नवीन वर्षाभिनंदन : 2013 - ( Happy New Year 2013 )

दुःख सारी विसरून जाऊ .....

सुख देवाच्या चरनी वाहू ......

     स्वप्ने उरलेली नव्या या वर्षी .....

         नव्या नजरेने ....नव्याने पाहू ........

नविन वर्ष तुम्हाला अणि तुमच्या सम्पूर्ण परिवाराला सुखाचे समृधिचे अणि समाधानाचे जाओ ......

2013

From:

कोंकण : गॉड लिव्स हियर (Konkan  : God Lives Here)

Swami Bhalchandra Maharaj Kankvli Sindhudurg

This is the place of where Bhalchandra Maharaj lived more than for 55 years now this is monument constructed and accommodation is available here in specially built 'Bhakt Nivas' for a nominal price. After donating fifty one rupees one can do pooja–abhishekh of Samarth once in a year and prasad is sent by post to the mailing address. If a devotee wants to do pooja and abhishekh on any of following festive days, donation of a thousand and one rupees is asked for.

Holy place of Bhalchandra Baba’s Meditation period (Vaikunthvasi Pundalik Sabaji Kamat’s alive – monument.) In Kankavli market, in front of Shri Dev Kashivishveshwar and Shri Dev Datta Temple, there is alive monument of holy man of Kamat family, Pundalik Sabaji Kamat which is 150 years old. This holy man after his age of sixty preferred Sanyasashram and did meditation in a closed room. Then he drove away sorrows of people and at last he expressed his desire to take Sanjivan Samadhi. He took it in front of Datta Temple constructed by him.

When Bhalchandra Maharaj came to Kankavli, he started to sit here. People used to think that he was insane but nephew of revered Pundalik Sabaji Kamat, late Ramchandra Moreshwar Kamat got message that he was not insane but a yogi and he should get place near by me so late Ramchandra Moreshwar Kamat constructed one room in the close vicinity to the samadhi. In this room Bhalchandra Maharaj did his meditation for 50 years. In 1980 it was reconstructed by Shri Suresh Dinkar Kamat.

He used to rude to everyone but those who really admire Bhalchandra Maharaj they always blessed by them, I heard one day he through coconut on oe of devotee's head as blessing prasad, but meracle is that that devotee did not have a single scratch.

Life of Bhalchandra Baba:

He was born on January 08, 1904. His mother and father died when he was 5 to 6 years old. He ran away from home when he was about 25 years old. He was told to go to Satam Maharaj of Danoli to devote his life by Mule Maharaj of Gargoti. He did so according to Satam Maharaja’s desire. Bhalchandra came to Kankavli at his youth in 1930-32. He was unclothed with long beard and nails. People thought he was insane and some tried to tease him. Children used to throw stones but he was not daunted by anything. When his guru Satam Maharaj came from Danoli to meet Bhalchandra, people understood greatness of Bhalchandra Maharaj. People used to get great pleasure by his single look. People from all over Maharashtra started to come to see him. He never use to speak or accept anything from them.

On 16th December, 1977 he was in the Hanuman Temple of Lalbag. Continuous Ramjap was going on. Thousands of people had gathered to see Bhalchandra Baba. It was around 8 o’ clock at night when he left this world.

He was brought to Kankavli and on 18th December 1977 in the middle of ashram, samadhi was given. Numerous people gather here annually. On Margshirsh Shudh Saptami Baba’s Punyatithi is celebrated. His devotees are from all religion, caste and creed, poor and rich. He gave same love like sun to all. He is always holy like Ganga and great like Himalaya. People adore this saint as a supreme being.

Bhalchandra Maharaj used to smoke cigaret, so many devotees keep lightened cigaret near them.

Annual festivals of Samadhi Temple:

1) Shri Samartha’s Punyatithi – Margashirsh Shuddha Saptami.

2) Shri Samartha’s Jayanti – Paush Krishna Shashthi.

3) Mahashivratr – Magh Krushna Trayodashi.

4) Shri Gurudwadashi – Ashvin Krishna Dwadashi.

5) Gurupaurnima – Ashadhi Shudddha 15

In Marathi

Source : Internet

Konkan Online dot com 

Official website of Bhalchandra Maharaj.

Pictures : Own Experience.

Malvani Jatrostav 2012 - Goregaon

Maharastra Navnirman Sena - Goregaon

and Shree Sanklap seva group have organised 

MALVANI JATROSTAV 2012.

Some Attractions

Malvani Medha Ganpati Temple.

Different stalls and hotels which serves you malvani cuisins.

Special attactrion for childrens.

and Many More...

Place :

Motilal Nagar no 1, opp. Best Colony Goregaon west.

Date and Time :

22nd Dec 2012 to 2nd Jan 2013

6.00 PM to 9.00 PM

Note:
This is not official adv. I am just trying to give some updates which haapens about my KONKAN to all my blog viewers. ..... Enjoy the Konkani feel.... Hav a Happy Day... :):)

Deccan Odyssey

The Royal Konkan Experience

Palace of wheels

Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation Ltd in association with Indian Railways and Ministry of Tourism operating a Super Deluxe luxury train "The Deccan Odyssey". The train has been benchmarked against the best luxury trains in the world like the Blue Train of South Africa, The Orient Express of Europe and the Eastern and Oriental of South East Asia.

Deccan Odyssey is not just a name in the luxury rail tours in India, but a benchmark of opulent onboard venture offering a journey experience as no other. Standing as a unique piece of artwork, Deccan Odyssey India takes its guests into a journey to the royal days of the yore. Traversing through the hills, plains and beaches, Deccan Odyssey takes the travelers into a whirlwind tour to Maharashtra and presents to them the real spirit of the land in the most delicate manner

The Deccan Odyssey's sheer luxury is a sight to behold. Everything in the train reflects the ways of Indian Royalty. The plush interiors, an awesome delicious cuisine and grate sites to see makes the journey memorable. This luxurious train transports its guests on a remarkable sojourn of a land shining in legions grandeur - serene beaches, magnificent forts - palaces and experiencing divine tales etched in colossal rocks. A weeklong royal journey is through some of the best places in Maharashtra namely Mumbai, Sindhudurg, Tarkarli, Goa, Kolhapur, Aurangabad, Ellora, Ajanta and Nasik. The objective of running "The Deccan Odyssey" train is primarily to showcase the best of tourism assets of Maharashtra like pristine beauty of Konkan coast, the art, the culture, the heritage (including world heritage sites of Ajanta - Ellora) of Maharashtra as well as Maharashtra's local arts, crafts and cuisine.

The train has 21 coaches, out of which 12 are passenger cars accommodating 8 people per coach (10 passenger Cars, 4 coupes per coach - 2 Presidential Suite Cars, 2 coupes per coach), 1 Conference Car, 2 Dinning Cars, 2 Generator Cars with Luggage Store, 2 Staff, spare Car, 1 Spa Car, 1 Bar Car. The train has on-board facilities like T.V., Cable connection with central audio disc player, cell phones, Channel Music, Foreign exchange facilities, etc. The capacity of the train is 80 pax.

The route has been fixed as Mumbai - Sindhudurg - Goa - Vasco - Kolhapur - Aurangabad(Ellora) - Jalgaon(Ajanta) - Nashik and Mumbai. It will be a seven days round trip starting on Wednesday from Mumbai. The seasonal tours will operate every year between October to April month. The itinerary of the tour is broadly as follows:

1st Day- Mumbai

2nd Day- Sindhudurg Nagri-Sindhudurg Fort-Tarkarl Beach-Dhamapur Village

3rd Day- Goa - Visit to St. Augustine Church, Basilica of Bom Jesus Church, Se Cathedral Church, St.Francis of Assissi a Museum of Goan antiques and visit to Fontanhas the Latin Quarters at Panjim.

4th Day- Goa (Vasco) - Visit to Mangeshi a Hindu Temple, the Safa Masjid a prominent Islamic Shrine, Sahakari Spice Farm, Menezes Braganza House at Chandor village.

5th Day- Kolhapur- New Palace, Museum, Bhavani Mandap Mahalaxmi Temple - Shalini Palace.

6th Day- Aurangabad-Daulatabad-Ellora Caves-Bibi-ka-Maqbara

7th Day- Ajanta Caves / Nasik

8th Day- Mumbai.

In the above program, the train takes you through various facets of tourism attractions of Maharashtra

To know full eternity of Deccan odyssey please visit official site below

http://www.maharashtratourism.gov.in/mtdc/HTML/DO/DefaultDO.aspx?strpage=Tour_detail.html

Foreign Tariff Chart (Per Person Per Night)

Occupancy Type Lean Season April 2012, September 2012 &  April 2013    Peak Season   October 2011 to March 2012 &    October 2012 to March 2013 Deluxe Cabin Single occupancy                                                     US $ 500 US $650 Double occupancy US $ 390 US $500 Triple occupancy US $ 315 US $425 Presidential suite Single occupancy                                          US $ 750 US $ 950 Double occupancy US $ 650 US $ 800 Presidential Suite-Extra Occupancy US $ 300 US $ 370

BAR-Mumbai Hi

A well stocked bar serves wine, liquor and spirits of Indian and International Brands, to keep you in `high spirits’.

RESTAURANT-Peshwa I, Peshwa II

Two lavish and beautifully done restaurants: Serve continental & Indian cuisines.

Reference:

http://www.maharashtratourism.gov.in

Malvani Language ...

Malvani Language

Yetaw kai gawakade. Gadit jaga asa……

 The main attraction of people in sindhudurg is his language. 'Malvani language is very popular not only sindhudurg but also in another part of konkan region. The malvani is one of language is popular and used to speak in Sindhudurg district. Census Board of India and ISO made this language as authorize language.

Today malvani is very popular language in all over maharashtra. The great marathi actor Machindrnath Kambali spread this language around the world. The very famous line 'Yeva konkan aplach asa!" is also in malvani.

Some of translation of english in to malvani is shown as follows,

English	Malvani
How are you?	Kaso asas re tu?
Are you alright?	Kaso asas re tu?
I am fine	Me baro assay
What are you doing	Tu kaay karata?
Malvani is sweet language	Malvani god bhasha asa.
Do you know Malvani?	Tuka malvani yeta?
It's raining heavily here.	Hay khub pavas padata.
It's flooded here.	Hay bhowar iloha
From where are you from?	Khaysun elays re tu?
Will this task be done?	Kam pura hotala kare?
Yes it will	Hoy hotala.
I am going to market	Mi/ Miya bajaray jatay.
What do you(singular/multiple) want?	Tuka/ tumka kay vhaya?
Go There	Thaysar ja.
Bring it Go inside	vhayta  aan Bhutur ja

It is spoken in the southern part of Konkan i.e. Sindhudurg districts; chiefly in the towns of Malvan, Kudal, Kankavli, Sawantwadi and Vengurla. It is also spoken in North Goa specially Pernem taluka. Census Board of India counts Malvani as Konkani dialect (which is official language of State of Goa).

Konkan chi mansa sadhi bholi, kaljat tyanchya bharli shahali.... 

Tyanchya kaljat bharli shahali... :)

Source : Internet

New Year In Konkan 2012

New Year in konkan - 2012

Have you planned for this New Year’s destination?

If not then let’s explore some fantastic destination in our own Konkan.

1: One of most Romantic, sporty and lively place to visit this new year is Tarkarli. Where you can get beach, water sports, beautiful sightseeing. Here you can visit Devbag, Sindhudurg fort. You can enjoy shopping in Malvan too.

http://beautyofkonkan.blogspot.in/2012/11/tarkarli-beach-virgin-beach-in-konkan.html

2: Ganpatipule is the one holy place to visit to start your new year with blessing of Bappa, along with beach view. Ganeshgule ganpati temple and swami swarupanand pavas .

http://beautyofkonkan.blogspot.in/2012/09/ganpatipule.html

3: Ratnagiri city is one best place to visit this year to enjoy beaches, temples, city shopping water sports in bhatye beach, museums and many more. Ratndurg is one of best fort in city.

http://beautyofkonkan.blogspot.in/2012/10/ratandurg-horseshoe.html

4: Vengurla and sawantwadi also best option for many places to visit like sagareshwar temple near vengurla beach, sawantwadi moti talaw, wooden toy shops and factory, cashew factories you can also visit to Redi temple and Terekhol fore at Maharashtra Goa border.

5 : Raigad fort , Pali ganesh temple also indapur is also good for visit.

http://beautyofkonkan.blogspot.in/2012/11/raigad-fort-gibralter-of-east.html

6 : Harihareshwar, Shriwardhan and Diveagar also most hot destination for this new year.

http://beautyofkonkan.blogspot.in/2012/07/shriwardhan-harihareshwar-diveagar-part_12.html

7: Alibag is like mini goa during New Year bash.

Please book early to get your seat confirmed.

The Konkan Railway along with Central Railway has decided to run four-extra winter special/ New Year special trains on its route due to the extra rush of passengers during the winter season.

The 00124 Madgaon-Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus train will leave from Madgaon at 23:30 hrs and arrive CSTM at 13:15 hrs next day. This train will be operating from December 29, 2011-January 1, 2012.

On return journey, the 00123 CSTM-Madgaon will leave from CSTM at 23:55 hrs and arrive Madgaon at 13:00 hrs next day. This train will be functioning from December 30, 2011 January 2, 2012.

The train will stop at Karmali, Thivim, Ratnagiri, Roha, Panvel, Thane and Dadar stations on both directions. It will be having 15 coaches with composition of Seven Sleeper Coaches, Two AC II Tier, Four General and Two SLR Coaches.

With these extra services, the overall number of Winter Specials operational on Konkan Railway route in the present year is 80 as against 70 services in the previous year.

Wish you Happy Journey ……

And Happy New Year ahead.

Konkan Saras 2012

Konkan Saras

2012

Product, Exhibition and sell

Golden opportunity for konkan food lovers, grab it and make your day special with all Konkani meva, different traditional functions and many more…..

Event dates:

16^th Dec to 23 Dec 2012

Event Time:

10.00 a.m. to 10.00 p.m.

Event at:

Sidco Kalagram(Urban Hat)

C.B.D. Belapur

Behing Konkan Bhavan

Navi Mumbai

The event will see various stalls held by the people from Konkan, which will have to display Konkan Products, food items and decorations items.

Additionally the food stalls will have lot to offer, as being a Konkan Fest the stalls will serve authentic Konakani and Malvani Food.

Combine efforts of Maharashtra Gov., Gram vikas dept., konkan district vibhag.

ENTRY FREE

Redi Ganesh

It's believed that every person possesses some sixth sense, but only few are aware of it, and among them very few believe them or listen them.  It's really a miracle, which is beyond layman's understanding.  Reddi's very famous Ganesh Temple finds its roots in such an intuitive and interesting story. This is a vigilant deity, wakeful towards its devotees' call. The occasions like Ganesh Chaturthi, Sankashta Chaturthi one observes floods of devotees.

Its foundation story is a follows: On April 18th, 1976 one truck-driver, Sadanand Nagesh Kambali parked his truck at a particular place. This truck used to ply from Reddi's (iron & minerals) mine to harbour. That truck -driver slept there and he had a dream. In dream, God Ganesha gave him divine appearance and told him to dig at the very same place, since He (God) is residing there.  He had great faith in Lord Ganesha.

As per his dream, he started digging there and to the astonishment of all the villagers, there appeared two-handed idol of Lord Ganesha, carved in solid rock. The date was 1st May 1976. After seeking omen from Gram–Devata (Village deity), it was decided to build a temple at the very spot and establish this deity. After few days, in the same area they excavated a big idol of mouse, which is a traditional vehical of Ganesha. These idols are very pretty and graceful. Today one can visit beautifully built temple and get delighted by taking "Darshan" of the adorable deity.

Getting there:

By air:      Nearest is Goa dabolim

By rail:     Nearest railhead sawantwadi 37 Km

By road:  vengurla 30 km, Nearest Bus Station shiroda 7 KM

http://wikimapia.org/19410766/REDI-GANESH-MANDIR

http://wikimapia.org/207152/Shri-Ganesh-Temple-Redi

Konkan Railways introduces two special trains

Konkan Railway - Special Trains

Konkan Railway has introduced two special trains between Tirunelveli - Dadar.

Train 06746 will depart Tirunelveli at 7.10 am and reach Dadar the next day at 3.10 pm. The train will operate on December 5. In the reverse direction, 06745 will leave Dadar at 8.40 pm and reach Tirunelveli the day third at 4 am. The train will operate on December 7

The train will halt at Kovilpatti, Virudunagar, Madurai, Dindigul, Karur, Erode, Tiruppur, Coimbatore, Palakkad, Shornur Jn., Kozhikode Kannur, Mangalore Junction., Thokur, Udupi, Honnavar, Karwar, Madgaon, Thivim, Kankavali, Ratnagiri, Chipun, Roha, Panvel and Thane Stations. The train will have 15 coaches.

With these additional train services, the total number of Winter Special Trains being run on Konkan Railway Route during winter season rises to 124.

For more info :

6745       Mumbai Dadar – Tirunelveli

http://indiarailinfo.com/train/21254

6746       Tirunelveli – Mumbai Dadar

http://indiarailinfo.com/train/21244

Royal Konkan by MTDC….

Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC) has decided to start a luxury bus service to Konkan from Mumbai and Pune. MTDC has purchased five such Volvo buses which have facilities like chemical toilets, fridge, oven, Wi-Fi at a cost of Rs 5.48 crore. The tourist packages will be for three or five days. Private operators will be roped in for conducting the tours will be signed between MTDC and the operator

The much-awaited luxury travel without missing the scenic beauty of Konkan route will now be available to the tourists. Specially designed state-of-the-art Volvo buses are the latest addition to the fleet of Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation.

The sightseeing packages will include all tourism sites on Mumbai-Sindhudurg and Pune-Sindhudurg routes. From Mumbai, the bus will halt at Raigad, Harihareshwar, Chiplun, Ganpati Pule, Pawas, Ratnagiri, Kunkeshwar, Tarkarli, Malwan, Sawantwadi and then return to Mumbai. Similarly, the Pune route will cover Kolhapur, Sawantwadi, Tarkarli, Malwan, Kunkeshwar, Ganpati Pule, Pawas and Ratnagiri. The bus will again come to Ganpati Pule, proceed to Pawan Khind, Panhala Fort, Jyotiba Mandir and return to Pune. Ticket fares will be fixed after competitive bids are finalised, sources informed. The tourist package will cover temples, beaches and sea forts in the Konkan region.

Every year approximately 14 lakh foreign tourists arrive in Mumbai and then proceed to different parts of the country, sources said. "Our endeavour will be to attract these tourists to stay back and enjoy the scenic beauty of Konkan region," they added. In the 12th Finance Commission, Rs 225 crore were allocated to the tourism department for upgrading infrastructure, resorts and repairing of guest houses. Out of this Rs 5.5 crore were allocated for purchasing Volvo luxury buses, sources said.

Tourism Minister Chhagan Bhujbal will launch the project in Mumbai tomorrow under which a symbolic tour would be conducted to Konkan. Konkan region, in the southernmost tip of Maharashtra, has three districts Raigad, Ratnagiri and Sindhudurg. Sindhudurg was declared a tourism district in 1999.

News Reference :

http://www.moneycontrol.com/news/current-affairs/maha-to-start-luxury-bus-service-to-boost-konkan-tourism_791795.html

http://www.voyagersworld.in/article/explore-konkan-mtdcs-new-volvo-buses

Sindhudurg Fort....

Sindhudurg (sindhu = sea, durg = fort) was built by the Hiroji Indalkar (Deshmukh) – Shivaji's Master Architect & builder, built several forts in Maharashtra two notable are Sindhudurg fort and Raigad in 1664. Raje Shivaji selected the strategic rocky island location, then known as 'Kurte' for the fort, himself - to counter foreign forces, and to keep the nearby Siddis of Murud-Janjira in check.

Shivaji's temple on the fort

One of the best preserved forts of the Marathas, Sindhudurg fort has zigzag rampart with 42 bastions. Apart from the huge stones, the building material involved 2000 khandis (72,576 kg) of iron erecting the massive curtain wall and bastions. A notable feature is that the foundation stones were laid down firmly with 5 khandis (181.5 kg) of molten lead.

The Watch Tower facing the sea

Over 4000 mounds of iron were used in the casting and foundation stones were firmly laid down. Construction started on 25 November 1664. Built over a period of three years (1664–67), the sea fort is spread over 48 acres (190,000 m2) with a two-mile (3 km) long rampart, and walls that are 30 feet (9.1 m) high and 12 feet (3.7 m) thick. The massive walls were designed to serve as a deterrent to approaching enemies and to the waves and tides of the Arabian Sea. The main entrance is concealed in such a way that no one can pinpoint it from outside.

At a time when Samudra Gaman (travelling by sea) was banned by scriptures, this construction on an island represents the revolutionary mindset of its engineer

Permanent residents

The number of permanent residents staying in the fort has been in decline since the fort's abandonment. Most of the residents moved out because of inadequate employment opportunities, but over 15 families remain in the fort. The Sakpal Naik family (the original 'killedars') still resides in one of the 16 houses in the fort. However, Dr Sarang Kulkarni's underwater discoveries have led to the establishment of the Indian sub-continent's only well-established scuba-diving industry. This has provided the local residents with some employment. Sindhudurg fort is a popular summer destination for Indian and foreign tourists to explore the island and go scuba-diving and snorkelling to view the coral reef on the outskirts of the island.

How to reach Sindhudurg

Sindhudurg town lies in the Sindudurg district to the north of Goa, about 490 km south of Mumbai (Bombay). Sindhudurg can be reached either by train or by bus from Bombay, Goa and Mangalore. The Konkan railway has a railway station at Sindhudurg, but only few trains stop there. Kudal, Kanakvali and Sawantwadi are major railway stations in Sindhudurg district. There are Maharashtra state government (MSRTC) buses running from Mumbai, Pune, Ratnagiri, Sangli, Kolhapur and Goa state government buses (Kadamba Transport Corporation) running from Panaji, Madgaon, Vasco and Pernem to Sindhudurg. Nearest airport is Dabholim (Goa) airport, which is located at approx. 90 Km away from Sawantwadi City (major tourist attraction) of Sindhudurg.

In sindhudurg you can see two sweet water wells Dahibaw and Dudhbaw, also there is one coconut tree having two branches but recently that got demolished because of lightning stroke.

In sindhudurg Raje Shivaji put his right hand and left foot impression above main entrance of fort which is some interesting.

Lokmanya Tilak Birthplace – Ratnagiri

“Swarajya ha maza janmsidh hakk ahe ani to mi milwnarch…..” 

is the world known slogan of Bal Gangadhar Tilak who born as Keshav Gangadhar Tilak 

(23 July 1856 – 1 August 1920), was an Indian nationalist, journalist, teacher, social reformer,

 lawyer and independence activist who was the first popular leader of the Indian Independence

 Movement.

Tilak’s home town is  at Chummakachu Lane (Ranjani Aaleea) in Chikhali, Ratnagiri, Maharashtra. Where they lived with their family, but there birthplace and no memorial is in tilak ali Ratnagiri.

This place is situated near to ratnagiri bus stand 5 min walk in distance from bus stop and approx... 15 min by bus from Ratanagiri railway station (5 K.M).

There is one calm garden situated at backyard of Tilak’s home, where you can rest your soul and enjoy the silent breeze.

Reference: 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bal_Gangadhar_Tilak