Harne - Anjarle - Velas (Turtle Festival)

Harnai – Anjarle – Velas

Journey Dates: 21,22,23 Feb 2013.

Travel Mode: Bike (Honda Shine 125cc)

Note : Click on photos for larger view.

Day 1: 21’st February 2013.

Route: Pune – Bhor – Varandha – Mahad – Dapoli – Anjarle – Harnai – Anjarle

        Anjarle was on my mind for last 2 years but work schedule kept me away from visiting this beautiful village in Kokan. But this time, everything worked out as expected. Even, my Wristwatch stopped working a day before the tour indicating that time has stopped for me. J  We left Pune at 5 A.M. To reach at Bhor, we took a right turn from Kapurhol on NH4 (Mumbai-Bangalore  National Highway). This road can be missed since there are no signboards and vehicle speeds are 50KM+. To identify this turn, look for HP Petrol pump on left as you approach Kapurhol. There is a hotel (Kunal Garden or Kunal hotel). The road opposite to this petrol pump takes you to Bhor. We took a tea break at Bhor and headed towards Varandha via SH70 (Pandharpur-Bhor-Mahad Road).

Road towards Varandha Ghat is better as compared to road in Tamhini Ghat road (Another road to enter in Kokan region from Pune). Backwaters of Nira-Deoghar dam on the left hand presents a scenic view as you approach Varandha ghat.

At the top of Varandha ghat there are some kiosks selling tea, Vadapao,Bhaji,etc. Don’t feed monkeys roaming around these food stalls. Ranges of Sahyadri Mountains look awesome from here. We then moved towards Mahad.

After passing through villages like Varandha, Birwadi, we came to NH17 (Mumbai Goa Highway). We skipped this highway and kept our road straight. Roads are in somewhat good conditions. Some roads are under renovation.  We then came across State Highway and took left turn to head towards Dapoli from the junction where these roads met ( A police check post is an identification mark).  Straight road goes to Mandangad. We skipped that road as we were told that road condition is not good (Co-incidently we came by this road while coming back to Pune).

Road till Dapoli is in good condition and shadows of tall trees on both sides of roads made our journey somewhat easier in the afternoon. Anjarle is 18 KM away from Dapoli. We took right turn from Dapoli. On the way, we found signboards of other beautiful beaches. Beaches of Karde, Murud can be approached via this road. We then came to Harnai Village. There is steep right turn indicating road to Anjarle. However, we opted to straight road passing through Harnai and Pajpandhari village. This is very rough road and should be avoided. Bridge of Anjarle looks beautiful from the top and what looks more beautiful is clean beach of Anjarle. 

After crossing this bridge, we turned left to enter Murdi village and then to head towards our homestay at Anjarle. Our room was located at 2 minutes walking distance from beach and sound of tides was audible even inside the room.

Owner of these room has their own home behind these rooms. We had lunch there and relaxed for an hour.

About Anjarle:

Anjarle is small village in Ratnagiri District of Kokan Region in Maharashtra State. Beach of Anjarle is pretty clean as compared to beaches in Raigad. One can enjoy sea tides, but not to enter in deeper sea. There are no Beach sports activities. Anjarle has very limited stay options. So, one has to book rooms in advance as this village is becoming a tourist spot by mouth publicity. The temple on top of the hill is another main attraction of tourists visiting Anjarle.

In the evening, we headed towards Harnai Village. Harnai is also a Port. Fishermen of Harnai and Pajpandhari village sail their boats in Arabian sea to catch various types of fishes. These fishes are then auctioned at the beach itself. 

Auction takes place twice in a day, in morning and in evening. We had a plan to Visit Suvarndurg ( A sea fort that can be seen from Anjarle and Harnai). 

Since, it was a weekday, there was hardly any boat heading towards Suvarndurg Fort. One boat told us charges of Rs.700 to which we refused. We then returned to Anjarle before Sunset keeping in mind condition of road. However, Sunset point on the road between Harnai and Anjarle is worth to visit.

Day 2 : 22'nd February 2013

Route : Anjarle – Kelashi- Bankot- Velas  & Return Journey:

Plan for second day was to visit Velas village to witness Turtle Festival (more details about Turtle Festival at snmcpn.in). We left Anjarle at 7 A.M. Coastal road from Anjarle is really beautiful. We passed through Padale and Ade villages and stopped at Kelshi village for a breakfast. Then we proceeded towards Velas. From Kelshi, there are 2 ways to go to Velas. On the way, you will find a small board written in Deonagari script mentioning a left road going to Velas (22 KM) and straight road going towards Devhare (6 KM). We initially picked up left road. But after travelling for 700-800m, we found that the road is in extremely bad condition. Also, some trucks were running from this narrow road (Later we learned that, this road leads to Boxite ore). On the advice of a localite, we returned and took road towards Devhare. Then we came across a joint called Kelshi phata. Road to right goes to Devhare and Mandangad and road to left goes to Bankot and Velas.

One has to drive carefully on road towards Bankot as there are some trenches on this road. One has to pass through Bankot village in order to visit Velas. Road between Bankot and Velas is coastal road and high tides of Arabian sea force you to stop for a minute or two. We then reached to Velas village only to find no one at the site of Turtle Festival. We then walked on the beach and rocks on the coast. 

Sea here is considered as dangerous and tourists are advised not to enter in the sea. 

While returning, we met some localites, who gave us valuable information about Turtle Festival. Everyday, these people check out if hatchlings have come out and release them in Arabian sea at 7 AM and 6 PM. Unfortunately, we were too late there. They also told us that, there is high possibility of hatchlings coming out from eggs on next day and asked us to come on next day. We were bit upset while leaving Velas as we had some different plans for Day 3.

We came back to Anjarle, relaxed for a while and then went to beach. We played in sea till Sunset. I enjoyed tides higher than my height (Author advises to play safe and not to enter in deep sea). We took a long walk at Sunset and saw few Dolphins swimming in deep sea (sadly, none of them jumped up). After coming back to room, we scrapped our original plan of Day 3 and decided to visit Velas again.

Day 3: 23'rd February 2013

Route : Anjarle – Velas – Mandangad- Mahad – Bhor – Pune.

We left Anjarle at 5 A.M.  It was pretty dark and since there were no street lights, we had to drive with headlights of our bikes. As we had already visited Velas on Day, the road was familiar for us and we reached Velas before 7 A.M. To our surprise, some 70-80 people had already reached there. Volunteers of Sahyadri Nisarga Mitra gave us instructions to follow discipline while hatchlings are released in sea. All tourists were excited to see hatchlings. As localites opened up cover on the nest, baby turtles came out and we ran towards barricades arranged near sea to capture photographs. We were lucky to witness release of 57 hatchlings (Highest for 2013 season at Velas). One by one all baby turtles entered into sea and began their Journey of life. We then decided to return home. Photos of Turtle Festival are available here

On the way to Mandangad, we took stop at Devhare Village for a breakfast and then headed to Mandangad. Road from Mandangad-Mhapral-Mahad is not good and this was the same road that we skipped on Day 1. While approaching towards Mahad, we found a board in Deonagari script about hot water springs. I had read about hot water springs at Unhavare Village near Dabhol, but was unaware of this place. So we decided to check it. 1 K.M. travel by rough road from the farms takes you to these springs. Some families are staying near this springs. Unfortunate to see ( and say), women over there were washing clothes in that water. We didn’t click any photograph as we got upset after seeing the condition of water over there. We really don’t value such natural resources.

We returned to Pune via Mahad and Bhor (same road used on Day 1) with memories of beautiful Anjarle beach and unforgettable Turtle Festival of Velas.

Some Travel Tips:

1)      Most of the direction boards in Kokan region are in Deonagari Script. Do ask villagers if you are not able to read this script.

2)      Do not disturb local eco system. You are guest over there. Stay as a guest.

3)      Carry enough water with you and do not throw empty bottles on road/beaches.

Do write your feedback and queries if you wish to visit these places. You can directly email me or just write in comments section. Have a safe journey. :)