About My Village Kelve!

The strange part of this article is that I am writing this article at approximate distance of 20,000-25,000 KM from my village Kelve (from US) and why I am writing today when I am so far away from that place probably I need to wait till my subconscious mind start responding to my conscious. Will surely like to write about this state of mind but when? I don't know...........

Kelve Village  is situated about 80 Km North of INDIA’s financial capital “Mumbai (Bombay)” & about 30 Km from Varai Phata Western Express (NH8) Highway.  It is easily accessible from the Kelve Road (7Km) & Palghar (14 Km) Railway Station (Western Railway) which is connected by State Transport buses & 8 seater Rickshaw.

The Beach is about 4 Km long. It has the largest and safe stretch of beautiful cost line of Arabian Sea in Konkan & Goa region. The unique feature of the beach is the beautiful plantation of the Casuarina (Suru) trees. Although not a very famous tourist destination as compare to its Natural beauty, the beach is crowded with local tourists during a weekend which indicates its growing popularity.

There are in all three forts on this beach. One is at the southern tip of the beach and is submerged in sea water during high tides. The second one, is located within the Casuarina (Suru)  trees near the northern tip on the beach. The third one is at the Southern tip of the beach which been currently use as custom’s Office.

The Shitladevi Mandir, a Hindu temple with beautiful architecture; is situated just besides the beach. It is believed that the two sons of Lord Ram, Luv and Kush grew here when Sita was in exile for the second time; a Hanuman Mandir and beautiful Lake known as Ramkund is in the same campus. The Ramkund was dug by Lord Ram using single arrow in one shot when Lord Ram, Lakshman and Sita were in exile. There are other religious centre covering all major religions in the region.

Hardwork, Peace, Communal Harmony, social awareness and duties are in the DNA of the people of this region. The Village has number of primary school and its own secondary School, co-operative farming society, co-operative fishing society, co-operative salt farming society; business centre and other community centres since pre and post independence of our country.

The traditional business including farming (cultivation of  Panmala (Bettle leaves); Banana; Coconut; Betelnut and other fruits and vegetables) and fishing (Kelve Beach is close to Satpati; Maharashtra's biggest fishing centre). Due it’s growing popularity Tourism industry has started showing good result on the village economy but true potential still needs to be systematically achieved.

-----------pracheet@gmail.com