My TripAdvisor Review No.116: Yash Inn, Ranjangaon, Pune Nagar Road.

“Affordable Luxury.”

Reviewed yesterdayNEW

Yash Inn is located just off the Pune Ahmednagar highway in the MIDC area of Ranjangaon. It is just 60 km from Pune, and is an ideal stop over for business as well as leisure travellers. They have rooms ranging from the standard non a/c to air conditioned deluxe suites. There is a fitness centre, a small swimming pool, a multi cuisine restaurant, conference hall, and ample underground parking.

We decided to stop here overnight when we were doing our Ashtavinayak pilgrimage of the eight holy Ganesh temples. We had visited the Ganesh temple at Ozar in the morning and had to visit the Ranjangaon Mahaganpati and Morgaon Mayureshwar temple the next morning. We didn’t have a booking, but were lucky to be offered a decent non a/c standard room. The manager even offered a discount when he found out that we were doing the Ashtavinayak trip. The room was neat and clean and quite comfortable and had an LCD TV with cable channels.

We visited the Mahaganpati Temple at 5.30 pm in the evening. It is about 6 km in the direction towards Pune. Later in the evening I took a pleasant walk around the Ranjangaon MIDC. It is very well planned and laid out, and caters to some of the large industries of Maharashtra, like Fiat, Apollo Tyres, LG, ITC and others. Hotel Yash Inn is strategically located to cater to the corporate travellers as well.

We had a Chinese dinner at their a/c restaurant ‘Daffodils’, and the food was very tasty and filling. After a refreshing night’s rest we had a South Indian breakfast at ‘Daffodils’ and then left for Morgaon Ganpati.

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• Stayed July 2015, travelled as a couple
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My TripAdvisor Review No.115: The Fern Courtyard Resort, Ganpatipule, Konkan, Maharashtra.

“A Pleasing Resort in the Konkan Countryside.”

Reviewed todayNEW

This resort is not exactly on Ganpatipule beach but about 2 km away on the approach road from Nivli and Chaffe, which leads to the Mumbai Goa highway. Being at an elevation the views from the resort, of the Arabian Sea and the surrounding hills and forests, are excellent. One can sit in the private balcony and enjoy the scenery of the rolling waves and approaching clouds for hours on end.

This resort is a recent addition in the Club Mahindra stable, and is one of its only three resorts in the state of Maharashtra. It can also serve as a convenient mid-way stop over for travellers going to Goa from Mumbai or Pune by car. It is about 30 km off the Mumbai Goa highway from Nivli, near Ratnagiri.

The resort has excellent aircon rooms with tea/coffee maker, fridge, mini bar, wardrobe, hair dryer, but no microwave. There are good restaurants which serve buffet and ala-carte dishes, but the prices are on the higher side. They have a spa, gym, activity room, tennis and badminton courts, and a very good mid-size swimming pool as well. There is sufficient parking space available for more than 20 cars.

We had a pleasant stay here for 3 nights and 4 days. The famous Ganpatipule Temple and beach is about 2 km downhill from the resort. Walking to the beach early in the morning was a good experience but walking back uphill in the humid climate was quite tiring. The temple and the popular MTDC resort are next to the long and beautiful beach. There are many stalls selling snacks and temple offerings on the beach front. You will also find small restaurants, better known as ‘khanavals’, serving the typical Konkani meals (thalis) both veg and non-veg (including fish).

We enjoyed the beautiful and scenic drives along the Konkan coast. On one of the days we drove down to Ratnagiri and beyond (Pavas and Ganeshgule), along the coastal road. The next day we drove north past the picturesque fishing village of Malgund, and visited the seaside fort of Jaigad.

All in all we had a very relaxed and rejuvenating holiday at this seaside paradise. Its only drawback was that is not bang on the beach.

Room Tip: Rooms on the first floor have better views.

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• Stayed August 2015, travelled as a couple
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My TripAdvisor Review No.114: Green Gate Resort, Harihareshwar, Konkan, Maharashtra.

“Like a Home Stay.”

Reviewed yesterdayNEW

We decided to visit the Lord Shiva Temple at Harihareshwar on a weekday towards the end of August 2015, so we were quite confident that we would get a room after reaching the beach and temple town on the Konkan coast. Rooms were available for the asking in any of the B&B and Inns listed on Trip Advisor. Green Gate Resort was at the top of our shortlist as it was offering aircon rooms at very reasonable rates. We just called Mrs. Jain while we were en route from Pune and asked her to keep lunch ready for us.

Green Gate Resort has a very nice ambience of a Konkani seaside cottage with a small plantation of coconut, banana, and betel nut trees. There’s a small playground for kids and sufficient parking space for about 8 to 10 cars. The Jain family, who own and manage the resort, stay in the adjoining building and have a common kitchen for themselves and their guests. We enjoyed the Maharashtrian thali dinners served up by Mrs. Jain in the separate dining area for the guests, next to her kitchen.

The aircon rooms were very comfortable. There are six rooms but the two corner rooms seemed more spacious. Power supply was erratic but they had an inverter which powered the fans and lights during short outages. Hot water for bathing was available from 7 am to 9.30 am.

The resort is located very close to the southern part of Harihareshwar beach, and the MTDC Resort. A 5 minute walk will bring you to the very beautiful and isolated beach, and I was told by the some local fishermen that one can observe dolphins from the nearby hill early in the morning, during high tides. The Shiva Temple and the northern part of the beach is about 2 km from Green Gate.

We decided to stay another night at Green Gate, and visited the beautiful beaches and temples at Shrivardhan and Diveagar the next day.

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• Stayed August 2015, travelled as a couple
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My TripAdvisor Review No.113: Konkan, India.

“Beaches of Konkan.....Better than Goa.”

  Reviewed 2 September 2015 NEW

 

I don’t know why people keep on raving about Goa when the beaches of Konkan are just as good, if not better than the beaches of Goa.

The Konkan region of Maharashtra stretches along the coastline from the north of Mumbai down to the south Maharashtra town of Sawantwadi, just north of the state of Goa. The coastline of Goa is just an extension of the Konkan coastline. The Konkan, in fact, is a narrow strip of fertile land in the state of Maharashtra, India, which lies between the Arabian Sea coast and the foothills of the Western Ghats (also known as the Sahyadri Mountains). The heavy rains in the monsoon season make the region look very green and beautiful.

Some of the better known beaches of the Konkan are Bordi, Palghar (north of Mumbai) and Alibag, Kashid, Murud-Janjira, Shrivardhan, Harihareshwar, Ganpatipule, Ratnagiri, Kunkeshwar, Malvan, Vengurla (south of Mumbai). Many of the smaller beaches around them are virgin beaches and you may not find a soul on some of the sandy stretches. They have not yet been developed as tourist destinations and it is their isolation and natural beauty that make them so attractive.

However many of the beaches are also well known for their fish markets. The Konkani fishermen venture into the Arabian Sea early in the morning and return to the shore by dawn. Their catch is immediately auctioned on the beach markets! It is an interesting spectacle to watch and partake in the beach towns like Shrivardhan, Harnai, Devgad and Vengurla.

There are a number of historic forts in the Konkan region but most of them are in a state of disrepair. Some of the more famous sea forts are the Janjira Fort at Murud-Janjira, Jaigad and Ratnadurga Forts in Ratnagiri district, Vijaydurg and Sindhudurg Forts in Sindhudurg district.

Konkani food has its own unique piquant flavours. Good use is made of the local herbs and spices to make vegetarian and chicken or fish gravies. Rice, coconut and fish are the staples of the local diet. Solkadi, a spicy drink made from coconut milk, kokum, garlic and coriander leaves is very popular and helps to digest the spicy curries. Alphonso mangoes, the king of fruits, grow best in the Ratnagiri and Devgad regions of the Konkan.

The common languages spoken in the villages are Marathi, Konkani and Hindi.

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Visited August 2015

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My TripAdvisor Review No.112: Shri Girijatmaj Temple, Lenyadri, Maharashtra.

“Holy Ganesh Mandir in an Ancient Buddhist Cave”

Reviewed 15 August 2015NEW

This temple is one of the eight Swayambhu (self existent) Ganeshas which devotees include in their holy ‘Ashtavinayak’ trip. The idol is an integral part of the stone wall of a cave. This one is also known as the ‘Girijatmaj Ganesha’. It is believed that Ganesha was born to Parvati here at Lenyadri. These caves are a set of about 30 ancient Buddhist caves dating back to between the 1st and 3rd century AD. Cave No.8 is the beautiful Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Ganesha. The other caves are mainly for prayer and meditation, and as monk dwellings.

These caves are set in a hillside at Lenyadri about 5 km from Junnar town and about 100 km from Pune city. The route from Pune is via Pune Nashik highway (NH50) up to Narayangaon, from where a left turn after the ST bus stand takes you to Junnar and Lenyadri. Rickshaws, Jeeps and buses can be hired from Junnar to the foothills. As you approach Lenyadri you will be greeted by the beautiful hill range on which these rock cut caves are clearly visible from a distance. During monsoons the hill may be shrouded in a blanket of clouds.

You have to climb more than 300 steep steps to reach up to the caves. For the old and unfit palki services can be hired for Rs.700 to carry you up from the bottom of the hill. Holy offerings are available at the shops lining the entrance at the foothill. There are some snack stalls as well as some shops where you can buy local raisins and other rural produce at wholesale rates. There is an entry fee of Rs.10 per vehicle and ample parking space at the foothill.

The Girijatmaj Ganesh Mandir is a must visit for the devotees of Lord Ganesha, as well as for the natural beauty that surrounds it. The view of the River Kukadi, green fields and hills around are indeed mesmerising.

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Visited July 2015

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My TripAdvisor Review No.111: Lenyadri Caves, Junnar, Maharashtra.

“Ancient Buddhist Caves with a Holy Ganesha Temple”

Reviewed 14 August 2015NEW

These caves are a set of about 30 ancient Buddhist caves dating back to between the 1st and 3rd century AD. Cave No.8 is a beautiful Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Ganesha. In fact, it is one of the eight Swayambhu (self existent) Ganeshas which devotees include in their holy ‘Ashtavinayak’ trip. The idol is an integral part of the stone wall of the cave. This one is also known as the ‘Girijatmaj Ganesha’. It is believed that Ganesha was born to Parvati at Lenyadri. The other caves are mainly for prayer and meditation, and as monk dwellings.

These caves are set in a hillside at Lenyadri about 5 km from Junnar town and about 100 km from Pune city. The route from Pune is via Pune Nashik highway (NH50) up to Narayangaon, from where a left turn after the ST bus stand takes you to Junnar and Lenyadri. Rickshaws, Jeeps and buses can be hired from Junnar to the foothills. As you approach Lenyadri you will be greeted by the beautiful hill range on which these rock cut caves are clearly visible from a distance. During monsoons the hill may be shrouded in a blanket of clouds.

You have to climb more than 300 steep steps to reach up to the caves. For the old and unfit palki services can be hired for Rs.700 to carry you up from the bottom of the hill. Holy offerings are available at the shops lining the entrance at the foothill. There are some snack stalls as well as some shops where you can buy local raisins and other rural produce at wholesale rates. There is an entry fee of Rs.10 per vehicle and ample parking space at the foothill.

Lenyadri caves are a must visit for its religious and historical significance, as well as the natural beauty that surrounds it. The view of the River Kukadi, green fields and hills around are indeed mesmerising.

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Visited July 2015

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My TripAdvisor Review No. 110: Reddy's Restaurant, Kalyani Nagar, Pune.

“Excellent Tandoori Chicken”

Reviewed 12 August 2015NEW

We visited this al fresco restaurant to taste their Tandoori Chicken. Reddy's is already famous in Pune for their tandoori items. We were quite happy to know that we were not far wrong in our judgement and quite enjoyed the perfectly marinated tandoori chicken, and delicious biryani.

They also serve other non and veg Indian preparations both dry and with gravy, and at fairly reasonable rates.

They have a nice garden sit out dining area, with beach umbrellas, and air coolers. They also do home delivery for nearby localities.

• Visited June 2015
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My TripAdvisor Review No.109: Shivneri Fort, Junnar, Maharashtra.

“Birthplace of Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, Founder of the Maratha Empire.”

Reviewed 10 August 2015 NEW

This impressive fort is located in the Junnar district of Maharashtra, about 100 km north of Pune. It is situated on top of a 300 metre high hill which is clearly visible as you approach Junnar town. There is a 5 km motorable road that climbs steeply up to the Fort entrance from Junnar. After that you have to trudge up the stone staircase that takes you to the top. The ascending path to the top is defended by seven gates, the fifth one being armoured with anti-elephant spikes. There are more than about 400 steps to be climbed and it can take an able bodied fit person about 20 to 25 minutes to reach the top. The climb is not recommended for the aged or weak of heart.

For keen trekkers and hikers the fort, and the areas around it, is a wonderful and rugged destination for a day long trek. The steps take you past some beautifully landscaped gardens, and of course the view from the top is indeed breathtaking and sufficient reward for the trouble.

There are mud and rock walls all around the fort. Inside the fort the major buildings are the prayer hall, the tomb and a mosque. There are statues of Jijabai and young Shivaji in the temple inside. Shivaji is said to have been born at this site on 19 February 1630. The fort has several rock hewn cisterns and ponds which have water throughout the year. There are also some Buddhist caves in the hillside below which the fort stands, but this may not be easily accessible unless you are equipped with proper trekking gear.

Shivneri Fort is one of the iconic forts of Maharashtra. It is a must visit if you are anywhere near Junnar town. Entry to the fort is free and the timings are from 6 am to 5 pm.

The other nearby tourist spots is the Lenyadri Buddhist caves and Girijatmaj Ashtavinayak Ganesh Mandir, about 8 km away. Malshej Ghat, well known for its monsoon scenery is about 30 km further towards Kalyan. From Pune the route is via Bhosari, Chakan, Rajgurunagar and Narayangaon on the Pune Nashik highway (NH50). At Narayangaon you have to take a left turn after the ST bus stand to Junnar town.

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Visited July 2015

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