#gujarat – Desi Explorrer

Overview
Konkan, also known as the Konkan coast, is a rugged section of the western coastline of India. Konkan proceeds from the north at Damaon in the Gulf of Cambay, extends southwards all along the western seaside land areas of Maharashtra and Goa, and Meets the Kanara coasts at Karwar district of Karnataka.

Geographically the stretch of land from the Daman Ganga River in the north to the Gangavalli River in the south is considered to form the Konkan, the ancient Sapta Konkan was a larger geographical area that extended from Gujarat to Kerala, the whole region of coastal Maharashtra and coastal Karnataka is included within the Konkan.

The largest city of the Konkan coast is Mumbai, the state capital of Maharashtra below names are from north to south.

Palghar district
Thane district
Mumbai Suburban district
Mumbai city district
Raigad district
Ratnagiri district
Sindhudurg district
Goa
Uttara Kannada.

Below list is of Communities who lives in Konkan

Malvani (which is my community)
Agri
Bhandari
Buddhist
East Indians
Kunbi
Kumbhar
Konkani Muslims
Siddis
Bene Israel

Language
Konkani is an Indo-Aryan language spoken by the Konkani people along the western coast of India. It is one of the 22 scheduled languages mentioned in the 8th schedule of India Constitution and the official language of the Indian state of Goa. The first Konkani inscription is dated 1187 AD. It is a minority language in Karnataka, Maharashtra, Kerala, Gujarat and Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu.

Top places to visit with full Information and pictures.

1) Ganpati Pule

This beautiful town is nestled among the mangroves and coconut plantations along the virgin shore, washed with the clear blue waters of the Arebian sea.

Boasting of an agrarian scenery with fields of green paddy, this idyllic weekend getaway is the best place to rewind your senses. Boasting of a 400 year old Ganpati deity, this place offers a homely stay for both tourists and pilgrims alike.

Attractions: There is a resort run by the Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation, that offers a nice homely stay. There are other places such as the Greenleaf Resort, Hotel Heramb, Areopagus Spa, Abhishek Beach Resort and Spa, and The Blue Ocean Resort and Spa where you get modern luxuries such as classic Konkani cuisine, relaxing swimming pools and spas. All resorts are children friendly and also arrange for local sightseeing tours.

Best time to visit: Winter and Monsoons.

2)Alibaug:

Enjoy the coastal town of Alibaug as it is the most coveted of Konkan tourist places. Take a ferry from the Gateway of India in Mumbai if you want a slightly adventurous trip and bypass the regular road or rail trip.

This historical town has a lot to offer from ancient forts or pristine beaches, Alibaug has to offer and is always on the top of the list for places to visit in Konkan coast.

Attractions: Check out the Alibaug Fort and the Magen Avot Synagogue if you are interested in history. The Siddeshwar Mandir and the Kanakeshwar Mandir are the top picks for pilgrims.

Finally, there are a plethora of virgin beaches like the Alibaug beach, Varsoli Beach, Akshi Beach, Nagaon beach, Kashid beach, Korlai beach-all offering the perfect premise for long walks into the sunset. The local cuisine is celebrated as one can sample the fresh and delicious seafood that the place has to offer and don’t miss the water sports on the beach.

Best time to visit: Winter and Monsoons.

3)Ratnagiri:

World famous for the delicious Alphonso mangoes that are cultivated here, this place has a good mix of both the hilly Western Ghats and the cascading waves of the Arabian Sea. Ratnagiri offers a huge variety of water sports along as well as a relaxing holiday in the abode of nature. place is also blessed by nature.

Attractions: Check out the Guhagar beach and the Ratnagiri lighthouse if you are strolling around the beaches. After all the Marine Biological Research Station is right here in this town along with the birthplace of Bal Gangadhar Tilak-making Ratnagiri one of the best places to visit in Konkan coast.

The recluse of the Burmese king is also here at the Thibaw Palace, which is standing here for some centuries now.

4)Sindhudurg:

Most famous for Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s fort with the same name, which was built to ward off European and Siddi conquerors, this place is one of the most amazing places to visit in Konkan coast.

There are almost 50 smaller towns under Sindhudurg as the area stretches along the fertile coastline in its west.

Attractions: Check out the Sindhudurg Fort where many families of the original residents still reside. Go to the nearby beaches around Malvan and Tarkeli for water sports and snorkelling. The cuisine is predominantly Malvani and it is a seafood lover’s delight. Like the rest of the Konkan tourist places, you can get the fresh farm produce of Alphonso mangoes and coconuts.

5)Dapoli:

This hilly town is situated on the Sahyadri hills and often called “mini Mahabaleshwar” as the climate is cool throughout the year. This town has a history of British settlements before independence and thus a nice melting pot of cultures is found even now.

Close to many beautiful beaches around, this is an ideal choice to go for places to visit in Konkan coast.

Attractions: The Anjarle beach is close to Dapoli by a few kilometres and it has both the sea and forests in the same location. At Asud one can explore ancient temples like the Keshavraj and Vyagreshwar temples.

Trying boating at the backwaters, go for Dolphin sightings, explore caves and go trekking in the forest. This place with delight you with its hidden wonders, just waiting to be discovered.

Best time to visit: Winter and Monsoons.

6)Mumbai:

Known as the city of dreams, Many Big shot leaves in Mumbai it is also known as Financial capital of India, Mumbai is build with Seven islands further got connected with roads and bridges.

Indias richest person Mr Mukesh Ambani stays with his whole family in this places,

The economic capital of the country and one of the most happening cities in the world this place has the best nightlife scene and an abundance of places to shop. A city with a rare combination of hills, sea and forest while housing metropolitan skyscrapers, if you are set to sample places to visit in Konkan coast, this should be right on top of your list.

Attractions: Check out the Colaba area, for the Gateway of India and a great place to hang out and shop. The Goregaon Film City offers a proper bus tour of the whole area, which is still frequented by leopards at night.

Right in the middle of the city is the gigantic Sanjay Gandhi National Park to experience the rich flora and fauna, and in case you want a trip down the history lane, take a ferry to the ancient Elephanta Caves.

The Juhu Chowpatty, Marine Drive, Bandra Bandstand and Versova Beach are best for sea lovers and enjoy the vast plethora of cuisines and cocktails this beautiful city has to offer.

Best time to visit: Winter and Monsoons.

7)Mahad:

This is one of the most ancient places to visit in Konkan coast as it houses ancient Buddhist Gumpas and Maratha forts alike, as this historical town was once the capital of the Maratha Empire under Shivaji. Frequent floods made this calamity prone area resemble a triangular peninsula with water on three sides.

Attractions: Close to the Savitri river, this place is adjacent to the hills housing the ancient Gandhar Pale Buddhist Caves. Raigad, Pratapgad, Lingana, Birwadi, and Warandha Forts are all around and will remind anyone of the past glory of Shivaji’s empire.

The Dapoli Mandangad beach is closest to Mahad and offers great seafood and tender coconut water.

Best time to visit: Winter.

8)Kelshi:

Kelshi is a small village in Dapoli taluka, most famous for the beach it has. The Utambar Hill reaches the Arabian Sea at this place, thus making Kelshi the perfect tourist destination, as the entire landscape is virgin and yet not crowded by travel bugs.

Attractions: The beach at Kelshi is one of the most beautiful places to visit in Konkan Coast as one is surrounded by the rich flora and fauna, making it appear as a little paradise, tucked in the crannies of the vast seashore.

There are multiple varieties of the Kingfisher bird that frequents this area, and the saline backwaters provide the perfect habitat for mangroves and coconut plantations. Especially in the winter, the whole place is a birdwatcher’s abode as many migratory birds have been spotted here.

Best time to visit: Winter.

9)Shrivardhan:

This coastal town boasts of one of the greatest beach experiences in the Konkan belt. Situated on a peninsula, this place is not only famous for its pristine coastline but also has great historical importance, since the time of the Peshwas.

Due to its strategic location, Srivadhan was an important port in medieval times and now a traveller’s paradise.

Attractions: The most coveted places to visit here comprises of the Kondivali beach and the Diveagar beach where you can enjoy sunsets, have long walks and experienced the wonderful Konkani cuisine.

The Shri Laxmi Narayan Temple is still standing here which was the place of worship for the great Peshwa rulers. The Kusumdevi Temple and the temples of Somjai, Bhairavnath and Jivaneshwara are popular tourist places. There are a large number of resorts providing all modern luxuries at a meagre pocket pinch.

Best time to visit: Winter and Monsoons.

10) Malvan:

This quaint little town is nestled in the midst of crystal clear creeks and marvellous beaches. As the name goes the internationally delectable Malvani cuisine was born here along with huge cultivation of Alphonso mangoes.

There are forts, beaches and resorts all around the area and have a lovely summer holiday with friends and family as there is so much to explore.

Attractions:The Arse Mahal beach, Chivla beach, Tondavli beach are few of the places that promise you the best sunsets with the ocean backdrop. The Rock Garden is arguably the most famous of the Konkan tourist places, that is situated in the town of Malvan.

The Malvan Wildlife Sanctuary houses a huge ensemble of marine flora and fauna, and you can discover the pleasures of the sea as you dabble in water sports, scuba diving and snorkelling.

Best time to visit: Winter.

Konkan Railway

The Konkan Railway is a railway operated by the Konkan Railway Corporation, with its headquarters at CBD Belapur in Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra, India. The first passenger train ran on Konkan railway tracks on 20 March 1993, between Udupi and Mangalore.

The 738.941-kilometre (459.157 mi) railway has a total track length of 918.515 kilometres (570.739 mi). Its length through Maharashtra is 381.181 kilometres (236.855 mi), through Karnataka 251.76 kilometres (156.44 mi), and 106 kilometres (66 mi) through Goa.

Few Pictures of Konkan Railway