Shri Dev Vetoba Temple

Located about 3 km east of the unspoilt Shiroda-Velagar beach and 13 km from Vengurla in south Sindhudurg is the village of Aravali. One of the attractions of this nondescript yet charming village is the Shri Dev Vetoba Temple, an elaborate shrine dedicated to Vetoba the King of Ghosts and an avatar of Shiva. The deity’s 9 ft-tall statue, fashioned out of five metals, stands in the sanctum sanctorum, appropriately armed with weapons to fight evil and watch over the village.

Bananas and large Kolhapuri slippers are given as offerings for boons granted for it is believed that Lord Vetoba dons the slippers at night when he tours the village to ensure that all is well.

Shri Dev Vetoba Temple

Nestling in a mango grove nearby is the Sateri Devi Mandir, an appealing, pillared temple with a sloping-tiled roof. This exquisite temple is in keeping with local architecture and is cloaked in an aura of spirituality.

On the road to Shri Dev Vetoba Temple there is a little waterfront shrine surrounded by colourful flags. These offerings are made by local fishermen who come here with two flags; one they leave behind for the gods and the other they carry back with them and fly them on their boats for protection on the high seas.

Sindhudurg - Historical Traces

It is believed that during the 13th year of exile, the Pandavas passed through the entire Konkan region and also resided in Sindhudurg for some period of time. During their war with the Kauravas at Kurukshetra, the Pandavas were accompanied by Veerat Ray, who was the Raja of this region.

However, in the 2nd century AD, the Konkan coast was conquered by the Mauryas. During the mid of 6th century, Konkan was under the reign of both Maurya and Nala dynasties. In the 16th century, the west coast of India witnessed the advent of Portuguese power, to which Sindhudurg was no exception.

Later in 1675, the district was conquered by Shivaji and went under the control of the Marathas. The Marathas ruled the district till 1817, after which, a war broke out between the British and the Peshwas. As a result of this war, the entire Konkon region came under the rule of the British.

In 1819, a separate district was formed, which came to be known as South Konkan, with its headquarters initially located at Bankot. Later the headquarters was shifted to Ratnagiri from Bankot.

In 1832, Ratnagiri was made a full-fledged district and Sindhudurg was a part of it. Later on 1st May, 1981, Ratnagiri District was divided into Ratnagiri and Sindhudurg for administrative purposes and for agricultural and industrial developments.
 

Best Time to Visit Malvan

The region of Malvan experiences a sub tropical climate with humid summers, moderately cold winters and abundant rainfall. The three basic seasons in this region are summers, winters and monsoon. 

The best time for sightseeing and other tourist activities is the winter season, when the weather is mild and moderately cold.

Winters in the town of Malvan extend during the months of November, December, January, and till early February. Winters are mild and moderately cold, hence you need not carry protective clothing. Temperatures can drop to a minimum of sixteen degrees (16°C) and a maximum of twenty four degrees (24°C) during this time.

Malvan - A Perfect Holiday Paradise

Malvan will be the perfect destination for you, if you’re looking for a place to unwind after a strenuous year at work, with its clean and calm beaches and unadulterated coastline. You can also visit the Sindhudurg Fort, which is a fort that is located near the sea. Also known as the Ocean Fort, this fort was built by Shivaji, the Maratha King and warrior. The fort at Sindhudurg is one of the strongest Indian structures standing today, with its enormous foundation stones and iron framework. 

 
Malvan is connected by road to several cities, such as Pune, Mumbai and Dabolim. The closest airport from Malvan is situated at Dabolim in Goa. Mumbai is located at about 514 km from Malvan, while Ratnagiri is around 200 km away. Kudal or Kankavli Railway Station is the nearest rail head from Malvan town.

Sports Safety Tips - Part 2

Take your time and do your homework

Whatever sport you’re enjoying on the water, make sure that everyone is comfortable with the sport and certified if necessary. Be sure to go at the pace of the least comfortable person in your group. Define any hand signals you plan to use ahead of time and check that everyone is familiar with them.

Watch out for the children

Children under 16 should be supervised by an adult at all times when on or around the water. Drowning is the second leading cause of death for children between the ages of 1 and 14. Children can get into trouble very quickly and generally are not as strong swimmers as adults, nor are they as likely to anticipate dangerous situations.

Even if they are just playing on the beach, it’s a good idea for them to wear life jackets in case they wander into the water and get into trouble. Have one or more adults designated as a “spotter” keeping an eye on everyone in the water and give them a whistle or means to quickly call for assistance if necessary.All adults should be aware of basic first aid and CPR techniques.

Keep an eye on the weather

Check the weather conditions regularly and make sure that they are stable. Storms or other weather events can materialize quickly on the water and you need to be able to give yourself enough time to get to safety should the need arise. Avoid rough water whenever possible as currents can often be stronger than expected.

Protect yourself from the sun

Be aware of the sun and protect yourself and your children appropriately. On a warm summer’s day, it’s easy to lose track of how long you’re out in the sun,only to suffer the consequences later. Current studies show that sunscreen is most effective when applied approximately 30 minutes prior to exposure to the sun and then reapplied 20-30 minutes following initial exposure. Sunscreen should then be reapplied every 2-3 hours for the remainder of the time you are out in the sun. Keep extra sunglasses on hand to help protect your eyes.

Avoid alcohol

Finally,avoid alcohol when you’re out on the water. Alcohol impairs your judgement,which can be critical in dangerous situations. Impaired boating is every bit as serious and potentially fatal as impaired driving. It’s important to keep in mind that the effects of alcohol are heightened by exposure to heat and sunlight. Studies show that alcohol use is a factor in up to half of all adult and adolescent deaths in recreational water activities. Stay safe and enjoy your alcohol away from the water.

By making safety your first priority, you can minimize the potential for accidents and instil good habits in your children and friends that will help keep them safe for a lifetime. Have fun and enjoy a great summer on the water!

Sports Safety Tips - Part 1

Learn how to swim.

The first and most important thing you can do is learn to swim. Virtually any community center or local Red Cross offers swimming lessons for children and adults at reasonable prices. The sooner children learn to swim and be comfortable in the water, the easier and more natural it will be for them.

Always wear a life jacket.

Regardless of your swimming ability, make sure that you always wear a life jacket,personal flotation device, wet suit or other appropriate gear. A full 90% of boaters who drowned in 2008 were not wearing life jackets. Even if you’re a great swimmer, you could be knocked unconscious, exhausted by the currents or overcome by the elements. Wearing a life jacket not only keeps you afloat, but makes you more visible to rescuers in the event of an accident.

Never go out on the water alone.

Make sure you have someone with you at all times whether you’re swimming, boating or fishing. Make sure that friends or family on shore know where you’re going on the water and for how long. This will help them know where to look for you if you’re gone longer than expected.

Make sure you have the proper equipment.

Regardless of the water vehicle you’re using, be sure to carry extra equipment. For example, extra life jackets, flares, a whistle, and ship to shore radio can all come in handy in an emergency. Carry extra maintenance equipment as well, such as a repair kit and fire extinguisher. Make sure you have a first aid kit with you at all times. Store these items safely, and make sure everyone on the boat knows where they are and how to reach them.

If you are out on a boat, have a good GPS navigator system on board. Even if it is a portable handheld GPS unit, it will help to provide valuable information, such as directions, currents, water depth, buoys,and obstacles in the water. If an emergency does occur, you can quickly determine the fastest way back to shore.

Know the correct way to use and store your equipment.

Make sure that everyone in your party knows the proper use and storage of recreational equipment such as water skis, skate board, Airhead towable tubes and the like. Be sure the equipment is stored safely and securely on your vehicle prior to use.

Hello Sunshine.. Summer Beach Vacations..!!!!!!!!

Itinerary:

Day 1: Arrive Malvan

• Arrival in Malvan and check in at pre-arranged hotel by the beach.
• Afternoon at leisure.
• Early evening drive to Tondavli (proposed site for developing a sea world) to view the setting sun. The drive through suru trees (casuarinas trees) is sheer pleasure. Here you can see dolphins from the beach.
• Return to the hotel late evening.
• Overnight stay at a hotel in Malvan.

Day 2: Malvan | Local Sightseeing & Water Sports

• This morning after an early breakfast, proceed to Devbaug.
• Board a fishing boat to take you on a ride till Nivati Fort. En route halt at Tsunami Island for water sports. Enjoy activities like jet ski, speed boat, dolphin ride, banana ride. Don’t miss the main attraction, i.e Sofa Ride. A ride on a sofa bumping rigorously in the creek water, is a life time experience for sure. Besides the water sports, Tsunami Island is a site to see. A small island midst of Karli creek confluencing Arabian Sea. Recommended to visit it during high tide, when the island is sunk in knee deep water.
• The Nivati Rocks in Arabian Sea close to Nivati Beach is a treat for photographers.
• Later, drive to Ghumde, a small temple village for a spice plantation trip. The thickly wooded farm holds a gala surprise, rain showers in sizzling sun. Wash and change and get ready to enjoy a Malvani meal. A brief nap under a cozy shelter and a spice plantation trip refreshes you for sure.
• Evening, proceed for a brief tour covering major attractions of Malvan. A visit to Rock Gardens in Malvan by the sun set ends the tour.
• Late evening return to hotel.
• Overnight stay at a hotel in Malvan.

Day 3: Excursion to Devgad

• After breakfast proceed for full day sightseeing of Devgad.
• Devgad is world known for alphanso mangoes (Devgad Haapus Aam). However, its still unsung in many ways. The Devgad is the northern coastal Taluka is full of exotic beaches, creeks and forts, the sites which can give “best beaches of India” a run for their money.
• Don’t believe us? Lets talk once you visit Mithbav, Mithmumbari, Munage and especially Kavundla (a beach between hills… you can reach only by boat.
• Afternoon enjoy a special lunch organized in a mango farm.
• Late evening return to hotel.
• Overnight stay at a hotel in Malvan.

Day 4: Excursion to Vengurla & Sawantwadi

• After breakfast proceed for full day sightseeing of Vengurla.
• Vengurla is a southernmost coastal taluka of Sindhudurg district touching Goa. Like Goa, Vengurla’s lifestyle is bit different than of other district. Pristine beaches, temples, relaxed lifestyle, fishing villages, cashew plantations are major attractions here. Probably that’s why you will find many foreigners taking day trips on some of the offbeat beaches here from Goa.
• Kondura, Khavna, Vayangani (Olive Ridley turtles visit it for laying eggs), Ubha Danda, Mochemad, Velagar (popularly known as Paradise beach among foreigners), Shiroda, beach, Khavna Beach are just few of the popular beaches.
• By evening visit Sawantwadi for shopping wooden toys.
• Late evening return to hotel.
• Overnight stay at a hotel in Malvan.

Day 5: Backwater Island Hospitality | Jeep Safari

• Sindhudurg is blessed with pristine backwaters. These inhabited islands shows you the real Sindhudurg at its best.
• One such handpicked island is Pankhol Jua, close to Hadi near Malvan. This island is full of palm trees… so much so that the sky can not seen from almost 70% part of the island. Bit exaggeration though ;). This trip is inclusive of traditionally cooked meals during the day.
• Eaerly morning Transfer to the island by fishing boats.
• Traditional welcome and quenchers
• Breakfast.
• Tour de island with locals. See the locals at work, small schools and children playing in the field.
• Local fishermen teach you traditional fishing… you may swim in the backwaters.
• Sampling of Maadi (a natural drink alike coconut water).
• Traditional lunch awaits you at a local host’s house.
• Brief siesta, followed by a backwater boating trip.
• Evening tea with traditional Malvani snacks.
• Late evening you are transferred to the mainland by fishing boat.
• You shall be then driven to Kankavli for a jeep safari.
• Sindhudurg in Konkan is a plain land between Arabian Sea on West and hilly terrain on east connecting Kolhapur & Belgaum. This hilly terrain (average altitude is 600m +) is thickly wooded and accommodates unique flora and fauna. Dajipur Sanctuary on the borders of Sindhudurg is known for rich bison population while Amboli Ghat is world’s one of the Eco Hot Spots.
• Few enthusiasts offer their customized open top jeeps to tourists to drive through the thickly wooded jungles. Regular inhabitants like wild boars, variety of deers & monkeys, fox, bisons are seen during the drives. Wild elephants and leopards are also sighted at times.
• Dinner at a traditional house. Board the jeep for a thrilling drive accompanied by a nature guide and a guard. Later in mid-night, halt at a specially built machan by a watering hole.
• You may spend the whole night on machan or drive back to the host’s house.

Day 6: Departure

• Breakfast
• Morning at leisure.
• Lunch.
• Check out from the host’s home stay and proceed for onward journey.
• Tour Ends

Tour Cost:

• Without Car: Per person Rs 10450/- on twin sharing basis.
• With Car: Per person Rs 15450/- on twin sharing basis.

Cost Includes:

• Accommodation in a beachside resort for 4 nights / 5 days at Malvan
• Accommodation in a local house for 1 night during jeep safari
• All meals during the stay (06 breakfasts, 06 lunches, 06 dinners)
• Exclusively organized meals and activities as mentioned in the itinerary.
• Water Sports at Tsunami Island
• Assistance of tourist guide throughout the trip.
• All inclusive taxes.

Reach Us @

Sindhudurg Tour Guide Pvt Ltd

Tel: +91 2367 231 400 

Cell: +91 9987010006 

Email: sindhudurgguide@gmail.com

Malvan as a tourist attraction

Malvan, situated in the Sindhudurg District of Maharashtra, is famous for the old Sindhudurg Fort that was constructed by Chhatrapati Shivaji in 1664. It took three years for constructing the fort with the help of several labourers, skilled workers and artisans. 

Various other forts, such as Sarjekot, Rajkot, Padmagad, Bharat Gad and Bhagwant Gad, are also quite popular. Another important attraction in the region is the Malvan Beach, known for its beautiful surroundings and a big fish market. 

The Chivia Beach, Tarkarli Beach, Achara Beach, Kolamb Beach, Arse Mahal Beach, Tondavali Beach, Devbaug Beach and Shiroda Velagar Beach are the major beaches situated near Malvan. Malvan is also popular for the Malvan Marine Sanctuary that is rich in coral and marine life.