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Having a
coastline of 330 miles (530 km)
along the Arabian Sea,
Maharashtra owns variety of
beaches. One can find not only
crowded and posh beaches like
Juhu and Marine Drive Chowpatty
beaches but also earthy and
sleepy beaches like Harnai and
Bassein, which are a bit slow
but provide a peaceful and
pollution-free environment.
There are beaches for adventure
lovers as well like Velneshwar
and Shriwardhan-Harihareshwar.
In Vijaydurg-Sindhudurg and
Dahanu-Bordi beaches, one may
went down to the memory lanes of
the history. Here, one can
discover the remains of ruined
forts and even the existence of
Portuguese culture in these
areas. Murud-Janjira,
Dahanu-Bordi and
Shriwardhan-Harihareshwar are
the beaches, which can enjoy
both the sizzles of a typical
beach as well as a pilgrimage
site.
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Bassein
Beach
Bassein is in the
peaceful location,
which is 77 km away
from Mumbai. It is
closely similar with
the India's sultry
beach state of Goa.
But here, crowd is a
bit less and those
who wish to enjoy
peaceful environment
must visit Basssein.
This is quite of a
historic place. One
can see ruined forts
that were built by
the Portuguese
inside dense forests
of brushwood and
palm grooves. Locals
serve delicious
Portuguese cuisines
as well.
One can also see
Buddhist relics at
Nalasopara, which is
10 km from Bassein.
Vajreshwari Temple,
Akloli hot springs,
Sadguru Nityanand
Maharaj Samadhi
Mandir at Ganeshpuri,
Bhimeshwar Temple
and other ashrams
are also worth to
visit. There are
quite a few churches
of Portuguese times
as well in Bassein.
The nearest airport
is in Mumbai, while
the nearest railway
station is at
Bassein Road. It is
well connected by
road as well. |
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Dahanu-Bordi
Not only for its
extensive and tidy
beach, Dahanu is
also known for its
vast chikoo fruit
orchids. Dahanu is
145 km away from
Mumbai that comes
under Thane district
of Maharashtra. And
Thane district is
again known for its
17 km long sea line
that stretches from
Dahanu to Bordi.
Bordi is half-hours
drive away from
Dahanu. Here, one
can find endless
beaches, which are
very safe and
beautiful. Although,
it is quite warm
during summer, the
gentle breeze cools
down the entire
beach.
Mecca of the
Zoroastrians is a
place, which is very
popular amongst
tourists as there is
a magnificent
temple, which houses
the sacred fire of
the Zoroastrians. It
is believed that
this fire has been
kept alive for
almost a thousand
years. The existence
of Iranian and
Persian culture
further makes this
place more exotic.
Nearest airport is
at Mumbai, while
nearest railway
station is on Dahanu
Road, which is
around a three hours
drive from Mumbai.
Apart from the
private and
government hotels,
locals also let
rooms for
accommodation. |
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Ganapatipule
The waters of
Ganapatipule are
crystal clear and
pristine. The entire
stretch of beach is
covered with fresh
greeneries. The
roadside sceneries
on the way to
Ganapatipule are
captivating with
narrow roads, red
soil, roofed houses,
clean courtyards,
innumerable fruit
bearing trees and
casuarinas lining.
Ganapatipule is
regarded as one of
the most important
beaches of
Maharashtra. It is
375 km south of
Mumbai. Fine,
sifted, silver
sands, a gentle
lapping sea, which
soothes frayed
nerves, attracts
large number of
tourists are the
features of this
beautiful beach. It
is regarded as a
beautiful seaside
resort, especially
for families in
Maharashtra.
One can see a
glimpse of the
entire beach, which
is covered with
white sand and blue
waters from the top
of the hill.
Ganapatipule is also
known as a
pilgrimage site for
its 400-year-old
temple of Swayambhu
Ganpati (naturally
formed monolithic
Ganesh). Malgund and
Ratnagiri are other
attractions, which
are worth to be
visited near this
beach.
Ratnagiri is the
nearest airport,
while nearest
railway station is
at Kolhapur.
Ganapatipule is well
connected by road
with all the places
in Maharashtra.
Government resort
offers a wide range
of facilities
including
dormitories and A.C
suites. Tents and
water sport
facilities are also
available over here. |
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Harnai
Harnai is about 200
km away from Mumbai.
Despite its
quietness, it is
emerging fast as a
tourist destination
as visitors from
Pune and Mumbai are
frequently visited
this place to
celebrate the
weekends.
Harnai fort is also
a main tourist
attraction of the
area. South of
Harnai fort is the
palm-fringed beach
of Murud, famous for
its clean white
sands and safe
waters. Panhale Kazi,
the famous rock-cut
monument is 30 km
from Murud-Harnai.
Nearest airport is
at Mumbai, which is
200 km away from
Harnai, while
nearest railway
station is at Satara,
which is 154 km
away. Maharashtra
government buses run
from Mumbai, Pune
and Mahad to
Murud-Harnai.
Accommodation is
available at the
beach resorts in
Harnai. |
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Juhu
Beach
Juhu
is one of the most
popular and posh
beaches of India.
This fizzing beach
on the shores of
Arabian Sea is the
place where one can
find the bungalows
of Bollywood stars.
This is also a
favourite site for
film shootings.
Luxury hotels and
apartments, which
are on the southern
end of the Juhu
beach are regarded
as favourite haunts
for movers and
shakers of Mumbai.
Juhu beach is not a
very good place to
swim as it is so
crowded. Tourists
can enjoy horse and
donkey rides,
dancing monkeys,
acrobats, cricket
matches, toy sellers
etc. here. Versova,
home of Mumbai's
largest Koli fishing
community is in the
north of Juhu. |
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Kihim and Mandwa
Kihim
and Mandawa is
nearly 10 km away
from Mumbai. Kihim
has dense coconut
trees that give a
pollution free green
environment. This is
a place for the
nature lovers who
want to spend some
time with the beauty
of the nature. The
jungle of Kihim has
varieties of rare
flowers, butterflies
and birds. One can
also enjoy perfect
tent stay and a
wonderful surfing.
On the other hand,
Mandwa captures the
visitor's heart with
its overwhelming
serene atmosphere.
Kihim beach is just
a few kilometers
from Mandawa. It is
an ideal place to
spend sometime away
from the crowd and
pollution.
Tourists can also
visit Kolaba Fort,
which is a few miles
away from the shore.
One can see
Portuguese ruins,
Buddhist caves, the
Hamam Khana, a
church, a temple and
a synagogue. |
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Madh Island Beach
Even though Madh
Island is quite a
rural sort, but it
is quite enjoyable
to walk down along
the villages of
fishermen. This can
at least give some
peace of mind to the
hurried and
exhausted life. It
is known as the
place where one can
throw parties for
the friends. Despite
the sea current are
treacherous for
swimming and
unpicturesque
beaches, tourists
come here to enjoy
the adventurous way
of life.
As it is located so
near to Mumbai,
there is no problem
for transport and
accommodation. |
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