Thiba Palace and Beyond: Experiencing the Soul of Ratnagiri Through...

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Today was my second day in Ratnagiri and the morning was different. As soon as my eyes opened light golden rays were spreading outside the window. The sky was pink colored and orange and the sun peeking from behind the clouds looked like a scene created by a paint and brush. There were moisture in air but that moisture was also giving a feeling of freshness. I thought the beginning of the day is so beautiful so why not go out to experience it.

We took out the car and headed towards the city. The lush green hills all along the way the bending coconut trees and sea peeking from the side of the road seemed as if everything was like a poem. There was a slight coolness in the air and sounds of birds flying in the sky were further calming the mind. The road to Ratnagiri passes through hilly turns where sometimes sea is visible from a distance and sometimes suddenly it spreads in front as if it is a huge mirror in which the sky is looking at itself.

After a while we reached the place which name is linked to the history of Ratnagiri's Thiba Palace. From a distance its building made of red stones was shining in the sunlight. The walls of that old palace had the imprint of time but it still reflected the royal dignity that might once have flowed from its peaks.

The history of Thiba Palace is interesting in itself. This palace was built for King Thiba Min of Burma (now Myanmar) who was interned in Ratnagiri by the British. He spent the last days of his life in this palace. This building was built in 1910 and was constructed of red laterite stones. The windows and wooden decorations of the palace are examples of royal art of that period. When I reached that building it seemed as if the stories of past were still echoing in its walls.

The complex surrounding the palace is very peaceful and surrounded by greenery. The sun's rays were giving the grass a golden color on the open land in front. The rustle of leaves in the light breeze and the sound of waves coming from a distance – both of these together were creating a peace that cannot be described in words.

As soon as we moved a little further from Thiba Palace the sea became visible. After getting down from the car I stood there for some time. The Arabian Sea spread in front on which the sun's rays were falling and shining like silver. There were rows of clouds in the sky which were sometimes changing into pink and sometimes purple colours. Every wave seemed to be hitting the shore with the tune of an old song. Standing there for a moment it felt as if time had stopped – no noise no hurry just the eternal company of wind sky and sea.

After a while, when the sun slowly started rising, the whole scene became even brighter. The waves of the sea became clearly visible, some fishing boats were scattered far and wide on the shore. It seemed as if nature itself was creating a new painting with its colors. I captured all this on camera, but the feeling in my heart was much deeper than the pictures.

On the way back the cool breeze coming from the car windows was touching my face. The greenery spread on the mountains on both sides of the road and the blue sky peeping in between were creating a wonderful combination. Many times I stopped the car and just looked at the sky.... the sky which is the same everywhere but its color seems different everywhere.

By evening, when sun started setting again the same pink and orange glow returned to the sky over the sea. It seemed as if the day had returned to where it had started and the only difference was that the freshness of the morning had now turned into the peace of the evening.

Today was not just a journey, but an experience – to feel the history, connect with nature and spend some time with myself. From the walls of Thiba Palace to the waves of the ocean, everything told a story—of the past, the present, and the infinite beauty that lies in the air of Ratnagiri.