..Majestic Matheran..

Matheran, when we heard this hill station name we thought of pink-cold weather, honeymoon couples, fresh atmosphere, monkeys and horse rides … 

Yes, Matheran is wonderful weekend gateway, but not only for couples this hill station town is becoming famous for friends one day out or even stay picnic, family get together, relaxing time for married/unmarried couples.

Britishers developed matheran as a popular resort to beat the summer heat in that region. Matheran is only town where automobiles are not allowed except municipal ambulance and no private vehicles are allowed inside Matheran it also have large population of Monkeys so mind this WARNING!!! – Please don’t bring plastic bags, water bottle not even any other thing in hand otherwise monkeys will attack you to get that and they won’t fear you at all…!!!

                Matheran is red soil and pollution free town which makes it different than others and it’s also famous for its Toy Train, you can book this in advance from IRCTC. To reach Matheran some good options are to catch a train from CST – Karjat route and leave at Neral station ( don’t confused with Nerul which is harbor railway station) from Neral you have option of Toy train or Omani drive.

Toy train took almost two hours to reach at Matheran station but in winter its worth going from toy train with beautiful view of green valleys and other option is Omani drive towards Matheran town(which cost 75/- per person)

Matheran is a Hill Station in municipal council of the Raigad district Maharashtra, it cost 50/- rupee entry fees for each adult and 25/- for child.

If you are planning Matheran for one day then Mark for points to see and at least have detailed map of matheran then you can have ideas to reach from one point to another.

There are around 38 designated look-out points in Matheran, including the Panorama Point that provides a 360 degree view of the surrounding area and also the Neral town. Sunset and sunrise points. The Louisa Point offers crystal clear view of the Prabal Fort. The other points are the One Tree Hill Point, Hart Point, Monkey Point, Porcupine Point, Rambagh Point, and more.

There is Charlotte Lake, which gives you best view and relaxed your mood.

If you are planning matheran for two days as weekend then try booking in advance to get best resort and good view of room. You can book resort from Neral station also.

When you are planning try to bring necessary things with you like biscuits, oil, soaps etc. because each thing in matheran cost some more bugs/penny as all export from outside will be carried on horses or by humans which increases selling price.

There are lots of good options for resorts some are away from main station but relaxing and some are nearer to town, try to reach in resort before 6 PM afterward it’s all blackout in Matheran.

Matheran is safe for single traveler also it have hospitals, Police station and doctor on call in resorts.

Matheran have Union bank ATM in Town area.

In recent days, in some area of matheran they organized valley crossing campaigned which is bit exciting.

There are lots of trekkers groups who start trekking in night and reach matheran in early morning to see sunrise.

Right time to visit matheran is during winter season.

Please plan your trip in advance and have fun…..!!!

Wish you happy Travel !! Enjoy .. :) :)

Global Konkan fest in Navi Mumbai

Here is another change to get know Konkan culture and experience Konkani food and get know to available Real Estate/Properties in konkan and this all in one package come in Global Konkan festival this time in Navi Mumbai.

The city will host the Global Konkan Festival  for the first time from December 14-17 at the Cidco ground on Palm Beach Road.

Prior to these three previous editions of this festival were held in Mumbai western line, but this time Navi Mumbai will get change to host festival, the organizers have shifted it to the Navi Mumbai city.

The property exhibition-cum-festival will display art; events that detail Konkan culture, offer authentic cuisine and will also have a photography exhibitions.

According to officials this summit is aimed at boosting tourism, trade and commerce, infrastructure facilities and employment opportunity. This is an opportunity for people to explore Konkan's heritage, according to coordinator of the event.

For layman peoples this is just a day out for enjoyment and you just grab this change to get familiar with Konkan culture, tourism food and have fun.

Add this to your white list now and enjoy..

Organizers decided to held next Global Konkan Festival in London… J

Venue:

 It will be hosted by Cidco and Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) at Cidco Ground, behind Jaipuriar School, Sector 18, Palm Beach Road, Sanpada from December 14 to 17.

Ref: Times of India

Real Estate World in Konkan

“I would be happy if I own my second home in Konkan” this is upcoming wish of every individual..

This wish capitalized by some builders and developers and with this real estate in konkan increasing rapidly.

Pen, Ratnagiri, Lanja, Rajapur, Kankavli, Sawantawadi becoming hub for residential complexes and consider future modern cities in konkan which will add five starts in konkan lifestyle.

Good part is all modern facilities such as hospitals, blood banks, Bank branches/ATMs etc. will come in all major cities.

With this I have choice to buy 1RK, 1BHK, 2BHK Row houses to Bungalow plot also I can go for modern facilities such as swimming pool, small play ground some of builders offers Scotty or car along with flat.

I won’t mind if all urban facilities will come near my home in konkan but if it affects rural atmosphere then I would worry a bit.

Is that mean, Konkan moving from Rural to Urban?

Prior this in summer vacation if we family decided to visit my home town, I dream of going in town where food cooked on fire, we all family enjoy playing in big common room in village house. All elders guide us though all types of plants around home.

We collect cashew nuts, mangoes, jackfruits and enjoy playing with it. I used to drink cold water from well and ‘MATAKA’

Today fire to cook food turns into gas and electric stove, common room turns into living room, no plants in and around home, fridge gives me cold water even in konkan.

In this situation I shall try to keep my home with rustic touch with modern amenities around it.

I suggest try to get home around 5 KM of city where doctors can reach on call, market will be available around walking distant so that I can stay in my home with safe and without tension even if I may new in town.

Hope you choose better place in konkan as your Home or Second Home…!!

Be Happy …. Best Luck.. J

Regards,

Sulekh Yashwantrao

Ganpati Bappa in Konkan 2013

..Ganpati Bappa Morya...

This year we enjoyed Ganesh Festival in our konkan home...

We celebrate it with full on masti and damal..

We do arati and bhajan whole night.

We say goodbye to bappa ... sayin Ganpati Bapa morya .. Pudhachya warshi lavkar ya... :)

Aquarium at Ratnagiri

Ratnagiri with long costal drive lane and without sea life ..?? impossible..!! 

Aquarium Entrance

When we think of aquarium, it’s big glass ponds with illuminated lights and different variety of fishes. Yes! You can see same at Ratnagiri aquarium and Museum which also have it's own Marine Biological Research Station.

Konkan has wide range of beaches and sea life which adds five starts in Konkan aquarium business. People do visit this aquarium and keeping this hobby in mind it established Marine Aquarium and Museum in around 1958.

At entrance of aquarium they put  giant show piece of real ship 'Varsha', which attracts each visitor also in each wall of aquarium they painted different fish photos. You can find some of them below.

This aquarium have beautiful specimens like Lion Fish, Sea horse fish, Trigger fish, big Sea-turtles, Sea cucumbers, sea snakes, Star fish, Lobsters, and many more.

Sea Fish Farming

 They also do farming of prawns, crabs and different fish.

This Aquarium also has sea museum which stored/stuffed different fish in glass tubes I have seen my favorite dolphin fish stuffed and stored… J

Stuffed Fish

One of best attraction of these museums has a giant wheal skeleton which is approx 55 feet long

The Government of Maharashtra and Department of Fisheries established Marine Biological Research Station (MBRS) in this aquarium of Ratnagiri for scientific and planned development of fisheries on the south Konkan coast. This is good institute for students who considering their career in sea life or those who have hobby of sea life.

Wheal Skeleton

Tortoise

Lion Fish

To visit this you have to pay Rs 5/- per head.

Location :

This is must visit museum at Mandavi Beach Ratanagiri also called as Gate way of Ratnagiri at Bhagawati mandir road.

Light House at Ratnadurg

One of fascinating experience we have at Ratnadurg, a wide spread fort in ratnagiri also called Horse Shoe.

There is one Light house which is 102 m long in height with black and white bands.

This light house has range of around 28 nautical miles.

Detail information by Indian gov you can find at below link.

http://dgllnoida.gov.in/mumbai/RATNAGIRI.html

This is great experience to walk across fort and then visit light house. 

It cost Ru 10 per head to go up in light house, which has round stair cases.

This light house worked on solar power it has wide solar plates and light bulb surrounded with spherical prisms which spread light approx more than 50 KMs

Officials in light house gave us brief introduction on light energy and how it is useful for ships and costal guards.

There is one way from light house from village to go at gateway of Ratnagiri passing aquarium.

Plan ans visit this 

Transport facilities during Ganpati festival in Konkan.

During Ganpati festival host destination for all people around india rush towards Konkan. Gov specially announced trains and MH state transports during this festival.

This year also Konkan Railway announced special Ganpati festival trains and state transport tried to accommodate all crowd with announcing last time special buses in each majour village in konkan from Fort, Bombay central, Parel, Bhandup, Sion and Dombivali.

Traffic police announced to use alternate routes to reach sindhudurg and Goa side villages to have safe journey and avoid traffic.

Mumbai Goa National highway is full packed during this season so some are alternatives for that are:

1                     Traditional Konkan Route : Mumbai Goa Highway   - ~ 587 km, 11 hours 21 mins

            Head towards Kurla - Kalina Flyover

            Take road onto Eastern Express Hwy

            At Shivaji Chowk, take the 2nd exit pass by Tata Institute of Social Sciences

           Continue onto Vashi Bridge and Sion-Panvel Expy

           Slight right onto National Highway 66/NH 4B

           Continue onto Alibag-Khopoli Rd/MH SH 88/National Highway 66

           Continue Mumbai-Goa Road to your destination

2                     AH 47/NH 4 – Via Kolhapur              ~ 610 km, 9 hours 35 mins

            Head towards Kurla - Kalina Flyover

            road onto Eastern Express Hwy

           Slight left onto Sahityaratna Anna Bhau Sathe Flyover/Sumannagar Bridge

           Continue onto Vashi Bridge

           Continue onto Mumbai - Pune Expy/

           Take the exit on the right towardsMumbai Pune Bypass Rd/AH 47/NH 4

           Pass by Dwarkadhish Petrol Pump Surur

          Continue on NH 4 and from Kolhapur you can entered in Konkan via Waibhawadi

3                     Pune - Solapur Hwy                                -  ~726 km, 12 hours 51 mins

            Head towards Kurla - Kalina Flyover

            road onto Eastern Express Hwy

           Continue onto VN Purav Marg

           Pass by Corporate Park

           Continue onto Vashi Bridge

           Continue onto Mumbai - Pune Expy

           Take the exit on the right towardsMumbai Pune Bypass Rd/AH 47/NH 4

           Slight left onto Baner Rd

           Pass by Gupte Hospital Extension Clinic

           Continue onto Aundh Rd

           Continue onto MH SH 114

          Continue onto Pune - Solapur Hwy/Solapur Rd

         Turn right onto SH141

         Turn left onto Tasgaon Phatta- Subhash Nagar Road

         From Miraj Connect to Kolhapur via Miraj Road

         From Kolhapur you can entered in Konkan via Waibhawadi

Choose you way to reach our favorite place. Some of most holy destinations during this festival are Pali in Raigad District and Ganpatipule in ratnagiri district and Reddi in Sindhudurg district and Medhe Ganpati temple which was private temple belongs to Prop. Kalnirnay Calendar Salgawgkar Sir.

There are lots of direct boarding state transport busses organized by ST mahamandal. Grab this opportunity. Some of private mandals of konkan also organized private busses in their respective home towns in reasonable rates.

I wish you all happy and safe journey.

Ganpati Festival in Konkani Style

              Almost every festival in Maharastrian calendar has been celebrated in Konkan with wide and extreme level. In that Dashera, Holi, Gupidapwa and Ganpati festival are prime attraction in Konkan region. Each and every family tends toward konkan during this Sep-Oct Festival season.

             I heard list time people took flights from Mumbai to Goa and came backward toward their own villages, during this time all railways, Gov buses, private travelers are full and on road traffic are busted.

During this time if you get and Konkan kanya train ticket then you will be treated as lucky lottery winner. I would rather say if you will get any train confirm ticket during this you will be feel like King… ;-p

To fulfill this requirement konkan railway with Indian railway introduced much special trains toward Konkan from every part of state.

Bappa in My Home

           At villages each family tried to bring lord bappa to their home for 1 day to 11 days and they live this days with holi Arti, Bhajan, overnight programs and try to keep bappa Happy.

          There are more superstitions and believes in konkan regarding festivals and lords so we fulfill all required believes during this.  After five days some families bring Gauri to their home who is Ganpati’s mother some families bring Ridhi & Sidhi as Bappa’s brides.In some Malvan region when Gauri came to home they server non veg to her as “Prasad”.

Satyanarayn Pooja

          After festival over we say god bye to bappa and send him to his next journey in near lake or river..

Ganpati Bappa Morya Pudhachya warship luvkar ya(Come back soon next year)….

Ganpati in Kankavli Bajarpeth

Ganapati Pule : Popular Ganesh Temple in Konkan

           We have been enjoying Ganesh Festival.. If you also want to enjoy this moments start planning… Who knows we will meet there….. ;-)

C you in our Beautiful Konkan with my Bappa….. ;-)

GANPATI FESTIVAL SPECIAL TRAINS ON KONKAN RAILWAY - 2013

In order to cater to the extra rush of passengers during the ensuing Ganpati Festival -2013, Konkan Railway, in co-ordination with Western Railway has introduced the following Special Trains between Bandra-Madgaon-Bandra and Ahemdabad-Madgaon-Ahemdabad passengers.

The details of these train services are as under:

1 1)      Bandra-Madgaon-Bandra :-

Train No.	From	To	Dep. /Arr	Date
09009 ( Every Monday, Wednes-day, Friday & Saturday)	Bandra(T)	Madgaon	Dep.00.15hrs. Arr. 16.30 hrs. same day	02/09/2013 to 21/09/2013 = 12 Trips
09010( Every Monday, Wednes-day, Friday & Saturday)	Madgaon	Bandra(T)	Dep.20.00hrs. Arr. 13.20 hrs.next day	02/09/2013 to 21/09/2013 = 12 Trips

Halts at: The trains will halt at Andheri, Borivali, Vasai Road, Panvel, Roha, Mangaon,Khed, Chiplun, Savarda, Sangmeshwar, Ratnagiri, Adavali, Rajapur Road, Vaibhavwadi Road,Kankavali, Sindhudurg,kudal, Zarap, Sawantwadi Road, Madure, Pernem, Thivim, Karmali, Madgaon. The train will have 18 coaches.

2 2)      Ahemdabad-Madgaon-Ahemdabad :-

Train No.	From	To	Dep. /Arr	Date
09416 ( Every Monday, Wednesday & Saturday)	Ahmedabad	Madgaon	Dep.16.55 hrs. Arr.16.30 hrs.(Next Day)	02/09/2013 to 21/09/2013 = 09 Ttrips
09415 ( Every Tuesday, Thursday & Sunday	Madgaon	Ahmedabad	Dep.20.00 hrs. Arr.19.20hrs. (Next Day)	03/09/2013 to 22/09/2013 = 09 Trips

Halts at: The trains will halt at Nadiad, Anand, Vadodara, Bharuch, Surat, Navsari, Valsad, Vapi, Dhanu Road, Boisar,Vasai Road, Panvel, Roha, Mangaon, Khed, Chiplun, Savarda, Sangmeshwar, Ratnagiri, Adavali, Rajapur Road, Vaibhavwadi Road,Kankavali, Sindhudurg,kudal, Zarap, Sawantwadi Road, Madure, Pernem, Thivim, Karmali, Madgaon. The train will have 17 coaches.

Apart from this Konkan Railway, in coordiantion with Central Railway will also be running the following Special trains for Ganpati Festival.

Ref : http://www.konkanrailway.com

Shimga(Holi) Festval in Konkan – Kawad

The word 'Holi' originated from 'Holika' sister of Hiranyakashipu. Who tried to killed son of Hiranyakashipu Pralhad. 

Holi ,we pray to holika ot get rid of all troubles from us and make everyone happy.

Hiranyakashipu

In Konkan People decorate their houses with paintings and also make various floral designs on the entra

nce of their homes. Family members, friends and relatives exchange greetings and gifts between each other.
People decorate their houses with paintings and also make various floral designs on the entrance of their homes. Family members, friends and relatives exchange greetings and gifts between each other.

 Here people celebrate this festival in such a way that GOD arrives at our own house. The villagers here celebrate Holi with God in a Palkhi and bring it everyone’s house so that they together can pray for the wellbeing of the families.

Shimga is one of the popular festivals in maharashtra. It is celbrated on full moon day of Marathi Month of Phalgun which usually comes in the month march. Dancing with Palkhi is a ritual at the time of Shimga (holi) festival. This is popular in Ratnagiri district of Konkan region and is celebrated by all people irrespective of age, caste and creed. Shimga is celebrated in the period between the months of February and March after the holi celebration.

Shimga is celebrated according to each village tradition in Konkan from 5 to 15 days. It is the festival of color called Dhuliwandan in next day of Holi. The day of the Shimga Festival is celebrated with widespread enjoyment and fanfare. People enjoy to the fullest by throwing colored powder and water at each other all over the day. The colors are made of natural products like Neem, Kumkum, Haldi and herbal recipes which are considered to have a medicinal effect on the diseases like viral fever and cold etc. Shimga also supports to keep environment pollution free.

The day of the Shimga festival is also marked by wide spread processions and carnivals. On this occasion villagers take the charge to enjoy the festival by dancing on street by wearing traditional dresses. his is pre-Holi festival celebrated by villagers in Goa to bid farewell to winter and welcome spring. A colorful procession bearing deities on floats starts from the temples in the evening. The parade winds through the streets of Panjim to the sound of drums, flutes and folk songs. It comes to a halt only in the early hours of the morning.

Now a days some village areas becoming urban and you can see that this tradition is not followed as it was previous but in some towns in konkan still they celebrate with full of joy like Kodavali in Rajapur Ratanagiri is small place near Rajapur bus depot surrounded with beauty of river and scenery, temples.

Villages used to do all dramas, dance in whole nights and be enthusiastic 

throughout

Click for more details :  Ratnagiri : Kavad At Konkan Shimgostav

आंबा महोत्सव – रत्नागिरी

' रत्नागिरीतला पहिलावहिला आंबा पर्यटन महोत्सव रत्नागिरीच्या पर्यटन विकासाची नांदी ठरेल',  'कोल्हापुरात जसा दरवषीर् दसरा महोत्सव होतोच, त्या धतीर्वरच हा आंबामहोत्सव झाला पाहिजे. भाट्ये किनाऱ्यावर असा महोत्सव दरवषीर् साजरा होण्यासाठी आराखडा करून दिलात तर सरकारकडून कायमस्वरूपी निधी मिळवून देण्याची जबाबदारी माझी' असे असा विश्वास विजयसिंह मोहिते-पाटील यांनी जाहीर केले. पुढच्या महोत्सवाआधीच हे स्थळ विकसित झालेले असेल, असेही आश्वासन मोहिते यांनी यावेळी दिले.  आकर्षक रोषणाई, पालखीनृत्य, दशावतारातील श्रीराम-रावण युद्धखेळ तसेच सुमधुर संगीताच्या तालावर बेभान झालेल्या शेकडो उपस्थितांच्या साक्षीने थाटामाटात रत्नागिरीतल्या पहिल्यावहिल्या आंबा पर्यटन महोत्सवाला सुरूवात झाली. महोत्सवाचे उद्घाटन पर्यटनमंत्री विजयसिंह मोहिते-पाटील व विधानसभेतील विरोधी पक्षनेते रामदास कदम यांच्या हस्ते होईल. महोत्सवात विशेष औत्सुक्याची बाब ठरली ती विविध सांस्कृतिक देखाव्यांची मिरवणूक! रत्नागिरी शहरबाजारपेठांतून निघालेल्या या मिरवणुकीतील दशावताराच्या, कोळीबांधवांच्या रूपातली शाळकरी मुले पाहण्यासाठी गावकऱ्यांची गदीर् जमली होती. मोहिते-पाटील, रामदास कदम, आमदार भास्कर जाधव, उदय सामंत आदी नेतेही भाट्ये किनाऱ्यापर्यंत मिरवणुकीत सहभागी झाले होते. जिल्हाधिकारी व महोत्सवाचे अध्यक्ष विकासचंद रस्तोगी यांनी पाहुण्यांचे आंब्याचा हार घालून स्वागत केले. महोत्सवात 'रत्नागिरी हापुस आंब्या'ला विशेष मागणी होती. जवळच्या गावांमधील महिला बचत गट, बागायतदार शेतकरी आणि इतर गावकऱ्यांना मोफत स्टॉल उपलब्ध करून दिल्यामुळे तेही खुशीत होते.  महोत्सवाला स्थानिक नागरिकांचा सहभाग मोठ्या प्रमाणावर असला तरी परदेशी आणि देेशी पाहुण्यांनी मात्र महोत्सवाला हजेरी न लावल्याने आयोजक नाराज होते.  यंदा महोत्सवात राहिलेल्या त्रुटींची पूर्तता भविष्यातील महोत्सवात करून हा सोहळा अधिक दिमाखदार करण्यात येईल, असा विश्वास रस्तोगी यांनी व्यक्त केला.  -       Maharashtra Times

Global Kokan Festival 2013

Global Kokan Festival 2013 to be held from January 4-7 in Mumbai

Global Kokan Festival, organised by Kokan Bhumi Pratishthan, will be held between January 4 and 7, 2013 at Bombay Exhibition Centre, Mumbai. The four-day extravaganza will witness 350 exhibitors, including infrastructure and investment firms, fisheries, agro-based and food processing, real estate, hotels and tour operators. As part of the Festival, Konkan Tourism will organise Beach Festival in May 2013 at Thane, Raigad, Ratnagiri and Sindhudurg to promote Beach and Coastal Tourism. In addition, a photo exhibition for tour operators in October-November 2013 in Nashik, Nagpur, Aurangabad and Pune, and a tourism promotion tour for tour operators will be organized in November 2013 at Thane, Raigad, Ratnagiri and Sindhudurg.

ग्लोबल कोकण २०१३ - ४ जानेवारी २०१३ ते ७ जानेवारी २०१३, नेस्को, गोरेगाव (पूर्व)

GLOBAL KOKAN FESTIVAL 2013 IN MUMBAI AT GOREGAON

At Nesco Complex Goregaon Mumbai.

Below is programa structure,

Contact for more details

Kokan Bhumi Pratisthan

Office No. 7,

2nd floor, Haji Habib Bldg,

Naigaon Cross Rd,

Above Kohinoor Electronics Showroom,

 Dadar (East),

 Mumbai -400 014.

Phone - +91-22-24155411 / 12

Website : www.globalkokan.org

Mobile No: +91 - 809-777-7817.