DEVBAG BEACH...... 'DEVBAG SANGAM'.....

DEVBAG BEACH

                 Devbag is a beautiful beach town in the southern state of Maharashtra. It is located in the near Sindhudurg fort and along with Tarkarli beach and can be reached in about 3 hours from Goa. It is about 34 km from Sindhudurg railway station and is about 110 km from Panjim. Devbag is considered the most scenic. Most of painters come here often to paint there canvas with most beautiful and lively scenes from Devbaug because here is the place where Karli river and Arabian sea meets each other called ‘SANGAM’ which made this place more beautiful and romantic.

The town enjoys a calm atmosphere and is considered to be a good place to relax and enjoy the sea. Devbag is known for its peaceful stretch of sandy beach, the clear blue waters of the Arabian Sea, the mangrove trees which surround a part of the town and the variety of birds that are seen here.

Devbag is an ideal beach holiday destination and water sports like snorkelling, speedboat rides, banana boat rides, water scooter rides, kayaking, parasailing, etc. are popular holiday activities in Devbag. There are also expert trainers who can be approached to get a quick lesson on the various water sports.

Being close to the sea, fishing is a popular occupation here and a majority of the population thrive on fishing. Transport options are limited here since it is an island. The best way to explore the beach stretch and the surrounding forest area is by foot. To travel to and from the town there are boats which are rowed by the local fishermen.

There is no particular time to visit Devbag since it enjoys an island weather which remains almost same throughout the year. However, the winter season is more comfortable with cooler temperatures.

Tourists can experience the wonderful taste of fresh sea-food in almost all the restaurants here.

Dabolim Airport, Goa serves as the closest airport to Devbag, which is at a distance of 90 km. There are regular flights from Bangalore to Dabolim, Goa and from here tourists can hire a taxi or board a bus to Devbag.

This is place where fish lovers will get all kind of fresh fish to eat.

Attractions :

Cool and Calm Place to visit

Food, sight-seeing and shopping

places to visit here are Sangam Tarkarli beach Backwaters there is nothing much for shopping but you can buy good cashewnuts and Malvani Masala

Travel tips, How to reach, travel warnings etc.

One can reach devbag by train to Kudal and from Kudal Station get a share rickshaw to Kudal Bus Stand from Kudal Bus Stand Take a Bus to Malvan and From Malvan take another bus which is green coloured to Devbag From Malvan one reach Devbag by Share rickshaw (Tum Tum)

Source : Internet/Personal Experience

Photos : Sulekh

Ratandurg - Horseshoe

This is one of the fort in Konkan situated in Ratnagiri district, besieged by the charming Arabian Sea on the three sides, the massive Ratnadurg Fort presents a splendid look. A massive structure in the shape of a horseshoe, with a length of 1,300 meters and a width of 1,000 meters, Ratnadurg Fort was once a strong hold of the Maratha Empire.

A small hill on the Ratnagiri seashore hasdivided the Ratnagiri shore in two parts. In local language, Marathi, it isknown as "Kala Samudra"/"White Samudra" (Black/White sea)Ratnadurga, popularly known as Bhagavati fort, with area of 120 acres, is situated on this hill. The fort is surrounded by sea.

The temple of Goddess Bhagavati is situated here. Navaratri festival is a major festival celebrated here. Many devotees flock to this temple during Navaratri for darshan of the goddess. A light house is also situated in the fort, which guides the ships/vessel's traveling in the Ratnagiri Sea. The fort is in ruins now. One can see the entire Ratnagiri city from this fort. Viewing the Sunset from this fort is a major attraction for the tourists.. The beautiful sight of sun dipping into the sea is a must see for the tourists.

 Shri Shivaji Maharaj won it in 1670 from Adilshah The fort was used as a watch point for keeping vigil on the pirates. Perhaps this was the main reason for construction of fort on this hill. This is very easily accessible fort. Small kids, elderly persons can easily climb this hill. There is a motorway, so one can drive up to the top.

Ratnagiri bus stand is approx. 3 to 4 k.m. and 15 k.m. from Ratanagiri railway station. All the express /super express/Rajdhani trains have halt here.

Some of best thing to watch near ratandurg are,

Aquarium :

One of best aquarium to watch and best attraction is skeleton of whale fish and big tortoise also many more small and big fishes to see.

Light House:

At top of Ratandurg there is one light house which is used to show direction for ships.

Gate way of Ratanagiri:

                Its gateway of ratnagiri from sea to land. Romantic place to spend evening.

 Regards,

Swami Swarupanand Ashram - Pavas Ratnagiri

Pavas is a village with natural beauty. This is a prime spiritual place in Ratnagiri district due to a very long stay of Swami (saint) Swaroopanand. Swami Swaroopanand was a follower of Warkari Sampraday.

Shri Swami Swarupanand Math – Pavas which is Located at 16 Kms. The Shri Swami Swarupanand Samadhi mandir at pawas has gained much importance as a pilgrim place and lakhs of people visit Pawas every year. The Samadhi mandir was constructed in the memory of Shri Swami Swarupanand Who took a samadhi here on 15th August 1974.

The Temple is very beautiful and you will have a feeling of intense satisfaction and peace as you are in the temple premises. excellently managed by the managing committee and trustees, the temple provides daily 'Mahaprasad' to the visiting devotees.

The real name of Swamiji is Ramchandra but he was popularly and affectionately recognized as “Appa” or “Rambhau” . He born on 15th December 1903 at Pawas. His father’s name was Shri. Vishupant Godbole and mother’s name was Sou. Rakhamabai Godbole. Rambhau (Appa) had his primary education up to fifth standard at Pawas and secondary education at Ratnagiri. For his higher secondary education he had admitted to Aaryan Education Society’s high school at Mumbai in 1919. The special “Spiritual and Religious training” was offered in this school.

Rambhau was fond of literatures and had command on Marathi and Sanskrit languages. He also had keen interest in famous Marathi drams. At the age of eighteen, Rambhau had started following the path of Mahatma Gandhiji ( The Father of Nation). Appa had an active part in various freedom fighting movements leaded by Mahatmaji like Khadi Movement, Non Co-operation Movement, Self independence Movement. From year 1920 to 1934 i.e. for 14 years, Rambhau lived his life for selfless social work. After his secondary education he came back to Pawas. After coming back, he had established a National school named “Swavalambashram” ( a place of self independence).

At the age of 20, Appa had taken the initiation (Dikshya) from his Guru Sadguru Babamaharaj Vaidya from Pune. From this point, his journey in the spiritual world had begaun. Appa was influenced by the great enlighten knowledge of his Sadguru (the Spiritual Master) and got the inspiration from him.

Appa found a great change in his life because of the spiritual knowledge and blessings of his Guru. He had a pure religious austerity after coming to Pawas. He had carefully learned the philosophy from Dasbodh, Dyaneshwari, Bhagawatam, Abhangas by many saints and upanishadas. (All these are scriptures from Hindu religion). After this there were many follower of Appa and his followers started calling him as Swamiji. Swamiji had given a Guru mantra of “Ram Krishna Hari” to his followers. Many followers chants this mantra for their advancement in the spiritual journey and for peace.

For Reference:

http://www.swamisamarth.com/shreemaharaj/biography/shreecharitra_10.html

http://wikimapia.org/514991/Swami-Swarupanand-Mandir-Pawas

Info :  Internet.

Photos :  Sulekh