Birds twittering, cattle grazing the mountain slopes and unspoilt forest... the tribal land of Dudhni is a wild beauty unexplored.
Located in Dadra and Nagar Haveli, the tiny hamlet of Dudhni is a five hour drive from Mumbai via Silvassa. Like the Dal Lake in Kashmir one can enjoy a shikara ride on the large waterfront of Madhuban Dam surrounded by wooded mountains and sheltered by heavenly blue sky and rain clouds.
Since Silvassa is a busy town, visitors prefer to stay a little away, in quieter spots like Khanvel (20 km from Silvassa) and Dudhni (40 km from Silvassa).
Hop over to Silvassa to visit the Tribal Cultural Museum which has colourful masks, musical instruments, fishing gadgets and hunting tools of locals on display.
Another must-see is the fascinating island garden located in the middle of the Vanganga Lake in Silvassa. Rustic wooden bridges, colourful flowers and paddleboats make the lake garden an ideal place to unwind.
The drive from Silvassa to Dudhni down roads lined with tall trees and paddy fields is truly refreshing.
How to get there
Silvassa is about 180 km away from Mumbai.
The nearest railway station is Vapi, 17 km from Silvassa. Regular buses and taxis are available from Vapi to Silvassa.
By road, take the Mumbai-Ahmedabad NH 8. Drive till Bhilad (takes around 4 hours) and take a right turn from there for Silvassa.
Where to stay
The Vanvihar Tourist Complex at Khanvel and Government Rest Houses at Madhuban Dam in Dudhni offer comfortable accommodation. For further details call the tourist office:
Phones: (0260) 2641399, 2642996
Other options include the Khanvel Resort and Hillview Resort.
Photograph: Suraj S
Also see: Weekend hotspots for you to explore
Share YOUR travel stories and pix!
Have you been to Dudhni? Where did you have the best meal? Do you have a hotel to recommend? Please post the information on the message board below so other readers can benefit from your advice. Remember to add information on what was special about the restaurant, hotel or sight you visited, along with relevant telephone numbers and addresses.
Advertisement
