy heart we said bye to our hosts. But we made sure that we bought loads of ‘food’ souvenirs. The perfect spot to do this was at the Deshmukh household in Pawas village who have a small unit where mango and jackfruit pulp is canned. They also sell high quality Alphonso mangoes which are exported across the globe. The advantage of buying Alphonso mangoes directly at the source is that they are almost three times cheaper than in Pune or Mumbai.
We bought mangoes enough to last us this season and with alphonso sweet memories headed back home!
More details about the Mango Picking & Tasting Tour for 2015 is on their Facebook page or on the event page here
This travel story first appeared in the Mumbai edition of Mid-Day in May 2014. Read the full story here
Look what we found as we waited to be ferried across the Savitri River! While looking for mud-skippers at the Bankot creek this
octopus made a surprise appearance! We went crazy photographing this beautiful creature!
Commonly known as 'Monsters of the Sea'
these molluscs are abundantly found in tropical warm waters. These active
predators are considered among the most intelligent invertebrates. They feed on
crabs, shrimps and lobsters and can even attack sharks. They drop on their prey
and with the help of the suckers on their arms pull the organism into their
mouth. Their saliva is venomous and helps to subdue the prey. The Octopus is known
for its defence mechanism. When threatened it releases an inky fluid from the
ink sac which darkens the water and helps it escape. At times the octopus can
lose its arm to escape the predator and re-grow it later without any permanent
damage!
Photo: Vikram Vyawahare
Photo: Vikram Vyawahare
Photo: Aniket Sayam
Our next trip to experience the Turtle Festival at Velas is coming up on 7-8 March 2015. More details on our Facebook page!
Harnai or more commonly Harne is a coastal village in the Ratnagiri district of Konkan. It is around 15 km from Dapoli and neighbors beautiful beaches of Murud, Karde and Anjarle. Being one of the natural harbors,
Harnai is an ideal wharf for fish trading. The fish auction at Harnai village is one of the most sought after events in the area and is a daily custom held
in the morning from 7 am to 9 am and in the evening from 4 pm to 7 pm. The
market is known to sell different varieties of fish like Pomfret, Surmai, Tiger
Prawns, Squids, Lobsters, Sting rays, Mackerel, and many more. The auction
lures many travelers and photographers. Tourists can indulge in the fish fest of
betting and auctioning. Apart from fish, Harnai is also known for the
magnificent Harnai Fort located on the northern front of the village.
Find this destination in the
Uncharted Konkan Lands itineraries with The Western Routes. More details on www.thewesternroutes.com/tours
There are some wildlife spectacles or events around the world that are a must-see or must-experience for a wildlife enthusiast like me. Be it the Great Migration at Serengeti in Africa, Brown Bears feasting in Alaska, King Penguin rookery at St. Andrews Bay or the Olive Ridley Turtles nesting and hatching in Orissa. As a kid, I had heard about the Olive Ridley Turtles who swim for thousands of miles and make their way to the Gahirmata Beach in Orissa to lay eggs and dreamt of visiting this place one day. I always wondered how it would be to witness an Animal Planet-like moment when tiny turtle hatchlings, make that journey from the hatched egg to the sea.
Photo: Anshul Khandelwal
Of course I had never heard or imagined that the Olive Ridleys also had sporadic nesting sites across the western coast too. In 2008, when I was working with Sanctuary Asia (a leading wildlife magazine) I received an invitation to attend the first ever ‘Turtle Festival’ at Velas village in Maharashtra. It was almost like a dream come true. Unfortunately due to busy work schedules, I never got a chance to visit the festival. Since then, every year during March & April, my Facebook newsfeed was occupied by photographs of turtle hatchlings being released and making their way to the sea. In 2012 after a short stint in the UK where I studied responsible tourism management (and often spoken about the eco-tourism model of the turtle festival in Velas), I returned to India and got a chance to visit Velas for the turtle festival! And I got so hooked on to the whole concept that I have been visiting Velas every year since then.
Plus Valley at Tamhini Ghat
We started our journey from Pune early on a Saturday morning. We decided to take the Tamhini Ghat route from Mulshi which is the shortest route to reach Velas by road (around 180 km). The road condition was a bit dodgy, but the stunning views of the valley made up for the bad roads. After a 4 hour bumpy ride through the Tamhini Ghat-Mangaon-Mandangad-Bankot route, we finally arrived in Velas for lunch. We were welcomed by Sunil Darge and his family who were to be our hosts for the next 2 days. After a quick round of chai, we set out to explore the village.
Velas is the quintessential Konkani village with low thatched sloping roofs, spotless and clean dung-smeared courtyards, narrow roads lined with jackfruit trees and backyards full of coconut, betel nut, kokam and mango trees. Velas is the birth place of Nana Phadnis, one of the most influential ministers of the Maratha Empire during the Peshwe administration. There is a small ‘smarak’ or shrine dedicated to him at his birth-house. Apart from this, there are 2 temples one can visit while in Velas - Shri Bhairi-Rameshwar temple built by the Peshwas and the Mahalaxmi temple which also plays host to a slide show and a film screening in the evening during the turtle festival.
After a sumptuous home-cooked lunch, which was served on banana leaves, we headed to the Bankot Fort which is around 5 km from Velas. The fort which is strategically located overlooks the sea as well as the Bankot creek of the Savitri River. The view from the fort is stunning, particularly if you visit it early in the morning or late afternoon. A consistent historical timeline or the origin of the Bankot fort is not known. The fort was known to be under the control of Adilshahi and later in 1548, the Portuguese took control over it. The Marathas, under the leadership of Kanhoji Angre took control over Bankot and rechristened it as Himmatgad. When the British took over the fort, the name was changed to Fort Victoria. With its stunning views of the sea and the river, the Bankot fort is a must-visit while one is at Velas.
After exploring the village and the fort, we headed to Velas beach to see the release of the turtles. The release of turtles happens twice a day – at 6 am and 6 pm. The protection of eggs and marine turtle conservation in Maharashtra was started by a Chiplun based NGO called Sahyadri Nisarga Mitra (SNM) in 2002. The conservation story goes something like this. In February 2001, SNM found evidence of around 35 turtle nests at Velas. Unfortunately they also found that poaching of turtle eggs was quite high as egg poaching is a traditional practice for some communities along the coast of Maharashtra. Add to this, predation of eggs by stray dogs, jackals and crows. In 2002, SNM decided to undertake protection and conservation of turtles at Velas. In first year they protected around 50 nests of the Olive Ridley Turtles and released more than 2700 hatchlings in the sea. Every year, volunteers from SNM patrol the beaches for evidence of nests in the months of December & January. They manually shift the eggs to a protected & barricaded patch on Velas beach and recreate the nest conditions here. Nature takes its course and in around 50-55 days, the eggs hatch and the turtles are ready to make their way to the sea. In 2008, SNM joined hands with the Gram Panchayat at Velas, the residents of Velas village and the forest department office to organize the first ever Turtle Festival. The local community agreed to open their homes and provide accommodation and home-cooked meals to the tourists who come to the festival. They also agreed to donate a part of their earnings and their valuable time and energy for the cause of turtle conservation. The turtle festival at Velas is one of the few examples of community-based eco-tourism in our country.
In the evening we were lucky to witness the release of more than 40 turtle hatchlings. It is an amazing experience to witness the first walk of these turtles. The Olive Ridley Turtles are an endangered species named for their olive green colour. These turtles migrate thousands of miles once every year for arribada i.e. to lay eggs on the same shore where they had hatched around 15 years back! When the eggs hatch, the hatchlings make their way to the sea and in the process the large quantities of magnetite in their brains helps them to read the Earth’s magnetic field so that they can navigate back to the same shore to nest. It is estimated that approximately one turtle survives to reach adulthood for every 1000 that enter the sea. What a fascinating species!
Photos: Anshul Khandelwal
Photo: Anagha Bodas
After experiencing the release we came back to our homestay and enjoyed a piping hot meal of jackfruit vegetable with lots of coconut, rice bhakri and of course the Konkani prawn curry made by Sunil’s wife. The next day at 6 am we were back on the beach and saw another 2 hatchlings make their way to the sea. As these two hatchlings made their way to the sea, they were followed by cameras. After lunch we started our journey back en-route Harihareshwar. The ferry boat ride from Bankot to Bagmandla is worth a visit. On the short ferry ride you can sit atop the viewing gallery and beat the heat with a kokum sarbat (juice) which is sold on the boat along with hot yummy wada pav.
When we reached Pune, I slept peacefully and dreamt of those 2 hatchlings. I dreamt that they had survived against all odds, reached adulthood and had come back to Velas for nesting. After my first visit in 2012, I have gone back to Velas every year for the Turtle Festival and convinced more and more people to join me on these trips! At Velas it is not just about the turtle festival but so much more – the rural life, the food, the history and most importantly the people.
This article was first published for Citadel Magazine, Pune Edition and republished in 'Routes & Trails' July 2014 issue.
You drive up mountains and glide down
green valleys and all along yearn to finally reach the ocean front. Just as you
wonder if the journey is on forever, suddenly the ocean meets your eyes. You
remain transfixed! Situated on the gorgeous western coast of India, the
Ratnagiri district is home to some of the most stunning landscapes. Thanks to
the presence of the majestic Sahyadris range on one side and and the beautiful
Arabian Sea on the other. The sandy beaches, rocky outcrops and small but vital
estuaries along the Ratnagiri coast are ideal spots to reconnect with nature.
Add to this the friendly and ever helpful people and the yummy Konkani cuisine.
A combination that you don't want to miss! Here are The Western Routes' EIGHT most favorite destinations around coastal Ratnagiri!
Velas
A newly hatched Olive Ridley Turtle making its way to the sea. Photo: Anshul Khandelwal
Ever wondered how it would be to witness
an Animal Planet like moment when tiny turtle hatchlings, make that journey
from the hatched egg to the sea? Between February to April, nature enthusiasts
can actually experience this rare event on the Velas beach in Ratnagiri district. A local NGO from Chiplun, Sahyadri
Nisarga Mitra, started this project in 2002 and in the first year they protected
50 nests of Olive Ridley (Lepidochelys
olivacea) and released more than 2700 hatchlings in the sea. Now, Sahyadri
Nisarga Mitra, has joined hands with the Gram Panchayat at Velas and the local
Forest department office to organise a unique Turtle Festival each year. The
villagers are actively involved in the conservation of these turtles. They
offer their homes as home-stays to the tourists who come to Velas during the
festival. Once in Velas, you can also visit the
Himmatgad fort or take a ferry boat from Bankot to the beautiful Harihareshwar
Beach. Check out the Olive Ridley hatchlings making their way to the sea!
Anjarle
The Kadyawarcha Ganpati Temple in Anjarle. Photo: Kedar Champhekar
Anjarle is one of the most secluded beaches in the Konkan belt. The 2 km stretch is full of crystal like scintillating white sand and sparking clean water, surrounded by an array of palm trees. Adjoining the beach is the traditional pastoral Anjarle village. Anjarle is also known for the legendary Ganpati Temple. The Kadyavarcha Ganpati (temple on a cliff) is one of the well-known prehistoric temples of India and dates back to 1500 A.D. It is known for its architecture. The temple has a very beautiful primordial décor with stone staircases leading to the temple’s Kalas (mast) on the top. There is also a fishpond in front of the temple alongside a shrine of Lord Shiva. The Ganesh Idol here is rare and locally called as “Ujwya Sondecha Ganpati” (trunk turned to the right side), a very rare sight for the devotees. This Ganpati is also known for wish fulfilling powers, traditionally called as “navsala pavnara Ganpati”. Hence in the customary dialect, it is referred as ‘Jagrut Daiwat’ or a very lively God.
Murud,
Karde & Harnai
One of the beaches between Murud and Harnai. Photo: Vinit Godbole
Have you ever been to a fish fight
(fish, fishing and trading)? You can experience one at Harnai village, around
12 km from Dapoli. Being one of the natural harbors, it is an ideal wharf for
fish trading. The fish auction at Harnai village is one of the most sought
after events in the area and is a daily custom held between 8 am to 10 am in
the morning and 4 pm and 7 pm in the evening. The market is known to sell
different varieties of fish like Pomfret, Surmai, Tiger Prawns, Squids,
Lobsters, Mackerel, and many more. The fish quality is high and has lured many
travelers and photographers. Tourist can also indulge in the fish fest of
betting and auctioning. Apart from the auction, Harnai is also known for the
magnificent Harnai Fort located on the northern front of the village.
Some glimpses from the Fish Auction at Harnai Beach. Photos: Vinit Godbole
The Murud & Karde beaches are
known for its marvelous, mesmerizing, and friendly Dolphins. The Murud-Karde beach stretch is
situated around 12 km from Dapoli. The coastal hamlet of Murud serves a variety
of yummy fishes cooked in local masalas
(seasoning) that are known world-wide. The area is also a culturally rich
coastal community acknowledged for its Diwali and Holi celebrations. Head to
these twin beaches to indulge into some touristy things like water sports and
boat rides or simply for the breath-taking sunset or being in the company of
the affable Dolphins.
Velneshwar
& Hedvi
Photo: Raphael Baumann
Around 20 km south of the famous Guhagar Beach and to the north of the Shastri River lies the idyllic village of Velneshwar. The quiet, coconut-fringed beach offers tourists the ideal opportunity for swimming or just relaxing without any tourist disturbance. There is an old Shiva temple in the environs which is often frequented by pilgrims particularly during the Maha Shivratri festival. A few kilometers away from Velneshwar is Hedvi, which is known for its unique Dashabhuja Ganapati. Standing 3 feet tall and carved in white stone, the ideol, is beleived to be from the Kashmir region and has ten hands, hence the name ‘Dashabhuja’. While in Hedvi, do not miss experiencing the water rising to almost 30-40 feet at one point along the beach. This is called as Brahman Ghal. It is a rare natural phenomenon where the sea water has created a gorge in the black rock patch, which is around 20 feet deep and 2 feet wide. When the sea water gushes in the vertical column, it rises through the gorgre for almost 30-40 feet!
Ganpatipule
Ganpatipule Temple. Photo: Raphael Baumann
‘Ganpatipule’ – the name itself
suggest the place of Lord Ganesha. Ganpatipule is one of the ‘Astha Ganpatis’
(Eight Ganesha pilgrim centers) of India. The idol is believed to be nearly 400
years old is ‘swayambhu’ or self-created. The divine abode is blessed with
sparkling beaches, and jagged coconut palm and mangroves along the coastline.
The picturesque 12 km stretch is an ideal place to rejuvenate and immerse
within the self and nature. The silver
sand, swaying palms, glittering beach, and the beaming moon is meditative in
itself and ought to leave you spell bound. The narrow red mud roads and
vegetation of mangoes, jackfruit, betel nut, and bananas along with thatch-roofed
dwellings bring travelers closer to their true home. For adventure lovers, this place offers paragliding
and other water sports. Over the years Ganpatipule has emerged to be one of the
most visited beaches along the Konkan coast. During tourist seasons, the beach
gets crowded around the temple. A simple solution is to walk a bit south away
from the crowd and find a patch which is devoid of any tourists!
Aare-Ware
The Aare Beach from the road which goes on to Waare Beach. Photo: Bhavpreet Ghai
Aare and Ware are little twin beach
brothers, naked and virgin. The beaches are safely tucked away from the crowds
which throng the Ganpatipule beach. Aare Ware beach is situated en-route from
Ratnagiri to Ganpatipule. If you are travelling from Ganpatipule, you will
first witness the beautiful Ware beach that is about a kilometer from the Aare
beach. You have to take a meandering path through the village to get to the
Ware Beach. At a certain stretch of the beach, there is a belt of dense Suru
trees, which looks like a stunning emerald on the white sand alluring the
travelers. The sunset point from the hilltop near Aare beach is a breathtaking
view covered by the blue sea from all three sides.
Ganeshgule
A panoramic view of the stunning Ganeshgule Beach. Photo: Raphael Baumann
Gulyaacha Ganpati Pulyaalaa Gela is
a famous proverb that goes with the primordial temple of Ganeshgule, which is
anticipated to be about 400 years old. The shrine is unique in itself, as, it
is a South-facing temple, which is very rare in India. The temple premise has a
70 feet deep well with steps to go till its bottom. A myth states that water
use to surge from the navel of Lord Ganesh and one fine day it just stopped
flowing. Hence Ganesha shifted from Gule to Pule. The temple is situated on a
hillock that is about 40 feet from the seashore. Ganeshgule beach has a 2 km
shoreline with crystal white sand. This lazy beach is scarcely developed and is
a nice respite after a strenuous day. Check the sun setting at the Ganeshgule Beach!
Purnagad
The entrance to the Purnagad Fort. Photo: Vidyuth Singh
Maharashtra, a land whose sheer size and diversity fascinates people, is also known for its warrior history and forts. Purnagad is one such fort. The majestic structure with its grand entrance, huge walls guarding the bastion, beautiful ancient carvings are sure to leave you awe-struck. The fort has a sphere of four entrances. Its main entrance door is engraved with pictures of the Sun, Moon and Lord Ganesha alongside which there is a giant statue of Lord Hanuman covered with shendur, an orange colored paste. A nice walk on the walls of the fort will give you a bird’s eye view of the surrounding area with its scintillating azure sea, Suru Ban trees, and the Muchkundi river creek at its base.
The legend goes that the fort was named Purnagad because it resembles the size of a full stop or when the construction of the fort was complete Shivaji Maharaj decided not to reform its further extension and called 'purnaviram' hence the name Purnagad. Similarly, there is some evidence which also suggests that the fort was constructed by Sakhoji Angre, son of Kanoji Angre. But historical debates notwithstanding, the fort is stunning and the ruined state adds to the charm!
A lone fisherman at the Purnagad beach. Photo: Raphael Baumann
This article was taken from Routes & Trails January 2013 issue which is an online magazine by The Western Routes. Read it here
To know more about these destinations
and if you want to include these in your trip, click here www.thewesternroutes.com/tours
.jpg)
.jpg)
.JPG)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
%2B-%2BJayesh%2BParanjape%2B(1).jpg)
.JPG)
