Aravali Beach (Sindhudurg)

9th June 2015, Tuesday

Going further north along the coast from Shiroda Beach comes the Aravali Beach. When I reached this beach there wasn't a soul there but me. Just the sound of the waves and the wind for company. Serene!

Walking further north, one reaches the Mochemad Creek which separates the Mochemad Beach.

There are beautiful temples in Aravali to see, namely the Vetoba Mandir and Narayan Mandir in Asoli which you can reach via Sakhelekhol.

Aravali Beach.

Aravali Beach.

Aravali Beach (Map)

Shiroda - Velagar Beach (Sindhudurg)

9th June 2015, Tuesday

After seeing the beaches and temples in Redi, I headed up north along the coast, first to Shiroda Beach.

The coast in this area consists of multiple beaches - Shiroda Beach, Velagar Beach, Aravali Beach and Mochemad Beach. On the way to Shiroda, we pass through many salt pans. There are Casuarina Trees called as Saru Trees all along the beaches.

Beautiful!

Shiroda Beach and Velagar Beach, Sindhudurg.

Salt pans at Shiroda.

Salt pans at Shiroda.

Casuarina Trees (Saru Trees) along the Shiroda and Velagar Beach.

Shiroda and Velagar Beach.

Shiroda and Velagar Beach.
Redi in the distance.

Casuarina Trees (Saru Trees) along Shiroda and Velagar Beach.

Shiroda and Velagar Beach.
Aravali Beach and Mochemad Beach in the distance.

Shiroda (Map)

Redi (Sindhudurg) : Places to See

Redi (Sindhudurg) : Places to See
1. Devi Mauli Mandir 2. Ganpati Mandir 3. Siddheshwar Mandir 4. Fort Yashwantgad

1. Devi Mauli Mandir, Redi

Devi Mauli Mandir, Redi.

A huge banyan tree opposite the temple.

Devi Mauli Mandir, Redi.

 2. Ganpati Mandir, Redi
A dwibhuja (two arms) idol excavated in Redi after a local person had a vision of it.

Ganpati Mandir, Redi.

3. Siddheshwar Mandir, Redi

Fishing boats near Siddheshwar Mandir.

Fishing boat near Siddheshwar Mandir.

The beach near Siddheshwar Mandir.

The beach near Siddheshwar Mandir.

Siddheshwar Mandir, Redi

4. Fort Yashwantgad
I lost my way going to Fort Yashwantgad. Didn't take the correct turn. The fort is in a state of ruins. From the fort, one can see the Shiroda Beach on the other side of the river. It is also know as Redi Fort.

I'll click and share the photos of Fort Yashwantgad if I happen to go to Redi in the future.

Redi Beach (Sindhudurg)

9th June 2015, Tuesday

After seeing the Fort Tiracol, I went to see the Redi Beach which is nearby. Redi is a mining village. There are also many places worth seeing in Redi along with the beach (refer the map).

1. Mauli Mandir

2. Ganpati Mandir

3. Siddheshwar Mandir

4. Fort Yashwantgad

Redi Beach, Sindhudurg, Maharashtra

Redi Beach (Map)

On the way to Redi Beach from Ganpati Mandir.

Redi Beach.

Redi Beach.

Redi Beach.

Redi Beach.

A rock protruding out from the Arabian Sea.

Redi Beach.

The red sand at Redi Beach from the mining ore.

Redi Beach.

Fort Tiracol (Goa)

9th June 2015, Tuesday

Tiracol is the only part of Goa which lies on the side of Maharashtra separated by the River Tiracol. It is also locally called as Terekhol.

It is where the Fort Tiracol was originally built by the King of Sawantwadi in the 17th century being a strategic location at the mouth of River Tiracol. 

Later on, in the 18th century it was conquered by the Portuguese with whom it remained till it was annexed by India after the independence.

It has the St. Anthony's Church and the statue of St. Anthony facing it in the courtyard.

The fort currently has been converted into a heritage hotel.

Fort Tiracol, Tiracol, Goa

A view of the Arabian Sea on the way to Fort Tiracol.

River Tiracol meeting the Arabian Sea.
Querim Beach on the other bank of the river.

St. Anthony's Church at Fort Tiracol.

A statue of St. Anthony in the church courtyard.

A view of the Arabian Sea from Fort Tiracol.

The statue of St. Anthony in front of the church at Fort Tiracol.

A view of Querim Beach on the other bank of River Tiracol.

The statue of St. Anthony in front of the church at Fort Tiracol.

The statue of St. Anthony in front of the church at Fort Tiracol.

Tables laid out in Fort Tiracol for the guests.

The steep banks of River Tiracol. 
The river is also called as Terekhol which literally means steep banks of a river.

Journey by Konkan Kanya Express!

Looking out through the dirty train window :
The train passing over countless rivers, streams, bridges and through tunnels.

8th June 2015, Monday

The Konkan Kanya Express (Train No.10111) starts from CSTM, Mumbai and the final station is Madgaon, Goa. I caught the train at Dadar (11:20pm). It was expected to reach Sawantwadi at around 8:30am the next morning. But recently, the trains running on this route have been reaching the destination late.

But the journey is indeed beautiful. I woke up at 6:00am. The train had halted at Sangmeshwar Road. As it crossed the station, the sun rose, creating beautiful shades of pink and purple in the sky.

The train crosses through many long tunnels along the way. And obviously, the mobile connectivity is poor or non-existent.

I saw a train carrying tens of trucks, not brand new ones, which had the drivers in the cabins. I wonder where it was headed? New platforms are being constructed at the smaller railway stations along the way. Maybe that's the reason for the trains being late.

I finally reached Sawantwadi at 10:55am, almost two and half hours late. But the scenery that one gets to see is so fantastic that the journey never becomes boring!

Peace!