A place very close to my heart. It is only 1-2 km from my home, and I have never seen such beautiful landscape elsewhere in the world after travelling to over 40 countries. Yes, the beach might not have the clear-turquoise waters, but the mangroves, the coconut trees, the backwaters, the narrow road separating the backwaters from the sea, locals living peacefully without worrying about global warming- all add to the charm. It used to be my everyday walking place while I was at my home-town. I always found a sense of being grounded after visiting the waters in Padukere, coming here for inner peace whenever I could
The water birds like storks, ibis, kingfishers, bee eaters, drongos, parrots, eagles, beaver birds, bulb uls, robins, hornbills, peacocks- I can go on and on counting the bird species found almost every-day. On the foothills of western ghats, we often fail to appreciate the biodiversity and beauty of the rivulets joining the sea
Padukere gives a sense of calm- I go here for inner peace. While other beaches show the fierce waves, Padukere gives a place to hide – behind the rocks, along the calm backwaters. It feels safe, to face the world, to face the challenges. It keeps me grounded looking at the simplicity of life among the locals. They can live in small huts, survive on local fish to feed their families, and rest in the lap of mother nature at night
Infrastructure has come a long way in India. We could not access this beauty so easily even a few years back. The bridge on Malpe side made this much more accessible by road, beyond the boats that only ran at certain times of the day
The green rice fields during monsoons give me a feeling of connection to motherland. “Ooru” (meaning village/ hometown) evokes a feeling like no other. It is not surprising how people from this part of India are always rooted to traditions and customs even if they stay in metros or outside India. I feel good that it is not too commercialized. At the same time, I feel lot more people in the world should be able to experience the calm, beauty and energy of this place
Padukere is not a place for swimming. It is a place for reflection. It is best enjoyed by staying on the shoreline for a week, just to watch the sunsets, the roar of the waves. I feel it is like meditation, a Vipassana, where you just stop, take a step back, reflect on why the race in the world. Maybe I am just tired after a run and need a dose of my own recommendation. Although I end up lazing on my bed even when I can take a stroll here, I can literally walk up to the place any day in 30 minutes
The region is blessed to have many such backwater + road + beach combo at Padukere, Kodi Bengre, Maravanthe, Tannirbavi. Unlike beaches with bare sandy ecosystem, it is a rich one here. You can see mangroves, birds, fishes, coconut trees, tropical rain forests, wildlife of western ghats, monsoon rains, fertile rice fields.
Again, the combination is like no other in the world- the most peaceful, bio-diversity rich, greenery filled place. I strongly recommend one should spend a week in Padukere- for inner peace, when life feels stressed or tough, or even otherwise, enjoy a good sunny day at the beach and a colorful sunset to close the day