Konkan Coast Visit
|
Extending from Bordi in the north to Redi Jetty and Shiroda in the south, the Konkan
region in Maharashtra is a shoreline of astounding natural beauty.
A coastal strip of land bounded by Sahyadri hills on the east and Arabian Sea on
the west, it is rich in mineral resources, and offers long stretches of clean, sandy
beaches and bustling seaside towns such as Ratnagiri and Ganapatipule. If you are
historically minded and willing to explore the might of the Maratha power under
Chhatrapati Shivaji, then Sindhudurg lying on the shore of Malvan town should be
your port of call. For those that are more inclined towards adventure, Sindhudurg
offers some exciting snorkelling and scuba diving opportunities.Ratnagiri is the
best place to base yourself while exploring the Konkan coast.This charming port
town is famous for Alphonso mangoes, coconuts, jackfruits and a long stretch of
black sandy beach with a backdrop of a 15th century fort.
|
Scuba Diving/Snorkelling
The coast around Sindhudurg has warm clear waters and interesting and varied diving
and snorkelling sites guaranteeing some of the best scuba diving and snorkelling
holidays anywhere in Indian subcontinent.
|
|
Mirya Bay
|
Also known as Bhagwati Port, this is a beautiful stretch of beach.
|
Beaches
|
The languid sensuality of the landscape and picturesque scenic beauty of Mandvi
Beach, PandhreSamudra, Bhatye Beach and Ganeshghule Beach will mesmerize
anyone.
|
Fish Research Centre (Zadgaon, Ratnagiri)
In addition to a Research Centre, the institute also has an aquarium and a museum
housing various marine species.
|
|
The Ratnadurg Fort
|
Surrounded by the Arabian Sea, the fort was constructed between AD 1350 to AD 1500.
The Bhagwati Temple is situated inside the fort.
|
Palace of Thiba
|
Now converted into the Collector’s residence, it is a very old palace. The last
king of Burma and eminent freedom fighter Vinayak Damodar Savarkar were detained
here by the British Government.
|
|
Tilak Memorial
This is the birth place of famous freedom fighter LokmanyaTilak which has been converted
into a memorial maintained by the State Archaeological Department. Photographs of
important incidents in the life of LokmanyaTilak are preserved here.
|
|
|
Patitpavan Mandir
|
Venerated by the people this is the first place of worship built for non-Brahmins
by the revolutionary leader, Veer Savarkar. Veer SavarkarSmarak and Peer Babar Sheikh
Darga are other places of interest in Ratnagiri
|
|
Ganapatipule
|
The venerated ancient temple of Shree Ganapati, believed to be 400 years old is
situated here. It is built in a colossal rock on the shore and the idol is believed
to be “Swayambhu”. Ganapatipule has a beautiful unspoiled beach. Malgund, a small
village about 1 km away from Ganapatipule, where the memorial of the famous Marathi
poet, Kavi Keshavsoot, built by the Marathi SahityaParishad, is also worth a visit.
OmkareshwarMandir and PrachinKonkan Museum are other attractions.
|
|
Sindhudurg
Sprawling over an area of 5,207 sq km Sindhudurg comprises seven provinces – Malvan,
Kankavali, Devgad, Vaibhavwadi, Kudal, Vengurla and Sawantwadi. Ideal especially
for beach tourism, Sindhudurg is well connected with various parts of the country
by the Konkan Railway. It is named after one of the favourite sea forts of Chhatrapati
Shivaji, the founder of the Maratha Empire. A beautifully developed coastline, Malvan
is famous for the Sindhudurg Fort built by Boat charges Rs. 25 (round trip). Also
Malwani cuisine is well known all over India. The Marine Sanctuary here covers an
area of 29.25 sq km and is rich in coral and other sea life.
|
|
|
Pawas:
|
Pawas is known for the Ashram of Swami Swarupananda which is home to an ancient
Shiva temple with its five tiered Deepmala and a Swayambhu Ganapati formed on the
trunk of a tree.
|
|
Jaigad
|
Jaigad creek is dotted with fishing villages and palm fringed beaches. It also has
a tiny fort, part of which is now converted into a traveller’s bungalow. The ancient
temple of Karateshwar lies 1.5 km from the fort.
|
|
Dapoli
This town is famous for mango farms and its mango market. The place is home to the
Konkan Krishi Vidyapith and Sane Guruji Institute. The nearest railhead for Dapoli
is Khed (27 km) on the Konkan Railway.
|
|
Purnagad
|
The place is home to a ruined fort, from where you can have breath-taking view of
the sea. Enroute visit the Samadhi and ashram of Swami Swarupananda at Pawas.
|
|
Harnai
This seaside resort is visited by the tourists for its palm fringed beaches – Harnai
Beach and Murud Beach. Siddhi VinayakGanapati, Durgadevi Temples and Suvarnadurg
Fort are other attractions here. 15 km away from Harnai, Anjarle Village is also
a popular beach resort.
|
|
|
Sangameshwar
Sangameshwar, the confluence of the rivers Alaknanda and Varuna, is a sacred place
for the devotees.
|
|
|
Chiplun
|
Nestled in scenic surroundings and ringed by the higher hills of the Western Ghats,
Chiplun, meaning “The abode of Lord Parshuram”, is an industrial town catering to
mostly pharmaceutical and chemical industries. Chiplun is home to the fort of Govalkot,
on the top of which is a hotel run by the Taj Group of Hotels. Places around Chiplun
are Koyna Dam (43 km) and Marleshwar (65 km), Dervan Shivshrusti (20 km) and Guhagar
(45 km ) 18 km from Guhagar, Velneshwar is a small seaside resort with a Shiva temple.
Hedvi (20 kmfrom Guhagar) has a temple dedicated to Dasabhuj Ganesh and a beach.
|
|
Devgad
Devgad is famous for its temples, fort and a beach. Among the places of interest
in Devgad include Gajbadevi and Vimleshwar Shiva temples, Devgad Beach, ruins of
the Devgad Fort and modern windmills. Devgad is also well known for the Alphonso
mangoes. In the south, between Devgad and Kunkeshwar is the Tara Mumbri Beach. A
large number of tourists visit this beach in the night to watch a rare phenomenon
known as phosphorescence and to see porpoises playing in the sea.
|
|
Kunkeshwar
|
Kunkeshwar in Devgad Taluka is an important pilgrim centre in Konkan region and
is also famous for its fine and silver sand beach. On the beach is the Hemadpanthi
Shiva Temple built in 1650.
|
|
Tarkarli
Situated at the confluence of the river Karliand the Arabian Sea, it is the most
beautiful beach of Maharashtra and a scenic place, away from the city life. The
water is so clear that the seabed upto a depth of 15 ft can be seen. Places of interest
include, Tarkarli Beach, Tarkarli Creek – a bird watcher’s paradise, Kolamb Beach,
Ahra Beach, Newali- Bhogwe Beach which can be reached by ferry, Sindhudurg Fort
(6 km), Deobagh Beach (7 km), Dhamapur Lake (20 km).
|
|
|
Kudal
|
On the Mumbai Goa National Highway, Kudal is a scenic town on the river side. Places
of interest include the Agriculture Research Centre and Kudaleshwar Temple.
|
|
Vengurla
|
This seaside town is located 524 km away from Mumbai. Vengurla’s coast line is dotted
with some of the most exotic and virgin beaches in Maharashtra. Places of interest
in Vengurla are the light house, Fruit Research Centre, Vengurla’s Market, Sagareshwar
Beach, Vayangani Beach, Mochemad fishing village and beach.
|
|
Amboli
Engulfed by dense forests and steep valleys, the tranquil hill resort of Amboli
is situated at an altitude of 690 m in the ruggedly sculpted Sahyadris. The breath-taking
mountain range, the spectacular waterfalls, the mist clad Konkan at the bottom of
the hills, Amboli presents some of the best panoramic views of the region. Places
of interest include, Mahadevgad (fort), Narayangad, Nangartas Waterfalls, Sunset
Point and other view points, etc.
|
|
|
Moti Talao, Sawantwadi
|
First look at Sawantwadi, and you can be forgiven for wondering if it is a piece
of Nainital which has lost its way and landed up at the foot of Western Ghats. The
town was the seat of the Royal family of Bhonsles and still retains some of the
stately grandeur. It sits in a bowl of lush green hills encircling a huge lake called
Moti Talao. The palace gate and the imposing clock tower are reflected in the waters.
Tourists can take a round of the lake in a peddle-boat or can simply feast on the
emerald beauty while walking in the lakeside gardens. As the sun sets, streetlights
come on at once around the complete perimeter of the lake. It is a moment with something
extra to make your vacation unforgettable.
|
|
Raigad Fort, Raigad
|
Raigad Fort is a hill fortress situated in the Sahyadri mountain range at Raigad
district of Maharashtra. This fort is situated 2,700 ft above sea level. There are
about 1400-1450 steps leading to the fort. Raigad Fort is also known as ‘the Gibralter
of the east’. The fort was built by Chandrarao Mores in 1030. Maratha king Chhatrapati
Shivaji made this fort his capital in 1674. An artificial lake called Ganga Sagar
Lake is created next to the fort. A statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji is erected in
front of the ruins of the main market avenue which leads to the Jagdishwar Mandir
and Chhatrapati Shivaji’s Samadhi and that of his dog Waghya.
|
|
Murud-Janjira, Alibaug
This fort is situated on an oval shape rock. The fort has 19 rounded bastions. The
fortress is 300 years old, and is an architectural marvel. Inside the fort, there
are 2 water tanks and some tombs.
|
|
|
Matheran
|
Matheran is a small hill station in Maharashtra. It is situated on the Western Ghats
range at an elevation of around 2,625 feet above sea level. There are approximately
38 lookout points at Matheran which offer spectacular views of the surrounding hills
and valleys. Matheran has a reasonably dense forest cover. It is located on the
Western Ghats range at a height of around 800 m above sea level. Some of the points
are the One Tree Hill Point, The Louisa Point, Hart Point, Monkey Point, Porcupine
Point, Rambgh Point, and more.
|
|
Shiv Mandir, Ambarnath
The Shiv Mandir of Ambarnath is also called the Ambreshwar Shiva Temple. Built in
1060 AD, It is situated 2 km away from Ambarnath (East) railway station in Maharastra,
India. It is said that Shilahara king Chhittaraja constructed it, his son Mummuni
rebuilt it. The temple is on the bank of Vadavan (Waldhuni) river. The temple is
Hemadpanthi-styled, beautifully carved on stones.
|
|
|
Jawhar Rajwada, Palghar
|
Jawhar is a small hill station municipal council situated on a plateau of sahyadris
between rift valleys in Palghar district.It is located at a distance of 42 km from
Palghar district. it is also known as the 'Mahabaleshwar of Palghar District'. Jawhar
is highly enriched with natural beauties and manmade marvels.
|
|
Arnala fort, Vasai
Arnala Fort is built on a small island of the port town of Arnala, located around
8 miles north of Vasai, Maharastra, India. Being an island fort, it is also called
Jaldurg or Janjire-Arnala. The Portuguese, who owned this fort rebuilt and gave
it the name Ilha das vacas.
|
|
|
Cuisines from Konkan
The Konkani food and cuisines are famous for its mouth watering delicacies and also
known as Malvani cuisine. Famous and spicy dishes from Konkan are sea-food
dishes, Ukadiche Modak, Malvani Fish Curry and Kombdi Vade along with local Solkadhi
one of the popular local drink of the Konkan region.
Konkan is also well known for its natural beauty and majestic ghats. For more information
on Tourism please click here
|
|