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India Travel Destination of the Month
Velas Beach – Be in the Company of Adorable Ridley Turtles
The splendid beach of Velas Village in Maharashtra’s Ratnagiri District turns into a spectacular dwelling place for countless Olive Ridley turtles. A dramatic vista is created with every dawn, as the little turtle hatch-lings pop out from nowhere and can be seen competing with one another to kiss the cool sea waves. This astounding rendezvous with life is no less than a feast for hundreds of visitors accessing the beach in March.
The Charming Velas Beach
A part of the Konkan coastline along the Arabian Sea, Velas Beach has admirable picturesque beauty with exclusive tranquillity. Connected by road to the popular cities like Mumbai and Pune, the region has been the venue for Bollywood film shooting. Numerous temples in the close vicinity boost the tourism value of the place further.
Staying at one of the home stays neat the beach is a magnificent experience. Miles of golden sand and rural countryside engulfed in lavish greenery are among the engaging facets of the place. Visitors get to enjoy simple yet delicious Konkani cuisines (usually vegetarian) at their home stay accommodations.
Konkan Turtle Festival
Introduced in 2006, the two-week long festival aims at the conservation of otherwise endangered specie of turtles. Consumption of their eggs by predators and humans led to a serious concern for their protection and steps were taken to safeguard the eloping specie. The eggs laid by the mother turtles are kept at the protected sites. During the festival, the hatchlings are safely taken to the shore from where they vanish into the water and swim away.
Activities for Tourists
The conservation activists assist the visitors to know about the turtles and to witness the eggs and adorable baby turtles. Tourists also take pleasure in enjoying long leisurely walks along the beach. Some heritage attractions like Bankot Fort and Harihareshwar Temple can also be visited.
The festival is scheduled to start on March 20 in 2014. Be a part of this amazing adventure of watching the life blooming and surviving the harsh clutches.
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