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A forgotten world(Gulf News Via Thomson Dialog NewsEdge)If Goa is a tourist paradise with its beautiful beaches, historic churches and sumptuous seafood, its rarely visited neighbour, the Sindhudurg district in Maharashtra, equals or even surpasses it by comparison. Formidable Sindhudurg is virgin territory - not just in terms of its 121 km of shimmering white beaches, lakes, rivers, wildlife, forests and hills. It is as steeped in history as Goa - but of the kind Indian schoolchildren learn in history books. The fort here is the most formidable sea coast construction of the 17th century by the Maratha king Chhatrapati Shivaji who bravely fought the Mughal invasion just as later Maratha rulers resisted the British. The site of this island fortress off the Malwan coast, a small town long famed for its beaches and cuisine, was personally selected by Shivaji as the headquarters of the Maratha navy. The 48-acre fort with two miles of ramparts, observation towers and 52 imposing semi-circular bastions, is reached through a narrow channel safe for navigation, although a boat ride can be adventurous in rough waters. Constructed in 1664 with the assistance of 100 Portuguese experts in a record time of two years, the fort was one of Shivaji's major accomplishments. Lying amidst the ruins of this fort are the warrior king's hand and footprints under two little domes. Heritage site A totally different scenario emerges in the east where the land gives way to hills, rivers, fields and of course miles and miles of mango orchards, especially the Alphonso variety. The most notable of this district's towns is the heritage site of Sawantwadi, an hour's drive from Goa. Bursting with attractions, the best bet is the Sawantwadi Palace built by King Khem Sawant Bhonsale III (1755-1803), where a former queen still lives and is deeply involved in preserving the ancient art of making round-shaped Ganjifa playing cards. Overlooking a lake The palace faces Moti Talav or a lake with a pearl-like sheet of water surrounded by wooded hillocks on one side and the bustling town on the other. Sawantwadi is also famous for colourful painted wooden toys. Nearby is the five-acre Shilpagram where local art and culture is showcased for visitors. Traditional folk dancers take the stage in the evening as tourists, especially those travelling on the luxurious Deccan Odyssey train, sit in an amphitheatre. After the show, the tourists sample the typical Konkani delicacies prepared before them. |