How we reached Diveagar.

Diveagar is a typical village in Kokan region with ancient Temple of Roopnarayan, devoted to Lord Vishnu, roads with red sand, full of coconut and betel-nut trees, now coastal tourist hotspot, famous for Temple of Suvarna Ganesh. While digging field, one lady found chest buried for more than last 800-900 years, inside was Lord Ganesha’s Gold Mask with gold ornaments.

One Sunday we decided to go for one day picnic to Awas and Sasavane near Rewas, bifurcations on Rewas-Alibaug Road. We reached Rewas early in the morning by ferry from Bhaucha Dhakka. We enjoy travel by ferry with the company of sea birds. I wanted to go to Sasavane mainly because of Sculptor Late Shri Karmarkar Studio. I had read about it many times. One of the famous statues made by Karmarkar is of Raja Shivaji’s now is at Shivaji Institute, Shivaji Nagar, Pune. It’s a bronze statue made in a single mould, technique used for the first time in India. (Hope I am correct) After visit to the studio, we had lunch at the residence cum restaurant of Shri Jogalekar at Awas where they served tasty meals in the backyard plantations. They also have accommodation facilities. Recently I read in newspaper about a small homely resort newly opened at Sasavane by Shri Abhay Abhyankar. His Phone no. is 2437 6452. May be next time we will stay there.

After lunch we got bored and decided to move on and we proceeded to Askhi-Nagaon on Alibaug-Revdanda Road. We had a choice between Kanekeshwar (Lord Siva’s Temple on the hills) or Kihim Beach or Alibaug but decided to go to Nagaon. It’s our hot favorite place. On weekends we have stayed at Nagoan plenty of times before. We were always used to stay at Dr.Athavale’s bungalow near Shivaji Statue and order our meals from the residence of Shri Mahajan. When we reached Nagaon we found that half of the portion was let out to Post office. Totally disappointed we thought we will keep on moving further. I told my wife and son that “come on let’s go to Diveagar”. They liked the idea and jumped at it and we moved on. At Nagaon there are plenty of home stay options are available. Shri Chandrakant Yeragi’s bungalow is the best around. Shri Patwardhan's Hotel Sandesh provides very good food. Accommodation is also available with them. En route we pass beautiful villages named Chaul, Revdanda (famous of the scenic beauty with historical background), Birla temple at Salav, Korlai Fort Fhansad wild life sanctuary, Kashid Beach. We were tempted to stop over. On the both sides of the roads you will find Coconut and betel-nut tree plantations. The extremely scenic drive from Alibaug to Murud Janjira takes you through some of the most beautiful countryside. Once I remembered having lunch in Revdanda at Shri Tambe's hotel (I am not sure about name) in the market place. We then took short break at Nandgaon on Revdanda-Murud Janjira road, famous for Siddivinayak Ganesha Temple and for a short while wished to stay there. However after Ganesha’s darshan we decided to stick to the original plan and then we went to Murud Janjira hurriedly and rushed to Rajapuri to catch last ferry around 5.00 p.m to Dighe. Fortunately we managed to catch it on the very last minute and however we were most unfortunate as there was no time to even look at invincible sea fort (Janjira) and another beautiful beach. It was a time for low tide and the ferry boat could not reach near the pier; it was standing inside the sea. We walked in knee deep water and climbed into a small boat and then finally in the ferryboat. At Murud there are plenty of hotels available near seashore. I believe Shri Tavsalkar's residence one can get good food. Once I remembered eating at Shri Patil’s (I am not sure about name) near main chowk just after entering Murud. Finally when we reached Diveagar it was completely dark and we were tired. The complete journey was carried on by whatever vehicles available. It was a hitchhiker’s journey. There are plenty of 6 seater rickshaws available in the whole region.

Diveagar I had discovered accidentally before when I was traveling alone. I had heard of it, but didn’t know the whereabouts. I was on the way to Shrivardhan from Dighe. One Muslim woman all of sudden asked to get down from Auto rickshaw. I couldn’t understand the motive behind it. Had I done anything wrong? I asked myself and “why?” to her. Relief came only when she told me in the typical Konkani accent “tumchya Sonyacha Ganapaticha deul aala, utra laukar. Darshanalya jayache nahi kaa ? (Your temple of Suvarna (Gold) Ganesh is nearby, why you doesn’t want to go and visit?). May be Lord Gajanan had send mystical women to show me the way around.

At Diveager we stayed with Shri Umesh Limaye (Phone nos.02147 24490 (Could be 952147 24490), 0214724377(or 95147 24377) in a cottage in middle of the spice plantations surrounded by coconut and betel-nut trees. We awake to a clear morning, but it’s rained the night before. What a lovely morning seating in the middle of plantation having breakfast consists of Panage. Diveagar’s beach is the most wonderful for unwinding. Much too soon its time to leave. As Shrivardhan and Harihreshwar are nearby we then decided to carry on the adventure and returned to Mumbai late in the night. Traveling en route to Shrivardhan can be considered as unique experience. It abruptly climbs onto the cliffs and goes on with misty mountains on one side and superb view of the sweeping bay other side. We promised to ourselves that we must return for a longer stay and we kept our promise.

Next visit we again stayed with Limaye’s. That time they served us Fhansachi Bhaji (Jackfruit Vegetable my wife’s favorite) and Ukadiche Modak in lunch. For next two days we just hogged and every time requested Umesh to prepare and serve us their local varieties dishes. Even though he served smilingly whatever we asked for, but I am sure he must got fed up of our hoggish behavior. There are plenty of cottages available in Diveagar. I have also heard very good reputation of Shri Suhas Bapat (Phone no.02147 24377) for delicious meals. But after all as our loyalty is towards Shri Umesh Limaye, we never ate elsewhere.

Time is always short in kokan region and first of all you’ll have to decide where to visit and stay. Let me tell you that the Nature has never been miser in the entire coastal region starting from Rewas. It’s a green and pleasant holidays.

True travelers never plan their journey in advance and they travel with minimum luggage. Since we were supposed to come back to Mumbai in the same evening, we did not carry extra pairs of clothes. The trip was such a wonderful experience, We never realized it.