Day Three : 3rd May 2014
A huge 'Moti Talao' (Lake) welcomed us. Sawanthwadi was formerly capital city of Kingdome of Sawantwadi which ruled by Bhonsle the Royal clan of Maratha's.
As soon as we reached Shilp Gram we were utterly confused, because the main Gate was locked and there were no board at all, we saw a slightly opened Gate on another side, we approached it.
Everything was built over there, it means counters to sell products, office, canteen etc but all are look like abandoned village. Nobody was inside we just passed inside on passage, and find one Man and Lady who were busy in cleaning over there.
After visiting the market decided to left Sawantwadi town. When we reached in the morning shops were yet to be opened, so it's look like a cool place, no traffic at all, but in the noon heavy traffic was there, at around 1200 hrs left the city after drinking Nimbu pani at a small shop near the lake.
When we reached a small town called Agarwada a beautiful structure which built on the road side forced us to stop. While exploring the surroundings to take good composition found two person sitting in front of the gate. While enquiring they told that it was Goddess Bhoomika" temple and it will be closed on noon.
After clicking some snaps headed towards Siolim next town.
Day Four : 4th May 2014
My 'Bird
Third day is most excited day to me, because in My Road trip I have never travelled in 4 States. In all my earlier trips travelled Maximum 3 states in single attempt (Kerala, Karnataka, Tamilnadu) but this time travelling Kerala, Karnataka, Goa and.. Yes... Maharashtra.
Goa maharashtra Border
As per the schedule sharp 0500 hrs left the lodge and hit the N.H 17, we planned to visit Sawantwadi, the Malvan region of Maharashtra. The long superb N.H 17 with moderate traffic breeze to ride. There is no hurry, whenever we got some extraordinary scenery that means worth to click stopped our 'Bulls.
Straight well maintained NH 17
After two hours of riding stopped in a small village where one tea shop just ready to serve. The Owner/Cook/Supplier/Cleaner Cum BARBER ?. took the order....Ohhh.. I am not joking this small tea shop splitted into two section one is coffee shop and next to it Barber shop.... got It?
Riding break
On the way
Bridge across the River
After eating Vada pav with chilly and Hot typical Maharashtrian sweet Masala Tea continued towards Sawantwadi. On the way Suraj was riding in front of me, after looking some signboard he put his right Indicator to take right lane I also did the same. Again he took extreme left lane and stopped his 'Bull... both of us read the direction board as 'Sawantwadi" but actually it was written as 'Satmadwadi'.
Village side
Sawantwadi or Satmatwadi confusion
At last around 0730 after crossing RTO check post got Sawantwadi direction board, then followed the same. The Ghat section was finely tarmaced and both the side consist plenty of large trees, but one thing I observed that nothing is growing under this tree, that means no shrubs, grass nothing.
Drained river on the way
Sawantwadi winding Road
At top most of the winding Ghat road a small temple called 'Sath Jambhali Devasthan'" is located. While travelling if you are not carefully observed both the side of road you are definitely chance to miss this. A huge tree marked with white and saffron colour and a small Mantapam like structure attracted me, so stopped over there.
Sath Jambhali Devasthan
I don't know who built this temple on this place, but some one is definitely maintaining it, because surroundings were properly cleaned.
After clicking few snaps around there headed towards Sawantwadi. Around 0830 hrs, reached Sawantwadi,
Welcome to Sawantwadi
Moti Talao (Lake)
Until 1850 Sawantwadi was called as Sunderwadi, the name Sawantwadi came from the ruling family of Khem- Sawant. Presently it was know for Woden Toys and Sawantwadi Place.
We stopped our 'Bulls on the side of the Lake, We are in leisure mood, because we had lot of time, no hurry, our first preference was to take breakfast, so went inside the small restaurant and ordered for Kolhapuri special Pav baji, It was little spicy but tasty one. Chai was typical Maharashtrian Sweeeeeeeet.. Masala chai made out of thick milk.
First decided to visit Palace which is located other side of the Lake. At the entrance parked our 'Bulls and went inside.
Palace Entrance
There was a small office built inside it, a person greeted us in Marathi and asked would you like to see the palace, we replied yes sir, then he took us into a small office built inside and another middle aged man sitting in a dark room, he charged Rs.20 per head as a fee to visit the palace.
Outside the palace a Middle aged lady who calding white saree was sitting in the shadow, the man who took us to the palace whispered in our ear "Look she is Raj Matha".
The palace was still look after by these Royal family, and kept it in good condition we can call it as a Musciem. Royal Family still give support to the local artisans in big way, Inside the palace many artist are busy in making Ganjifa arts, painting etc.
The man who take us inside the palace called a lady and told her to explain the History of Sawantwadi In Hindi, lady does not have fluency in Hindi but still she managed to explain all these in Marathi, Hindi Mix and after every sentence she is repeating the word ":Aap Ko Samj Me Agayana"?.
Photography was prohibited inside the palace but lady told us if we want to take you can take, but we refused to take the photos without permission, then she utterly confused and went outside and took permission from someone and allowed us photograph with one condition, don't publish it anywhere, just take for your collection.
After seeing the palace went another side of it where Royal families photographs & some old vintage items were showcased. After the we went outside the palace.
It was around 1100 hrs, just came out from the palace and took some snaps of Mot Talao and went to Shilp Gram which was located just a Km from the palace.
Inside the Palace
Artist asset...
Making Artistic Envelopes
Inside view
The palace was still look after by these Royal family, and kept it in good condition we can call it as a Musciem. Royal Family still give support to the local artisans in big way, Inside the palace many artist are busy in making Ganjifa arts, painting etc.
The man who take us inside the palace called a lady and told her to explain the History of Sawantwadi In Hindi, lady does not have fluency in Hindi but still she managed to explain all these in Marathi, Hindi Mix and after every sentence she is repeating the word ":Aap Ko Samj Me Agayana"?.
Photography was prohibited inside the palace but lady told us if we want to take you can take, but we refused to take the photos without permission, then she utterly confused and went outside and took permission from someone and allowed us photograph with one condition, don't publish it anywhere, just take for your collection.
Artists working Inside the Palace
After seeing the palace went another side of it where Royal families photographs & some old vintage items were showcased. After the we went outside the palace.
It was around 1100 hrs, just came out from the palace and took some snaps of Mot Talao and went to Shilp Gram which was located just a Km from the palace.
Moti Talao from different angle...
Buildings reflecting in the Lake
As soon as we reached Shilp Gram we were utterly confused, because the main Gate was locked and there were no board at all, we saw a slightly opened Gate on another side, we approached it.
Shilp Gram Entrance
Everything was built over there, it means counters to sell products, office, canteen etc but all are look like abandoned village. Nobody was inside we just passed inside on passage, and find one Man and Lady who were busy in cleaning over there.
Oh.. hold on... these are not a Statues. ..
We approached them and asked the man told that it was remained closed from last one year. Our bad luck... anyhow we took some photographs of Statues built inside the Shilp Gram and went back to Sawantwadi Market where wooden toys are selling.
After visiting the market decided to left Sawantwadi town. When we reached in the morning shops were yet to be opened, so it's look like a cool place, no traffic at all, but in the noon heavy traffic was there, at around 1200 hrs left the city after drinking Nimbu pani at a small shop near the lake.
Return route was same till Pernem Junction, we stopped our vehicles at RTO check post to confirm the route and headed towards Pernem, Our next destination was Aguada Fort which located at Candolim Goa.
We Intentionally choose this Inner route, because we would like to explore the beauty of interior Goa and typical Goan life. The winding road goes between villages and cashew estates, and mountains are good experience, as soon as villages reaches, heavy smell of Feni welcomes.
Goddess Bhoomika Devi Temple
When we reached a small town called Agarwada a beautiful structure which built on the road side forced us to stop. While exploring the surroundings to take good composition found two person sitting in front of the gate. While enquiring they told that it was Goddess Bhoomika" temple and it will be closed on noon.
After clicking some snaps headed towards Siolim next town.
Beautiful landscape
Well built footpath
River Chapora
Cafe Krish Restaurant... View from the bridge
Bridge built over River Chapora
It's around 1400 hrs we are looking a decent hotel for the lunch but in Agarwada almost all hotels are run by small houses, the lower portion was used as a house and upper story was used as restaurant.
At 1500 hours reached near Siolim a huge bridge across the River Chapora welcome us, from the top of the the bridge whole area looks marvellous on both the side. While exploring the natures beauty a small hotel located just few meters from the bridge attracted us.
Cafe Krish Restaurant was built in the Riverside, as usual top portion was used as a restaurant. When we approached there, a lady welcomed us. We asked the availability of meals, she shook her head and showed upstairs when we asked the Menu she replied only Non vegetarian food was available.
Inside the Restaurant
I am pure vegetarian so It won't work, i just asked her whether rice and curd available ? She thought a moment and told, If we are ready to wait 20 Minutes she will prepare Dal and rice.... Thank god it's more then enough for me..
Suraj's Favourite
Special food for me...
While we approach the stairs agains she asked me :I will prepare Dal, Rice, Potato fry and Pickle is it OK? I told thanks... because it's a big lottery for me. Suraj already started to dreaming about Fish which is his favourite.
At 1600 hrs once again thanked the lady and headed towards Aguada fort, and around 1720 hrs reached over there a just 10 Minutes left to close the fort.
Fort Entry
The fort of Aguada was built by Portuguese on 17th Century. and it was constructed to guard against Dutch and Marathas.
Inside the Fort
Arabian sea view Inside the Fort
We does not got enough time to explore the fort due to time restriction, covered fort by just clicking the snaps and came outside.
Evening scene Panjim city
Next destination was return to Panjim city It's just 17 Km but evening traffic was heavy, so around 1830 hrs reached Panjim and went to lodge, freshened up after the dinner at restaurant near by and took tripod and camera to catch night shots of casino ships.
Ships
Panjim Road Night view
Night view
It's cool day but boring day.. No excitement, started return journey at 0500 hrs. hitted N.H 17 at around 0730 hrs stopped took a breakfast in small town of Goa. Goan style Pav and green piece baji, continued the journey, as per plan at around 1100 hrs reached Kamath Hotel Kumta and again loaded Masala Dosa to our stomach hit the road, again same route scorching sun. On the Karnataka police stopped us for checking just checked the DL and Insurance and allowed us to go.
On the way
Near Bhatkal stopped our 'Bulls in a shade and Suraj and Karthik took 15 minutes nap to freshen under tree, one native helped us to fill our water bottle from his home. Around 1430 reached Baindur, again stopped to drink Tender coconut. 1530 hrs reached Kundapur, after light tiffin at Hotel Sharon continued our journey, from Mangalore I took Vittal route and reached home by 1945 hrs. Suraj and Karthik took Kasaragod route and reached home around same time. Total Km coverd in 4 days is 1200. It's really memorable journey.
