“Roads are a record of those who have gone before.”
Rebecca Solnit
Coastal Maharashtra Road Trip
I present to you the last leg of my Coastal Maharashtra road trip that started from Alibag near Mumbai. Close to 600 kms and 4 days later, the Ganapati temple at Redi was my last stop within Maharashtra, after which I entered the state of Goa. Attaching the plan detailing my journey here, if you’d like to embark on this journey. It is a perfect amalgamation of history, nature, devotion, and relaxation.
The best part of this trip, apart from the heritage I explored, is the availability of good food joints throughout the route. Piping hot Vada Pav, Misal and tea kept us going from one destination to another. The other heartwarming part is the hospitality of the homestays and the quietness of the quaint beaches where they are located.
Forts of Sindhudurg
Devgad, more famous for its Alphonso mangoes, is home to Vijaygad’s ancillary fort. A 1729 construct by Maratha naval officer Dattajivraj Angre, it helped keep a vigil over the Devgad creek and the surrounding Arabian sea. The sea covers Janjira Devgad from three sides and the approach to the fort is only from the south. Essentially a watchtower, its ramparts and walls stand the test of time even now. Some cannons, a lighthouse, Ganapati Temple within the premises and a spectacular sunset bring locals and tourists here.
Further down the coast, is the city of Malvan and its sea fort, Sindhudurg. It is unique because the prevailing culture at the time of its construction (1664-1667 AD) did not allow sea travel as prescribed by the Hindu scriptures. Despite the limitation, Shivaji Maharaj ordered it to be built to counter the rise of foreign merchants and the Siddis of Janjira. The engineering breakthrough in building a fort on an island off the main coast was through the use of lead in casting foundation stones and iron moulds within the structure. Accessible only by ferry, its massive walls and concealed main entrance are a deterrent to entry.
Ganapati at Redi
The surrounding areas of Reddipatnam, the original name of Redi, are rich in iron ore, making the sand red. Industries take these sands through the port of Rewati for processing. On one such trip, a driver got a dream informing him to dig at the very place he napped. The excavation yielded the Jambha stone Ganesha idol and his mouse. A self-manifested (Swayambhu) idol, it draws devotees from both Maharashtra and Goa.
After this visit, my Coastal Maharashtra road trip culminated at Calangute in Goa for a longer stay. Despite the ongoing pandemic, the possibility of doing another road trip sitting safely in my car doesn’t seem daunting at all.
Until I pen down my next road trip, Cheers to living in the present and exploring the past!
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