Murud-Janjira Beach & Fort

Hello friends, I am back after a short vacation in Mumbai where we had to attend a close relatives wedding. While there, we took this opportunity to meet our old friends and relatives too. We also thought it would be a good idea to spend some quality time with my brother's and cousin's family away from the hustle and bustle of the city life. After a lot of discussions, we unanimously chose Murud-Janjira for our family get-together.

Murud-Janjira is the local name for the fort which is situated on the island off the coastal village of Murud, in the Raigad district of Maharashtra. It is a fishing village and is about 150 kms drive from Mumbai. Once we reach Murud town, we need to take a sail boat from Rajapuri jetty to reach the island fort. The fort is spread across 22 acres and has many cannons. One of the cannons weigh about 12 tons and the unique feature of these cannons is that they do not get heated even though they are exposed to the sunlight throughout the day. We were quite baked in the hot sun (temp around 35 degrees centigrade) but these cannons were very cold to the touch inspite of the heat !

The entrance to the fort is not visible from outside unless and until you are very close it. It also has a few secret escape routes.

We drove from Mumbai to the resort and we stayed at Golden Swan Beach Resort at Murud-Janjira. It is a nice place with cottages and is situated right on the beach itself. The sunset view is quite breathtaking. The beach is very clean and quite picturesque. At the other end of the beach, water sports are conducted. We took the horse-driven carriage along the beach and back as we had to rush back to the sunset point.

The next morning, after a sumptuous breakfast, we headed for the fort. Following are some of the pictures of the beach, fort and the resort.

This is the sight that greeted us as soon as we entered the beach from the resort

A Close-up of the sea-gulls that were there in hundreds

View of the Fort from the beach

Spectacular view of the sunset taken from the Idgah (sunset point)

View of the Fort from the road

Yet another view of the Fort from the road

View of the fort from the jetty

The Big Cannon weighing about 12 tons as was told to us by our guide

The inside of the fort

The Inside of the Fort

One of the escape routes

We were told that once upon a time this was sweet water pond. But now, it has turned green with slime and algae          

The sculpture at the entrance of the wall of the fort

Golden Swan Beach Resort - where we stayed

Couldn't help clicking these beauties where they were happily swimming and waddling around the premises     

We all had a wonderful time together and wished we had one more day to laze around and enjoy some water sports. Maybe next time....

To know more about the history of the ancient Murud-Janjira Fort, see the following links:

• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Murud-Janjira
• http://www.maharashtratourism.gov.in/MTDC/HTML/MaharashtraTourism/TouristDelight/Forts/Forts.aspx?strpage=Murud_JanjiraForts.html

Turmeric / Haldi

Indians are familiar with the word Turmeric or Haldi (as it is known in India) as this is used in their daily cooking in the powder form. It also has a lot of medicinal properties and cosmetic uses too.  It is believed that the regular use of the paste made from the turmeric powder, gram flour and  milk cream with a dash of lime on one's skin especially the face makes it very smooth and glowing. 

The leaves of this plant are very aromatic. Most people are not aware that the leaves of the turmeric plants are used in the preparation of sweet dish. However, people from the southern region of India especially in villages, are quite familiar with this plant as these are grown in their backyards in almost every homes. In cities however, they can be easily grown in pots.

This turmeric plant is growing in my balcony

A year ago I was given this haldi plant by one of my relatives. I found that this plant grows easily and does not require much care. During the rainy season, it flourishes. But since my garden is limited to my balcony, I have to be satisfied with whatever quantity of leaves it puts forth from the limited space available in the pot to prepare the sweet dish!

Dried Turmeric Roots

The tender turmeric roots (looks like a ginger root and can be easily mistaken for one) are available in the market and these can be used to grow your own turmeric plant. It is also used in the preparation of pickle. The dried roots can be ground into powder form and used in cooking. The common home remedy for congested nasal passage (blocked nose due to cold) is to burn the dried root at one end and to inhale its smoke through the congested nostril  The blocked nose is cleared immediately. I have tried it myself and can vouch for it.

As this plant is now growing happily in my balcony, I decided to find out more about this aromatic plant and share with you regarding its uses and also on how to grow them.

Another variety of turmeric known as “Ambe Haldi” (in Konkani meaning mango turmeric) is also available and this variety as the name suggests, has the aroma of a mango and is yellowish orange in colour.

This humble ingredient has various benefits. You may find the following links useful.

Source :

http://www.gardenguides.com/101107-grow-turmeric.html

http://ezinearticles.com/?Growing-Turmeric-Plant-for-Home-Use&id=5281248

http://www.turmeric.co.in/turmeric_ayurvedic_use.htm

Watch out for my next post on the sweet dish prepared from this aromatic leaf.

Safari - Part II – Nagarhole

Nagarhole is about 11/2 hours drive from Kabini. It is also a wild life Sanctuary. Here, it is said that the sighting of elephants is guaranteed. We were really lucky enough to sight five elephants (three on one side of the road and two on the other) late in the day. But our luck seem to have disappeared suddenly. Cause, at that precise moment, my camera displayed “Battery empty”. And as though this was not enough, my husband’s camera was displaying “use the flash” and he dare not use “the flash” as the elephants were pretty close (to our jeep) for comfort and the sudden use of flash may annoy them and they could come charging.

My husband somehow managed to click a Tusker (who was camera shy) a little earlier in the day.

I however, had to be satisfied with the pictures of flora on the following day after the batteries were recharged. Fortunately the place where we stayed (King’s Sanctuary) was fantastic with a lot of greenery and exotic plants and flowers. I am sharing these with you.

The sight that greeted us when we entered the gates of King's Sanctuary

   Tusker - picture borrowed from my husband

Crested Serpent Eagle - Picture borrowed from my husband

 Bird of Paradise

Heliconia (Lobster Claw)

Safari - Part I - Kabini

Hi ! Friends – Last month (May 2011) was quite busy in the sense that a lot of family functions were lined up and as you all know during these times, relatives meet after a long gap and naturally after the event is over generally we tend to spend whatever time left to get together and make the most of it.

So, this time too, we (me & my hubby) along with my cousin’s family planned a short trip to Kabini, Nagarhole and Coorg.

We just returned from this wonderful vacation and came back rejuvenated. We have always loved the nature and wild life. The greenery is amazing and the natural beauty of these places is something to cherish especially after a few showers.

In this post I would like to share the wild life that we spotted during our safaris (jeep as well as boat) in Kabini. We spotted so many birds that it is difficult to upload all the pictures.

We were greeted by this heavenly sight at the Kabini Jungle Lodges and Resorts.

 

Mom & Baby  - I borrowed this picture from my husband 

Spot Billed Duck

Night Heron - Isn't he cute?

Grey Heron - Picture borrowed from my husband

Apart from these animals and birds, we also saw sloth bear (unfortunately no picture), Gaur (Indian Bison), wild boar, Ibis (both black as well as white), egrets (little  as well as great egret), Osprey (Migratory bird from Scotland), peacock, cormorants, kingfisher, painted stork, open billed stork etc.

 Watch out for the Part II of Safari at Nagarhole