A Flashback To Valawal : Aug 2002

Pictures from Google 

My family was invited for a Vishnu Yaag by a very spiritual soul and seeker Prakash Desai, who is lovingly called Prakash Maharaj by people who know him. His grandfather had performed a Vishnu Yaag and so he wanted to do it at his native Valaval / Walawal. This was sometime in the month of Aug, 2002. This was the ideal time to visit the little village in the Konkan belt of Maharashtra.

We travelled from Mumbai to Kudal by the Konkan Kanya. My first trip on the Kokan railway route. As we stepped out of the Kudal railway station our expectations of a wonderful experience were set high. We hired a Mahindra jeep to take us to Valaval. Through winding dense greenery dominated by rainforest the jeep hurtled into the temple compound and stoped with a screech in front of the Deepshikha of the Dev Narayan

 Dev Narayan Temple

It was a typical coastal architechture with Mangalore tiles. A huge mandap as one enters it with built-in seating along the walls. One step up is the podium to perform pooja and inner most is the garbh gruh or sanct sanctorium.

The idol is made from sand is what legend says. The peculiar thing about this idol is that Laxmi is a small idol at the feet of the large Vishnu idol. Which is unsual as Laxmi is always seen as an equal partner of the lord but not here!

From the rear side there is a side door from where one can walk down a few steps towards the beautiful lake. One can barely see the other shore. During our stay at the temple we almost every single day sat on the edge of the lake enjoying bhajke ChaNe (roasted bengal gram) and NaraLi Pak. It was the season of breeding for birds and we saw lots of Hornbills, woodpeckers, kingfishers and pelicans. Spectacular colorful birds and treat for the eyes. I have rarely seen so many different birds on a tree before. We did not need to do any stunts to get a view.

On one of the day's we visited a nearby hill home to the Mauli Devi. It was a shocking site to see a huge well filled with wood offerings. Some in the form of toys, books and some errie ones shaped as organs. People in this region believe that Mauli can grant any wish, she can heal any disease and solve any problems. The common man exploits this belief and interpret as wanted. Some come here to offer wood offerings and wish to harm another person. It gives deep insights in the psyche of the people of this region and how deeply they are involved in the occult sciences.

The hill is covered with rainforest and makes for a good trekking trail. we walked around a bit and then returned to the temple.

We visited a the Datta Mandir built by Tembe Swami in Mangaon. My father was discussing something really deep with the priest but I don't recollect much. The temple spells a strong Kokanasth Brahminical way of life even today.

The Vishnu Yaag was attended by people from the neighboring areas in large nos. In the late evening we went to bed listening to the bhajans being sung in the temple by the village folks. It was an amazing cultural and rural experience in Walawal and I always recollect it with warm memories.

Valaval google map

Day # 10 : 22nd Dec 2003

We boarded the train at Trivandrum. The train chucked out at 10 am but on the way we were late by 3 hrs on our return journey to Mumbai. We decided to get off at Panvel. It was 23rd Dec, 6.30 pm.


It was an awesome vacation that was going to be part of many memories...

Day # 1 : 13th Dec 2003

At 8.30 am I was all set to leave and go to Kurla Terminus. Hrushi came to see me and Dad off to Kerala. At the terminus it was easy to locate our coach as it was a chartered one and was marked with chalk the letters KTDC.

It was a three tier a/c coach. The train departed at 11.40 am. Vijaykumar the Intersight rep was accompanying us upto Cochin. We were handed out mineral water bottle immediately and around 12.30 pm lunch consisting of vegetable pulao and curds was served.

The train took the Konkan railway route. In the coach there were a total of 30 people. Where as the capacity was of 64 berths so we were comfortably spaced out. In one section were just three people Dad, me and Mr. Lalwani. The interesting thing was that most people were NRI families, Patels from UK, Anjali Pradhan from Canada, Bhavikshya Parmar from US, Mr & Mrs. Natalwala & the Petiwalas and one more couple from Canada. Mr. Nunes, wife and daughter Stefanie from Germany. Yes there was a honeymoon couple too Julianne and Sohail Pierera from Ghatkopar. Mr. Arif and his wife was from Vashi.

The journey upto Cochin was uneventful. I started reading "A beautiful mind" on the train.

Day 9: 23rd March 2008

We reached kolkata at 9.00 am meanwhile we had tea and chivda which we we carrying with us. We did not want to have breakfast sold on the train but later when we still were hungry bought bread butter and cutlets. It was lukewarm and edible is all I can say. A second round of of tea was much needed and it put us into a good mood. Dad noticed the train had changed directions to enter the state of Orissa.

As we neared Bhubhaneshwar the overhead wires which power the train broke down and we were stranded there for 3 hrs. By the time we resumed our journey Dad was annoyed with me and taunted at me for choosing to travel by train, "Here is the experience you so much wanted!" he said. As I write this, we are awaiting dinner and plan to sleep early. Hope the train is able to make up for at least the few hours lost.

Mishti Doi for you :)

Day 3: 17th March 2008

It is Dad's birthday today. We woke up at 4.00 am, had bath and wished him. As he completes 66 years, I told him this tour was for him combined with my club 5 holidays. He was happy about it.

We had tea and asked Nityanand to pack breakfast of bread, butter and jam to eat on the train. It chugged out of the station exactly at 6.45 am. We were on our way to New Jalpaiguri by the Kanchanganga Express. Rather it should be spelt as Kanchanzonga as the locals say. As we left Kolkata we passed through lush green paddy fields with mud huts scattered in between. I stood at the door to take in the fresh air and enjoy the soothing of the vast expanse.

After 3 hrs the train halted at Shantiniketan, a family travelling with us recommended that next time we are in Kolkata we must go there for an overnight stay. Yes I decided for my love of Rabindranath Tagore.

Around 12.00 noon the train crossed borders and we were in Bihar, my cell switched service provider. The journey through Bihar lasted about 4-5 hrs, through fertile plains and the famous mango orchards of Malda. At Malda the engine was changed to a diesel one.


We were running late by 2.0 hrs and have entered West Bengal again and there are atleast 7-8 sms telling me what to do to have an interrupted service on the cell.

We finally reached NJP at 7.30 pm. It was dark yet the station was a busy one. There were 2 representatives from Heat Flexi Holidays. They led us to the car and surprised us by putting the Khada around our necks! That was sure a warm welcome.


On the way to Siliguri we passed through small markets, where vendors sold there wares in oil lamp light. It was a sultry weather and I was actually craving for the cool weather had we were soon to enjoy.

Hotel Apollo reception was alright but the room was crowded and there was no view, the bathroom was not welcoming at all. I started worrying about would this continue in the upcoming days. The hotel service was pathetic. The room had psyched me much and I did not expect good food so ordered for a standard Thali of Kofta curry, Moong dal fry, Mixed veggies and the paraphernalia.