MALWAN-CHIVLA-TARKARLI PART-II
The Konkan coastline is abundantly blessed with many rivers and rivulets, cascading down the hilly Sahyadri range and meeting the sea at various points. Although richly endowed with virginal natural beauty and teaming with plant and animal ecosystems with great biodiversity- a veritable nature lover's paradise, these rivers were a challenge to travel and communication for the inhabitants of Konkan. In order to cross these rivers, they had to travel arduously to a convenient jetty point near the mouth of the river, called in the local language as Tar (तर). They had to wait patiently, sometimes for hours, for high tide to come in when the river becomes navigable by by row boats. The boatmen who steered these canoes across, were called the Taris. The village on the south side of Karli river, takes the name of the river itself and is called Karli. The village on the north side, that is the one which you reach on crossing the "Tar", with the help of the "Taris"(तारी ), is so aptly called Tarkarli (तारकर्ली).
The ceiling of the Sabhamandap are adorned by eight watercolor pictures depicting the Ashtavinayaks, revered throughout Maharashtra. Two stately elephants in radiating white are guarding its entrance. The temple is east facing and constructed in such a way that for ten days around 14th of January the rays of rising Sun fall directly on the golden Ganesh idol, exploding the inner sanctum in all brilliance.
See also http://powaitech.blogspot.com/2011/04/blog-post.html
The Konkan coastline is abundantly blessed with many rivers and rivulets, cascading down the hilly Sahyadri range and meeting the sea at various points. Although richly endowed with virginal natural beauty and teaming with plant and animal ecosystems with great biodiversity- a veritable nature lover's paradise, these rivers were a challenge to travel and communication for the inhabitants of Konkan. In order to cross these rivers, they had to travel arduously to a convenient jetty point near the mouth of the river, called in the local language as Tar (तर). They had to wait patiently, sometimes for hours, for high tide to come in when the river becomes navigable by by row boats. The boatmen who steered these canoes across, were called the Taris. The village on the south side of Karli river, takes the name of the river itself and is called Karli. The village on the north side, that is the one which you reach on crossing the "Tar", with the help of the "Taris"(तारी ), is so aptly called Tarkarli (तारकर्ली).
These were the thoughts floating in my mind when we left Parule towards Malwan and Tarkarli. We crossed the seemingly barren land called Chipi, where a new international airport is coming up. I am using the word "seemingly" on purpose. To the eyes of the hotel-to-hotel-hopping modern-day tourist, it may appear as nothing but a wasteland, where nothing grows except some wild grass, that too not more than a foot tall. During day time, if you look carefully, you may spot few snakes and vultures. But come to this place at night, the place packed with all kinds of fauna like the Dadar railway station. The wild boars, mongoose, toddy-cats, rabbits, scorpions and umpteen kinds of desert animals frequent this place. Besides this area is a great aquifer, charging the perennial wells in Parule, Walawal, Korjai and Karli.
Having buried the disturbing thoughts of desert creatures of Chipi, waiting to be attacked by the monstrous aeroplanes and its minions of modern world aficionados, we came to the bridge over Karli river and stopped to appreciate the magnificent view on either side.
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We lost the track of time just looking at the islands with swaying coconut trees, small boats plying with fishermen and tourists, schools and schools of small fish swimming in sunlit crystal clear water and content men at the other end of fishing lines oblivious to our humdrum daily grind.
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We lost the track of time just looking at the islands with swaying coconut trees, small boats plying with fishermen and tourists, schools and schools of small fish swimming in sunlit crystal clear water and content men at the other end of fishing lines oblivious to our humdrum daily grind.
It was second day of Holi and as we approached Malwan, gangs of urchins, their faces covered with all kinds of color powders, were hanging around street corners, stopping vehicles and extracting ransom for promise of un-ugly behavior. Mal-ware of Malwan!
Our first stop was Jay Ganesh Mandir of Kalnirnay fame Jayant Salgaokar. This exquisitely built temple has the Ganesh idol made of resplendent pure gold.
Our first stop was Jay Ganesh Mandir of Kalnirnay fame Jayant Salgaokar. This exquisitely built temple has the Ganesh idol made of resplendent pure gold.
The ceiling of the Sabhamandap are adorned by eight watercolor pictures depicting the Ashtavinayaks, revered throughout Maharashtra. Two stately elephants in radiating white are guarding its entrance. The temple is east facing and constructed in such a way that for ten days around 14th of January the rays of rising Sun fall directly on the golden Ganesh idol, exploding the inner sanctum in all brilliance.
Next halt was Chiwla beach. This crescent shaped beach is very convenient for the residents of Malwan and affords a great view of Sarjekot and Talashil peninsula on its right. But if you turn your eyesight towards left you will be taken aback by the big eyesore of a bungalow constructed by the "you-know-who" minister. Looking at its extension in to the sea, you can't help thinking that it probably flouts the CRZ regulations of Saudi Arabia also.
When we had planned visiting Rock Garden of Malwan, I had images of Chandigarh's Rock Garden at the back of my mind. But this one turned out to be a pleasant surprise, a garden on the rocks by the sea!
It is very beautifully laid out, without moving or cutting the original rocks, so we encountered many solid rocks jutting out on the foot-walk between the flowering plants. As you cross the garden and walk towards the sea, you are awed by the contours and hues of the basalt as well as volcanic rocks.
On a platform within few feet from the sea, there is a high seat in the shape of a throne of an Emperor.
On the adjacent ledge, the rocks had taken the shape of king size beds and the crystal clear water was gently lapping on their surface not more than six inches deep. The air was warm, but the water was super cool and I had a strong urge to take off all my clothes and recline on one of those wonderfully crafted sea-beds and let the water caress my entire body with its cool hands.
On the adjacent ledge, the rocks had taken the shape of king size beds and the crystal clear water was gently lapping on their surface not more than six inches deep. The air was warm, but the water was super cool and I had a strong urge to take off all my clothes and recline on one of those wonderfully crafted sea-beds and let the water caress my entire body with its cool hands.
See also http://powaitech.blogspot.com/2011/04/blog-post.html
I wish to go back & sit on that throne,wow what beauty, but then sea and its surroundings when untouched by man are always beautiful.
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