Places of Interest in and around Dapoli - Harne - Kelshi

Dapoli

Located at 700 to 800 feet above sea level, Dapoli is known as a hill station and lot of people visit Dapoli during the summer holidays. Dapoli was an erstwhile British Military camp and got its name of camp Dapoli. There are a lot of places nearby like Suvarnadurga fort and beautiful beach at karde. There are a lot of good Hotels to stay in Dapoli and Murud.

Dr. Balasaheb Sawant Konkan Krishi Vidyapeeth

The Maharashtra Govt. established an independent Agriculture University on 18th May, 1972 named “Konkan Krishi Vidyapeeth” with its headquarters at Dapoli, which was later renamed as Dr. Balasaheb Sawant Konkan Krishi Vidyapeeth. It is one of the leading Agricultural Universities in India and has to its credit development of many new varieties of beneficial crops for farmers across the country.

You can visit the University and a walk through its campus is really rejuvenating, you can see lots of different varieties of Plants in the farms and gardens of the university. you can also buy selected products and plants at the nursery.

Suvarnadurg and kanakdurg Forts - Harne

Located at 17 kms. from Dapoli at Harne, The Suvarnadurg fort consists of two forts, kanakdurga the land fort and Suvarnadurga the sea fort. The forts were built by Adilshah and later captured and fortified by Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in 1660. Earlier there was a tunnel connecting both the forts but now only way to go to Suvarnadurga is through a boat. However currently there is no regular boat service to the fort and one has to arrange for the ferry from the local fishermen. There is a lighthouse inside the Kanakdurga fort.

Suvarnadurga Fort - Harne

Suvarnadurg - Harne

Macchibazar (Fish Market) - Harne Fresh Fish Market on Beach

Harne is a big port and lots of fishing trawlers and ships come here everyday with fresh fish from the sea. There is a local fish market which assembles at the beach every morning. Its a very different experience taking a round of this market and see the buying and selling of different varieties of fish. You will be amazed at the huge quantity of fish coming to the market and fish lovers would be thrilled to see such a large variety of fresh fish for sale at one place.

If you are traveling in your own vehicle and carrying an Icebox, its an excellent suggestion that you buy fresh fish in the morning and take them home it the icebox on your return Journey (Put lots of Ice to preserve the fish)

Karde (Murud)

Located at 11 kms. from Dapoli the beach at Karde (Murud) is an excellent white sand beach and we would like to rate it as one of the best beaches on the Konkan coast. There are a lot of good Hotels and Resorts alongside the beach and it is not at all crowded, practically it is like your own private beach.

As it is close to Dapoli, you can always drive down to Karde for a dip in the sea and return back to Dapoli.

Keshavraj and Vyaghreshwar

The Temples of keshavraj and Vyaghreshwar are located at Asud near Dapoli, and is a beautiful place to visit. the temple is situated on a Hill near the village and you have to take a small walk to reach the temple. The walk is through dense plantations of coconut and beetle nut trees and is a very pleasant experience. The shooting of the famous marathi film 'Garambicha Bapu' was done at Asud and the whole area is really picturesque.

Panhalekaji Caves

Located on Dapoli - Dabhol road is a place called Panhalekaji. The “Leni” or caves at Panhalekaji are a must see site. You can drive up to the caves and the place is situated deep in the valley near the confluence of ‘Kotjai’ and ‘Dhakti’ rivers. You can watch many birds and reptiles in the surrounding jungle and river. There are 29 caves and many sculptures around the area and the whole area is very beautiful. the carvings in these caves are from many periods from the 3rd century to the 14th century.

View from kanakdurga fort - Harne

View from kanakdurg - Harne

Hot Water Springs in Unhavare

There are natural hot water springs at Unhavare Village, 20 kms. from Dapoli (Near Panhalekaji caves). It is a small village with the springs as its only attraction and lots of people from surrounding areas come here regularly to bathe in the Hot Sulphur water springs. Separate shelters are made for Men and Women to take a dip in the Rejuvenating Hot water. A bath in the water is said to cure skin ailments. There are no charges for taking a bath here.

Chikhali - Ancestral house of Lokmanya Tilak

The Ancestral house of Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak is located in Chikhali village near Dabhol and Panhalekaji caves. Lokmanya Tilak's marriage ceremony took place here. The house now has been turned to a memorial and a school.

Chandika Mata Temple

The Chandika Mata temple is located at a few kilometers from the Panhalekaji caves. This temple from the Pandava period is inside a natural cave and you have to go inside through a tunnel to take the darshan of the Chandika Mata idol inside the cave.

Kadyawarcha Ganpati and Anjarle Devi temple

The Ganpati temple is situated on a Hill at Anjarle village and hence is called 'Kadyawarcha Ganpati'. This Temple was built after the original Temples were drowned in the sea . There are 250 steps to it and a lake in front of it. You can get beautiful views from the hill. You can also visit the nearby Anjarle Devi Temple also.

View from Yakub Baba Darga, Kelshi

View from Yakub Baba Darga, Kelshi

Kelshi

Located at 40 kms. from Dapoli, Kelshi is a typical small Konkani village. If you want to taste the real village life in konkan, Kelshi is the ideal getaway. The village is very small and you can experience real peace away from the hustle and bustle of modern cities.The 2.5 Kms. beach at Kelshi is very beautiful and secluded and there are beautiful sand dunes on the beach where children enjoy sliding down on the sand dunes. There are no hotels in kelshi and you can only stay at places where people offer lodging facilities in their homes.

Mahalaxmi Temple and Yakub Baba Darga

A Mahalakshmi mandir just off the village is also beautiful. The Temple was built in 1808 and the Mahalaxmi idol is 'swayambhu'. Further ahead from the temple is the Yakub Baba Darga. The only darga ever built by Shivaji Maharaj. A lot of people come to pray here and the view from the gallery of the darga is really beautiful.

Bhairav Ram Temple

Located at Ade near Dapoli, The Bhairav Ram Mandir is a cool, calm place to visit. According to mythology Parshuram had pierced the earth with his arrow to take water or Ganga out from the ground here.

'Kadyawarcha Ganpati' - Anjarle

On the road to Dapoli from Kelshi there is a small town Anjarle. Anjarle has a nice beach and ancient Durga Mata Mandir. Near Anjarle there is Kadyawarcha Ganpati a temple atop a hill. The current temple was built during the rule of Madhavrao Peshwe and now Vehicles can go directly up till the mandir. The temple area is quiet nice and beautiful.

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Konkan Districts & Geography, Districts in Konkan region, Thane District, Raigad District, Ratnagiri District, Sindhudurga District