Source: www.tripsaround.in
Maharashtra is a state best described as a land of beaches, mountains, and wonderful food. Wth weekends coming up and nowhere to go, there’s always a number of options available here where you can just take off for a day and come back the next, feeling refreshed and ready to face Monday, like a boss.
Here are a few quick vacation getaways in and around Maharashtra.
1. Panchgani
Needless to say, Panchgani is a popular hill station with a breathtaking view. Things to do: Treks, walks, adventure sports, or spend some quiet time in a resort, enjoying the natural beauty around.
2. Malshej Ghat
Situated among the mighty hills of the Western Ghats, the Malshej Ghat is a mountain pass situated between Pune and Mumbai. It has a large amount of flora and fauna, and the picturesque view of the valley is a major attraction. People often go for fun bike rides during the monsoons, to witness the pretty waterfalls. It’s a must visit place for nature lovers.
3. Kamshet
Also located between Pune and Mumbai, Kamshet is a major attraction for its paragliding and trekking activities. Don’t forget to relish on the Misal Pav here!
4. Alibaug
Not to far from Mumbai, Alibaug is the right place to be if you’re looking to have some fun with your friends. Beaches like Nagaon, Kashid, and it’s namesake, Alibag are open for people to enjoy, and so are the Khanderi and Underi forts among others.
5. Dapoli
Presesnt in the Ratnagiri district of Maharashtra, Dapoli has several places of interest. Apart from having breathtaking sunsets at the beaches, there are forts of Kanakdurg and Suvarnadurg, the Karde beach where people can go dolphin spotting, and several other activities
6. Diveagar
Located in the Raigad district of Maharashtra, Diveagar is one place where you can go for its beaches and walks in small lanes. Not to mention, lovely food.
7. Kaas Plateau
Situated in the Western Ghat Sahyadri range, the Kaas Plateau is known for various types of wild flowers which bloom during August-September every year. The entire plateau looks breathtakingly beautiful with flowers of all kinds growing there. Also, on the south of the plateau we have the Kaas lake, another tourist attraction.
8. Lonar Crater lake
Created by a meteor impact during the Pleistocene Epoch, The Lonar Crater lake at Lonar in the Buldana district. It looks scary, but that’s where the fun in going there is. 😀
9. Nighoj village
The reason behind every geologist, Nighoj is a small village in the Ahmednagar district of Maharashtra. The village has naturally created potholes that capture every expert’s fancy.
10. Sindhudurg Fort
Lying on the shore of the Sindhudurg district of Maharashtra, the Sindhudurg Fort is another place you should be if History interests you. 🙂
11. Rajgad Fort
Located in Pune, the Rajgad fort is popular among all kinds of trekkers and adventure tourists. Best time to trek- after monsoons. It is steep and tricky, and hence adds to the adrenaline bit of the trek. Since the fort is huge, some people prefer to stay overnight, and that makes for a fun camping trip as well.
12. Matheran
Another hill station in the Raigad district, Matheran is the smallest hill station in India. Things to look out for: the Panorama Point that provides a 360 degree view of the surrounding. From this point, the view of sunset and sunrise is dramatic. The other points are the One Tree Hill Point, Hart Point, Monkey Point, Porcupine Point, Rambagh Point, etc. Matheran is an automobile-free hill station.
13. Rajmachi Fort
The Rajmachi fort is one of the forts present in the village of Rajmachi. Like Rajgad, the Rajmachi fort is another very popular trekking destination and is a favourite among adventure travellers.
14. Tarkarli beach
Tarkarli is a small village in the Sindhudurg district. The Tarkarli beach is known to have lovely, clear water that also house a lot of activities like snorkeling, scuba diving and white water rafting.
15. Lonavala
One of the classics. Lonavala is situated between Mumbai and Pune, and it’s known to be the best place to ride out to, and chill. Best time to go there: Monsoons. Preferably with someone you love.
16.Ratnagiri
Want to discover the art, culture and history of the magnificent Maharashtra, Ratnagiri is an excellent place to start your journey from. A land so vivid and spectacular, Ratnagiri has its own shade of natural beauty in every season. Bordered by the Sahyadri mountains on the eastern side, Ratnagiri is a part of Konkan division of Maharashtra. It is a coastal district hidden between Raigad and Sindhudurg. Ratnagiri is the birth place of the illustrious leaders like “Lokmānya Tilak” ( Bal Gangadhar Tilak). The region is also the hub of “Hāpus” (Alphonso) mangoes. Ratnagiri is among the premier tourist destination in Maharashtra.
Places to see in Ratnagiri: Ratnagiri is dotted with numerous tourist attractions, which include:
Mandavi Beach
A booming hot spot of tourists, Mandavi Beach is the most crowded beach in the Ratnagiri region. The prettiest beach in Ratnagiri, Mandavi is gifted with a vast line of seashore right up to Rajiwanda Port. This fabulous beach is surrounded by the west by the Ratnadurg fort, and the majestic Arabian Sea lies to its south. The proximity of the beach to the town makes it a favourite holiday spot of the water enthusiasts. Mandavi beach offers lustrous black sand and so it is renowned as the ‘Black Sea’.
Tilak Ali Museum
The museum tries to depict the significant moments in the life of Thilak through magnificent photographs. The house is a classic example of native Konkani architecture. Tilak Ali Museum is a genuine effort to put alive the memories of the famous Indian and a visit to this monument provides ample information about the struggles for freedom.This is the ancestral home of the illustrious Indian, Lokmanya Tilak. His old house is now turned into a museum containing lots of pictures of the great freedom fighter. This memorial is maintained by the State Archaeological Department.
Thibaw (Thiba) Palace
The Thibaw Point, nestled in the lap of majestic Arabian Sea, presents a picturesque view of a dense village. Situated at the hem of a hill, this point is a fast emerging tourist destination in Ratnagiri that offers delightful sceneries of a virgin land. Thibaw Point is the place where the eye catching mansion, the Thebaw Palace is located. Built in the year 1910, the palace is famous as the exile shelter of the king and the queen of Burma (Myanmar). Thibaw Point is a thriving spot of picnickers, and it gives a panoramic view of the entire city. People gather here in large groups to see the stunning view of the sunset.
Bhatye Beach
The biggest town in Konkan, Bhatye is one of the immediate suburbs of Ratnagiri town. A wonderful beach in the background of the jagged Sahyadri mountain ranges provides a panoramic view of the surroundings. The bluish water, vast expansion of silvery sands and the clean environs sprinkled with casuarinas, Bhatye beach gives exciting opportunities for water sports. The beautiful Bhatye beach presents a sleepy and peaceful atmosphere. The unpolluted air, clear sky, the vast expansion of bluish water, a quite evening, the lovely Bhatye beach is a perfect place to admire the romantic sunset.
Ratnadurg Fort
Bounded by the charming Arabian Sea on the three sides, the massive Ratnadurg Fort presents a splendid look. A massive structure in the shape of a horseshoe, with a length of 1,300 meters and a width of 1,000 meters, Ratnadurg Fort was once a strong hold of the Maratha Empire. Spread over a vast area of 120 acres, Ratnadurg Fort was under the Muslim rule for so many years. Now a collapsed structure, lying across two hills, Ratnadurg Fort gives a decrepit look. Overlooking the Arabian Sea, Ratnadurg Fort offers the dazzling view of the sun going down the sea and the roaring sound of the waves against the rocks makes a perfect atmosphere. Another specific attraction in the fort is the marvellous lighthouse situated in the bastions of the fort. Having a glorious past, Ratnadurg Fort on the coastal line of the Konkan region is a perfect place to getaway from the trappings of the city life.
Gateway of Ratnagiri
The Gateway of Ratnagiri is a very different structure with a slopped roof in the Ratnagiri Jetty in Mandavi Beach. The magnificent beach itself is renowned as the gateway of the hilly terrain. The popular belief is that this structure, the defence of the mainland, is the work of the Pratinidhi Dhondu Bhaskar. A fabulous construction overlooking the majestic Arabian Sea, Gateway of Ratnagiri provides a unique opportunity to walk through the seashore and enjoy the cool breeze that gently flows from the sea. It is indeed a marvelous experience.
Sri Kanakaditya Temple
There are only few temples of God Sun. Hindu philosophers and believers consider Sun as a God. Kasheli, a very small village in Rajapur Taluka of Ratnagiri district, is the prime attraction for devotees due to a famous and ancient temple of Sri. Kanakaditya (Name of Sun God). Kasheli is at a distance of approximately 30 kms from Ratnagiri. The temple is having a bright historical background. The deity of God Aditya (one of the names of God Sun) was brought from Prabhas Pattan Sun temple before 800 years. Prabhas Pattan is Lord Krishna’s place. Sri. Kanakaditya is very famous spiritual place from Ratnagiri district. Many devotees from all over India are visiting the temple every year. The temple trustees are celebrating five days festival of Ratha-saptami every year. Many spiritual programs like Kirtan, Pravachan, Aarati, Palakhi etc are organized during the festival period.
Bhagwati Mandir
A magnificent temple located inside the massive Ratnadurg Fort, Bhagwati Mandir is a famous pilgrim center in Ratnagiri. Bhagavati Temple is one among the ancient temples in the state of Maharashtra. Situated on the shores of the Arabian sea, the temple is blessed with a calm and serene ambience that provides a divine feeling to the devotees. The deity is adorned beautifully and the temple architecture is marvellous. Other deities like ‘Veer Vignesh’ and ‘Ashtadashbhuj’ Ganapati are unique for their sculptural works. This temple is crowded with devotees during Navratri festival, which is one of the sacred festivals celebrated all over India.
Nearby attractions of Ratnagiri: Excursions from Ratnagiri includes destinations like:
Ganapatipule
Ganpatipule is situated along the western coast of Maharashtra is only 24 km from Ratnagiri, along the Konkan coast. The place includes one of the most spectacular beaches along the KonkanCoast – an idyllic gateway that attracts peace-seekers, beach lovers, and pilgrims alike. The temple of Swayambhu (Self-originated) Ganesh is much frequented by thousands every year. The God is considered to be the Paschim Dwardevta (Western Sentinal God of India), and those who visit Ganapatipule, make it a point to pay their respect to this great deity. Aside from its clean beach and clear waters, Ganapatipule is rich in flora, including mangroves and coconut palms. Here, you can leave the hectic world behind as you laze around on golden sands or explore the many trails that lead from the beach.
Sangameshwar
Located at a distance of 50km from Ratnagiri, the place has some distinguished historical constructions and beautiful temples like Karneshwar Temple, Marleshwar Temple etc. The place is also historically significant. It is here where Sambhajiraje, son of Chhtrapati Shivaji was captured by Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb.
Devrukh
Devrukh is a farm getaway, set at a distance of 56km from Ratnagiri. Here you will enjoy a close association with nature along with, delicious local cuisine and unexplored temples, view points and beaches.
Things to do at Ratnagiri: Ratnagiri is the home to the king of the mangoes i.e Alphonso, do visit the place during the season of mango cultivation to enjoy the mouth watering taste of the fruit. Also savour the sight seeing trip in the home land of the legendary freedom fighter Lokmanya Tilak.
Best time to visit Ratnagiri: Best time to visit Ratnagiri is from October to March.
How to go ?
By Air
The nearest airport is Chhatrapati Shivaji Airport in Mumbai, which is 340 km away from Ratnagiri and well connected to all major airports in India and many cities abroad. Private cars are available from here for Ratnagiri.
By Train
Ratnagiri railway station is linked to all cities in India through Mumbai terminal. Regular daily express trains ply between Ratnagiri and Mumbai (Jan Shatabdi Ex), Delhi (Mangala Ldweep) and Mangalore (Matsyagandha Ex).
By Road
Regular bus services are available from many cities in Maharastra to Ratnagiri. State owned and private buses ply from Ratnagiri to many cities in and around. Evening trips of tourist luxury buses are available from Mumbai to Ratnagiri.
Where to stay ?
The accommodation options are in plenty here. Some options are:
Hotel Landmark: +91-02352-220120, 121, 124 Website: www.hotellandmark.net
HotelSea Rock: +91-02352-220680, 222528, 8007858888 Website: www.hotelsearock.net
Hotel Kinara: +91–02352- 234633, 696070 Website: www.hotelkinara.com
Hotel Vivek: +91-02352 -222- 162
Note : Phone numbers given above are according to the information available with us. If you find any contact number/s given above is/are incorrect or not in use, please let us know.
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