Fred Travels

The Sindhudurg,was built in 1664 AD on a low rocky 48-acre island off the Malvan coast. Vijaydurg and Sindhudurg are twin forts from the days of Shivaji's time that is a historic place with its serene coastal beauty.

Reaching there:

Sindhudurg is just 510 km from Mumbai via the Goa Highway. The fort can be reached through a narrow a channel, between two small islands of Dhontara and Padmagad. Ferries ply at regular intervals from the Malvan port to the Sindhudurg fort.

By Road
Shortest Route From Mumbai: Kms: 489 via road (NH66)
Duration: 10 hrs 22 mins

From Goa : Kms: 135
Duration: 3 hrs 15 mins

By Rail
From Mumbai: Dadar - Sindhudurg
Duration: 8hrs 10 mins

From Goa: Madgaon - Sindhudurg
Duration: 2hrs

Things to do around the Fort:

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• Malvan Marine Sanctuary - Rich in coral & marine life and can be visited throughout the year. Its main wildlife attractions are black-headed gulls, terns, plovers, water-fowl, ducks, egrets etc.

• Rock Garden - A beautiful garden that overlooks the Chivla beach.

• Scuba Diving - clear waters near the fort make it an an ideal place to Scuba Dive

• Snorkeling - It is a another popular activity to see coral reefs. Marine life & coral reefs can be seen while snorkeling, on the outer side of the Sindhudurg Fort walls.

• Shivrajeshwar Temple - Situated inside the Sindhudurg Fort. It was built by Shivaji Maharaj’s younger son, Rajaram in 1695 & dedicated in honor of his father.

• Queen’s Beach - A small beach situated, just outside the southern wall of the Sindhudurg Fort. It was the exclusive bathing spot of Queen Tarabai.

• Malvan Beach - The pristine beach is situated in Malvan and remains the most popular beaches.

• Jai Ganesh Mandir - built by the famous astrologer, Mr. Jayant Salgaonkar in 2004 & is dedicated to Lord Ganesha. This temple is now a major tourist attraction.

• Chivla Beach - It is a white sand beach located in Malvan. It is lined with coconut trees & has rocks at its end. Water sport activities can be done on this beach.

• Our Lady of Rosary Church - It is a Roman Catholic church situated in Malvan. It was built in 1815 & is considered as one of the most beautiful architecture in Sindhudurg District.

Eating places around the Fort :

[caption id="attachment_985" align="alignnone" width="616"] Fish Thali in Konkan[/caption]

• Atithi Bamboo Restaurant


• Hotel Chaitanya


• Aswad Veg Food


• Hotel Shirgaonkar


• Swami Family Restaurant


• Ocean’s Paradise Restaurant

http://www.fredtravels.com/blog/mighty-tale-sindhudurg/

The beautiful town on Harihareshwar is one of the most frequented one in the Konkan region. It is flanked by three hills making the weather here cooler than other beach-side towns. The town is also famous for its Shiva temple as locals believe the town to be blessed by Lord Harihareshwar. Another attraction is the River Savitri which enters the Arabian sea via this town. Harihareshwar also attracts a lot of tourists to experience the Olive Ridley turtle nesting during the rearing season.

HOW TO GET THERE

By Road
Distance: Visitors can drive down the Konkan belt with a distance of just 200 kms enjoying mesmerizing views.
Duration:
Mumbai: 5 hrs
Pune: 4.5 hrs
Goa: 10.5 hrs

By Rail
About 60 kms away, the nearest railway station is Mangaon, near Harihareshwar. Major towns are well connected by railways.

By Air
The Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport in Mumbai is the nearest airport to Harihareshwar.

BEST TIME TO VISIT

The winter months from October to February are the best to visit Harihareshwar. Visitors can also plan to witness festivals like Diwali, Shivratri and Ganesh Chaturthi which are full of pomp and celebrations.

PLACES TO VISIT

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• Harihareshwar Beach - Less famous than other beaches in Konkan but clean and secluded. Watching the nesting of Olive Ridley turtles is priceless!


• Kalbhairav Yogeshwari Temple - Ancient and renowned with beautiful architecture, this temple dedicated to Lord Shiva is a must visit in Harihareshwar.


• Harihareshwar Temple - It is believed that one must visit the smaller Kalbhairav temple first, before entering the main Harihareshwar temple which houses an ancient Shiva Linga.


• Ganesh Gully - Located by the beach, between two mountains, this narrow path is famous as it leads to a Ganesha temple at its peak.

SHOPPING

This tranquil beach holiday offers local produce which visitors can take back home. Shops around the main temples and beach shacks can be visited to take back souvenirs and Konkan delicacies. Fresh fruits and juices are popular in this town. Tourists can also buy fresh Kokum and Jambuls.

EATING OUT

Having religious importance, Hariahreshwar offers vegetarian delights to tourists along with the famous Konkani-Malwani cuisine. Kokum Sherbat and Sol Kadhi are among the must try beverages when in this area.

Top Restaurants:

• Nandanvan


• Sea View by MTDC


• Vishranti Residency

THINGS TO DO

Forget your woes as this breezy and quaint town relaxes you. Take a dip in the sea and enjoy the tranquility at the beach. Waters sports like paragliding and water surfing can be enjoyed too. Temple tours to pay respect to Lord Shiva can also be a part of the itinerary. Visitors can also plan to visit the nearby Kondivli beach.

http://www.fredtravels.com/blog/harihareshwar-rejuvenate-revive/

Murud holds strong historical importance owing to the reign of Shivaji Maharaj. This town thus proudly welcomes tourists to explore its majestic forts along with the perfect beach-vacation! Murud is a picturesque town, lined with palm & coconut trees, sandy long beach and touristic sports to encounter - giving the tourist an ideal holiday venture to spend a long weekend here.

HISTORY

The town of Murud was once a capital of the Siddis of Janjira. Shivaji Maharaj tried to conquer the fort of Murud several times. It is still is one of the most important sea forts in Maharashtra, built 2 kms into the sea. Pride of Murud-Janjira, this fort stands tall with its gleaming grandeur, inviting history buffs to explore it in different shades. The town of Murud has a strong influence of the Siddis reign which can be felt all around. The Siddi palace stands even today on the outskirts of the village.

HOW TO GET THERE

By Road
From Mumbai, enroute Alibaug by road which is 140 kms away, Murud is just a few kms ahead.

By Air
Chhatrapati Shivaji Airport in Mumbai is closest to Murud. - 142 kms away.

By Rail
Travellers can also reach Murud by rail, Roha being the closest railway station about 35 kms away from the main town.

BEST TIME TO VISIT

Avoiding the monsoon, Murud can be visited all year round. Although summer months are scorching, this town remains a favourite for beach activities and touring around.

PLACES TO VISIT

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• Murud-Janjira - The famous marine fort located on a tiny island, off the sea is a must visit.


• Ahmedganj Palace - This palace housed the Nawabs of Janjira, now a private property. With gothic and Mughal architecture, this palace is mesmerizing.


• Datta Mandir - Located atop a hill, this red-domed temple houses a thre-headed idol of Lord Shri Datta who symbolizes the holy trinity of hindu scriptures.


• Padmadurg (Kasa Fort) - One of the five historical sea forts built by Shivaji Maharaj, the Kasa fort near Murud is a must see. The ferry ride to reach the fort is fun!


• Eidgah - Overlooking the Arabian sea, this open-air Mosque in Murud talks talks of the Mughal era and is a stunning monument to see.


• Khokari Tombs - Built in the Indo-Saracenic style, these massive tombs are nearly 500 years old. Janjira influence and historic tales to accompany, this place is a must visit.


• Garambi Dam - Constructed by Nawab Sir Siddi Ahmed Khan during the Siddi reign in memory of Queen Victoria, it is known as Victoria Jubilee Water Works and is located 8 kms from Murud.


• Phansad Wildlife Sanctuary - A wildlife refuge about 11 kms north of Murud. It was created in 1986 to preserve some of the coastal woodland ecosystem of the Western Ghats. It consists of 6979 hectares of forest, grasslands and wetlands.


• Kashid Beach - Located approximately 17 kms north of Murud. It is popular mainly because of its white sand deposits.

SHOPPING

The Khatu Mill in the main market is famous for its ‘masalas’ – a must take-away from Murud. The Jai Hanuman Hotel sells well known coconut barfi and chikki which locals adore. Also, being in the Konkan belt, delicacies from this region – masalas, pickles, fried fish, dried fruit products are some things which visitors must indulge in.

EATING OUT

Murud is a faourite for sea-food lovers. The Konkani cuisine can be enjoyed at various restaurants. The Patil Khanaval boasts to serve the best fish in Murud. Vegetarians can gorge over piping hot ‘batata vadas’ at Hotel Patils.

Top Restaurants -

• Patil Khanaval


• Paresh Restaurant


• Neel Restauarant


• Hotel Vinayak

THINGS TO DO

[caption id="attachment_935" align="alignnone" width="616"] Murud beach[/caption]

A calming walk on the beach, a dip in the ocean and enjoying the tranquility – everything is possible at Murud! Visiting forts, palaces and famous monuments must aslo be on the list. Visitors can also think of exploring nearby towns like – Nandgaon and Kashid. The peaceful charm of the town, great food and a rejuvenating experience – Murud awaits you!

http://www.fredtravels.com/blog/momentous-murud/

The quaint town of Dapoli is also known as Camp Dapoli. The British set their camps in the Konkan region here and this town thus has an old abandoned church from British times. Home to one of the biggest Agricultural Universities in India - Dr. Balasaheb Sawant Konkan Krishi Vidyapeeth, beautiful beaches and housing upcoming resorts, Dapoli is emerging not just with tourist flocks but also commercially.

HOW TO GET THERE

By Road
The simplest and best way to get in is by road. Dapoli is 217 kms from Mumbai along NH-17 (Mumbai-Goa) & 180 kms from Pune.

By Rail
The nearest train station is Khed which is 30 kms away from Dapoli.

By Air
The nearest airport is Ratnagiri which is around 127 kms away.

BEST TIME TO VISIT

Since Dapoli is located on the coastal belt of the country, one can think of visiting this place in the winter months - October end to mid-February. As the Konkan region comes alive during the monsoons, a different hue of Dapoli can be experienced when it rains here.

PLACES TO VISIT

[caption id="attachment_863" align="alignnone" width="616"] Dapoli Tour Places[/caption]

• Asud - A tiny village around 10 kms from Dapoli is visited for its famous ancient temples of Shree Keshavraj and Shree Vyagreshwar.


• Karde Beach - An ideal beach holiday getaway this untouched Konkan beach with clean sand & Casuarina plantations will mesmerize you.


• Harnai Beach - just 15 kms away, this beach promises to bring back the calm within you with its tranquil atmosphere.


• Kadyavarcha Ganpati Temple - This temple is located in Anjarle, a small village near Dapoli. Visitors must climb a mighty old stone staircase to reach the top to experience magnificent views of the coastline.


• Panhalekaji Caves - Located on the banks of the river Kotjai, these rock cut temples are a must visit for history lovers.


• Unhavare Hot Water Spring - If in Dapoli, your travel is incomplete without visiting the Unhavare Hot Springs, a quick one-hour drive away. The water from these springs is believed to have medicinal values and is rich in Sulphur which is good for the skin.

Planning to visit Tarkarli : Click Here

SHOPPING

[caption id="attachment_865" align="alignnone" width="616"] Shopping at Dapoli[/caption]

Visitors can explore the varieties of the Konkan region in Dapoli – dried fish, papads and fry-ems, homemade chutneys and pickles! Souvenirs from beach stalls can be great gifts to give away as well.

EATING OUT

Konkan is well-known for its seafood and the Konkani-Malvani cuisine does not disappoint! Visitors can indulge in exploring this spicy coconut laden cuisine which is tantalizing – fried fish, curries with crustaceans served with a humble serving of steamed rice. Kokam juice and Solkadhi, found all over this region is a must try.

Popular Restaurants –

• Annapurna Restaurant


• Jagdish Lunch Home


• Hari’s Vegetarian Restaurant

THINGS TO DO

[caption id="attachment_864" align="alignnone" width="616"] Dolphin Watching in Dapoli[/caption]

• Water sports and dolphin watching at the Dapoli beach.


• Visit the calming beaches – Hanai & Karde


• A hot spring dip at Unhavare.


• Enjoy Konkani food

http://www.fredtravels.com/blog/idyllic-dapoli/

 

Alibag a quaint coastal town in Raigad. One of the most popular weekend getaways for the tourists. Alibag is home to the Historical forts, continuous web of beaches, untouched aquatic life, gardens, tempting seafood and of course its pristine beaches Alibag is also known as the ‘Goa of Maharashtra’.

HISTORY

History of Alibag city dates back to the 17th century. Towards the end of the 17th century, Sarkhal Kanhojio Aangre, the naval chief of King Shivaji's regime planned and created the city of Alibag. At that time, most of the land area of Alibag was under the sea. Coconut and betel-nut orchards were on the shores. Earlier, Alibag was known as ‘Kolaba’, attributed to the Kolaba Fort which was built by Shivaji in 1680. Legend says that a wealthy Muslim named Ali owned many plantations and it is from him that the town derived its name Alibag. In the year 1852, Alibag was made the district headquarters.

HOW TO GET THERE

By Road
Distance :Alibag is 95 kms from Mumbai by road. A journey of 3 hours via Navi Mumbai.
Duration:
Mumbai: 2 hrs 45 mins
Pune: 3 hrs 11 mins
Goa: 10 hrs 40 mins

By Rail
Konkan Railway trains from CST Mumbai stop at Pen which is 30 kms from Alibag. Duration: 2 hrs 21 mins

By Air
The closest International Airport is Mumbai where you are going to first land in.

By Sea
Alibag can be reached by sea. You can take a catamaran/ferry from Gateway of India to Mandwa. From Mandwa, you will take a bus to Alibag. There is another option to reach Alibag by sea. You can take a catamaran/ferry from Bhaucha Dhakka to Rewas. From Rewas, you will take a bus to Alibag.

BEST TIME TO VISIT

The best time to visit Alibag is from November to July when the temperature reaches about 14°C and the weather is conducive enough to relax on the beaches. From August to October, during the rainy season, tourists can expect frequent downpours that prevent sightseeing. Hence, avoid visiting Alibag during the rainy season.

PLACES TO VISIT

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• Kolaba Fort - It is an old military fortification in Alibag. Surrounded by waters of Arabian Sea from all sides, it is one of the most important tourist attraction in Alibag. This fort was built by Shivaji Maharaj.


• Alibag Beach - It is one of the most prominent beaches of Alibag. It has black sand deposits & it is a must visit place.


• Alibag Magnetic Observatory - It was established in 1904 in Alibag which served as one of the significant observatories to form a global network. The observatory provides record for the geomagnetic observations.


• Kanhoji Angre Mausoleum - It is a beautiful tourist spot in Alibag that was built in memory of the great Maratha Admiral Kanhoji Angre. It has eight faces and the sculptured pillars which have been dilapidated, but however it stands firm.


• Magen Aboth Synagogue - It is situated at Alibag. It was constructed in 1848 by the Bene Israeli community which is the largest Jewish community of the Indian Jewish community.


• Hirakota Old Fort - It is a fort built by the Angres in 1720 in the heart of Alibag. Its imposing black Basalt high walls are indicative of the significance of this fort. It is now used as a District Jail.


• Varsoli Beach - It is one of the least visited beaches of Alibag. It is not visited by many tourists & it remains less crowded than other beaches of Alibag.


• Birla Mandir - It is located 20 kms away from Alibag in Salav village. This temple has been built by the Vikram Ispat company, a part of Birla udyog group.


• Mandwa Beach - It is located 20 kms north of Alibag and is visited by number of tourists. The village of Mandwa which is also located nearby, attracts visitors due to the presence of dense coconut trees.


• Kihim Beach - It is situated 12 kms from Alibag. It lies to the north of the city and is surrounded by various trees with colourful butterflies, coconut trees & wild flowers. Beautiful migratory and resident birds are found in abundance at the beach that attract tourists in large numbers.


• Nagaon Beach - It is a beautiful beach situated 7 kms from Alibaug on Alibag-Revdanda route. It is surrounded by suru trees & cypress grove and is visited by number of tourists for its clean water.


• Akshi Beach - Akshi Beach is located at around 5 kms from Alibag. It is a white sand beach with numerous suru trees present along the coast.


• Revdanda Fort - It is located around 17 kms from Alibag and is known as Revdanda Aagarkot. The fort was built by a Portuguese Captain, Soj in 1524. It houses the Tower of St. Barbara, a seven storey Portuguese watchtower.


• Karmarkar Museum - It is a museum of exquisite sculptures from the renowned sculptor Padmashri Vinayak Pandurang Karmarkar in Sasavne, about 18 kms from Alibag Bus Depot.


• Korlai Fort - It is a Portuguese fortification in the town of Korlai about 24 kms from Alibag. It was built by Dom Filipe Mascarenhas in 1521 on an island which guards the way to the Revdanda Creek.


• Chaul - It is a historic town about 18 km from Alibag. It is famous for its Portuguese ruins, an old church, a synagogue, Buddhist caves, the Hamam Khana and a temple. It is a former city of Portuguese India.

SHOPPING

In Alibag, there are small lanes & streets that are great for a local shopping experience. Shopaholics will be surprised with the local, hand-made garments, bags, antique jewelry, leather items & furniture. The 'Kohlapuris' (traditional footwear) are also easily available at throwaway prices.

EATING OUT

Since Alibag is a coastal town, you can expect to find amazingly fresh seafood in and around. The town is famous for the seafood catch that comprises of lobsters, prawns, pomfret and crab. For those looking for the town's specialty of meat, there are many restaurants that serve the 'Bombay Duck', made with the freshest spices and the local curry.
Restaurants:
Sanman Restaurant
Waves Restaurant
Suruchi Restaurant
Phulora Restaurant

THINGS TO DO

Enjoy a tonga ride or build a sand castle.. bask on the beach and watch an alluring sunset. Connect to yourself and nature. Indulge in fresh pomfret, prawns, crabs, Bombay duck and lobsters. Buy nice junk jewellery, bags, antiques etc. If you want to enjoy a quiet beach, you can also visit Varsoli Beach that lies on the outskirts of Alibag

http://www.fredtravels.com/blog/alibag-goa-maharashtra/

A tiny beach town, Diveagar is located on the west coast of the Arabian Sea, 40 kms off the Mumbai-Goa National Highway in Raigad district of Maharashtra.  Diveagar is an ideal weekend getaway pristine white beaches , blue waters and thick forestation of coconut groves and beetle nut trees.

HOW TO GET THERE

By Road
Diveagar is well connected by road.
Distance from Mumbai : 189 kms away from Mumbai.
Duration : 4 hrs

By Rail
The nearest station is at Mangaon located about 50 kms from Diveagar. Trains from cities including Mumbai, Ernakulam, Margao, Bikaner, Thiruvananthapuram halt at the station.
Duration : 3 hrs

By Air
The nearest international airport is at Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport in Mumbai. The tourists will land at Pune Airport.

BEST TIME TO VISIT

The best time to visit Diveagar is during the winter months between October and January Temperature : 12°C to 33°C .
Monsoon months: June-September, it experiences heavy rainfall and is not ideal to visit the place.
Summer season from March to May, the level of mercury rises to a maximum of 40°C.

PLACES TO VISIT

[caption id="attachment_844" align="alignnone" width="616"] Rupnarayan Mandir[/caption]

Uttareshwar Temple - It is a very old Shiva temple. It is situated near Srushti Villa.

Rupnarayan Mandir - Believed to have been built in 13th century, the Vishnu Temple was built under the rule of the king Shailahar.

Diveagar Beach - It is a beach known for its cool blue waters & pristine white sands

SHOPPING

Beetle Nuts and items made from Coconut Coir. Coir rope, coir fiber, coir pith are available in the local shops.

Typical Konkani handmade products like papads, and other fry-ems (jackfruit wafers) (mango and jackfruit delicacies), amla candy and kokam syrup can be bought

EATING OUT

If you want to try some delicious fish dishes, then you must head to Mihika Bhojnalaya. You may also like to try out the Surmai Fry or Surmai Masala along with rice that is served here.

You can relish some authentic north Indian cuisine at Prathamesh Holiday Homes or you may try some home-made Konkani sea-food at khanawals – an extension of local homes serving delicious home-made Konkani sea-food.

Some popular Khanawals are :
Swayam Patil Khanawal
Rane Bandhu Khanawal
Suhas Bapat Khanawal

http://www.fredtravels.com/blog/diveagar-paradise-earth/

White sands, clear blue waters a vertible blend of seas and sands makes Tarkarli a tiny village in Sindhudurg district of Maharashtra a haven to rest and rejuvenate. Popular spot for water sports and  snorkeling.

HOW TO GET THERE

By Road
There are no direct buses to Tarkarli but Malvan which is 4 kms away is well connected by road to nearby cities. It is well connected by road and you can drive there from Mumbai, Pune and other nearby places. Tarkarli is 490 kms away from Mumbai.
Mumbai: 490 kms, 9 hrs 36 mins
Pune: 393 kms, 7 hrs 52 mins
Goa: 147 kms, 3 hrs 31 mins

By Rail
Kudal, 45 kms away is the nearest railway station. The Konkan Express & Mandovi Express stop at Tarkarli.

By Air
Tarkarli is located on the Konkan coast which is 6 kms south of Malvan. The nearest airport is Dabolim in Goa which is 131 kms away.

BEST TIME TO VISIT

The best time to visit Tarkarli is from October to March as the temperatures during this time are perfect for snorkeling & scuba diving.
Winter : November to February is warm & comfortable with average temperature being around 21°C.
Avoid Tarkarli : July to September, as the place experiences heavy rains.

EATING OUT

The restaurants in Tarkarli serve the most fresh and delicious sea food. For the vegetarians, the Sol Kadi & Aamras are not to be missed. Also you can try out the kombadi-vada, a Malvan speciality.

Popular Restaurants:  

• Bamboo Restaurant Tarkarli & is just a short drive from Tarkarli Beach.


• Chaitanya in the Malvan Market that has delicious sea food.


• The MTDC restaurants


• Swami Family Restaurant


• Only Fish


• Ocean’s Paradise


• Hotel Shirgaonkar

THINGS TO DO

Water sports
You can do snorkeling, scuba diving, swimming, boating or just relaxing & sunbathing on the beach.

• Trip to the famous Sindhudurg Fort


• Tarkarli Creek


• head to Malvan – a picturesque town near Tarkarli.

Shop

cashew nuts and cashew bars
Amba Poli (Aam papad) , Amba wadi, Kokam wadi & Karvande wadi.

PLACES TO VISIT

Sindhudurg Fort - Constructed by Shivaji Maharaj in 1664, the historical fort is, just off the coast of Maharashtra in Western India.

Tarkarli Beach - It is a clean water beach located between the union of Arabian sea and Karli river. It is popular among the tourists for the deep sea bed and clean water.

Karli Backwaters - The backwaters in Tarkarli is unique in its own. The water sports & boating are the activities provided by the Maharashtra government.

Vijaydurg Fort - It is the oldest fort on the Sindhudurg coast. It was constructed during the reign of Raja Bhoja II of the Shilahar dynasty and restructured by Shivaji Maharaj.

Kudal – the beautiful city of temples.

Mahapurush Temple - It is temple in Tarkarli where the Ramnavami Utsav is celebrated in the month of March. Cultural programs and drama are organised during the festival.

http://www.fredtravels.com/blog/trip-beautiful-tarkarli/