Devinamal Campsite – Eco Tourism Center in Dang, Gujarat
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.
Now, it’s your turn to spread the words. Share -or- comment -or- give a smile and off. Your wish!
Read On..
Pooja Trivedi
Can you suggest which one should we go for – “Devinamal , kilad or Vishala eco “ we are a couple looking for peace and we love staying in nature 🙂
Darpan
Hi Pooja,
I am afraid after moving to USA, I’ve been out of touch with all the campsites for so long that I do not have any idea about the current situation.
If I have to take shot, I’d say definitely not Devinamal. It is likely to be a dead campsite by now.
Kilad has fair chance of still being in operation.
Sirish
Good blog you’ve got here.. It’s hard to findd good quality writing like yours nowadays.
I seriously apppreciate individuals like you! Take care!!
Dr SEJAL DALAL
Hello,
Very nice and informative webpage.Our family plans to go to Saputara on 4 and 5 November 2016.Already booked hotel. But we also wanted to stay in a nature camp for a day.
I wanted your advice.Which one do you suggest? Let me inform you that we have two foreign nationals with us.
Which one would give the best staying facilities?
regards
Darpan Dodiya
Hello!
Dang is known for its natural beauty and greenery — which can be best enjoyed with nature camps. 🙂
Saputara is a great destination as well.
What suggest is to spend a night at one of the campsites, (Mahal/Kilad are my favorites) and one night at Saputara.
Kilad has decent stay facilities as well food arrangements.
Mahal lacks food.
sandip
how to booking tent
Darpan Dodiya
Please go through the contact details provided above.
BHARAT K SHAH
wants information of places to visit in SAPUTARA AND DANG FOR ABOUT 5 DAYS FROM AHMEDABAD
WE R 8 SENIOR CITIZANS TO VISIT BEFORE DIWALI TO GET RID OFF THE TRAFFIC
PLEASE GUIDE ME AND SHOW THE PLACES IN SEQUENCE TO VISIT
Darpan Dodiya
Hello,
Mr. Jinesh Mehta from Jamnagar had followed below itinerary. Please have a look at it:
25 Thursday સાપુતારાથી -અંજની પર્વત, દેવીનામાળ (કેમ્પ સાઇડ) આહવા થઇ ડોન સાંજે સાપુતારા
26 Friday સાપુતારાથી – સબરી ઘામ, પંપા સરોવર, ગીરા ઘોઘ રીટર્ન સુબીર થઇ મહાલ કેમ્પ સાંજે સાપુતારા
27 Saturday સાપુતારાથી- વઘઇ ગીરા ઘોઘ, બોટાનીકલ ગાર્ડન, કીલ્લાદ કેમ્પ સાઇટ સાંજે સાપુતારા
28 Sunday સાપુતારાથી- આહવા થઇ પીંપરી થી કાલીબેલ થઇ માયાદેવી અને ત્યાંથી વ્યારા થઇ રાજપીપળા થઇ અમદાવાદ.
Priyank
એકદમ સરસ માહિતી ભાઈ
Darpan Dodiya
આભાર
dilip joshi
hi
Darpan ji really good information. this monsoon i will like to plan for this eco site.
i visited wilson hill in saputara, and just this week visited at Dudhni lake near silvassa.
send me your mob no so i like to have talk if you dont mind.
thanks for your information.
Dilip Joshi
baroda
B J Lad
Still the site is not updated on Googlemaps
Darpan Dodiya
Yes, you’re right.
I just checked the status of submission and it shows:
Pending, In Review.
BJLad
The place Devinamal is not been mentioned on Google map.
Darpan Dodiya
Oh, thanks for pointing out. I’d add the place very soon.