Nisarga Bhraman has arranged a family tour to the Velas Beach on 29th and 30th March 2014 to attend the Turtle Fest 2014 organised by Sahyadri Nisarga Mitra, Chiplun. The tour also includes visit to the Bankot Fort, Velas Beach and Harihareshwar Temple. The place is also a good spot for bird photography.
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| Photo By: Hemant Naik |
About the Place:
Velas: Velas is a birthplace of Shri Nana Phadanvis, one of the great prominant personality in Maratha History. The village is situated near the Bankot Bay. Shri Bhairi Rameshwar Temple, Shri Mahalakshmi Temple and a residence of Shri Nana Phadanvis are places to see in the village. The Velas beach is one of the popular breeding site of Olive Ridley Turtles which is an endangered species of marine turtles. Nests are preserved and protected and then hatchlings are released in the sea. The work is carried out by the trust - Sahyadri Nisarga Mitra, Chipalun.
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| Photo By: Sameer Patel |
Bankot Fort: Situated on the bank of Veshvi - Bagmandala Creek, this was the first residency of the British Raj in Southern Konkan. The fort of Himmatgad, now popularly known as Bankot from the name of nearby village. The main entrance of the fort is north-facing with a well sculpted arch and carvings. Watch guards dug out (Devdya) align on both sides of the Mahadarwaja with some pits being dug out in the right Devdi. On the left, there are steps leading towards Nagarkhana while there is an underground storey and a tunnel on the right. A Maruti idol in the centre stands deserted now. On the west, there is a small entrance (Darwaja) leading to a Bastion on the exterior of the fortifications. A deep well (now dry and filled) occupied the centre of this bastion earlier and the adjacent water tanks too are dry and obsolete now. One can leave the Buruj via a small exit that leads to the surrounding moat and a beautiful “Revni” lying nearby.
We invite you all enthusists to attend the festival and contribute towards the preservation of the olive ridley turtles.