As February approaches I always look out for travel locations to go to since it is the perfect time for travel. Moderate climate and no rushes and to top it all my daughter?s vacation. This year I chose to go to a remote place instead of the regular film shooting locations like Ooty, Darjeeling, etc. which have actually lost their charms due to heavy commercialization.
I was recommended Dajipur ? a wild life sanctuary- by some people I know. It is located approximately 30 Kms. from Kankavali station on the Konkan railway line. Once off at Kankavali station it is an hours ride because of the Phonda ghats. At Dajipur is the Bison Jungle Resort ?an MTDC resort. Before I start off on the details, I would like to point out that only those interested in roughing it out and with an adventurous outlook towards life need to read further.
Those who like to roll up in the lap of luxury like mobiles, a/cs and television channels need read no further. Also no posh restaurants, no anythings in the surrounding vicinity except nature??lakes, mountains, trees, 100% fresh air, and the sound of birds singing away in the day time and the sound of silence in the night time.
Now for the details. General : Well, the resort is not typical of the ones we have in mind. In fact it is very mediocre but provides all the basic amenities.
Accomodation : The main building sports 3 ?4 dormitories which can accommodate 8 to 12 beds easily. Each dormitory has 2 toilets and one bathroom which are also located decently outside the main dormitory so that you are spared the noise and smell. Then there are toilets outside the building as well for those who prefer to stay in tents or bamboo huts?..of course the same have been dismantled for the time being?but the toilets are still in use.
Then you have the 2-3 single type rooms also with attached toilet and bath. There are also 3 executive rooms which contain 1 hall of 10 feet x 8 feet appx, and a similar bedroom with attached toilet and bath, containing two cane chairs, one small cane drawer table, one cane mirror and one huge 5 x 6 cane bed. All the units are decently maintained with regular cleaning and changing of bed-sheets, towels etc. No water problem encountered either. The executive rooms are priced at Rs.500/- per day for accomodation only, and the dormitories and other rooms are price still cheaper. The whole place is scenic and one can see a lake opposite the main building.
Food : The resort also sports an open air type restaurant which serves tasty, authentic Malvani food. The food items are limited to chicken thali, veg thali, poha, omelet, etc. Not much variety, but definitely tasty, hygienic, and cheap. One chicken thali contains a thick gravy serving of chicken, a boiled egg, 2 ? 3 huge nicely made chapattis, and a rice serving along with pickle, salad, and sol kadi (the Malvan favourite), and all this at Rs.50/-. A veg thali cost Rs.35/- and you get many varieties of vegetable bhajis prepared differently and deliciously. That takes care of the accomodation and food part.
Sight Seeing : For starters there is the lake bang opposite the resort. Then there is the sun-set point about 15 minutes walk from the resort on the start of the phonda ghats. By the way this is the only point where you will have mobile connectivity. Then there is also the Ugvadevi Temple about 2 kms away from the resort.
The serenity of this temple is exotic especially during sun-set time and there is also a sunset point nearby. There is also an unfinished dam- quite a scenic location - amidst a walk besides sun-flower fields. Right above the resort there is a table top created on the hill which gives an excellent sun-rise view from the lake opposite.
Then if you are staying for a longer period might as well take a trip to Malvan region which is nearly a 3 hour drive from the resort?.the places to see here are the Sindhudurg fort and the Tarkarli Beach(do not miss this one)?.the beach is exquisite and beautiful---who needs to go to Mauritius?? This trip will take u about 7 hours. Next day you can visit the Kolhapur region where there is the Shahu Maharaj Place Musuem, the Radhanagari dam, the Majhalaxmi temple. Again a 7 hour sight seeing trip.
The main trip is through the dense jungle in a jeep. The earlier the better. There are around 3 watch towers in the jungle and the view from each is breath taking. If u are lucky and quiet you might see some Bisons??around 61/2 feet in height these animals look majestic. Anyways a trip through the jungle is a must and a unique experience. The touring is of course at extra cost and the same can be arranged by the resort Manager.
Service : The waiters and the staff do not go about in royal uniforms but the service is polite and prompt and to top it, they do not loiter around for tips.
Contact Info. : To get in touch for bookings / inquiries etc., you can call 26174932 / 26144299 More information on https://bisonjungleresort.com