The wonders of Dadra & Nagar Haveli

On one of our unplanned trips we hit the road as an escape for the weekend. Silvassa is where my family made an impulsive decision to head towards. Without a map we set off on a journey: mom, dad, brother and I. Embracing the sight of beautiful landscapes and wide roads, the sign boards led us to our destination. After long hours of travel we reached the city of Silvassa. Little did we know, it was the beginning of an extraordinary tour.

Bustling with traffic and pollution spread all over the place. We looked at each other and nodded in the same frequency. This was definitely not where we expected to be. Pleasant climate, nature trails and silence is we had anticipated. After asking a few localites for guidance, we landed to a museum. To support tourism, the Government initiated the center with all tour leaflets and maps available. Just the right thing we needed.

We walked around the museum, soaking in the culture and lifestyle of the tribals. Gazing at the map, we promptly decided to drive towards the surrounding areas. Escaping from the heat we drove towards the south of Dadra & Nagar Haveli. Passing through tribal villages and tunnel of trees. Few stops here and there and we found our place to stay, The Khanvel resort. What else one can ask for besides a clean room, a pool and Resto-bar. What a relief! Hungry as ever, we had a sumptuous meal and lazed around till early evening. 

Curiosity sparked off after the nap and we began to explore the place once again. Strolling down the lane acting like ecologists. After a ten minutes walk down the lane we found a mystical butterfly garden. Open to all without a fee. The only rule you must follow: be silent.

 Lush trees spread across the vast land. Butterflies of different varieties taking flight all over the place. Dreamy and mesmerized, we walked in silence along the pathway. The boards describe the species of butterflies in specific areas. Stay still to see them suck the nectar from flowers.

Towards the other side, a tree house awaits us. We also spotted uncommon birds, insects and the most fascinating of them were fruit bats. Climbing on the top to get a panoramic view of the enchanting forest was breath-taking.

Who knew that few hours away from Mumbai and Gujrat, lays a marvellous union territory that is not so much talked about. Dadra & Nagar Haveli with all its magnificence takes you for a surprise with its wildlife, streaming rivers, soothing waterfronts and well maintained flourishing gardens.

Comprising over 62% of the population, the tribals dominate a large portion of Dadra & Nagar Haveli. Simple, shy by nature and extremely humble, the tribals welcome you to their land. Visiting their village to have a meal or perhaps join them in a dance during festivals truly enhances the experience. The next day, we headed towards Dhudni, around 20 kilometers away from Khandvel. Enveloped by Mother Nature and developed into a tourist spot.

Staying at the Neertal tourist complex is a must. Beautiful cottages facing the lake and a backyard garden. Neat and clean rooms that also have an AC. The Madhuban dam on the Damanganga river has created several water bodies. A 30 minutes long boat ride takes you right in the middle of the river.

Watching the Western Ghats touching the river bank against the backdrop of the blue sky is stunning. The serenity one can experience here is like nowhere else. On the other side of the river is Kauncha, a secluded island with private cottages. Apart from yoga and ayurvedic treatments, the Himai Van Health Resort in Kauncha organizes treks and star gazing trips.

Listen to drops of water trickling down as the oar as it goes back and forth into the water. Our boat man tells us his story of how he is a graduate but prefers boating and farming to earn his livelihood. One has to either travel to Mumbai or Gujarat for a better job and due to the traveling and stay they are hardly able to save much. So being there and carrying on the family’s profession is a better option for them.

We listened to his stories and we lay down, resting our backs on cushions. Time swayed just like the water and soon we reached back. A friendly goodbye and tip that brightened his face, we moved on with loads of memories.

It was late afternoon and our empty stomach couldn’t wait any longer. A shack offering veg thalis caught our eye. Made up of sticks and mud, this local restaurant looked different. We sat as the girl laid out our plates and a salad bowl. The best part is that you pay a single amount and eat still you’re full. The food was so tasty that we relished every bite. In a happy mood we reached back to out hotel.

The night was cold and lights were dim. After a sumptuous dinner in a nearby hotel, we walked towards our hotel in the mist. Above us was a sky full of stars beyond our imagination. We gazed for quite some time and pointed out to the constellations. Someone was playing a flute nearby; the music was in perfect harmony to what we were experiencing. Like a lullaby, it slowly put us to sleep as soon as we reached our hotel room.

The next day we woke up to the sound of the chirping birds. Dadra & Nagar Haveli gave us more than what we expected. Surprisingly not many know of this place and the wonders it awaits.  Dadra & Nagar Haveli calls for adventure seekers, nature lovers and those looking out for solitude. A perfect getaway from the bustling city life.

It was time to leave with a promise to come back.