Bhawna Carimanalam – VASANTI NIWAS

Sindhudurg Mahotsav

Sindhudurg Mahotsav is an annual event and attracts tourists from across the surrounding areas. This event gives an opportunity to local as well as artists from other states to showcase their talents. On this occasion, Malvan wears a festive look and the entire town is filled with activity. Musical concerts, traditional dances, theatrical adaptations of legends and exhibitions are a major attraction. Since the event lasts for a few days, you get an opportunity to enjoy a different cultural program every day.

The year 2015 was notable as the event was graced by renowned Sand Artist and Padma Shri winner Sudarshan Pattnaik. He created artistic marvels at the Chivala Beach. His art focuses on creating social awareness and at Chivala Beach his message to the locals and visitors was “Keep Our Sea Clean”

The Mahotsav gives you an opportunity to sample authentic Malvani cuisine, at one place. Malvani food, though a bit spicy, is known for its flavors and lip-smacking taste.

Cleanliness as a mission

Cleanliness of our surroundings and conserving sea life is Our Mission. We are actively involved with the local governing bodies to ensure that our beach, sea and surroundings are maintained for the future generations.

Cleanliness of the coastal belt of Sindhudurg district was implemented and brought under the coastal sanctuary campaign. This campaign was implemented by the local district administration in 12 coastal areas with the participation of the locals. This initiative has given the coastline a pristine look, which can rarely be found at other places.

Dubbed as a ‘Mini Paradise’, Malvan has set an example for its neighboring towns and cities by making itself the cleanest town. Every individual of Malvan believes in conserving and preserving the environment and are active participants in making it a better place for themselves and its visitors.

At Vasanti Nivas as you will also get to experience how we make the best use of the waste that is generated by us and the nature. From dried coconut shells, palm fronds to sea weeds everything is reused in an artistic and environment friendly way.

When you visit Chivala Beach, you will experience the pristine beauty of the clear sea and sand. The charm of this place will lure you here again and again.

Coral reefs in Malvan

Corals are found at various places in Maharashtra like Vengurla, Ratnagiri, and Colaba in Mumbai, but the corals in Malvan are abundant and hard, reef forming ones. It is unlike the softer ones which are found in other sites. This area has a repository of 11 coral species and is a major fish landing spot.

The state government launched first of its kind, artificial reef set-up at Malvan. This initiative was taken up to prevent further degradation of corals and also enhance the biological diversity off of Maharashtra coastline. Since the corals are fast disappearing in many parts, the transplantation has helped to restore it to a large extent.

The area of Sindhudurg Coastal and Marine Ecosystem (SCME) is rich in biodiversity. Other than the coral species you can also see around 73 types of mollusks, 367 species of marine flora and fauna, and sea turtles.

This is an excellent place for scuba diving even for non-swimmers. You will get to swim and take pictures with exotic fishes and dolphins and experience the abundant underwater beauty.

We will get you in touch with trained scuba instructors here, who will provide you with modern safety equipment and ensure that you have a safe and a thrilling experience.

Malvan

Malvan (Marathi: मालवण) (also written as Malwan), a small town in Sindhudurg District, is located at the southernmost district of Maharashtra. It is a culturally and historically important town in Sindhudurg District. Malvan taluka consists of villages like- Achra, Aangnechi wadi, Khalchi Devli, Pankhol, Jamdul, Juva, and Sarjekot. The historical Sindhudurg fort, which occupies a vast area, is a major tourist attraction. Fishing is a main occupation here and the staple diet of the people of this region is fish curry and rice. The people of Malvan are very hardworking and friendly, and ensure that they keep their small town neat, in spite of it being a tourist destination.

Malvan is known for its large variety of mangoes especially Alphonso and Cashew. It is also known for sweets such as Malvani Ladoos and Khaja (Made from gram flour and coated with jaggery).

An important cultural element of this area is Malvani Dashavtar, which is a drama-play based on mythological stories. There are many tourist places in Malvan. Locals and foreigners both throng to this place. Salt was produced in large quantities in the Malvan region which made the salt producers to use the term ‘Mahalavan’ to describe this region. “Maha” meaning great, and “lavan” meaning plantation (or salt).

By road

Malvan is around 514 km away from Mumbai, and around 140 kms from Ratnagiri. While traveling from Mumbai or Goa, take the NH-17 till Kasaal and then take you can State Transport bus or Rickshaw for approximately 35 kms ride to Malvan.

Frequent state transport commute between Kudal and Malvan making it easier to reach your destination.

For tourists coming from Pune, the best option is to take an M.S.R.T.C (Maharashtra State Transport) bus. The Bus Timing are: –

7:00 am (Express bus)
8:00 pm (Semi- luxury bus) daily from Pune.

(Note: MRSTC does not have a Vovlo bus from Pune to Malvan).

Another option is The Kadamba Transport Corporation buses which depart daily from Pune to Goa. Disembark at Kasal and take a bus to Malwan. The timings are:

Luxury (Non-AC) 6:30pm (Pune – Madgaon)
Volvo (AC) 7:30pm (Pune-Panaji).

There are plenty of buses heading to Goa from Pune via Kasal. In case of an unavailability of buses from Pune, you can reach Kolhapur by any MSRTC or KSRTC bus. Kolhapur is the mid-point for the buses heading towards Konkan, Goa. Buses arriving from Pune, Solapur, Sangli and Bijapur must go via Kolhapur for entering Konkan.

For tourists coming for the first time, please note that some buses from Pune and Kolhapur indice the same boards of Savantwadi or Panaji but travel through different routes.

(NOTE- Some enter into Konkan/Goa via Gadhinglaj – Ajara – Amboli route.

Avoid these buses for coming to Malvan.)

Take buses going either via Radhanagari – Phonda – Kankavali – Kasal or Gaganbawada -Talere – Kankavali – Kasal. Then take the bus to Malvan form Kasal.

By rail

The closest railway station is at Kudal / Kankawali and daily trains ply between Mumbai to Kudal. Frequent state transport commute between Kudal and Malvan making it easier to reach your destination.

By air

The closest Airport is at Dabolim in Goa.

Author: Bhawna Carimanalam