For people residing in Mumbai and Pune, Lonavala, Mahabaleshwar, or Matheran are the go-to places if they want to take a short trip over the weekend. These are the most preferred places for a long drive and tend to be overcrowded, especially during the weekend or short holidays. Now over the years, these places have become over-commercialized and have lost the charm they once had. Even though these places are good, it is time to explore places beyond the usual and look for unexplored places to spend your weekend or long weekends at peace. One such destination is the Konkan area; the Konkan coast is a quaint place that should be your new place to go for your next weekend getaway. Places to visit in Konkan.

As the Konkan belt is a relatively unexplored place, you must be wondering what should one do there. Well, there are quite many places to visit in Konkan that will mesmerize you. Some of the places you can see here are.

Parshuram Bhumi

The Parshuram Bhumi is one of the must-visit places on the Konkan coast; the monument or the statue of Lord Parshuram is quite attractive, as the statue is standing on a vast round-shaped figure resembling the earth, the diameter of this earth would be approximately 40 feet. Inside the globe, you will find a quiet and beautiful meditation or praying room, where you can sit and do your meditation without getting disturbed.

Moreover, this place is situated at the hilltop, making the trip worthwhile because of the breathtaking view from the top. 

Panhalekaji Caves

Panhalekaji Caves is a kind of hidden historical cave on the Konkan coast. These consist of 29 different caves situated at the intersection of River Kotjai and Dhakti. The carvings and the construction of these caves apparently started at the beginning of the 2nd or 3rd century and continued for several more centuries until the completion of all the 29 caves. History buffs will undoubtedly love this place as these caves will give them insight into the glorious history of the place and the stories attached to it. 

Kolthare Beach

Visiting Konkan is incomplete if you do not explore some of the beautiful beaches along the coastline. Kolthare beach is one such beach that you should visit when in Konkan. The USP of this beach is that it is non-commercial and thereby one of the cleanest beaches in the country. People who have seen this beach have appreciated the peace and beauty this place has to offer. Therefore, Kolthare beach is a perfect place to have some private time with your family and friends without the hoard of people.

Ladghar Beach

Ladghar Beach is one of the places to visit in Konkan if you love beaches and are a water sports enthusiast. they offer you various kinds of water sports like jet skis, banana rides, powerboats, and paragliding. People also enjoy the Dolphin ride that takes place in the morning; not only the view of the sea in the morning is breath-taking, you will also get a chance to see the lovely dolphins jumping out of the water.

Shri Chandika Devi Temple

Shri Chandika Devi Temple is one of the oldest temples in Dapoli and Dabhol taluka on the Konkan Coast. The Chandika Devi idol is a self-incarnated deity, and the temple is in the natural cave in the mountain. You will be awed to know that the area around the temple does not use any electricity at all; the sight of Chandika Devi glowing in the soft lights of the oil lamps and lantern is truly a sight not to be missed.

Kadyavarcha Ganpati

Kadyavarcha Ganpati is a well-known temple situated on the hill near the Anjarle Village in Dapoli. As the temple is on the hilltop thereby, it got the name Kadyavarcha Ganpati which means Ganpati on the cliff. The idol of Lord Ganesh in this temple differs from the conventional ones, the trunk of this idol curves on the right side rather than the usual left side. Apart from that, people here have termed the idol jagrut daiwat (live deity), the God who fulfills your prayers.

Anjarle Turtle Festival

If you are visiting the Konkan coast, you should visit at least once during the Anjarle Turtle festival held on the Anjarle beach. Sahyadri Nisarga Mitra and Kasav Mitra Mandal have been organizing this turtle festival for quite some time. So, every year the endangered species of Olive Ridley Turtle travel here to lay their eggs. These eggs are protected from humans and animals and later released back to the sea once they hatch. So, during the festival, you can witness the unforgettable moment of hatching these eggs and baby olive Ridley turtle finding its way to the sea.

Indica Surf School

There are not many places in Maharashtra where you can learn how to surf in the sea. Indica Surf School is one of the places along the Konkan coast where you can learn surfing from experts. They offer lessons right from a single lesson to ten lessons as per your requirement. So, learn a new skill at Indica Surf school and enjoy expertly having fun with the waves.

Harnai Fish Market

Seafood lovers should grab this chance to visit the Harnai Fish Market, touted as the biggest fish market in the district. It is not a typical tourist place, but if you love to eat fresh seafood, then this is the place where you will get the freshest catch of the day. You can choose, buy and take it home from the wide variety of fishes available here.

Suvarnadurga Fort

If you are visiting Harnai, then visit the Suvarnadurga fort; locals have made provisions to reach the fort through a boat. Historians consider this fort as one of the important forts in the Konkan area. The fort belongs to the Aangre family, and this fort and many generations of this family have contributed significantly to protecting the Konkan Sea coasts. 

Although the Konkan coast is vast, these are some of the best places to visit in Konkan Coast. Apart from these places, there are many unexplored and virgin beaches, temples, and sights that one can enjoy with the help of the local guide.