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........................................................................................Budget
Trips
Trek
Trip
If you want a restful two-day weekend in Bordi, I do
not advise you to try the 3-hour trek on the narrow path up the
Bahrot mountain. You might require another couple of days to recuperate!
But if you are a seasoned trekker, don't hesitate. Take an auto
rickshaw from Bordi station or the main bus stand to Ashwali
Dam (8 kms away). Do not depend on the bus service because there
are only two bus trips -- one at 11.30 a.m. and the other at 2.30
p.m. The auto rickshaw ride would cost you around Rs 100/-.
 The
scenic beauty and the shy Adivasis (tribals) make the trip
worthwhile. The road is dotted with tribal mud houses, which have
dish antennas but no toilets. A path from the Ashwali Dam leads
to the trekking track. From here you can embark on your 3-hour trek
up the mountains. Monsoons are not the right time for trekking as
the path is slippery and treacherous and you will not be able to
find a guide. Otherwise, even a small tribal child will be able
to guide you up the mountain.
The Bahrot Caves, at a height of about 1500 feet above sea
level, are approximately 32 feet in width, 23 feet in height and
40 foot in length. The caves have an interesting story to tell.
The Parsi caves gave refuge to the Holy Fire, which burns even today
in Udhwada. As the story goes, the Zoroastrians first landed
in India from Iran at port Diu and then proceeded to Sanjan. Till
1295 A.D., they were under the shelter of the King Jadav Rana
of Sanjan. In 1297 A.D., Sanjan was under threat and about to be
seized by the Delhi king Allaudin Khilji. In the hour of
trouble, a brave Parsi chief Ardeshir Babekan along with
a battalion of about 1400 soldiers won the battle. Allaudin Khilji
made a second attempt to conquer Sanjan with a much larger army.
Ardeshir anticipated defeat and immediately went to the Fire Temple.
Here in his dreams, an angel guided him to Bahrot Caves, an ideal
place to guard the Holy Fire.
Immediately thereafter, Ardeshir related the incident of his vision
to his son Shahpur and the High Priest Dastoor Diniyar.
He instructed them that in case of defeat, all Zoroastrians along
with the Holy Fire should be transported safely to the Bahrot Caves.
Hence the Holy Fire ‘Iran Shah’ was transported along with
Zoroastrians to the centre cave of the Bahrot Mountain where it
was preserved for 12 years. Since 1742, the Holy Fire has been preserved
at Udhwada, about 55 kms from Bordi.
There used to be 6 well-preserved caves here, but today 3 of them
have been blocked due to natural calamities and the remaining 3
are in a dilapidated condition.
The downward climb is even more dangerous as there are no footholds.
But one goes there only for the sheer thrill of the risk involved.
How to get there
Nearest Airport: Mumbai (145 kms)
Nearest Railway Station: Gholwad (2 kms). It is also accessible
from Dahanu (15 kms) on Western Railway.
By Road: Mumbai-Bordi (145 kms). Dahanu-Bordi 15 kms). State
Transport buses and auto rickshaws ply between Bordi and Dahanu.
Train fare: Virar to Gholwad (Rs 15)
Autofare: Gholwad to Bordi (Rs 25); Bordi to Ashwali (Rs 100); Bordi
to Dahanu (Rs 100).
Some Pointers
- The 17-km stretch of beach is one of the safest in Maharashtra,
so the locals claim. One can even walk a kilometer in the water
without fear.
- There are no wine shops in Bordi. Ask the local auto driver
to direct you to locals who stock drinks in their homes. You could
buy from them, but at a premium.
- Check out the 'Chikoo Chips' (Rs 15/- a packet) and 'Chikoo
Juice Powder' (Rs 20/- a packet). These are town specialities.
- The Freedom Club (Naturopathy Centre) enroute to Dahanu is shut
down. Only a gym remains in its place.
- A Chaat Centre next to Chikooland Restaurant will tickle
your palate.
Places to visit when on a longer stay
- Vrindavan Studio where the famous serial Ramayan was screened
(16 kms away).
- Klenzaids botanical garden, with its large cactus collection,
near Umbergaon (18 kms). Closed on Tuesdays.
- Dapcherry Dam and Thakkar Pada (dairy project) – 35 kms away
- Mahalaxmi temple (45 kms away)
- Santoshi Mata Mandir, Narpad (15 kms away)
- Sai Baba Mandir (15 kms away)
- Bahrot Caves
Where to stay?
There are only 3 resorts situated a few minutes' walk from each
other in Bordi.
Text : Tushar Uchil
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