Kayaking in Konkan Beaches
Friday 15 March 2013
Monday 4 March 2013
श्री क्षेत्र कुणकेश्वर.... कोकणातील एक पवित्र तिर्थक्षेत्र...
श्री क्षेत्र कुणकेश्वर.... कोकणातील एक पवित्र तिर्थक्षेत्र...
अतीप्राचीन काळापासुन येथील कणकेच्या राईमध्ये वास्तव्य करुन असलेल्या शंभुमहादेवाची ही भुमी... कणकेच्या बनात असलेला ईश्वर म्हणजेच कुणकेश्वर... देवावरुन गावाचे नाव सुद्धा कुणकेश्वर असेच प्रचलीत झाले. सुमारे ११०० व्या शतकापासुन प्रसिद्धीला आलेले हे स्थान म्हणजे कोकणातील धार्मीक व ऐतिहासीक सौंदर्याचा मुकुटमणीच म्हणावा लागेल. कुणकेश्वर मंदिरा इतके प्राचीन भव्य देवालय कोकणात इतरत्र कुठेच नाही. पुणे, मुंबई, कोल्हापुर या शहरांशी देवगडहुन अवघ्या १८ कि.मी. अंतरावर कुणकेश्वर हे गाव आहे.एसटी थांबते तेथून अवघ्या ५-७ मिनिटांच्या अंतरावर असणार्‍या मंदिराचा कळस लक्ष वेधून घेतो.ऐन किनार्‍याशी असणार्‍या उंचवटयावर उभारलेल्या या मंदिरचा सागरतटाकडील भाग भक्कम बांधीव तटाने सुरक्षित राखला आहे. ८-९ मीटर उंचीच्या या तटावर असणार्‍या सपाट जागेवर मंदिर आहे. मंदिराचा परिसर २२-२४ मीटर उंचीच मंदिर आहे. मंदिराचा परिसर तटाने परिवेष्टित तर आहेच, पण खाली जांभ्या दगडांची फरशीही आहे. अशा या कुणकेश्वर मंदीराचा इतिहास सुद्धा तितकाच प्राचीन, रोमांचकारी आणि रहस्यमय असा आहे.
- kunkeshwar yatra
या मंदिरासंबधी दोन दंतकथा सांगीतल्या जातात.
१) एका गरीब ब्राम्हणाची गाय दुध कमी देउ लागली. तेव्हा त्याने तिच्यावर लक्ष ठेवले. कुणकेश्वर येथील शंभु महादेवाची पिंडी स्वयंभु असून पूर्वी ती कनक वृक्षांच्या घनदाट अरण्याने वेढलेली होती. ब्राम्हणाची गाय आपल्या मालकाला दूध न देता एका विवक्षित जागी जाउन ती गाय पान्हा सोडत असल्याचे त्याच्या लक्षात आले. त्याने त्या गाईला बेदम जोराचा फटका मारण्याचा प्रयत्न केला.पण गाय निसटून पळाली व त्या प्रहाराचा पाषाणावर आघात झाला आणि त्यातून भ़ळाभ़ळा रक्त येउ लागले. ते पाहून आश्चर्याने भयचकीत झालेल्या ब्राम्हणाची त्या पाषाणावर श्रद्धा बसली. हे स्वयंभू शिवलिंग असल्याची खात्री झाली. त्यानंतर तो ब्राम्हण त्या पाषाणाला शरण गेला व तेव्हापासून तो नित्यनियमाने या पाषाणाची पूजाअर्चा व दिवाबत्ती करू लागला आजही या शिवलिंगावर या घावाची खुण दाखविली जाते.
२) एक इराणी व्यापारी समुद्रातील वादळात सापडला. आगतिक बनलेला व्यापारी परमेश्वराची करूणा भाकू लागला. तेवढयात त्याला पूर्वेकडे शांतपणे तेवणार्‍या दिव्याचा प्रकाश दिसला. दिलासा देणार्‍या त्या नंदादीपाला तो शरण गेला आणि या ठिकाणी मी खूप पैसा खर्चुन जीर्णोद्धार करीन असं त्यानं मनोमन ठरवलं. किनार्‍यावर सुरक्षित उतरल्यावर तो धावत तिथे गेला. हिंदूंच हे छोटं मंदिर होतं या शिवायलायाचा त्याने जीर्णोद्धार केला. तीन वर्षे आणि द्रव्य खर्चून त्यानं हे काम पुरं केलं देवाच्याच पायाशी जागा मिळावी म्हणून त्यानं शिखरावर चढून खाली उडी मारली व प्राणत्याग केला. त्याचं स्मारक कुणकेश्वराच्या उत्तरेस आहे.
हिच दंतकथा कुणकेश्वरचा इतिहास म्हणून अलिकडच्या काळापर्यत सांगितली जात होती. परंतु जसजशी कुणकेश्वरची प्रसिद्धी वाढत गेली तशी अभ्यासकांची दृष्टी येथे पडली. प्राचीन काळी जेव्हा मुसलमानी सत्ता हिंदुंना मुळासकट उचकटण्याचा प्रयत्न करित होत्या त्या काळी एक मुस्लीम व्यक्तीकडुन हिंदु मंदिर कसे काय उभारण्यात आले. त्यामुळे हि दंतकथा अभ्यासकांना खटकण्यासारखीच होती. त्यामुळे कुणकेश्वरच्या इतिहासाचा अधिक चौकसपणे अभ्यास होऊ लागला.
१९६० च्या सुमारास शिवशाहीर बाबासाहेब पुरंदरे यांनी कुणकेश्वर मंदिरास भेट दिली. त्यावेळी बाबासाहेबांनी मंदिर परिसराची चिकीत्सक दृष्टीने पाहणी केली. आणि थडगे म्हणून दाखवली जाणारी इमारत हि, हिंदु मंदिराची असुन आतील थडगे समजला जाणारा मातीचा ढिगारा बनावट असल्याचे साधार पुराव्यानिशी दाखवून दिले. अशाप्रकारे बाबासाहेब पुरंदरे यांनी कुणकेश्वर मंदिराच्या इतिहासातील सत्य परिस्थिती सर्वांसमोर आणली. त्यानंतर कोंकणातील गावह्राटी पुस्तकाचे लेखक श्याम धुरी तसेच साप्ताहिक अणुरेणूचे माजी संपादक रणजित हिर्लेकर या अभ्यासकांनी ही याविषयी संशोधन केले असुन, "कुणकेश्वर मंदिर हे अरबी व्यापार्‍याने बांधले नसुन हे मंदिर कदंब, चालुक्य, राष्ट्रकूट, यादव यांसारख्या हिंदू साम्राज्य काळातील आहे. आणि थडगे समजले जाणारी वास्तू हि एक बाटवलेले शिवमंदिर आहे." असा निष्कर्श सर्वांनी मांडला आहे. अरब व्यापार्‍याची कथा हि वारंवार आक्रमण करणार्‍या मुसलमानी सरदारांच्या डोळयात धूळ फेकण्यासाठीच केलेली एक व्यूहरचना होती. मंदिराच्या रक्षणासाठीच मुस्लिम व्यापाराने हे मंदिर बांधल्याचे कथानक मुद्दामच पसरविण्यात आले. पण तीच दंतकथा होऊन आपल्या पुढे उभी आहे. पनवेलजवळच्या कणकेश्वर मंदिराच्या बांधकामाविषयी देखील कुणकेश्वर मंदिरासारखीच अरबी व्यापार्‍याची कथा सांगीतली जाते. तसेच राजापुरच्या अंजनेश्वर मंदिराच्या बांधकामाविषयी देखील हिच कथा सांगितली जाते. अनेक ठिकाणी मंदिरांच्या रक्षणासाठी अशी थडगी उभारली गेली आहेत. रामेश्वर मंदिराच्या सभामंडपालगत दिपमाळेच्या रांगेत असेच एके बनावट थडगे आहे. ही सर्व सुलतानी तडाख्यातून मंदिरे वाचविण्यासाठी केलेली एक व्यूहरचना होती.
कथा कुणकेश्वर मंदिराच्या विध्वंसाची व जिर्णोद्धाराची
या मंदिराच्या जिर्णोद्धाराचे काम वेळोवेळी हिंदू राजांच्या काळात झालेले आहे. पण जुन्या कागदपत्रांच्या सहाय्याने निश्चित होणारा मंदिराचा जिर्णोद्धार हा शिवकाळातील आहे.
छत्रपती शिवरायांच्या काळात सुलतानी आक्रमणांचा उपद्रव पोचलेल्या असंख्य मंदिरांचा जिर्णोद्धार झालेला आहे. सुलतानी आक्रमणाने पिचलेल्या भारतात शिवरायांच्या पराक्रमाने पुन्हा एक परिवर्तनाची लाट आली. आणि मग आपल्या परमप्रिय दैवतांची पुनर्स्थापना करण्याची ओढ या मातीतील माणसाला होऊ लागली. कुणकेश्वर मंदिराचा झालेला जिर्णोद्धारही याच काळातील आहे. हा काळ शिवराज्याभिषेकानंतरचा. आजपासून जवळजवळ ३00 वर्षाँपूर्वीचा. शिवाजी महाराज हे प्रत्यक्ष कुणकेश्वर मंदिरातही येऊन गेल्याचे सांगितले जाते. कुणकेश्वर मंदिर हे काहीसे एका बाजुला असल्यामुळे व अतिशय दुर्गम असणार्‍या या भूप्रदेशामुळे सुलतानी आक्रमकांच्या आसुरी तांडवापासून काहीसे सुरक्षित राहीले. तरी शिवाजी महाराजांच्या मृत्युनंतर व औरंगजेब दक्षिणेत उतरल्यानंतर या मंदिराला उपसर्ग पोहोचला होता असे इतिहास सांगतो.
त्याकाळी छत्रपती शिवरायांच्या अष्टप्रधान मंडळापैकी एक असणार्‍या नारो निळकंठ अमात्य यांच्या अधिपत्याखाली हा विजयदुर्गपासूनचा सागरी प्रदेश होता. नारो निळकंठांची कुणकेश्वरावर अपार श्रद्धा होती. औरंगजेबाचा पुत्र शहाआलम हा घाट उतरुन या तळकोकणात आल्यामुळे आणीबाणीची परिस्थिती निर्माण झाली होती. त्यावेळी कुणकेश्वर मंदिर हे एक डोळ्यांत भरणारे मोठे तिर्थक्षेत्र होते. त्यामुळे कुणकेश्वर मंदिराला शहाआलम त्रास देईल अशी भिती नारो निळकंठांना वाटू लागली. त्यावेळी नारो पंडितांनी कुणकेश्वर परिसरातील ग्रामस्थांना विश्वासात घेऊन मंदिराच्या संरक्षणासाठी नक्कीच काहीतरी योजना केली असणार. त्यांनी जी उपाययोजना केली तीच ही अरबी व्यापाय्राची दंतकथा होय.! असे मत श्री शाम धुरी यांनी मांडले आहे.
कुणकेश्वर यात्रेसाठी जाण्याकरीता
जवळील रेल्वे स्थानक - कणकवली. कणकवलीहून स्थानकाहून देवगड त्यानंतर देवगडहून कुणकेश्वरला येण्यासाठी आपल्या शासनाच्या बर्‍याच बसेस आहेत. यात्रे दरम्यान भक्तांसाठी जादा गाडयांची सोय केलेली असते. कणकवलीहुन देवगड हे अंतर ५५ किलोमीटर आहे. तर देवगडहून कुणकेश्वर हे अंतर १८ किलोमीटर आहे.
मुंबईहून यायचे झाले तर तर महाराष्ट्र परिवहनाच्या गाडया देवगड मार्गे कुणकेश्वरसाठी आहेत. तसेच खाजगी वाहने मोठया प्रमाणावर आहेत.
विमानतळ - पणजी (गोवा)
चला मग जाऊया कुणकेश्वर यात्रेला
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Saturday 2 March 2013
Exploring Dapoli in the Konkan region of Maharashtra
Exploring Dapoli in the Konkan region of Maharashtra
Before I start narrating my experience, let me give you brief detail about this place called Dapoli. It is a small town in the Ratnagiri district of Maharashtra in India. The town is known for its cool climate throughout the year. Even though it is situated at an altitude of 800 ft, the coast of Arabian Sea is just 7 kms away from the main town of Dapoli. Are you are a foreigner or an expat who want to visit this small town, but are afraid of hygiene? Don’t fret! Dapoli was awarded the 'Sant Gadgebaba Gram Swachatta' award for cleanest village by the Maharashtra government.
Now back to my wandering in Dapoli. I wanted to experience the place and not just roam around like regular tourist, hence I avoided staying at a hotel. With determination and wandering as my skill set, I was finally successful in finding a place that provided me comforts of home and a locally enriching experience. I would like to call it an experience to ‘Live in the Tree-House’.
Though it’s a small town, Dapoli has an array of experiences up it ‘s sleeve. Be it historical, cultural, natural or spiritual.
Historical Experiences in Dapoli
One can indulge in historical experiences at Suvarnadurg Fort and Panhalekaji Caves.
Suvarnadurg Fort is located on a small island in the Arabian Sea, near Harnai in Konkan, along the West Coast of India, in the Indian state of Maharashtra. It is spread over an area of 8 acres and is about 1.6 km from the main land. As is common in other similar forts, it is encircled by a dry moat.
Building of the fort is credited to Sultan Adilshah of Bijapur. The forts were captured by Shivaji, founder of the Maratha Empire, in 1660. Subsequently, Shivaji, other Peshwas and the Angres further fortified the forts for defence purposes. The literal meaning of Suvanadurga is “Golden Fort”. Built for the Maratha Navy for defence purposes, the fort also had a ship building facility.
The walls have been mostly cut out of the rock exposures on the island. However, some part of the fort walls are built with large stone blocks of 10–12 feet. It has two entrances or gates, known as the 'Mahadarwaja' (big gate) on the east, which faces the land and 'Chor Darwaja' (secret entrance) on the west; which faces the sea. At the main entry, carvings of a Hanuman carved on the wall and a carved turtle on one of the leading steps are seen. The sea-gate depicts carved figures of a tiger, eagle and elephants. The fort is fortified with many bastions, which also have small built-in rooms. The central part of the fort has two granaries and a decrepit building.
The fort also includes another land fort called the Kanakadurga at the base of headland of Harnai port on the coast. In the past, the land fort and the sea fort were connected by a tunnel, but now defunct. The present approach to the sea fort is only by boats from the Harnai port on the headland. The fort can be approached only during the low tide condition when it is also easier to walk in the precincts of the fort. The present entry from the main east gate is blocked by thorny bushes but can be accessed from a narrow entry, locally known as the devdis.
Panhalekaji, are the famous rock-cut caves are situated on the bank of the river Kotjai. These historical man-made caves are believed to be more than 1000 years old and are the great examples of ancient culture and architecture. There are a total 29 rock cut-caves, both big and small spread along the river bank. There are sculptures of various deities and scenes from the Mahabharata and Ramayana on the walls. The carvings in these rock-cut caves create a unique blend of history of that period and natural beauty. It may take couple of hours to see all these caves in detail.
Creation of these caves started approximately at 3rd century AD, in time when influential merchants were spreading the teaching of Buddha in India. Many large temples appeared near ancient trade routes. Panhalekaji was one of such temple complexes, located at busy route from inland to Dabhol - one of the most important port cities at Arabian Sea in these times. Dabhol has been marked even in maps of Ptolemy.
Later, circa 10th - 11th Century AD, the caves became a stronghold of small group of followers to Vajrayana sect (Tantric Buddhism). Some of the earlier caves, were adjusted for the worship of deities like Akshobhya and Mahachandaroshana. Interesting monument of art is five Budha sculptures, possibly representing Vajrasana Buddha - showing relatedness to iconography of Ajanta Caves. Caves represent exquisite monument of ancient art - both regarding architecture, art and the quality of craftsmanship. Among other values caves contain also few inscriptions - one inscription in Brahmi script and one in Devanagari script. Unusual element in this complex is large boulder in river - it also has been carved with four imitations of doors.
Experience Nature in Dapoli at Unhavare (Hot Springs), Murud, Anjarle, and Ladhgar.
Unhavare, a delightful village famous for its natural hot spring is 35 km from Dapoli. It is nestled deep in the heart of a beautiful valley on the bank of a picturesque river and is surrounded by undulating hills, majestic forest and rolling farm land.
The boiling spring water bubbles up from deep inside the earth and cascades down into a series of three rock pools and gets cooled by a breeze coming from the river. The hot spring water is clear with just a faint smell and taste of sulphur. The sulphur is said to have medicinal value and can cure some skin diseases. There are shelters available to people for bathing. The origin of the hot spring is considered as a sacred place and has to be visited barefoot.
On the right side of river is a dense mangrove forest. These mangroves have a threefold advantage - they provide shelter for young fish, stabilize land and form a buffer zone to absorb floodwaters. Located in beautiful natural surroundings, Unhavare is really a must see during your Konkan beach holiday vacations. A bath here is soothing and energizes and invigorates the mind. Highly Recommended Experience!
The old Durga Devi temple on the main road, was built way back in the 18th century and there is a lovely pond with refreshingly cold water behind. The carvings on its wooden pillars are worth seeing! A large bell hangs above the left side of the entrance. It is said that after winning the battle of Vasai, Chimaji Appa - the great Maratha warrior had brought that bell from one of the churches.
Anjarle is one of the finest places in Konkan. It is just 20 km from Dapoli,and has a clean, unspoiled beach with white sand and surrounded by palms and trees. This Palm Beach is an ideal place to visit on a long weekend. Anjarle is a nice little, green village having all basic facilities. However, as there are no beach resorts or hotels at Anjarle, one must find rented house to stay. Local people are extremely friendly and helpful. Some of them also provide rented accommodation in their homes and serve delicious home-made food at a very low price.
Ladghar is a lovely place just 14 kms from Dapoli, popular for its nice beach and an unspoiled landscape that will refresh your spirit and recharge your energies. This beach is known as ‘Tamas Teertha’ as some part of the sea appears to be red in colour. This beach has religious value and the bathing here is a big attraction. Also, it's a great spot for swimming, either in the sea or in the adjacent area where a river empties into the sea. Some part of beach is covered with coloured pebbles and boulders, creating a beach-rock collector's paradise. For those wanting a more strenuous walk this is a spectacular piece of coastline.
The area is undeveloped, has an untouched feel and is beautiful around sunset. Viewing the sunset here is a breathtaking experience as the beach, sea and the horizon get bathed in numerous shades of red colour. One can also participate in dolphin watching trip in boats. This beach has the two beautiful, ancient temples - one of Lord Shiva known as "Veleshwar" and other of Lord Datta situated on a small hill. You can take a 15 min beach walk on the north side to reach this beautiful Datta temple.
If you wish to enjoy mouthwatering, delicious fish food then Ladghar is the place for you. It houses some really good resorts famous for serving fresh fish in local cuisine. On the south side of the beach is a small fishing village called Burondi. The fishing boats with their twinkling lights make the Burondi harbor a fascinating sight to watch in the evenings.
Well... there are more experiences to narrate, which I will share, but in the second part of this blog-post. Until then... Keep Reading and Keep Wandering!
Article Source: Travelblog
If you want get travel to Harishareshwar with Lots of Fun and experience please visit: http://www.travelthemes.in/
Friday 1 March 2013
Weekend Getaways near Mumbai - Konkan beaches and Harihareshwar Beach
Weekend Getaways near Mumbai - Konkan beaches and Harihareshwar Beach
For those people who don’t have a lot of time on their hands, a quick weekend getaway package is an ideal option to escape from the fast paced drudgery of our metropolitan lifestyles. As we all know, living in Mumbai's lifestyle requires a break once in a while. The good thing about living in Mumbai is that there are a plenty of places to visit and a lot of Weekend Getaways Near Mumbai, making it possible to have some comforting rest and relaxation over the weekend.
Konkan beaches
Harihareshwar Beach
Harihareshwar Beach is one of the prettiest and cleanest beaches on the Konkan coastline located at a convenient distance from both Mumbai and Pune. Harihareshwar is a town in Raigad district in Maharashtra. It is surrounded by four hills named Harihareshwar, Harshinachal, Bramhadri and Pushpadri. Apart from playing in the sands of one of the finest beaches in India, Harihareshwar is also known for its Shiva and Kalbhairav Temple situated on the beach which makes it a famous pilgrimage. Since it was under the dominion of the great emperor Shivaji it has a number of temples and unique architectural style like no other.
The Harihareshwar beach is clean and sandy on one side and rocky on the other. Out of all the Weekend Getaways from Mumbai, this fine beach is one which allows you to escape the hustle and bustle of the city since it is calm, clean, concrete-free, and not so populated as compared to other beaches on the Konkan coast. Since it’s a coastal area, sea food is a great attraction out here. If you're at a hotel or a resort, don't opt for their food. Instead try local restaurants for their crab and fish curries.
If you really want to explore the Harihareshwar beach, then take a boat ride to the north side of the bay which used to be the residing place of the Peshwas (rulers of the Maratha Kingdom). You can find all types of accommodation within the town itself. There are resorts, hotels, lodges and shacks that you could stay in depending on your preferences and budget. Happy Weekend!
Article Source: Travelblog
If you want get travel to Harishareshwar with Lots of Fun and experience please visit: http://www.travelthemes.in/
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