Ahwa, Dangs, Gujarat

Ahwa, the headquarters of the district Dangs, is situated 1800 feet above MSL. Located centrally, any place in the district is within a periphery of around 50 kms of Ahwa. With a population of more than 20,000; Ahwa is the largest town in the District. The district offices of practically all government departments are located at Ahwa.

Entrance Gate, Ahwa, Dangs, Gujarat

Tourists can capture the sun going down the valley at the Sunset Point located behind Deep Darshan School. Cool breeze and green valley beneath are worth experiencing. The valley and the spot get covered with mist and fog after the rains. A lake within the town is a source for drinking water. In an early monsoon morning, one can watch fog floating on the lake water. Mahatma Gandhi Udyan is a beautiful garden opposite Collector Office with basic children rides and cosy sitting arrangements.

Mahatma Gandhi Garden, Ahwa

Collector Office, Ahwa

Apart from this, there are several spots located amidst scenic surroundings which give an excellent view of the woods and the valley. One can walk the plateau behind the R&B Circuit House and trek a narrow path leading to Devinamal Forest Camp Site or can walk a hilly plateau behind the new GWSSB (Gujarat Water Supply and Sewarage Board) office located on the Ahwa-Saputara road. Another route leading from Sunset Point to the villages beyond is also a beautiful trek. A path leading to Village Nilshakya across the valley behind the graveyard is a picturesque trek. All the above spots are worth visiting for excellent landscape photography.

Lake at Ahwa

Religious places in Ahwa include a Hanumanji temple, a Sai Baba temple and two Shiv temples. There are two mosques one each for Shia and Sunni sects. Tourists have three options for stay: a Circuit House (maintained by Road and Buildings Department), a forest rest house and a Pravasi Grih (maintained by District Panchayat). 

Pravasi Grih, Ahwa

Dang Swaraj Ashram, Ahwa

The Dang Swaraj Ashram was established in 1948 by the efforts of prominent social workers like Shri Jugatram Dave of Vedchhi Ashram (Surat), Shri Chhotubhai Nayak and Shri Ghelubhai Nayak. Its main objectives were to promote Khadi production, spread of education, social education, cooperative movement, prohibition and relief work. The institution works for the welfare of the Dangis and gives assistance to them mainly in the field of education. It runs two ashramshalas, one at Ahwa and the other at Kalibel.

Dang Swaraj Ashram, Ahwa

Swaraj Ashram, Ahwa

Barda Waterfalls, Dangs, Gujarat

Barda is a twelve-step falls near village Chankhal. Chankhal is a village situated at a distance of 10 kms from Ahwa on Ahwa-Mahal road. A right turn from the Ahwa-Mahal road just before village Chankhal and a 30 minutes trek leads to this beautiful fall situated amidst virgin woods. As one reaches the spot, one finds a beautiful lake fed by the last leg of this twelve step waterfalls. It remains wet between June and December. It doesn't have refreshment facilities either at the spot or along the route. Therefore one has to carry oneself essentials like snacks, water etc. from the nearest town Ahwa. One of the least known destinations in Dangs, this spectacular spot is a must for all nature and trek lovers.

Barda Waterfalls near Chankhal, Dangs, Gujarat

Barda Waterfalls, Dangs, Gujarat

Wild Woods Trail, Dangs, Gujarat

Purna-Gira Trail Route

Wild Woods Trail (WWT) is an initiative by the Forest Department in Dangs to promote eco-tourism and to create awareness about the need to protect forests and environment and to provide livelihood to the local tribals. WWT is a first of its kind trekking experience in the State with excellent camping sites, guides and offers a package of facilities to tourist trekkers.

Purna-Gira Trail, named after the two beautiful rivers of Dangs and stretching over 18 km, is one of the most thrilling of all the trails under WWT. Starting from Mahal Camp Site, the trail moves through Barumal watch tower, Dhulda, Chikhalda and reaches the base of the Girmal water falls near Girmal in a span of nine and a half hours. The entire trek route has been mapped and dotted with trek points.

Trek point Demarcation of Tree Trunk

Trekkers en route Purna-Gira WWT

Vulture Conservation Farm, Gadad, Dangs, Gujarat

A vulture conservation farm has been set up near village Gadad by the North Dangs Forest Division. Village Gadad is located around 30 km from Ahwa on Ahwa-Chinchli road. The hilly forest region surrounding Gadad has an altitude ranging from 2000 to 3500 feet and is a favorite spot for the Indian Vulture, also known as Long-billed Vulture (Gyps indicus). A good number of Long-billed Vultures are found in this region as the nests are built on the mountains slopes, they are beyond the reach of humans and hence not destroyed directly by them.

Characteristics of Indian Vulture

Vulture Conservation Centre, Gadad, Dangs

The Long-billed Vulture is a typical vulture, with a bald head, very broad wings and short tail feathers. The species reach breeding age at about 5 years old and breeds mainly on cliffs. Like other vultures it is a scavenger, feeding mostly from carcasses of dead animals which it finds by soaring over the region around human habitation.

Indian Vulture at Gadad Farm, Dangs

A Survey conducted by the Bombay Natural History Society in 2007 revealed that vulture population in India has declined by 97 percent in last few years. Of the nine species of vultures found in India, the white-backed, the long-billed and the slender-billed vultures are recognized as Critically Endangered species by the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature). Moreover, they are listed as Schedule I species in the Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, which is applicable to the tiger and one-horned rhino also.

The main cause of decline has been identified as poisoning caused by the veterinary drug diclofenac. Diclofenac is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) and when given to working animals it can reduce joint pain and keep them working for longer. The drug is believed to be swallowed by the vultures with flash of dead cattle which were given diclofenac in their last days. The drug reportedly causes dehydration of the vultures and they die due to visceral gout and kidney failure. 

Mayadevi Temple, Dangs, Gujarat

Mayadevi temple is located off Vyara-Ahwa road at a small village called Kakarda near village Bheskatri. This Hindu temple is dedicated to goddess Maya, the three-headed and four-armed deity believed to be an incarnation of Shakti. It is located on the banks of the river Purna.

 

Goddess Mayadevi

Originating in the hills of the Salher, Purna passes through Chinchli, Mahal, Kalibel and leaves the District near Bheskatri, flows through Tapi District and meets Arabian Sea near Navsari.  

The home of the goddess Mayadevi is in a cave buried in the river bed of Purna and is not accessible during the monsoons when Purna is full of life. During monsoons, the main temple complex is used for worshipping the goddess. There are concrete steps on the side of the temple complex descending to the rocks that form the river bed. There are steps on the river bed descending to a rock platform built on a pond that leads the devotees into the cave. The stalactite and stalagmite rock formations in the cave also offer pleasant viewing for the devotees. This temple is choc-a-block during Shivratri. Adjacent to the main temple is a shrine containing the Hindu god Hanuman.

Mayadevi Temple Landscape

Mayadevi Temple

Pandva Caves, Dangs, Gujarat

Pandva caves are located 27 km from Ahwa off Ahwa-Chinchli road near village Pandva in the southern part of Atala hill located near Salher, Maharashtra. A 3 km trek from village Pandva leads to the caves. A five-pillared den is about 20 meters in length and 7 feet in height. Legend goes that Pandavas stayed here during a part of their 14 year exile (Vanvas). Forest department has made provision for sanitation facilities and rest huts at the spot. A beautiful forest department rest house is also located at village Pandva.

Pandva Caves-a panoramic view

Pandva Caves

Pandva Caves & Waterfalls above the Caves

Shabaridham and Pampa Sarovar, Dangs, Gujarat

Shabaridham

Located on a hill called ‘Chamak Dungar’ off 4 km from village Subir on Ahwa-Navapur road, this temple of Shabarimata is a place where Lord Rama met Shabari, a Bhil woman. Legend goes that Shabari offered tasted berries to Lord Rama at this place. Three stones on which Lord Rama, his brother Laxman and Shabari are said to have sat are still worshipped. Present temple with statues of Rama, Laxman and Shabari was constructed in 2004.

Shabaridham Temple

Idols of Shabari, God Ram, Laxman

Idol of Shabari

Accomodation:
One has two options to stay at Subir: 
(1) Forest Rest House: It lies on Subir-Navapur Road.
  02631-220203  9898111639. 
(2) Maa Shabari Farm House and Resorts: It lies behind the Shabarimaa temple.
  9426164526.   9373659082.

Pampa Sarovar

Pampa lake near village Jarsol, around 6 km from Shabaridham, is a fresh water lake on the banks of river Pampa. Mythological belief is that Matang Rishi, guru of Shabarimata, established his ashram on the banks of Pampa lake.

Pampa Sarovar

Pampa Lake

Kadamdungar, Dangs, Gujarat

Located 20 km from Ahwa off Ahwa-Waghai road near village Aamsarvalan, Kadamdungar is a hill with an average altitude of more than 1000 meters above MSL. It is a place of religious importance for the native tribals. As per their religious belief, the small caves, situated on the large plateau atop the hill, are believed to host seven ‘maavlis’ (a vernacular term for ‘mother goddess’) including Tandalasavar, Kamjasavar, Dudhasavar, Ghunghasavar, Fulasavar, Vaghasavar and Makhwalasavar. A large mela, organized every year from the eve of New Year to Bhai Bij, attracts a host of tribal population. They revere the seven ‘maavlis’ and dance on the tunes of ‘paavri’ through the night.

Way to Kadamdungar

Kadamdungar

Roopgadh Fort, Dangs, Gujarat

Way to Roopgadh Fort

The only fort in Dangs, Rupgadh fort is located near village Bhujad, around 45 km from Ahwa on Bardipada-Kalibel road. There are two routes to the fort: one from Bardipada-Kalibel road 3 km before village Bhujad off the main road; and another from village Wari-rupgarh in Songarh Taluka of Tapi district, around 7 km from village Bardipada towards Vyara.

Located at 1680 feet above from MSL, the fort of Roopgdh is the only monument that demonstrates the Dangs' indigenous "Giridurg" architecture. Pilajirao, the founder of Gaikwad dynasty established this fort in 1721 AD and made Songadh its capital. However, Pilajirao's son Damajirao selected Vadodara as the capital of their kingdom. Around 2 hours leisure trek from the base leads to the Hanuman temple. Remains of an old canon are found near the temple. A further 20 km trek from the temple leads to the fort. A 10-12 feet high ruined fort-wall is found on all sides. A rectangular 3 meters deep water tank, 18 meters long and 16 meters wide, stands on a mass of rock within the ruins. The steps, within the tank, built up of stone without the use of lime indicates Hemadpanthi architectural form and suggests that the tank might have been built before the fort.

Valley View from Roopgadh Fort

Kansaryagarh, Dangs, Gujarat

Pavri-a musical instrument

Kansaryagarh is located 5 km from Shepuamba, a village on Subir-Pipaldahad road. It is a site for Kanasari Devi and Dungardev puja. Located on the border of Dangs and Tapi district, the place lies in the Reserved Forest Compartment No. 17 of Subir range of North Dangs Forest Division.

Every year a large mela is organized on each full moon day of October and November. People flock in large number from the surrounding villages and revere Kanasaridevi, goddess of corn, by offering cereals like nagli, varai, rice and banti and pulse like udad. Any stone from their field is installed under a tree and worshipped as goddess Kanasari. Bhaya dance is performed as a part of worship of ‘Dungardev’. Both the sites (Kanasari Devi and Dungardev) are located adjacent to each other. People offer Prasad to both the Gods and worship, eat and dance through the night.

Offerings to Kanasari Devi

Driving Directions from Ahwa: Arrive at Subir from Ahwa (30 km); Take a right turn from Subir cross-roads on Subir-Pipaldahad road and arrive at Shepuamba (10 km); Take a left turn and arrive at Kansaryagarh via Savarkhal (5 km).

Vansda National Park, Dangs, Gujarat

Spread over an area of 24 sq. km. and located on the Vansda-Waghai State Highway, the Vansda National Park is one of the four National Parks in the State of Gujarat. Though it is just 3 km away from Waghai, it falls in Vansda Taluka of Navsari District. It forms a contiguous tract with the forests of Dangs on its eastern side and forests of Valsad district on its southern side. The hilly terrain with altitude ranging from 110-360 m is interspersed by many streams forming furrows in criss-cross pattern. The hills in the Park are extensions of Sahyadri Range. Vansda National Park and Purna Wildlife Sanctuary together form 4.2% of the total geographical area of the forests in the Western Ghat zone represented in Gujarat.

The major portion of the Park forms a part of Ambika catchment. The area was under the rule of erstwhile State of Vansda before 1952. The ex-ruler of Vansda enjoyed certain rights over the Park till 1975. However, the area was declared as National Park in 1986 and came under the administration of the State Forest Department. There are three villages in the Park namely Kelipada, Sadaddevi and Kilad. 

The forests in the Park are in their pristine glory because there was no cutting of tree after 1952. Height of top canopy of forest exceeds 30 m at foothills and plains due to adequate soil depth and moisture condition. The Park supports more than 50% of the herpetofauna (amphibians and reptiles) of the State. A total of 29 species of snakes including 6 species of venomous snakes have been recorded here. Moreover, 11 species of frogs and toads are found here. An amphibian Ichthyophis bombayensis found here is endemic to this region. The Park offers one of the best spider-habitats in Gujarat, as 121 species of spiders have been recorded in the Park. The largest of the spiders of Guart - the Giant wood spider is common here. In fact, recently 8 new species of spiders were reported from the Park.This apart, it contains 62 species of butterflies. The Park is also a home to leopard, hyena, chital, macaque, rhesus macaque, barking deer and the endangered great Indian Squirrel.

Vegetation of the Park is tropical moist deciduous type. It contains 440 species of plants, which include 110 species of trees, 43 species of shrubs, 63 species of climbers, 199 species of herbs and 25 species of grass. Rare trees such as ‘kumbhi’, ‘karmal’, ‘charoli’, ‘bhilamo’, ‘dantrango’, ‘kadayo’, ‘aritha’ can be seen in the Park. Two main species of bamboos, kaatas bamboos (hollow, taller, denser and possess thorns) in moist deciduous parts of the forest and manvel bamboos (solid, shorter, thinner and without prominent thorns) in dry deciduous parts of the forest, adds to the diversity of the park habitat.

Of the 115 species of birds recorded in the Park, Indian Great Black Woodpecker, Heartspotted Woodpecker, Larger Goldenbacked Woodpecker, Yellow-backed Sunbird, Pompadour Pigeon, Malabar Trogen and Shama are typical of the Western Ghats. Grey Hornbill, Forest Wagtail, a variety of owls, Pompadour Pigeon and Malabar Trogen that are rare for the State can be seen in this area. Because of the ideal habitat conditions, globally threatened species like Forest spotted owlet do survive here. 

The Park boasts a good diversity of mammals such as the Leopard, Hyena, Jungle Cat, Civets, Mongooses, Macaques, Barking Deer, Four-horned antelopes and the only herd of Spotted Deer in this part of the State.

Visiting Hours
The Park remains open all days a week from 8 AM to 5 PM. However, during monsoon, the Park remains closed from 15th June to 15th October. 

Location Information:
The Park has two entrances on the Vansda-Waghai State Highway: one, at village Navtad (5 kms from Waghai) and the other towards Waghai (3 kms from Waghai). The nearby town Vansda lies close to National Highway-8. The Park is 12 kms from Vansda. 

Places to stay:
Kilad camp-site, Waghai Forest Rest House, Pravasi Gruh at Waghai, Hotels at Vansda and Saputara.

Best time to visit:
Winter and early summer.

Schedule of Fees:

Details	Indian National (Rs.)	Foreign National ($)
Entrance Fee (per person)	20	5
Vehicle Entrance Fee (per vehicle) (A). Car/Jeep/Matador (up to 6 persons)                                      (up to 15 persons) (B). Bus/Mini-bus and Heavy Vehicles
	200	20
	500	50
	1750	175
Guide Fees (per vehicle) First Four Hours                                   Every Additional Hour	50
	20
Photography and Videography (per Day) Steel Photography Amateur and Professional Videograhy Professional Feature Film
	100	10
	5000	500
	25,000	1,000

Contact Details:
Range Forest Office, Vansda National Park, Vansda
(02630) 230057
Deputy Conservator of Forests, South Dangs Division, Ahwa.
(02631) 220246

Purna Wild Life Sanctuary, Dangs, Gujarat

Purna Sanctuary is a part of dense moist deciduous forests in the District of Dangs which happens to be an extension of the Western Ghats and supports gamut of flora and fauna of very high evolutionary value. The Sanctuary, along with Vansda National Park, is the only Protected Area in South Gujarat for conserving diverse biological resources. Declared as Sanctuary in July, 1990 and drained by rivers Purna and Gira and spread over an area of 160 sq. km.; the Sanctuary harbors 110 species of plants, 24 species of mammals, 18 species of reptiles, 142 species of birds, 116 species of Spiders and more than 3000 species of insects. Major animal species include Leopard, Barking deer, Macaques, Four horned antelope, Sambhar, Hyena, Herpetofauna and Flying squirrel.

Mahal forest in the Protected Area is one of the thickest forests in the State. There are 26 villages on the periphery of Purna WLS. Dhulda is a village surrounded on all sides from sanctuary. Rests of the villages are legally outside sanctuary area but actually are inside the Protected Area. Post monsoon to winter is the best time to visit the Sanctuary.