Unexplored

Vengurla

State
Maharashtra

Vengurla is a town located on the Konkan coast of Maharashtra, surrounded by a semicircular range of hills with lush green foliage mainly of cashew, mango, coconut, and different kinds of berry trees.

History

Vengurla used to be an important trade and commercial port and has witnessed many trading activities during the reign of the Maratha King, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and thereafter during the rule of British. The huge warehouses and godowns still stand today as a reminder of its glorious trading past. The town was twice burnt down between 1664 and 1812 due to repetitive attacks and plunders.

Accessibility

By Air: Ratnagiri is the nearest airport located at a distance of 200 km from Vengurla. Ratnagiri Airport is connected to Mumbai and Pune by air. Mumbai is the major International airport nearby, located nearly 535 km away from Vengurla.

By Rail: Kolhapur railway station is the nearest railhead to Vengurla. Kolhapur railway station is linked to all cities in India through Mumbai terminal.

By Road: Regular bus services are available from many cities in Maharashtra to Vengurla. State owned and private buses ply from Vengurla to many cities in and around.

Shopping

The average tourist loves to purchase at least a small memento from the places he visits. If you plan a similar exercise then the Main market place of Vengurla offers you the best bargains for some of the best stuff.

Variety of fruits, dry fruits, preserved as well fresh seafood, Local jaggery sweet and the best quality Alphonso mangoes at prices worth a steal. Vengurla Alphonsos are costlier than Malvan, Rajapur or Ratnagiri variety. Shopping in these markets is pleasant experience for the shopkeepers are lovely people who like to indulge in talks and are also open to bargaining and discussions regarding their products.

District
Sindhudurg
STD Code
02366
Topic
Unexplored
Termperature
Summer 23-37°C, Winter 16-30°C
Best time to visit
September to March

Sajan

State
Maharashtra

Sajan is surrounded by dense forest from all the sides and has a liberal growth of Mango and Chikoo (Sapota) plantations.

Accessibility

Air: Mumbai Chatrapati Shivaji International airport, which is 135 km away from Sajan, is the nearest airport. All the major airlines have service from Mumbai to all major cities in India and many cities abroad including Singapore, Hong Kong, Colombo and gulf countries. Taxis are available from Mumbai to Sajan and costs about Rs 2500.

Rail: Thane railway station is the nearest railway station to Sajan. This station is directly connected with Mumbai and regular train services are available from here to many cities in India. Taxis are also available in the railway station and fare is about Rs 200 to the heart of the city.

Road: Sajan is well connected to all neighboring cities by Government owned buses. Private A/C and non A/C deluxe buses are also available from Sajan to many cities in the State including Mumbai and Pune. Bus fare is about Rs 3 to Rs 4 per head.

Topic
Unexplored

Pandharpur

State
Maharashtra

Pandharpur is an important pilgrimage city located on the banks of river Bhimarathi. This place is one of the most revered pilgrimage sites in Maharashtra.

Accessibility

By Air: Nearest airport to Pandharpur is at Pune, at a distance of 204 km away.

By Rail: Nearest railway station to Pandharpur is at Kurduwadi, at distance of 52 km away. The major railhead nearby is Solapur, at a distance of 74 km away.

By Road: State owned transport buses ply between Pandharpur and the nearest cities. The city is connected to Pune (204 km), Mumbai (386 km) and Solapur (74 km) by buses.

District
Sholapur
Location
65 km away from Sholapur on the banks of river Bhimarathi
Topic
Unexplored

Murud-Janjira

State
Maharashtra

Murud-Janjira is a quiet little beach getaway with a pretty seashore. It is famous for being the only fort along India's western coast that remained undefeated despite Maratha, Dutch and English East India Company attacks.

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History

Murud was the 15th-16th century capital of the Siddis of Janjira. This indomitable fortress inspired the Maratha chieftain Shivaji to launch several attacks, but the fort remained unconquerable to the last. The fort built 2 kms into the sea, is one of the most important sea-forts in Maharashtra. The ancient fort still retains its strength and grandeur.

Accessibility

By Air: The nearest airport is Mumbai International Airport which is 165 km away from Murud Janjira.

By Rail: Roha railway station on the Konkan line is the nearest one which is connected by rail to Mumbai.

By Road: State owned buses connect nearest cities with Murud Janjira.

Accommodation

MTDC has simple cottages and rooms near the beach. You can also stay with residents who have rooms and shacks on rent. Budget hotels like Sea Face and the Sahil Lodge or the Golden Swan Beach Resort and Sandpiper Resort are options available to the traveler.

District
Raigad
Topic
Unexplored
Popular Beach Destination

Khodala

State
Maharashtra

Khodala is a quiet village, situated in a thickly forested area and is mainly inhabited by tribal people. This is a thick woody place in hilly surroundings and is really a bewildering picnic spot to roam in.

Accessibility

By Air: Nearest major airport is Chatrapati Shivaji International Airport, Mumbai, which is nearly 150 km from Khodala.

By Rail: Igatpuri is the nearest railway station which is connected to Pune and Mumbai by regular local trains.

By Road: Khodala is well connected to other cities in and around by state owned public transport buses. Many private owned buses also provide transport service between Khodala and neighboring cities, including Mumbai, Igatpuri and Pune.

Things to do

Mountain Range Wild Camp: Trekking is one of the best activities to be enjoyed here. Mountain Wild Range camp arranges 40 km treks across the Sahyadri range from Khodala.

Trekking in the dense, woody forests of the Sahyadri range is the main attraction of the mountain range wild camp. Located at the amazing Khodala hills, this wild camp offers tremendous oppourtunities of trekking. Placed on a vast area of 15 acres, the wild camp is a hot spot for those who loves escapade.

Besides trekking, this amazing picnic spot offers other daring activities like jeep safaris, mountain biking, and waterfall rappelling in the dense forest. A hub of trekking and other adventurous activities, this becomes a favourite holiday spot of those courageous people who loves to explore in the wilderness. Another major attraction of the wild camp is that it provides excellent facilities of tenting.

District
Thane
Location
150km from the city of Mumbai
STD Code
02529
Topic
Unexplored
Best time to visit
October to March

Kashid

State
Maharashtra

Kashid is a beach town on the shores of Arabian Sea, in the North Konkan region. It has a 3 km stretch of beach tucked in between two rocky hillocks with Casuarina groves all around the seashore. The place is popular mainly because of its white sand, blue seas, green mountains, paddy fields, and rivulets.

Accessibility

By Air: Nearest major airport is Chatrapati Shivaji International Airport, Mumbai, which is nearly 140 km from Kashid.

By Rail: The nearest railway connection is via Roha railway station in the Konkan line. Roha is at a distance of 122 km from Kashid.

By Road: Kashid is well connected to other cities in and around by state owned public transport buses. Many private owned buses also provide transport service between Kashid and neighboring cities, including Mumbai, Alibag (30 km), Murud Janjira (18 km), Pune (170 km) and Kolad (70 km).

Location
30km from Alibag and 135km from Mumbai on the Alibag-Murud road
STD Code
02144
Topic
Unexplored

Karnala

State
Maharashtra

Karnala is a protected wildlife park on the Konkan coast of Maharashtra, 10 km off the Mumbai-Pune highway. It is home to the Karnala Fort and the Karnala Bird Sanctuary. The place offers some beautiful walks, treks and bird watching.

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History

Karnala boasts of a rich history as it was ruled by many local and foreign invaders including Muslims, Portuguese and Marathas. The Karnala Fort, once a Maratha bastion that changed many hands, is a popular tourist attraction here.

The Karnala fort was built during the 12th century. Karnala was of strategic importance because of its command of the highroad between Bhor Ghat and the rivers of Panvel and Apta, watching the trade route. Between 1248 and 1318, it was under DevgYada and from 1318 - 1347; it was under Daulatabad Muslim rulers. Subsequently it was with the Gujarat rulers, with the help of Portuguese. It changed hands many times between Shivaji, the Mughals and Peshwas. In 1803, it came under Bhaji Rao and it was in 1819 that the British took control of the fort.

Accessibility

By Air: Nearest major airport is Chatrapati Shivaji International Airport, Mumbai, which is nearly 60 km from Karnala.

By Rail: Panavel is a main railway station under the Mumbai railway division, which is at a distance of 10 km from Karnala.

By Road: Karnala is well connected to other cities in and around by state owned public transport buses. Many private owned buses also provide transport service between Karnala and neighboring cities, including Mumbai and Kashid.

Shopping

Shopping in Karnala offers variety of items to the shopping freaks. Present Karnala thrives not only on handicrafts, artifacts and common household items, but the most modern designer fabrics, electronic goods and mouth watering eatables. The Karnala streets are lined up with petty shops to large multi floored sales malls. From the items required for religious rituals to high end items are available here in plenty.

The hand made designer saris with embroideries are special items in Karnala. The busy shopping places in Karnala are an inviting place.

There are very few things to buy here, unless you''re into plants. Two nurseries on the highway sell pots, frames, wrought iron furniture and other gift items. At the Yusuf Meherally Centre you can buy nature-based products such as neem oil, sandalwood soap, and other natural products.

Accommodation

Shalom Resort, overlooks the Karnala Fort. Prices range from Rs 1500 upwards. Panaroma Resorts The resort is spread over 17 acres of landscaped gardens offers cottages and is in close proximity to the Bird Sanctuary. Prices range from Rs. 2600 – 5000. MTDC offers tents, the Forest Department has a Rest House and cottages near the highway. Food is available at small highway restaurants. Accommodation arrangements have to be made in advance.

Things to do

Rock Climbing: Rock climbing in Karnala is really an experience. The steep rock in the center of the Karnala fort offers the visitor a great challenge. The undulated hilly terrains approaching the Karnala fort is really sticky and dangerous. Many adventurous people visit Karnala to take up the envious challenge offered by the slippery, rough and sharp rocks and reaching the pinnacle of these rocks is really a life time experience for the rock climbers.

One can see breathtaking glimpse of the down city from the pinnacle of the rock. For amateur trekkers the Karnala trekking poses mild to medium challenges, while for common tourist it is really a great challenge to reach up to the top.

District
Raigad
Location
50 km from Mumbai
STD Code
02143
Topic
Unexplored
WGW_Mumbai
WGW_Pune

Jawahar

State
Maharashtra

Jawhar is a hill station, popularly known as the “Mahabaleshwar of Thane district”. It is surrounded by lush greenery and thick forests and known for its picturesque setting and a vibrant cultural heritage.

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History

The princely state of Jawhar was originally founded in 1343 AD. As a princely state, it became a part of Bombay Presidency during the British Raj. The last Princely Ruler of Jawhar at Indian independence was HH Shrimant Raja Patang Shah V (Yeswant Rao) Mukne.

The history of Jawhar dates back to 1343 when a tribal king Jayaba Mukne founded the village. During the British rule Jawhar, a princely state was part of the Bombay Presidency.

Accessibility

By Air: Nearest airport is Chatrapati Shivaji International Airport, Mumbai, which is nearly 165 km from Jawahar.

By Rail: Nearest major railway station is Mumbai (Bombay) VT railway station, which is nearly 165 km away from Jawahar.

By Road: Maharastra Road Transport Corporation provides bus services between Jawahar and other cities in and around Mumbai.

District
Thane
Location
166 km from Mumbai and 80 km from the city of Nasik.
STD Code
02529
Topic
Unexplored
Best time to visit
June and February

Igatpuri

State
Maharashtra

Igatpuri is a picturesque hill station of the Western Ghats, known for its Buddhist Pagoda for Medititation called Vipassana and wada pavs. The place is surrounded by some of the highest peaks of the Sahyadri ranges in the Western Ghats and most of the peaks have forts built on the top during the Satavahana dynasty.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/deutero/4209146812/

Accessibility

By Air: Nearest airport is Chatrapati Shivaji International Airport, Mumbai, which is nearly 140 km from Igatpuri.

By Rail: Igatpuri railway station is connected to Mumbai VT station by Tapovan express. Major railhead is at Kasara, which is connected to many cities through rail link.

By Road: Maharastra road Transport Corporation connects Igatpuri to all neighboring cities.

District
Nashik
Location
45 km from Nasik and 130 km from Mumbai
STD Code
02533
Topic
Unexplored
Best time to visit
October to March
Famous For
Shimmering waterfalls and rolling slopes.

Harnai

State
Maharashtra

Harnai is a quite coastal city in Konkan coast famed as a gateway to escape from the hustle and bustle of the metropolitan life of Mumbai. The city is very attractive, unpolluted and mostly unexplored. The place is well acclaimed for the ancient temples placed in and around with daily rituals and scared ceremonies all through the year. Siddhi Vinayak Temple is one of such important ancient temple dating back to 18th century.

Accessibility

By Air: Nearest airport is Chatrapati Shivaji International Airport, Mumbai, which is nearly 280 km from Harnai.

By Rail: Nearest railway station is Satara which is about 154 km from Harnai and is well connected to all major cities in India by train.

By Road: State transport buses connect Harnai with all the neighboring cities.

Location
200 km from Mumbai
STD Code
02352
Topic
Unexplored
Best time to visit
September to March
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