We leave Bamanghal we saw in the last post and drive to Tavsal which is a Ferry point to cross the Shasri River and the creek to reach Jaigadh. We skip the smaller places-  Narvan, Rohile, Tavsal- on the way.

This is the third time on this expedition we are crossing a creek by a ferry. To the credit of this company which runs the ferry services at three places in Raigad-Ratnagiri distrcts that the servicesare  very well organized and punctual.

Entering a car into a ferry and getting out of there requires some driving expertise especially if you are disembarking in the reverse gear. Mattees are a bit more difficult when the tide is low and the ferry cannot be broght in line with the height of the ramp on the shore.

The ferry crossing to Jaigadh is different compared to others. Here the boat goes upstream and across the river, not straight across. In the process you can see this sandbar. If you walk on this you will end up in Narvan village which we have skipped on our way.

The mosques at Jaigadh are very visible from the ferry so is the fishing harbour. In the background of the first picture one can see the JSW Power plant located on the hill.

One can drive straight to the gate of the Jaigad fort, the highlight of the town.

The 16th century sea fort is attributed to the Bijapur Sultans who ruled the area at that time. It was subsequently captured by Marathas and Kanhoji Angre. By 1818 it fell into the British hands.

It is a well-maintained fort although the post-monsoon clean up was overdue at the time of our visit. The views from the top are nice. The temple in the picture below is still in use.

 

Here is a snap of the Present which has overshadowed the Past. The fort was important in the past, the power plant is the need of the present.

The stretch of the coast between Jaigadh and Ratnagiri has a number of beaches. They are all pretty, to say the least. Among the more famous is the beach at the temple town of Ganapatipule. The temple is among the most-visited in the region. It is well maintained and surroundings are well-organized. You dont have to fight for parking space.

Photography is not permitted inside this 400 years old temple. The idol of this Ganesha is facing west unlike in other temples where it faces east. Perhaps He likes the sea.

The beaches continue after Ganapatipule as well. After leaving this place you climb a hill towards Ratnagiri and can see this hauntingly beautiful part of earth.

Text by Suryakiran Naik

Pictures by Veena Naik & Suryakiran Naik.