{"id":4080,"date":"2016-11-28T17:10:03","date_gmt":"2016-11-28T17:10:03","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/asoulwindow.com\/?p=4080"},"modified":"2022-05-03T05:31:26","modified_gmt":"2022-05-03T05:31:26","slug":"offbeat-break-from-mumbai-pune-road-trip-to-turtle-festivalvelas","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/asoulwindow.com\/offbeat-break-from-mumbai-pune-road-trip-to-turtle-festivalvelas\/","title":{"rendered":"OFFBEAT BREAK FROM MUMBAI & PUNE: ROAD TRIP TO TURTLE FESTIVAL,VELAS !"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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My friends at beach of Shrivardhan<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Every year in March and April, the sleepy nondescript village of Velas becomes the center of attraction during the Turtle Festival<\/strong>. Every morning and evening, the turtle hatchlings are released by volunteers in to the sea at Velas beach<\/strong>. A temporary ramp is created on the sand by barricading it from 2 sides. The tourists and wildlife enthusiasts<\/strong> stand on either sides and witness this awe inspiring phenomenon, agape mouthed. The turtles are released in the sea just few hours after they emerge from the eggs. They have never seen the sea before<\/strong> nor even their mother. It\u2019s surreal indeed to watch them instinctively crawl towards the sea, meeting their destiny.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The little chap we bid adieu!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

One weekend, me and my friends Rahul, Shishir and Vipul wanted to break away from the mundane destinations around Mumbai<\/strong>. After much thought a road trip to Velas was zeroed in on. It\u2019s not easy to reach Velas via public transport<\/strong> and hence calls for a road trip. The presence of virgin beaches and fun activities around Velas make it an ideal destination<\/strong> to go to with friends.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Yes, this ferry can carry all this and more!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

It took us approximately 4 hours from Kharghar (Navi Mumbai) to reach Harihareshwar<\/strong>. Powered by sturdy tyres, our Maruti Baleno<\/strong> zoomed past rivers, forests, farmlands and villages making pit stops for chaha<\/em><\/strong> (tea) and Vada pao<\/strong>. As the car made its way up the hilly terrains, our hearts raced in anticipation of what was in store. It was exciting to know that we would be carrying our car in the ferry. This was the first time we were doing so.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Me, Shishir and Rahul (in car) Pic credit – Vipul Sinha<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

As the 4 of us, all guys gang, waited for ferry, I wandered away intrigued by the women picking shells from the marsh land. Curious to see what they were up to, I walked towards the mangrove belt<\/strong> only to have my slippers swallowed by marsh beneath my foot. Needless to say, I broke my slippers as I pulled my legs up. What followed next is anybody\u2019s guess! My friends were waiting for me on a dry patch to unleash their jibes and insults at me. Ah, the perils of traveling with friends!<\/strong> I washed my feet (and sins) from a tap nearby and geared up for the ferry ride.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Me messing around (Pic credit : Vipul S.)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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It was exciting for us to load our car in the ferry. We waited for a truck (Yes, a truck!) to disembark. It\u2019s a tricky process<\/strong> since the space is less in a ferry as compared to a regular curb. A co ordination amongst us led to smooth parking of car (in reverse gear) in the ferry. The ferry ride over the Savitri river<\/strong> was pleasant and quick. Bankot Fort<\/strong> 4 kilometres away, offers nice views of Savitri river merging into Arabian sea at Velas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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You can break my slippers, but not my spirit (Pic : Vipul S.)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

We drove on a road which ran parallel to the backwaters. Soaking in the breath taking views we headed to a villager\u2019s home for a staple Maharashtrian meal. It comprised of varan<\/em><\/strong> (lentil preparation), valachi<\/em><\/strong> bhaji<\/em><\/strong> (field beans) and farasbee chi bhaji<\/em><\/strong> (French beans). There are many traditional homes near the beach meant for turtle festival. Many of them serve meals and offer accommodation. Though we did not stay but loved the simple and healthy food.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Pics above : My friends enjoying a Maharashtrian meal at a local’s home!<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

I regret not having stayed in one of the huts. Friends wanted a hotel with a pool!<\/strong> Traveling with friends always comes with some kind of compromise or the other. We lazed around the beach, some faked a trekking expedition. (He to me, \u201cCan you please make it look like as if I am on some great trekking expedition!\u201d) , some of us dozed off on the trees, some of us (well me) clicked it all.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Friends dozing off! Monkey style,eh!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

While sun started to bid adieu, we zoomed our car towards the Velas beach. As we reached the venue, the last song the car played was, \u201cHo Shubharam, haan shubharam, mangal bela aayi!\u201d<\/em> (It\u2019s time for a great beginning now that the auspicious occasion is here!)   Eerily, those lines from Bollywood film Kai Po Che<\/em><\/strong> suited the turtle baby aptly who was soon going to take its first baby steps towards the sea, his\/her new home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u0915\u093e\u0938\u0935 \u092c\u0918\u093e\u092f\u091a\u0947 \u0905\u0938\u0947\u0932 \u0924\u0930 \u0935\u0947\u0933\u093e\u0938\u0932\u093e \u092f\u093e <\/strong><\/p>

(Marathi Translation by Pradnya K)<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

Post sunset, we decided to drive to Shrivardhan<\/strong>. We checked into to a comfortable resort (Yes, with a pool) and wasted the night just relaxing on a hammock by the poolside. The next day, we headed to the beach some 2 kilometres away<\/strong>, goofed around for few hours and returned to the resort for a round of swimming in the pool. The beaches in this part of Maharashtra are clean, safe and virgin. It is a nice option if you want to spend a weekend away from the crowded beaches of Maharashtra.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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(Me in my different avatars (Pic credit : Shishir Sahni & Vipul Sinha)<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is what road trips do. They cement a lasting bond amongst friends<\/strong>. It was the first time I had met Rahul and we had planned many road trips (Alibagh, Lonavala<\/a>, Panchgani, Igatpuri, Nashik etc) after this maiden journey.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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I loved the drive on this road. So did my friends!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

MY MORAL POLICING: <\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

  1. Be responsible and don’t initiate a stampede<\/strong> in a bid to get a wow shot. The main aim here is conservation and not one upmanship game of who gets better picture.<\/li>
  2. The turtles are tiny and in the stampede, they might crush under your feet<\/strong>.  Especially, don’t stand in the sea water while the turtle marches on the sand, because once the turtle is in the water, the chances are higher that it comes under someone’s feet, due to no visibility. Reason out to someone who\u2019s doing it. Scold them if you have to.<\/strong><\/li>
  3. Choose a spot on sand before the turtle’s march begins and stick to it<\/strong> throughout the turtle’s journey.<\/li>
  4. Very important:<\/strong> Once the turtle takes the final plunge in to the sea, MOVE AWAY FROM THE BEACH<\/strong>. Do not goof around in the sea for reasons stated above. If at all, you can\u2019t stop entering the beach, do so at least 1 kilometer away from the release spot.<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n
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    The volunteers checking each basket for any new hatching!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    How to reach by car: <\/strong>Once you reach Harihareshwar head to Baagmandla and board a ferry for Velas. Load your car on the ferry and reach the venue within minutes. There is a ferry every half an hour.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Buses are also available<\/strong> from Mumbai to Shrivardhana\/Harihareshwara. You can start the car trip from Shrivardhana\/Harihareshwara too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    When to go:<\/strong> Every year, the event is held every day from March beginning to April end. Morning time is 7 a.m. and Evening time is 6 p.m.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Equipment to carry:
    <\/strong>A good 18-135mm lens or a 55-250mm telephoto lens in case you fail to manage a vantage point near the turtle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    The Velas Beach!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    Also keep an eye on:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n