So how do I start ......Let's just say I had it in my mind for quite a while .... Uhuh ... No actually from a really long time and I had to make it happen. So some struggle some friends agreeing, disagreeing, some plans being firm and all of a sudden just go down the drain as some got other plans. People saying "not sure Sid... What if we don't get to see turtles?" ...Some saying "it's so far.... 5 hours drive are you crazy:0"..."it's so expensive" and all sorts of excuses I was getting bored but had to have atleast of friend ready to explore Velas with me. After a few days some of my 4 of my office colleagues went to Velas and looking at the photos on Facebook I said to myself that it's okay if we don't get to see turtles making their way towards the sea, the place itself is so beautiful that it's worth the visit. Read a
Random blog on the internet and thanks to that blog I found the cheapest mode of transport to Velas and that how unexpectedly my not so picnicky friend for years whom I never expected said yes to the trip. It was like the YES that I wanted to hear (Lol :) pun intended). So for the first time a long journey with just one rare buddy.....
The route that we used to reach Velas was MSRTC bus from Dadar East. There are 2 buses one is at midnight 12.30 and the other is at afternoon 12.30 (The is called Mumbai Central to Velas). Don't panic if you think you missed it there are buses till Mandangad also, from there you can find a different bus or tum-tum rickshaw to Velas. There are various Jetty available also and people are helpful if you wanna know places ;). The bus came around 12.45am at Dadar East and got our online tickets checked (always carry a photo ID proof) and there was a sigh of relief
Turtle hatchery
(however the bus was not comfy at all but when you have the excitement then nothing beats it).
Velas beach
By morning 6.30 we reached Velas and the village is very pleasing in the morning. Velas is situated in the Mandangad taluka of Ratnagiri district. There is an old Lord Shiva temple in the village which has its ancient few relics besides the temple. Turtle festival in Velas is approximately from November to first week of April. And the timing for watching turtles start at 6.30 am then directly at 5.30pm, they say turtle don't hatch out in harsh sunlight so it's only in early morning and during sunset or sometimes even after sunset. We honestly had less expectations about seeing turtles but that okay as the beach is one of its kind with soft dark brown sand, ecalyptus trees and cleanliness. Swimming is prohibited and there is a bay-watcher always to keep check on people. So we did spend a couple of hours here and then decided to have our breakfast.Here is my Youtube video of Velas Beach:
View from Bankot fort
Bankot fort (Himmatgad)
Although Velas is a tourist attraction there are no hotels or fancy accommodations here. For food and stay people provide their houses at a cost. As we didn't have any food since the banana chips in the bus ride we were hungry as EF! So decided to have 'Sabudana Khichdi' in one of the houses. Please keep a check on the rates of food and discuss with other tourist who had food there where you are gonna eat. So me and my friend decided to have our Lunch in Harihareshwar but before that we had to see the Bankot fort (also known as Himmatgad). Bankot is 2-3 kms away from Velas and tum-tum rickshaw or ST bus will provide service till Bankot village. Vehicles reach near the fort but only private vehicles or rickshaws can take you there. There is also a trek route available or else walk towards the fort (we preferred to walk while our return from the fort and the nature is amazing to be with). The fort is in ruins but well kept. Also the scenic view from the fort is fabulous.Here's my video of Bankot fort :
Bankot jetty
So after spending a good couple of hours at the fort enjoying cool breeze which was relaxing we decided to move on to our next destination Harihareshwar (actually it was so soothing that we didn't want to get off our b**** but plans man plans). So walking slowly down the lush green paths of Bankot we made our way till Bankot jetty or ferry. Ferry boats are available till evening 6.00. We bought our tickets and had a joyful ferry ride till Bagmandla. The ferry also carries vehicles for a different cost. From Bagmandla you can hire a tum-tum Rickshaw to reach various places like Harihareshwar or Shrivardhan at a very reasonable cost. Nearby beaches are Harihareshwar, Shrivardhan, Aarvi, Diveagar.
Harihareshwar Pradakshina Marg
By the time we reached Harihareshwar it was 1.30 pm and we had lots of time to explore the tourist places in Harihareshwar. So we decided to go have our lunch and seriously Harihareshwar has a lot of facilities in terms of stay and food so yes Harihareshwar thumbs up! After having our lunch we went to the famous Harihareshwar temple. the ancient temple is located near the Harihareshwar beach. It's a tradition that you first pay your visit to Lord Kalbhairav then to Lord Harihareshwar (Lord Shiva). Harihareshwar is also known as God's land. So Behind the temple there is a staircase leading upwards towards the mountain it is called 'Pradakshina Marg' and what you see it and astounding art of nature. Two mountains or presizely two huge rocks and a staircase leading down between them towards the sea. And there are natural carvings created in the rock along with some reefs and natural caves. The place is a perfect natural museum of what water can do to a rock after being gushed on for years. Please be careful on this beautiful place though. The area is only accessible during low tide and the place is quiet slippery at some place and tidal changes are irregular.And the video is here :
Harihareshwar beach
Lastly we went to see the awesome Harihareshwar beach which is very silent and has less crowded. Walk by the beach taking the sea breeze. We had our tea time and started our return journey from Shrivardhan where we boarded on our Mumbai return ST bus and this time the bus was quite comfy :)
By morning 6.30 we reached Velas and the village is very pleasing in the morning. Velas is situated in the Mandangad taluka of Ratnagiri district. There is an old Lord Shiva temple in the village which has its ancient few relics besides the temple. Turtle festival in Velas is approximately from November to first week of April. And the timing for watching turtles start at 6.30 am then directly at 5.30pm, they say turtle don't hatch out in harsh sunlight so it's only in early morning and during sunset or sometimes even after sunset. We honestly had less expectations about seeing turtles but that okay as the beach is one of its kind with soft dark brown sand, ecalyptus trees and cleanliness. Swimming is prohibited and there is a bay-watcher always to keep check on people. So we did spend a couple of hours here and then decided to have our breakfast.Here is my Youtube video of Velas Beach:
Although Velas is a tourist attraction there are no hotels or fancy accommodations here. For food and stay people provide their houses at a cost. As we didn't have any food since the banana chips in the bus ride we were hungry as EF! So decided to have 'Sabudana Khichdi' in one of the houses. Please keep a check on the rates of food and discuss with other tourist who had food there where you are gonna eat. So me and my friend decided to have our Lunch in Harihareshwar but before that we had to see the Bankot fort (also known as Himmatgad). Bankot is 2-3 kms away from Velas and tum-tum rickshaw or ST bus will provide service till Bankot village. Vehicles reach near the fort but only private vehicles or rickshaws can take you there. There is also a trek route available or else walk towards the fort (we preferred to walk while our return from the fort and the nature is amazing to be with). The fort is in ruins but well kept. Also the scenic view from the fort is fabulous.Here's my video of Bankot fort :
So after spending a good couple of hours at the fort enjoying cool breeze which was relaxing we decided to move on to our next destination Harihareshwar (actually it was so soothing that we didn't want to get off our b**** but plans man plans). So walking slowly down the lush green paths of Bankot we made our way till Bankot jetty or ferry. Ferry boats are available till evening 6.00. We bought our tickets and had a joyful ferry ride till Bagmandla. The ferry also carries vehicles for a different cost. From Bagmandla you can hire a tum-tum Rickshaw to reach various places like Harihareshwar or Shrivardhan at a very reasonable cost. Nearby beaches are Harihareshwar, Shrivardhan, Aarvi, Diveagar. 
By the time we reached Harihareshwar it was 1.30 pm and we had lots of time to explore the tourist places in Harihareshwar. So we decided to go have our lunch and seriously Harihareshwar has a lot of facilities in terms of stay and food so yes Harihareshwar thumbs up! After having our lunch we went to the famous Harihareshwar temple. the ancient temple is located near the Harihareshwar beach. It's a tradition that you first pay your visit to Lord Kalbhairav then to Lord Harihareshwar (Lord Shiva). Harihareshwar is also known as God's land. So Behind the temple there is a staircase leading upwards towards the mountain it is called 'Pradakshina Marg' and what you see it and astounding art of nature. Two mountains or presizely two huge rocks and a staircase leading down between them towards the sea. And there are natural carvings created in the rock along with some reefs and natural caves. The place is a perfect natural museum of what water can do to a rock after being gushed on for years. Please be careful on this beautiful place though. The area is only accessible during low tide and the place is quiet slippery at some place and tidal changes are irregular.And the video is here :
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