BEAUTY OF MALVAN

It was been almost a couple of years since me and my family had been off on an amazing holiday , last year I was trying to figure out all the best possibilities where I can scoot out for a much awaited break from my regular hectic work schedule. Well again since it was a time of December all over the world there is a big hush of Christmas celebrations. Same here in India all the holiday packages are quite exorbitantly high as the month of December comes under the peak season category for all the travel service providers. There were many destinations which have their own uniqueness is some other way I was in a complete dilemma about freezing on the location. Budget is something which every family is concerned about , but as it is said by some of the poets and philosophers “Money can’t buy everything” I feel this is wrong..”Money can buy everything”. Now my research started on Google , asking few of my pals. But I am sure my buddies don’t understand the weight which my bank account carries. As all the honourable suggestions are welcomed , still there was a certain amount of limitations monetarily . One day I came across through an article written on Green Ocean in one of the local language newspaper. The picture was so irresistible that all my eyes glued on to the write up of that article. It didn’t matter to me in which language it was , though I perceived that language. The article described about the beauty of Malvan which is a town in Sindhudurg  district in Maharashtra state in India. It also penned down about the beautiful beach of Tarkarli and Devbaug.  My research started happening more on Malvan anxiously . Though many times what we read on Internet there are the possibilities that those locational descriptions are found to be disconnected. Though I like to spend times on Hill stations watching the greenery and breathing fresh air , this time I decided to watch the surf of Green ocean of Malvan and Tarkarli.

Let me give a small description on Malvan . Malvan is a town and taluka in Sindhudurg District, the southernmost district of Maharashtra State, India, well known for the historically important Sindhudurg Fort. Malvan taluka consists of villages such asAangnechi wadi, Achra, Khalchi Devli, Jamdul, Juva, Pankhol and Sarjekot. The main occupation here is fishing with the staple diet of the local people fish curry and rice. The town produces Alphonso mangoes and is also known for sweets such as Malvani Khaja made from gram-besan flour and coated jaggery as well as Malvani Ladoos.

THE JOURNEY BEGINS….

As it is been said by few philosophers , that there is a struggle inorder to experience the beauty of the world and the creation of the nature it was exactly the same struggle which I faced to come closer and experience the lusty sea greenery of Malvan. We came across through a small Travel agency which worked out a wonderful package for us with an inclusion of stay and water sports activities. Want to keep mum on the service providers name or else my readers will feel I am doing a Marketing promotion. The payment was been done by us very well in advance , as prior to that we want to experience the stay in Boat house of MTDC situated on the shores of the green ocean of Tarkarli , but unfortunately we missed out on that as the bookings needs to be done 6 months prior to your visit. But it didn’t demoralized my endeavour to visit the shores of Malvan. Now the most interesting part of journey which my family was planning to have a road trip , but I was not convinced with that ideation of driving for 10 hours with few halts and one night stay. The cost of the fuel was predominantly  overcrossing my budget calculation. When we mean a break it should be relaxation ideally there was only one source of travel which came to mind was a good old railways. I started surfing on to the Online reservation section which gave me an error saying that booking starts one month prior to your date of visit. Now here I will point out what I gone through even after the existence of the online technology arena. I wanted to travel on 29^th December 2014 , for which I October I was been told that registrations would start on 29^th November 2014 , than the date arrived where now I felt that I would be successful in getting my reservation as i inputed the website address right on the same date. I was very surprised that all the tickets were booked and I was been showing either waiting or RAC(Reservation against Cancellation). Now there was only one old modus operandi which we all use to follow when there was no existence of Online reservation , go the counter and collect the token , make sure that the reservation form is completely filled and equipped with all the details which railways wants to know. I was fortune and unfortunate also. Why ?? .. Here is the reason Unfortunate as the Train which I wanted to travel on was booked and the other option which I considered as a backup I was fortunate to get the booking on that. Only the point was to have a good night sleep on the berth , but it didn’t bothered me so much , as I was going on a long train journey almost after a decade.

It was a midnight of 29^th December 2014 when finally my break which I was lasting for 3 years came to the existence. The bogie was get chilled as there was a freezing climate and secondly the airconditioning effect was adding shivers forcing us to cover with woolen attires. The journey began and as the night passed out morning 10.30 am we arrived at a station named “KUDAL”. As we stepped out from the station there was a long queue of Rickshaw drivers awaiting for the passengers to take them to their respected designation. The shouts of Malvan…Malvan ..Tarkarli..Tarkarli were surrounding the environment of Kudal station. “1000 Rupees , what the hell are u taking about ???”.

 “ I am regular visitor of Malvan I know the charge is almost 50% less ,”

“ Come on sir , lets close this on 600 “

“550”

“Ok sir , lets go”

This was the negotiation between me and the rickshaw driver in which I was successful enough. I was already been educated on the do’s and dont’s by my travel agent and I was prepared. Well there was just a distance of 35 kms for mine and Malvan rendezvous , which got completed in the span of an hour.

DAY 1 : LEISURE TIME

As we arrived at Tarkarli , the first thing which I felt was only and only PEACE.. the silence , the pure atmosphere , greenery . My tone was so low because speaking in a high modulation was like spoiling the silent surroundings. We were been escorted to our respective room . After all the altering of our packaged heavy bags and ofcourse getting freshen up was more important to get rid of the mild tiredness which was presented to us by the roads coming towards Tarkarli. The infrastructure was not that pleasing as ofcourse this is a very small town and Tarkarli is completely remote area. One more thing which really made me happy and took me back in to the flashback days of 80’s where there was the complete absence of Mobile phones. I felt as if I am now completely disconnected with outside world and just me and my family feeling added like an essence of rose in a milk.

We never opted for an any other source of travelling in Tarkarli as it becomes very expensive. We preferred to take a bike on hire which is the most recommended option for everyone whomsoever is travelling , because the distance of Malvan from Tarkarli is 4 Kms.  I was been told that never have a food at the resort or hotel where you stay. If you really want to fill up your belly with spicy authentic malvani food which is only coastal , it consists of Fish breeds like Promfet , Kingfish , Prawns , Mackeral served along with a soft wheat chapatti , rice , curry and Kokam Kadi which is usually slurped after the completion of the meal , it tastes tangy and good digestive drink. The cost for one meal is very reasonable and a hefty meal will cost only 1000 Rupees for 3 people. After a luxurious Malvan meal we took a stroll on our 500cc bike to Malvan and returned back to have some cozy sleep in the afternoon .

Evening was as usual nothing interesting to be done , so there was one more round of visit in the market and back again to Tarkarli in search of one more new eatery , which was quite ok. The knock on the door, a gentlemen with a smile uttered “ Sir be ready at 6am tomorrow in the morning , you have a Dolphin Safari , Sightseeing and watersports to be done”. “Ok we will be ready”.. Bid a farewell to our first day in Malvan saying Good Night.

DAY 2 : DEVBAUG BEACH  AND SINDHUDURG FORT.

It was a chilled morning at 6 am after sipping hot tea made up of ginger and mint leaves , there was an enthusiasm of rushing fast to the Devbaug beach following our tour guide on our bike which we hired. There was a desperation of watching the most beautiful creation of the nature a cetacean mammals closely related to whales “DOLPHINS”. 

The most annoying part was to wait for the other group of young couples who were getting late to turn up at sight from where the boat was supposed to take us for a Safari. The delay was pissing me off which forced me to drive firing statements on my tour guide. The group turned up so casually as if they have done some good social cause by turning up to the boat. As the engine started we started sailing inside the ocean. At a distance our boatman stopped and requested for our kind attention , he pointed towards the line of trees and bushes which were structured like a shape of an crocodile thus they name this point as “CROCODILE POINT”… The boat started sailing more further with a one more stop.. 

He showed us an Island which is called as “Tsunami Island”. This island is usually filled up during a high tide and when there is a low tide this is a platform for all the Water sports activities. Now we reach to a point where we were searching for Dolphins to come out and give us some view. Please note : Do not blame the tour operators if you don’t sight a mammal , its all upto to your luck. These dolphins are not paid for giving their beautifying appearance. Click..Click couldn’t resist clicking the pictures as we were lucky enough to spot the dolphins. While returning back we were been introduced to a rock which glitters like a gold when there is a bright sunshine. 

This point is known as “GOLDEN ROCK”.. Now after enjoying the cool wind of ocean there was an anxiety of doing a Parasailing as the height makes be go bonkers , but enjoyed myself flying in a sky with a support of colourful balloon. Jetski , Bumper drive , Banana ride were major attractions at the island.

Coming back to from where we started in the morning we departed for one more adventurous activity at Malvan. It was almost 3pm but we avoided filling up our belly with heavy lunch. There was only one thing in mind go deep inside the ocean and watch the corals and fishes tickling you and playing from your side as if you are a part of their family. Scuba diving was the most exciting part after the dolphin safari. Returning back after experiencing the indepth sea greenery. There we saw a tall standing huge surrounded fort. It was a Sindhudurg Fort. 

The Sindhudurg fort also known as the Ocean Fort , epitomized Maratha Power during the reign of the King Chhatrapati Shivaji. Indeed this naval bastion is a marvel of architecture. The day ended on a good note and a satisfaction which led to a good sleep bidding farewell to the second day in Malvan.

DAY 3 : TARKARLI BEACH

As it was said by Jacques Yves Cousteau “  The sea once it casts its spell, holds one in its net of wonder forever.” The similar quote applies to the one of the most beautiful , green and clean beach of India that is “TARKARLI BEACH”. 

It was a third peaceful day of ours in Malvan , where in we decided to take a dip and then stroll on the beach of Tarkarli where the shore was layered with the white sand. It was a satisfying brunch we had at MTDC resort which is situated on the beach of Tarkarli . It was a time to take a dip and enjoy swimming in a clean beach. Any individual staying in a city will not think twice to take a dip in this green ocean as people staying in cities like Bombay , Chennai etc are less fortunate enough to see that greenery and cleanliness in their part of beaches as they are victims of pollutions. 

After getting completely Sun Tanned we moved back to our resort to take a drive back to Malvan city and enjoy Prawns made biryani and Promfet fry. A stroll was necessary after a heavy lunch , we moved towards a beautiful garden named as “ROCK GARDEN” which is just a 1 km away from Malvan town. The park was beautify with Pine trees , flowers and white sand.  The best place was to sit on rocks and watch the ocean. The waves were giving message that forget about the past , enjoy the present. It was the last day of the year and who doesn’t want that the eve of the new year goes very silent and smooth , no sounds of crackers bursting and creating a pollution , no shouts , no music…Just only peace. Bidding farewell to 2014 and to the third day in Malvan , welcoming a new Year and a new day.

DAY 4 : GO GOA

It always gives you an amazing feeling when the first day of the year you get an opportunity to visit the most acclaimed tourist destination in India. After spending 3 days enjoying the green ocean of Malvan and Tarkarli , we decided to spend a day driving from Tarkarli to Goa. Goa is just 100 kms from Malvan and it takes 2 hrs to reach. The journey began at 7 am and we arrived at the beautiful stretch of Mandovi river at 9.30am. The view of  Mandovi river and the heritage government buildings painted in yellow gave an Goan ecstatic feeler. 

All eyes glued to the beautiful structure of Panajim city and definetly the Old Panjim Church at 18^th June Road . The church was decorated as it was the new year eve. If anyone wants to see the best Christmas celebration in India , that Goa is the best place. The prime objective was also to pick few stuff from Panajim city and then followed with the sightseeing in Goa. Dona Paola and then lunch at Souza Lobo eatery on Calangute beach. The day was coming to an end where I still felt that I am missing the greenery and cleaniless on the certain beaches of Goa. 

Goa is now very commercial , but still it is the best tourist destination of India. I am not writing much about  Goa because my blog is completely on the beauty of Malvan . A tiresome drive back to Malvan and then the time came to bid farewell to the 4^th and the last day in Malvan.

Day 5 : GOOD BYE MALVAN…WILL SEE YOU SOON

As it is been said , there are no Goodbyes.. The beauty of Malvan , the charm of Tarkarli Beach , those palm trees whispering to each other,  while wind is spreading the cool aroma of ocean , the white sands which is mesmerizing .. all of them holding you back. All the bags packed and drive back to Kudal which completes the journey to the beautiful Malvan. A visit is a must once in a lifetime to a scenic Malvan and Tarkarli. This blog is just not a blog this is a diary of my memories which I have brought back from Malvan.

“ON EARTH THERE IS NO HEAVEN , BUT THERE ARE PIECES OF IT…”

Jules Renard.

The images shown in the blogs are the real images click from a Non professional camera...