A monsoon road trip is one of the most romantic things to do. If you live on the Konkan coast as I do, then it has to be on your list to do every monsoon. Last year, during the Monsoons, we explored the Amboli Ghat and Sawantwadi.
This year we thought of extending our drive to Ganpatipule and exploring the Ratnagiri region of Maharashtra.
Konkan Coast Road Trip during Monsoons
On a Sunday Morning, we started driving from our home in Panaji. It was a perfect setting. The rain was pouring. Kishore Kumar was singing the perfect road trip songs. It almost felt that music composers knew the rhythm of rainfall would take the magic of these songs to another level.
With low visibility, everything in view was hazy on this monsoon road trip. The rivulets across the road trip were full of water, flowing with an impatience to meet the sea that is not too far. We stopped by a few of them to see the small dams on them, to see the trees bent down to kiss the waters, to see the river making its way through whatever came in its way. Rows of coconut trees stood getting soaked in the rain like young boys being given a bath by their mothers. We passed by small villages and towns, some familiar, some not, on the road trip. There were hardly any people on the road, for only the crazy would be out in such incessant rains.
We knew there would be many waterfalls hidden in the foliage of the Western Ghats on the way during our road trip. Our eyes were searching for them and what a treat we got!
Savdav Dabdaba or Waterfall on Konkan Coast
A road sign about 60 km from Sawantwadi indicated that there is a waterfall. A few km down the road another board guided us to the 6 km detour for the Savdav waterfall. We started driving on the road leading to the waterfall. No other boards followed and we kept driving on the single-lane but the beautiful road in the hope that the waterfall will make an appearance soon. After a while, we saw some travelers coming back all drenched and we knew we are not too far from the Savdav waterfalls.
At first sight, it looked like a small waterfall but what made it look beautiful was the sheer green surroundings. It seemed to be emerging from the treetops and then getting lost in them again. We took some steps down to reach its base and it is then that the waterfall appeared in all its majestic form. It is a lovely waterfall, part of a river cascading down some 50 feet in one go.
Then, it takes small cascades negotiating the rocks below before it again flows like a calm, well-behaved river. Families and groups of friends played with the water. They jumped into the river for a swim. Most importantly, they posed for perfect selfies.
We spent some time admiring the waterfall – standing in the mist-like spray the water created as it hit the rock below. I also enjoyed the fun everyone was having there. It was like standing at the waterfall of happiness.
Top View of Savdav Waterfall
We came back to the road and that is when I noticed a tower that looked like a water tank. Following my gut I climbed the slippery tower, I had a hunch that I would get a top view of the waterfall. My efforts were well rewarded. The top view of the waterfalls is something that I would remember forever. It was a bright green cover to the horizon before my eyes. Right in the middle this milky white waterfall flows and I could hear its roar right up on the tower.
As my eyes and camera focus, we could see the small stream that took the shape of the waterfall when the gradient on earth decided to make a sudden change. It was a blissful sight to watch. All I could see was the grey of the sky, the green of the earth, and a milky white waterfall.
Street food
We had been driving for a few hours now with frequent stops and it was time for a food stop. What is better than freshly fried Onion bhajis and Aaloo vada’s when it is water all around? We savored them with a piping hot cup of tea. Who would not agree that Chai, Pakora, and rains are a lethal combination? And this combo is tastiest on a roadside stall where the pakoras come straight out of the pan to your plate.
Savdav Waterfalls Video, Kankavali, Sindhudurg
Watch the video of the waterfalls, and listen to the roaring sound it creates.
We again started driving towards our destination of the day – Ganpatipule.
Barring the gray of the road and the melancholic gray of the sky, it was all green all around us. The paddy fields had their own shade of green that competed with the green of coconut trees. The Stones and pavements decided not to be left behind – they also covered themselves in fresh green moss.
Rajapur Ganga Waterfalls on Konkan Coast
Another signboard vaguely mentioned Rajpur Ganga. We had no idea what it meant, but since it was a brown signboard we kept our eyes open. Suddenly we saw a huge waterfall pass by. We stopped, reversed, and parked our car next to the bikes strategically parked in front of the waterfall.
This was Rajpur Ganga – a twin-step waterfall quietly flowing right by the side of the road. If you are not vigilant enough, you are bound to miss the beauty.
I loved the way some bikers parked their bikes on the road before they lost themselves in the serene waterfall.
Rajapur Ganga Waterfalls Video, Ratnagiri
Watch the video of Rajapur Ganga Waterfalls by the side of NH 66.
It was already evening and we resisted the temptation to stop at smaller waterfalls that had started appearing on the road.
Ganpatipule
Just before dusk, we managed to reach our resort (Blue Ocean Resort & Spa) in Malgund, 4 km from Ganpatipule. We were welcomed here by anyone else but Ganapati. Before the sun said goodbye we just managed to visit the beach opposite the resort. We then hiked a bit to the temple on a hillock within the resort. The vast sea surrounded by a strip of green was enchanting, to say the least. The drum beats of the Ganapati temple accentuated the environment.
After spending some time at the hilltop, we were ready to retire to recharge our batteries. There was so much more to explore in this part of the coast in the next three days.
A monsoon road trip in this region is a highly recommended driving holiday.
Recommend you to read the following travel blog on Places to visit in Maharashtra.
Banganga Tank – the Ancient heritage of Mumbai city
Lohgad Fort, Lonavala & Karla Caves
Thoseghar Falls – Waterfalls of Satara, a Weekend getaway from Pune
Kaas Plateau – A Valley of Flowers
Scuba Diving in Malvan – Adventure Travel
Ellora Caves – Kailash Temple & Cave
Guarding the Konkan Coast – Sindhudurg Fort
Konkan is an absolute delight in the rains. Glad to know about these waterfalls, Anuradha.
Can not agree more with you Niranjan…For us too these waterfalls were a discovery. Stay tuned for more of them.
Excellent expressed with simple words..I’m now a regular follower of your blog…Thanks for sharing your experience..Just move on…Best wishes…
Thanks Amitava. Please do keep sharing your thoughts so that I know you are reading.
I don’t have the words to appreciate the pristine beauty of the Konkan coast that you have captured in words and videos. I don’t remember if you have written about Revdanda (my birth place) which has 8km long sea shore and a Portuguese fort and Chaul (an ancient port trading with Rome) with numerous temples. Please visit and do write about them if you have not already done so. One quibble ‘dabdaba’ should be ‘dhabdhaba.’
Thanks Srinivas for your kind words. I was not aware of Revdanda but I will search for it and put it on my wish list. Can you share more information about its location and the temple names?
Lovely. Though I can’t understand why every waterfall makes people want to take a public shower.
Thanks. I guess basic instinct from the days when humans used to take bath in naturally flowing water only 🙂
Now I know what you mean by “the greens of Konkan coast” 😀
Ami, no camera can capture what the eyes saw – the colors of fresh green.
Your skill to narrate something is really nice. Konkan is awesome in Monsoon.
Thank you so much Tejas. Stay connected.
it’s awesome…. Excellent expressed with simple words.. Lovely!!
Thank you Amit. Glad that you enjoyed reading the post on Konkan Coast.
Awesome post! Beautiful waterfalls and stunning lush greenery. Thank you for providing such a great information.
Glad that you enjoyed the post Kalyan.
Nice post, Konkan is the best 🙂
Thank you Devashish. Yes, Konkan is beautiful.
Amazing pictures. Looking at these pictures gives one peace and joy.
Glad you enjoyed the post on monsoon road trip in Konkan.
Nice nature near.to. us. but. we are unknown about. Thanks. For information. Dr. S. P. Khairnar. Nashik
There is nothing like Konkan in the rainy season, absolutely magnificent!