There are times when for a reunion or even a family getaway, you wish to find a secluded spot, yet undiscovered by the usual tourist crowds where you can let your hair down, be yourself and take in some local history.

Well Ladgarh beach, along the Northern part of the Konkan coast is one such getaway, and a few intrepid maverick hoteliers have actually set up unique hotels to cater to the kind of travelers we are, those with the Columbus/Magellan spirit of discovery of yet undiscovered lands.

We reached Ladgarh at Sagar Sawali’s beach resort, the day after Christmas and were witness to a very rare sight indeed – the annual bullock cart races on the beach, a sport in decline, but still practiced with pride among the locals. They had been grooming their racing bullocks with the choicest of food grain, so that they could win the races, and earn the pride, prize money and trophies attached to the event. The Bullock cart owners came from 30 nearby villages, and what we witnessed was truly like the scene from “Chariots of Fire”, only now the race was between bullock cart owners – and though it lasted barely 20 minutes it was breathtaking enough to become an indelible memory.

The cuisine at the Sagar Sawali is typical Konkani coastal cuisine, and every meal is washed down by the local buttermilk drink called Solkadi. This is Sagars Sawali’s USP, and even if people don’t always stay at the well-furnished guest cottages, the Konkani cuisine in the evenings and during weekends is certainly a draw.

When you have unwound after the lunch siesta, you could try your hand at some adventure sports like Para-sailing, Dolphin Watching and Water Scootering. The best time for Dolphin Watching is between 9am to 11am, and we were lucky to sight a couple of them. Ladgarh beach is adjacent to a fishing port and is dotted with a few resorts, the best one is Sagar Sawali, as it commands a vantage point over the entire beach.

The nearest big town is Dabholi, and most of the provisions come from there. It is a 15-20 minute drive from there to Ladgarh. You wonder when you’ll see the coast, and minutes before your arrive at your destination you glimpse a spot of bright blue of the Arabian sea, but nothing quite prepares you for the calm serenity of a beach with a fresh water rivulet that runs through it. The waves at the beach are mostly calm throughout the year, and the inviting beach is both wade-able and bath-able. During the day, the water recedes and in the late evening, the tide comes in making it conducive for that moonlit walk, in case you choose to do so.

On Saturday, we were told to check out the weekly fish market, at Harnai which was quite the delight. A variety of colorful fish that were on display, and the haggling between local fisherwomen and the buyers who come from the hinterland of 40 Kms within was evident for all to see. The port with its vibrant trawlers, the smaller outboard boats bringing in the catch, and the bullock carts going in with ice-laden crates was both, mesmerizing and picturesque.

For a battery recharger for the senses – a five and half hour drive away from Pune, Ladgarh is a look forward to locale and is best enjoyed in the post monsoon months of August to March.

To get to Ladgarh and to book your rooms, ahead of time, it’s good to get in touch with Mr. Bapu More at www.sagarsawali.com  or book through www.tripadvisor.com

There are times when for a reunion or even a family getaway, you wish to find a secluded spot, yet undiscovered by the usual tourist crowds where you can let your hair down, be yourself and take in some local history.

Well Ladgarh beach, along the Northern part of the Konkan coast