Dive Agar 16 May 2006

We started early from Pune around 7:30 am in the morning. We started towards the Tamhini ghat skirting Mulashi Dam from the left, stopped at GreenGate resort for breakfat. The khichadi there was delicious.

Tamhini Ghat – The climb towards the ghat boasts of number of waterfalls. It is a favorite monsoon haunt.  This area was covered by thick forest not 5 -6 years back. You could almost believe a leopard walking down the road. But unfortunately the forest cover is receding rapidly.

Tamhini ghat has a very deep and narrow ridge. It always reminds me of the ridges shown in star wars pod stunts. From  the top of Tamhini you can see the kokan stretched in front of you and ranges after mountain ranges of Sahyadri.

While climbing down the Tamhini ghat and going towards Mangao, you can see Raigad towards your left. At Mangaon you reach Mumbai Panaji highway. Cross the highway and head towards Mhasala, to take a turn and reach Dive Agar.

After the initial fiasco of stinking rooms and too HOT food (Man was it HOT or What?) We scouted a two room Banglow very near to the Bapat Khanaval. The banglow was called “MadhuMalati” It had big front yard and stood in its own palm grove. It is called “Vadi” in Kokan. Coconut and Betalnut trees interspersed with jackfruit and other trees. Irrigated by the well and pump fitted on it for drawing water. The greenery were peeping from the windows curious about the newcomers.

And could Ranades be ever far from cats? This was one majestic black cat …

We headed for the beach in the evening. The beach is sprawling and nearly deserted. Not many people around. We wrestled with the waves for sometime. The sea was a bit choppy I think due to the Monsoon winds starting. Just lying their at the border of the sea and and sand was very relaxing. You could feel the stress and fatigue being blown away with the sea breeze.

This evening we had a sumptuous “Kokansth” meal at Bapat’s Khanaval. “Kokanasth Bramhan” way of cooking is not to be confused with the Kokani food at Malvani restaurants. For one it is vegetarian and bland. The masala used is different too. “Ukadiche Modak” is a kokanasth delicacy made of sweet coconut stuffing in the steamed rice flour covering. Umm out of this world. The bachcha party was very happy with the food. Everybody stuffed on Modaks, Mirgunde and butter milk.

Addition 10th Jan 2009 -  There are lot of queries about contact numbers for Dive Agar.  So here they are :

A good place to stay at in Dive Agar - 

AnandYatri – Dive Agar contact number -  09323137055

Pune contact – 02024217953