Dahanu Beach in Dahanu in Maharashtra

Friday, November 2, 2018

Dahanu Beach is located in Dahanu in Palghar district in Maharashtra. 

Dusk at Dahanu Beach in Dahanu in Maharashtra

If you wish to drive down then instructions for the same are available on google maps. Public transport is available from Dahanu railway station. There are plenty of places dine and stay near the beach premises. Rents may vary depending as to how far or close you are from the beach premises. 

Dahanu Fort is located very close to Dahanu Beach.

By the time we reached the beach premises the sun had already set, but the skyline was beautiful. We enjoyed the view sitting there till the mosquitoes came around and started to buzz us off. There are plenty of fast food stalls at the beach, there are also camel rides available at the beach premises. 

As the tide was low, children were playing football on the beach. The health conscious were on their evening walks on the beach. 

Dawn at Dahanu Beach in Dahanu in Maharashtra

It is very relaxing on the beach, no matter how tired you are. The sea somehow calms one down. We stayed at a friends place and then headed to the beach the next morning. Again the tide was low. We felt calm and relaxed on the beach.

We then headed back home.

Varai Sativali Hot Water Springs on the Mumbai Ahmedabad Highway, Palghar district in Maharashtra

Wednesday, October 5, 2016

Varai Sativali is a hot water spring located off the Mumbai Ahmedabad Highway in the Palghar district of Maharashtra. Virar Railway station is located around 20 KM away.

Varai Sativali Hot Water Springs

Initially we were under the impression that the hot water springs are at Sativali, a industrial estate near Vasai. So after exploring Banganga near Nimboli Hot Water Springs, we headed over to Sativali. We asked a couple of rickshaw drivers, but they all told us that there are no hot water springs here. I was like, 'How can that be' as it is put up on internet. No directions on Google Maps. Finally some ray of hope. A rickshaw driver informed us that there is a place called 'Varai Sativali, beyond Virar on the Mumbai Ahmedabad Highway, there are hot water springs there'

We headed off the Mumbai Ahmedabad Highway, keeping an eye for any signboard in regards to the hot water springs, finally we did see a signboard. we took a left and the road led to the springs.

Varai Sativali Hot Water Springs

The hot water springs are located in the premises of Sri Shankar Mandir. There is a single pool for the ladies. Three pools for the men. The surface near the pool was hot as hell, we couldn't walk there on naked feet. So Manohar got some old newspapers so that we could sit near the pool premises and dip our legs in the water. Finally after some convincing by Manohar, I got into the water after rolling up my pants. The pool was thigh deep. The hot water was refreshing for my legs. I cleansed by legs, hands and face with the water. The temperature of water differed in all the pools. The first one being the hottest of  the lot. My skin color is  brown, but as soon as I got out of the water, it had turned red. You can now imagine how hot the water was.

Signboard to watchout for on the Mumbai Ahmedabad Highway

This place was the last on our itinerary of Hot Water Springs around the western suburbs of Mumbai. We saw Vajreshwari, Nimboli, Ganeshpuri and Banganga. But experience here was the best, as there was no crowd here. Not sure if it was the hot summer afternoon or if too many people don't know about this place. We then headed over to Mumbai.

I will be exploring Peshwa Kalin Stepwell at Badlapur and the hot water spring at Shahapur, in my next trip, so stay tuned. 

Kohoj fort in Palghar

Thursday, January 29, 2015

This was my third attempt at conquering Kohoj   I was unsuccessful in the past as we had got lost on the hills, due to no proper directions.  

Kohoj Fort

On the day I was visiting Durgadi Fort, I decided to ask Manohar, Dominic and Nayan if they were free to accompany me to Kohoj fort. 

Nayan had plans so it was just the three of us here. 

Reflection of Kohoj Fort in the waters

Now I had not informed Manohar and Dominic that I had tried climbing this fort, twice earlier but had failed.

Arrow signs on the rocks

We decided to meet on the Western Express Highway. At the intersection of the Metro line, Jog Flyover and the Highway. The same place we met while we traveled to Jawahar. We were traveling in the car.

Manohar, Dominic and Me

We met at 7:45 AM and headed off on the highway to see Kohoj Fort. As it was early in the morning there was not much traffic on the road. P.S. after Virar there is a bottle neck due to road maintenance.

Sheep

The  Western Express Highway aka NH8.  We braked for breakfast at Hotel Kamat's. As said by Manohar many a times on treks, a good breakfast is always necessary while on treks and we did just that.

Shoe soles

There are three toll naka's on the way.

We then headed off the Manor Wada Road to reach village Vaghote. The base village to Kohoj Fort. Please refer to google maps for navigation. It is accurate. We were at the base at 10:05 AM.

Dominic with snake skin

Picked up our bagpacks and we headed off to conquer Kohoj.

Now there are signs in the form of arrows on the rocks, so that you don't get lost. This time we decided to follow the signs, unlike last time when we got lost up the hills.

Ants mating

If you follow the signs, you will first cross, a water body cut in the rock, fields and later the heart shaped dam. 

If unsure then ask the villagers around, they too will guide you. Near the dam we were not able to locate the signs so we asked a Shepard and she guided us. Her dialect was a bit difficult to understand but we still managed to be on the right track.

Temple

Once you cross the dam section, the trek starts, now there are proper signs placed on rocks, that one does not get lost. A big Thank You to the trekking group who has done this.

We followed the signs and in a matter of 2 1/2 hours we were atop the fort. Now remember the climb is a bit difficult. The path is full of loose soil, and stones and rocks. It is a rollercoaster ride up and down the hill. Now we were not climbing Kohoj, but the hills before it to reach Kohoj. The topmost stretch is very steep and to top it, has loose soil. So be careful.

Graffiti on the walls of a tank cutout from rock

Nothing much to see atop the fort. It has a couple of temples here. Now the fortification was missing. How can it be called a fort with no fortification. I asked myself.

Ideal spot for camping atop Kohoj Fort

We had lunch in the form of sandwiches, cakes, thepla and then proceeded to climb the highest point of the fort. 

On our way to the topmost point of the fort

Not much is known about the history of this fort.

Now we were not alone on the fort, there were villagers too who were there to celebrate. They had bought along with them live chicken, rice and masalas and utensils to prepare lunch. Plus they got beer too. How can they drink hot beer? I asked myself. Strange 

That's Me

Finally on the topmost point of the fort we saw the fortification. The walls, but just a small part of it. I believe the rest of it might have collapsed over the years. This is all that remains of it. 

Fortification

Took a couple of videos along with photos atop the fort. Now this as the tallest point amongst the hill ranges around. I was happy about the fact that I as on the tallest point and that like the previous two attempts I didn't get lost on the hills.

Another Temple

Took a couple of lessons in regards to ascending and descending hills from Manohar, which would benefit me in the long run. 

There are a couple of water bodies, cut in the rock which are used to store water. As we stopped to fuel our water bottles we noticed the villagers taking beer bottles out of the water. It then occured to us that the beer bottles were getting chilled in the cold water. Aha now it makes sense to drink beer on the hilltop.

Highest point on the fort

We also saw them cooking up the hill.

There were a couple of them who had come there to hunt for rabbits. They had laid nets all over the place for them. I couldn't locate any rabbits up the hill.

Manohar and me with our sticks

We then decided to descend the hill. The time was around 03:45 PM on my watch. As we are still in the winter season nightfall happens around 05:30 PM. So we had to be down before that and to top it we could not afford to get lost.

Another reflection of Kohoj fort in the waters

As I mentioned the initial stretch is difficult as it is a 75 degree climb over loose soil, so it took time to descend, then as I mentioned it was a roller coaster ride downhill. 

Manohar, Dominic and Me at the topmost point of the fort

Finally at 05:10 PM we were near the heart shaped lake. Refreshed ourselves in the waters and then headed off to the car to head back home. We kickstarted our journey at 06:40 PM to reach our start point at Andheri at 09:10 PM. It took us time due to the bottlenecks and traffic around. 

Heart Shaped Lake

The good thing about this trek, is that after two failed attempts, I was finally able to conquer it. Sadly nothing much remains atop the fort, a few temples, water tanks and fortification. The second good thing is , it is the highest point in that hill range and so offers a very good view of the hills, valleys, farms, houses and roads below. Maybe was not a fort but a watchtower to watch over the land below. 

Bhawangad Fort

Tuesday, January 20, 2015

We took the instructions of the boys at Danda Fort  and headed off to see the Bhawangad Fort. 

Dried tree on the way to the fort

There was not a single person on the road, we walked and walked and finally we stopped as we wanted to confirm if we were on the right track. Finally from a distance we saw a biker heading towards us.We inquired with him and thank God we were on the right track. 

Entrance to Bhawani Shiv Mandir and Bhawangad Fort

Finally we reached a village a couple of meters away from the fort premises and they too confirmed that we were on the right track. They were surprised to know that we had walked it out all the way from Sitla Devi Temple till here.

A couple of hand pumps on the way helped us refresh ourselves. 

View from atop the Bhawangad Fort walls

Finally we located a signboard giving directions to Bhawangad Fort. On our way we met locals who informed us to watch out for a saffron flag atop the fort from the muddy path to the left of the tar road. They informed us about a temple at the entrance of the fort. 

Bhawangad fort is equidistant from Kelve Rd station and Safale station. ST buses ply between the two stops and the buses pass by from this route.  While we were walking we saw a ST bus going to Safale. Not sure as to what the bus timings are. 

Fortification of Bhawangad Fort

In a matter of minutes we located the muddy path and the saffron flag and started climbing the hill. In ten minutes we were at the entrance of the fort. The Bhawani Shiv Mandir is located here. The temple might be quite old but it was recently renovated. There was a family up here, who had come in a tum tum and were doing  a puja (offering prayers).

Bastion of Bhawangad Fort

A little ahead of the temple, one can see the fortification. We followed the fortification and crossed a bastion to enter the fort and reach atop of the fort. The fort offers a beautiful view of the coconut trees, hill ranges around. 

Have to admit, but the fort is very well protected with trees all around it, that it can't be seen from the road that leads to it. Nothing much to see up here, again a small fort which can be done in around 20 minutes time. Again I am guessing that it was a watchtower. 

Bhawani Shiv Mandir

Took rest here and then decided to have water at one of the houses of the locals as we had a long way back to Sitla Devi temple. The locals were very generous they offered us water to drink and even let us rest in their houses. Mike was hoping for food too. Now he was expecting a bit too much. Truly Atithi Devo Bhavah, I should say.

Bhawani Shiv Mandir

At 1:45 PM we were at Sitla Devi Temple, had veg thali at a cost of Rs. 80 per plate. The food was nice and tasty and filling. With our stomach's full we then asked around for a tum tum ride to Kelve Rd Station as there was a local to Dadar at 2:55 PM. Luckily at 2:25 PM we got a tum tum to Kelve Rd Station. The tum tum cost us Rs. 15 each and it runs houseful all the way till the station. Now I was not sure if he would drop us in time, matter of fact is he did drop us at the station at around 2:50 PM. 

The muddy road that leads to the fort

We boarded the local and off we were on our way to Mumbai. I told Mike that I have just two more forts to conquer in Palghar belt, being Kohoj and Asherigad, all the others being sea forts were conquered. 

Veg Thali

Danda Fort

Sunday, January 18, 2015

We then decided to walk it out to Danda Fort. The locals here are very helpful with directions to visit the fort. As both the forts are far away from the Temple premises they all inquired if we had a two wheeler to take us there, to which we declined. They had informed us that walking it would take us around 45 minutes to reach Danda Fort, as it is located on the other side of the Danda bridge which is built over the Danda creek.

View of Danda Creek, Kelve Fort and Arabian Sea from Danda Bridge

Now the sun was right over our heads but that didn't stop us, we kept marching forward towards Danda Fort. Though it was hot, wind was blowing like crazy and so we didn't feel the heat. The Danda bridge offers a wonderful view of the creek, the sea in a distance, Kelve Fort in the middle of the water and the sleeping villages around it, not to forget the mangroves and the hill ranges in a distance.

View of Danda creek from Danda Bridge

A couple of boats were anchored in the creek waters. The sun shinning on the waters was a amazing sight to see. 

Banyan Tree near the Danda Fort walls

All that remains of the fort walls

We reached the other side of the creek and inquired with a local kid and he said that its at the turning of this road. In a couple of minutes we were at the Danda Fort.   

Another view of the fort walls

We were shocked to see that a new house was being built just outside the fort walls, blocking the view of the fort from the road. Sad to say that just two walls of the fort stand tall, a big thanks to the banyan tree which has grown near the walls.  The place offers very good shade, again thanks to the banyan tree. The locals have built a series of toilets around the fort. I am shocked to see the state of this historic monument. 

Toilets near the fort premises

I believe the house near the fort was built illegally and hence some boys were guarding it. They were curious to know who we were and from where we had come. Though they did let us see the entire fort or should I say what remains of the fort. 

Structure covering the fort walls

We then inquired with them and started on to visit Bhawangad Fort, they informed us that it would take us around 30 minutes to reach it. 

That's me

Kelva Fort (Madhla Buruj)

I have been planning to visit the remaining forts of Palghar since a couple of months now. But none of my plans were getting actioned. 

The forts I have visited in Palghar so far are Kelva Fort,  Shirgaon Fort,  Tarapur Fort,  Kaldurg Fort, Kohoj

Train to board at Andheri Station, platform no.4

Finally Mike and I decided to visit Palghar to do the remaining forts.

Fisher folk with their fish

As decided we met at Andheri Railway Station at 5:50 AM to board the 5:55 AM fast local to Dahanu. The train was packed at that time. The train was filled with a mixed lot of people. Some sleeping and snooring, others chit chatting. We also had a few fisherfolk who were there with their fish, they were heading to Bhayandar to sell their fish.  

Kelve Rd station

Though the glass windows were shut and the fans switched off we were still feeling cold. I was wearing a camera vest which obstructed the cold to some extent, pity Mike.

Misal Pav and Tea

Finally at 7:05 the train was at Kelve Road Station, the train had arrived before schedule.  Now the weather was really cold here, everyone around was dressed in woolen, and the two of us in Tees and Shorts and Sandals. We were definitely the odd one's out there.

An old bell located on the way to Kelva Fort

Just outside the station we found a small store serving snacks and tea. We rushed to have breakfast in the form of spicy Misal Pav and hot Tea to gulp it down.  Hoping that it would relieve us from the cold. 

Mike and Me

The moment the breakfast was over, we started feeling the cold again. As SitlaDevi Temple was around 8 KM away and no ST bus in sight, we decided to walk it out. There are sharing Rickshaw's here. Rs. 15 for a seat. 

Road to Kelve Fort

We asked a couple of locals for direction, the only thing they told us that we need to go walking straight on the road, no left turns and no right turns, and that is what we did.

Sunrise at Kelve Rd Station

As the sun had now risen, it was getting warmer. We did notice that when we opened our mouths to talk we could see the smoke coming out of it. Now you can imagine how cold it was.

Salt pans on the way to Kelve Fort

Barren lands, salt pans, thick greenery, we saw it all on our way to SitlaDevi Temple. 

Tiny roads

Now why were we going to the SitlaDevi Temple, because we had Kelva Fort (Madhla Buruj), Mahim Fort, Danda Fort and Bhawangad Fort which were easily accessible from there. 

Kelve Beach

By the time we reached SitlaDevi Temple we were all charged up.  Asked a couple of locals in regards to the direction to visit the hidden Kelva Fort (Madhla Buruj). As I had done the Kelva fort, the one in the middle of the water in my passed trip here. 

Uprooted Cassurina Trees

From the SitlaDevi Temple located on the shore of the beach, start walking towards the north, at the end of the tree cover is located the fort. Due to the thick forestation the fort cannot be located even from a distance. 

Another view of Kelve Beach

The fort is small in size and had five bastions on it. The doors of the fort have been buried in the sand over the years. A small three foot entrance leads to the inside of the fort. The windows of the fort offer a very good view of the sea and the vessels in it.  Due to the thick forestation, this fort was camouflaged in the woods. Maybe it was used as a watchtower. 

Bastion of Kelve Fort (Madla Buruj)

What left me fuming here was the advertisement painted on the walls of the fort, the graffiti on it's inside walls and the plastic wrappers of food items. 

Fortification of  Kelva Fort (Madhla Buruj)

Not sure about the history of this place, but what we noticed is that different types of stone was used in the construction of this fort.

Fortification of  Kelva Fort (Madhla Buruj)

The fort hardly took us 20 minutes to explore, we then headed back to Sitla Devi Temple to board a tum tum to Mahim Fort. 

Me

We noticed the roots of most of the cassurina trees that are on the shore. Maybe soil erosion had taken place here. 

Bastion

After having refreshing lemon water we headed off to sea Mahim Fort.  

That's me