Video of Padamdungari – a campsite an hour away from Devinamal
Devinamal Campsite is an Eco-tourism site located 5 km off from the Dang district headquarter, Ahwa. Placed amidst the dense jungles of the Dangs, Devinamal has emerged as fresh Eco-tourism center after Kilad and Mahal. Nature enthusiasts can stay in the tent like domes built by the forest department. The department also conducts educational sessions & camps for students after monsoon season.
Our visit to Devinamal was unplanned. It so happened that we (brother, mom, dad) saw a sign board of the campsite while driving on the Ahwa-Saputara state highway. We were headed for Anjani Kund, but wandering a new place could never be less exciting. Turned the steering clockwise and there we were…
Read this: List of Campsites in Gujarat
Also: List of Tourist Places in Dang
Wrong Time!
It was my 4th visit in the Dangs in the last 9 months. From the experience, I can say confidently that the best time to explore the area is monsoon.
Monsoon. Between July to November, with August being my personal favorite. I love the green shade of earth and light rain showers of August.
I checked-in in the middle of May. Surely a wrong time. Due to the scorching heat of summer, there was no one at the campsite. Yep, not a single person by chance. (Implicitly telling us that we could do anything of our choice! 🙂 )
Hence, the preferred time to visit the Devinamal campsite is after the monsoon season ends. Between October to January. You may question, why not monsoon? Because of the roads. No matter its XUV500 or the powerful CB200, the odds that the vehicle will tangle in muds are high.
Devinamal – Anatomy of the Name
As aforementioned, I didn’t meet anyone so this analysis of the name is certainly my self-made theory. Feel free to correct me in the comments.
Devinamal = Devi + Na + Mal
Devi – Goddess (or God) of the ethnic groups.
Mal – A place at higher altitude than its surroundings.
Devinamal – A raised area stationing the almighty.
Statues – Statues Everywhere
Reaching the place, I didn’t have to wonder why the campsite is called Devinamal. On the flat surface of the hill, there were colorful sculptures of:
Lord Shiva
Lord Hanuman
Kalika Mata
Lord Ram, Lakshman, Sita
Huge Serpent
I still marvel in the thoughts-land, why the serpent? Is it connected to Saputara, the abode of serpents? Well, who knows. Can you make a guess?
The Campsite
There are 4 notable structures:
A. Podium
B. Domes for overnight visitors (In my POV)
C. Common hall for food, study session and meetings
D. Canteen
Food & Accommodation
Don’t want to make guesses here. No details with me. 🙂
Contact of Devinamal Campsite and Further Information
For more information, you can contact the forest department via these lines:
02631 – 220246
02631 – 220343
A reminder, however, that these are government telephone lines. You may not get a response. Blame Modi? 😉
Other Campsites in Dang
This post is a part of the Vacation Publishing Spree.
Fun Time!
All images by self and Kunj.
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