Nov 04, 2009 10:54 AM
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I have been fortunate to visit most of the beaches of Konkan Coast from Kihim to Goa. The only belt remaining was Dapoli and Guhagar. This October we decided to go on short break and zeroed on Dapoli. We had not made any hotel bookings and decided to look at the options available on visiting the place. We started our journey on 28th October (weddesday) from Dombivli in the morning.
On the way we stopped at Kamat Nagothane for quick misal and pakodas. We followed the route - Mangaon, right turn at Lonere Phata, Goregaon, Ambet, Mandangad and Dapoli. The road from Lonere phata is very bad and hence took more time than usual. We had decided to either go to karde and murud beach. On reaching Dapoli we decided to go to Murud beach and since it was already 2 in the afternoon we decided to have lunch before looking for hotel stay.
We had lunch at local hotel sai sawali at murud. On the way to murud beach we inquired at local people (Rooms made available by local people who are residing there) for stay but found not suitable as they were not maintained properly. On the way to beach there are resorts like Balaji, Swapnadeep, Silver Sand. We inquired at Silver sand and were happy to look at the location of the beach. The hotel is right in front of the beach and we booked room which is facing towards sea.
Took rest for some time and spent some time at beach (Murud) right across hotel. Then we went to Harani Bandar to see fish market. We could see auction going on for fish unloaded fresh from fishing boats. We bought some pomphets and Prawns for dinner and decided to buy some more while leaving Murud on friday. We reqeusted local household if they can arrange to cook fish for us. One family agreed to cook the same and charged Rs. 60 per head for cooking fish and also provided rice and chapatis. Evening we spent at the hotel & beach as the climate was very good, no crowd (only one more family in the entire hotel). At the beach local person approached us for 'Dolphine Ride' for next day morning. The charges were Rs. 100 per person. We bargained for Rs. 250 for a family of 4 (two kids).
Next day morning I got up early at 6 am and was suprised to see many lights moving in the see. I walked down towards sea and saw many fishing boats moving around. I never had seen so many fishing boats near sea beach. The view was very nice in cool dark morning.
Around 8 am we came for Dolphin Ride. We could spot many dolphines here. The boat ride is safe. They have arrangments for safety jackets. After boat ride we were feelying hungry and took breakfast at local hotel Tube bandhu (tapari in bambaiya langauage) near beach entrance for public. We liked the taste and asked him whether he can prepare dinner for us in the evening. He agreed and charged Rs. 100 for non veg meal.
Looking at the available time we planned to visit Vyagreshwar Temple, Kadyavarcha Ganapati and kelshi beach. Vyaghgreshwar temple is in Aasud which is very near to Murud. Then we headed towards Anjarle for visit to kadyavarcha ganapati. Make sure to take a ghat road towards Kelshi. From Murud towards harnai bundar there is right turn (before Harnai) for this ghat road. Do not go by Harnai bunder, the road is very bad. On the top of Ghat make sure to stop at the deck from where you can get good view of suvarndurg fort, and the sea. Reached Anajarle and could have Darshan of Ganesha. Ganesh temple is very old. Almost 1000 years. You can have some konkan variety of juices available to cool down. The kelshi beach is neary from this place. After reaching kelshi beach we looked for options available for lunch and ordered lunch at local household. Till the food was ready we had fun at beach. The kids really enjoyed. The beach is very long. So far there is not much of development as regards hotels, resorts etc at this place and hence was very quite. The family provided very good veg food and also offered fresh coconut water. We did not visited suvarndurg fort as it would have taken more time and instead went back to hotel and relaxed at the beach. At the Murud beach para lifting is also available. Rs 300 for a ride.
Third day we check out from the hotel and had plans to visit Diveagar ganesh temple which we could not visit in our earlier trips. In the morning we bought some fish from harnai bundar. Thermacoal boxes (Icebox) are available to carry the same. You can get fresh fish here. For diveagar we started from Murud to Kelshi , then headed towards Velase village for Jetty from Veshvi to Kolmandale. The ferry crossing is border between rantagiri and raigad district. They charged Rs. 70 for car and Rs 6 per person. The ride was very enjoyable. It took less than 5 minutes. From Kolmandale, harihareshwar is just 3 kms. We took darshan of lord and had food at hotel in temple campus. From Hariharshwar we headed towards Diveagar. On the way we ensured to refill petrol at shriwardhan as very few petrol pumps are available in this area. On reaching Diveagar we could have peaceful darshan of ganesha ( made from 1.3 kg of gold). The Ganesha and gold jewellary was found in a gardan ( in 1997) to a lady who handed over the same to Ganesh Temple authorities. On back side of temple we visited Diveagar Beach. Here there are some hotels and resorts available for stay. From here we started our journey back home from Diveagar - Mhasala- Mangaon, Pen, Panvel & Dombivli. The road from Mhasala to Managaon is very good.
To relax we should have spent some more time at this place but could not due to prior engagements.
About Silver Sand Resort - Murud The resort is right in front of beach and hence has very good location. We did not tried food at this hotel as local food was available at reasonable rates and home made quality. Cleanliness is not maintained. All the chairs in open area were dirty. If you require bed tea early in the morning the same will not be available. The service starts from 8 am. Hot water is also available from 8 am. In our case it was made available after repeated requests by 10 am. On the second day water itself was not available due to pump failure. The boys gave us water in buckets. Cable TV was not available for majority of time and hence could not watch TV (mainly we were interested in india australia match). The cost of Room for couple was Rs. 1200. Extra person 250. Family rooms Rs 1500. These are non ac charges. You will find mixed review for all the hotels in this area.
Places to Visit -Dapoli - Dapoli Krishi Vidhyapith, Vyaghreshwar Temple - Asud 8km from Dapoli, Karde Beach -13 km from dapoli, Murud Beach - 11 km from dapoli, Harnai Beach - 15 km from dapoli, Suvanadurg Fort, Fish Market, Anjarle - 24 km from dapoli - Kadyavaracha Ganapati, Kelshi Beach 34 km from dapoli, Ladghar Beach 8 km from dapoli, Panhalkeji Caves - 20 km from dapoli, Activities -Dolhine ride at Murud beach in the morning, Para lifting at Murud Beach, Can buy fish (if non vegetarian) at Harnai
How to reach - From Mumbai, Murud is about 235 kms by road. By train one can get down at khed station and from Khed dapoli is around 30 kms.
