Tourism
Dapoli is the coastal hill station in Maharashtra which is slowly becoming a perfect weekend getaway mostly for Mumbaikars and Punekars. With 800 meters above sea level, Dapoli is a welcome change away from the noisy and chaotic city life.
Murud Beach
Murud is a growing tourist spot famous for its scenic beaches, ancient temples and medieval sea fort. Durga Devi Mandir and Murud Beach are the most famous landmarks in Murud. Durga Devi Mandir’s pillars and roof are carved out of wood with intricate figures and is delightfully painted in pastel shades. All pillars are different from each other. A huge metal bell, supposedly brought from the Vasai fort by Chimaji Appa is also on display. Murud beach is made of very soft sand and is safe for swimming. Activities like parasailing, dune buggy rides, camel rides, horse-cart rides and water scooters are available. Dolphin watching boats leave early in the morning to take tourists out into the sea to watch dolphins.
Suvarnadurg
The fort is on an island in the Arabian sea on the west coast within the jurisdiction of Ratnagiri district, off the Kanakadurga fort and below the headland Harnai port. The nearest town is Dapoli, a hill station (near Chiplun), 17 kilometres (11 mi) from Harnai. Kanakadurga, the harbour fort, built originally as a strategic link to the sea fort has a lighthouse. Harnai, near the dilapidated Kanakadurg fort, is an important harbour, which is right on the edge of the land that protrudes into the Arabian Sea. This is a natural harbour known for large fishing and marketing. It is conjectured that the Kanakadurga fort and other land side forts such as Bankot fort, Fategad fort and Gova fort were built primarily as look out forts for the security of the Suvarnadurg fort.
Keshavraj Temple
Keshavraj Temple is an excellent place that showcases the nature’s beauty. It is ancient hindu temple. As the temple architecture is from the Peshwa period, the beautiful idol of Lord Vishnu standing in the dim light of the lanterns immediately grabs your attention. The temple is facing southwards and the pleasant atmosphere inside the temple makes you feel at peace. As the idol of lord Ganpati stands to the left of the temple, the temple is surrounded by stone pavements from all four sides and also famously known as the Keshavraj Devrai temple. Keshavraj is considered amongst the best sacred groves in the Ratnagiri district. Here, in the dense forest around Keshavraj temple, you can see a rear phenomenon of water stream flowing throughout the year. Once you cross the bridge that is built over this stream, you come across some steps build with lateritic stone. Cool and tasty water flows throughout the year from a cow’s mouth shaped stone i.e. Gomukha, which is situated in the temple premises. The calm atmosphere of the temple brings peace to your mind.
Karde Beach
Karde is located about 14 kms from the Dapoli bus depot. To get to Karde take the Dapoli – Anjarle road and continue straight for about 10 kms till you see a signboard for Durga Devi Mandir on your left hand side opposite hotel ‘Samadhan’. Take a left from here and head towards the Durga Devi Mandir. Half a kilometer before you reach the temple you will find the signboard for Karde on your left hand side opposite one of the very few beer shops in the area. Karde beach is less than 2 kms from here.
Ladghar beach
Ladghar is a small stretch of beach to the south of the rocky hillock which seperates it from Karde. Ladghar extends onto Burundi – a small fishing hamlet to its south. There is a ‘Dutta mandir’ – the village diety, atop the hillock on the northern end of Ladghar beach. Parasailing and water sports like water scooters is available in Ladghar and is very popular with holidayers in Ladghar.Dolphin watch rides are one of the most popular activities amongst tourists in Dapoli.It can cost between 150 – 250 RS or 1000 – 1500 Rs for an exclusive ride.
