Cool Nice Beach Resort With Great Folks. Review on Harihareshwar Beach, Raigad

HARIHARESWAR RIDE

Link to pictures on the comments page.

OJAS POSTS THE RIDE

I read a post of a bike ride to Harihareswar just a few days ago on BikeNomads, posted by Ojas Gokhale. Ojas is a die hard rider and indulges in adventure sports and treks all over India. He had invited riders from Pune to join his friends from Mumbai for this ride. I responded positively.

The Ride

My usual route, Pune-Mulshi-Tamhani Ghat- NH 17 at Mangaon. I started 6 am, reached Mangaon 10.00 hrs, some 120 kms from Pune. A dream road for a dream ride.

Here at Mangaon, I linked up with guys from Mumbai (9 bikers) and a lady Pooja Sathe. Pooja is a professional DOG TRAINER! She took us on the outbacks of Mangaon, where I got a pic of am an amazing Siamese cat.

Mangaon to Harihareshwar

This stretch is some 40 kms. The road is bumpy, but no cribs. These Mumbai riders were brothers in arms, totally wild, many first timers. No bungee cords, one guy kept stopping to straighten his bag so many times. No ride discipline, no lead, no back no headlights nothing! Each to his own. I loved this wild crowd! 2 Avengers, many 150 Pulsars, some Bajaj Kawasaki Calibers, one great red Thunderbird.

A guy took a wrong turn, some 10 kms out and no one missed him! He rushed back eons later, panting for life. As I said, each to his own.

Me being the slowest rider, I had my headlights on. At a tea break, they asked me, “Why you keep headlights? It’s day time.” I said because I learned it this way from a BikeNomader. “What Nomader?”, they ask, I say “BikeNomaders, they ride by day headlights on, at night no headlights.” They were shocked! Actually I do not know what Nomaders do at night. Maybe sleep. That way the headlight stays off.

We made it to the MTDC resort at 2:30 pm. Booked 2 rooms for 10 persons, at some herapheri discounted rates.

THE MTDC RESORT

First class. Excellent facilities, service and we were gorging into “Maasali Taat”, ie Fish lunch thali. Just Rs 95/- bucks. Kudos MTDC, you do us proud. Excellent food, cool prices. No 4 star nakhras at MTDC catering, here. Hot rotis and daal fry kept coming,. Just nice home made food.

THE BEACH

We slept the afternoon, after gorging on food. But hey, at lunchtime, there were introductions, where each one had to give a short speech about him/herself. I figured, I was the only outsider, but here there were many who did not know each other. That was a great way to start a friendship. After a siesta, we went to the beach. The view of the sea is simply awesome from the MTDC resort.

The beach is lovely, cool waters, nice swim. The seaside is shaped like a bay. Safe to swim. Water sports enthus can take a scooter ride and lots more.

Harihareshwar is a uncrowded place, like a private resort. If you like tents, they are quite economical and fine by me. Our rooms were splendid. Beautifully built cottages.

THE TEMPLE

Swim done, sing song, photos, thirlla million dollar smiles, and we were done for the night. Dinner was a veg affair, coz all loved the veg fare.

Next morning we went to the Temple. I was in for a surprise.

An ancient underground gufa houses the holy spirit. You have to go down a small entrance to get there and say your prayers..

The killer application here is the PRADAKSHINA of the temple. The temple management has built a walk around the temple, which goes up and down a hill and circumvents the temple. I got a magnificent view of the sea during this climb up and down a deep gorge. The Grampanchayta of Harihareswar has got this absolutely right.

THE RIDE HOME

Just the reverse swing, solo ride. No great shakes.

Total milage logged 404 kms up down, from Pune to Harihareswar.

Do this ride you will love it.

Nandu Chitnis