I was looking for some nearby destinations for a relaxing weekend this winter. After a lot of searching and indecisive planning, we finally agreed to go to a place where we had been before that too just a few months ago. Yes, it was in the summer in search of mangoes and this time in search of some Me-time away from the crowd. Devgad – be it in summer or in winter has always been a peaceful getaway. Today I will share some of these moments in Devgad.

Not many months ago the place was full of green, laden with fruits. This time also the large trees were green but they were empty and the undergrowth was unkempt yet they had a character of their own.

This time Google Maps took us through a different route after leaving the National Highway at the exit from Umbraj. Some interesting twists and turns on the ghats and some waterbody peeping out of the haze down the gorge, these were our regular companions till the time we entered our known mango fields.

They looked so familiar, so close – just like some near relative welcoming your homecoming. (Oh! I must be blown away by my emotions so writing some overly passionate words.) It was definitely a joyous moment to get back to the same roads in a gap of just a few months which was pretty unimaginable even during our last visit.

We checked in to the same hotel by the Devgad beach. After that most of our time was spent either on the beach or in the swimming pool of our stay. And yes, we also indulged in our favourite restaurants for Malvani food.

Though a bit disheartened by the quality, taste of the food and warmth of the members of the Mayuri restaurant at Vijaydurg of which I was of high praise on my previous visit. (Read about my earlier visit to Devgad.) 

The Vasant Vijay restaurant in Devgad did maintain its standard and quality of food. Throughout our stay, we explored a variety of their menu and each one of them was delicious. The best part was they served fresh ‘Aamras’ with their thali even in the winter.

To our surprise, we enquired about the same and were told that these Aamras are the preserved mangoes that come in sealed glass bottles directly from the ‘Bagichas’ (mango orchards). They have a secret recipe by which they prepare and store the juicy delicious Alphanso mango pulp without any preservatives that can be kept for a year even if not refrigerated. Once the seal is opened, the bottle must be kept in the refrigerator and consumed within 24 hours.

Our relaxing tour to Devgad this winter gave us two unique gifts, one you can guess – yes, it was the Aamras and the second was an amazing sighting on our drive back to Pune. It was a bright and beautiful, gorgeous Indian Chameleon slowly crossing the road while we were passing through a patch that was through the Chandoli National Park.

A happy trip ended even more happily with such unexpected gifts of fortune. We brought back some bottles of Aamras,   pictures of the spectacular Chameleon and some memories that made a special place in our hearts through its sight, smell and sound.