Konkan in Maharashtra is probably the
state’s most underrated regions. With a beautiful coastal stretch starting from
Thane district and going all the way down to Goa, Konkan is home to some of the
most beautiful beaches and the most majestic forts. Come monsoon and the
weather in the region goes from sweltering hot to pleasantly cool. Konkan turns
a new leaf with its forests receiving a fresh coat of green. The places in
Konkan are perfect for travelers who want to get away from all the hubbub of
the city life and find some solace in the lap of nature. Here’s where you
should head to in Konkan this monsoon.
1. Ganpatipule :
The temple town with ample greenery and virgin beaches,
Ganpatipule is one of the most beautiful tourist attractions of the Konkan
stretch. You can visit Swayambhu Ganpati Temple, Ganpatipule beach, backwaters
and a museum called Prachin Konkan or simply relax by the beach in one of the
many hotels in the area.
You can either reach Ganpatipule by road which is a scenic
stretch or you can reach here by train, the nearest railhead is Ratnagiri. From
here you can use public transport or hire a car to reach Ganpatipule. It will
take you about 45 minutes to an hour to reach.
2. Alibaug :
Another coastal town, Alibaug is known for its beaches,
fort and villas. A weekend getaway for most Mumbaikars, it is a place to unwind
and relax. Monsoon may make the beaches inaccessible due to high tide but the
beauty of the place is breathtaking in the rains. Sip a hot cuppa as you look
at the waves. When here, don’t forget to visit the majestic fort of
Murud-Janjira.
You can drive down to Alibaug or take a ferry from Gateway
of India, Mumbai. It will take you an hour to reach Alibaug by sea from where
you can take a rickshaw to your resort.
3. Dapoli :
This town boasts of having one of the
longest beaches in the country. Sea forts like the Suvarnadurg Fort, Karde
beach and Unhavare which is a hot spring are some of its main attractions. But
when in Dapoli, do attend the Harnai fish auction and visit the Panhalekaji
Buddhist caves.
The nearest rail head is Khed, which is 40
km away from Dapoli. However, it is better to drive down to Dapoli as the
beaches and sightseeing options in this town are far and public transport
service isn’t very great.
4. Ratnagiri :
Ratnagiri isn’t just famous for its mangoes, it is also a
tourist destination known for its beaches, monuments and temples. The port city
is known for its black sand beach, the Mandvi beach, Ratnadurga fort and Thibaw
Palace. You can drive down National Highway 17 to reach Ratnagiri but the
better option is by train. Ratnagiri is now very easily accessible thanks
to the Konkan Railway line that started operations in the early ’90s.
5. Malvan :
The Malvan region of Maharashtra is also
very serene with white sand beaches lined with coconut trees and blue
waters inviting you to get out of the bustling city life. From Tarkarli, which
is famous for its water sports to Vengurla, which is surrounded by hills and
lush greenery, there is a lot to explore in Malvan. Watching the sunset,
relaxing by the beach and enjoying yummy Malvani cuisine are a few things you
can do here.
If you are going by road to Malvan from Pune or Mumbai, it
makes for long road trip as it will take you about eight to nine hours to reach
your destination. However, if you are taking the train, you can get off at
Sindhudurg or Kudal railway station. From here you can book a cab to reach
Malvan which lies 30 km away.