Surroundings

Asud

Ancient temples of Shree Keshavraj and Shree Vyagreshwar"What is this life if full of care, We have no time to stand and stare"…William Henry Davies. This is so true in today's competitive world as we desperately try to outrun each other in the rat race! Leave those worries far behind for a while and become one with nature. Come to Asud, a perfect remedy for those of you who crave for peace and serenity. The famous ancient temples of Shree Keshavraj and Shree Vyagreshwar are located here. At a distance of just 8 km from Dapoli on the Harnai road, this lovely place really rejuvenates your body, mind and soul.

Shree Keshavraj temple

is located amidst lush green land, a perennial stream and rolling hills. You can park your car on the Asud Bag road and take a 15 minute trek through coconut, betel nut, mango and cashew trees to reach here. The natural spring originates at the hill top and flows down to the front of the temple supplying water to the stone carved cow mouth (Gomukh) throughout the year. The surroundings are calm and tranquil interrupted only by the harmonious chirping of birds.

Shree Vyaghreshwar temple

lies on the riverbank and is about 1000 years old. You cannot but marvel at the wonderful Hemadpanthi style architecture. A congregation hall leads to the sanctum (Gabhara) which houses a Swayambhu (self-emerged) Shivling. The canopy outside the sanctum is supported on wooden carved pillars. A large sculpture ofNandi, the vehicle of Lord Shiva stands in front. The platform of this temple has sculptures of dancers. There is also a small temple of Kalbhairav. Shree Vyaghreshwar is the family God (Kuladaiwat) of many Chitpavan Kokanastha Brahmins, mainly the Ranades.

The entire temple premises are surrounded by a massive stone wall and hills that provide protection from natural disasters. Just outside this wall is a temple of Shree Zolai Devi, the guardian goddess of the village. The beautiful Shree Vyaghreshwar temple is also well known for its reference in the Marathi Novel and movie "Garambicha Bapu".

How to reach Asud

Asud is situated around 8 km from Dapoli. State Transport (ST) buses run between Dapoli and Asud. The best option is to take an auto rickshaw or drive down. Rented jeeps / cars are also available.

Directions from Dapoli to Asud Bag (Shree Keshavraj temple)

Take the Harnai road from Dapoli After aprox. 5 km from Dapoli turn right towards Shree Keshavraj temple (Road Route: Dapoli - Gimhavane - Asud Bag)

Directions from Dapoli to Asud (Shree Vyagreshwar temple)

Take the Harnai road from Dapoli Shree Vyagreshwar temple is situated just before reaching "Asud Pul" on a right hand side. (Road Route: Dapoli - Gimhavane - Asud Bag - Shree Vyagreshwar temple)

Dapoli - Murud

Perfect Weekend tourist Destination Located on the rugged Konkan coastline, Murud is a small town about 11km from Dapoli. A long, scenic stretch of a beach with swaying palms and a beautiful, ancient Durga Devi temple are its primary attractions. It is also known as Murud - Harnai.

The old Durga Devi temple

on the main road, was built way back in the 18th century and there is a lovely pond with refreshingly cold water behind. The carvings on its wooden pillars are worth seeing! A large bell hangs above the left side of the entrance. It is said that after winning the battle of Vasai, Chimaji Appa - the great Maratha warrior had brought that bell from one of the churches.

Murud

has a lot of beach resorts amidst the coconut plantations. Delicious, fresh seafood includes the likes of Pomfret, Kingfish (Surmai) and Prawns straight from the Arabian Sea. You can also enjoy pure vegetarian, home-made Konkani cuisine at some of the houses nearby. The beach itself with its soft sand and wide expanses is well suited for walking, jogging or simply freaking out. You will probably be able to watch the white bellied sea eagle, white backed vultures and sea gulls. Olive Ridley sea turtles are also spotted here.

Maharshi Dhondo Keshav Karve

who established the first Indian University for women (SNDT), hailed from Murud. He was awarded the Bharat Ratna in 1958. You can also visit the museum which is dedicated to this great man.

How to reach Murud

State Transport (ST) buses / private shared jeeps, rickshaws buses run between Dapoli and Murud. You can hire an auto rickshaw or drive down. Rented jeeps / cars are available

Directions from Dapoli to Murud

Take the Harnai road from Dapoli Turn left towards Murud after reaching "Asud Pul" (Bridge) (Road Route: Dapoli - Gimhavane - Asud Pul (bridge) - Murud)

Dapoli - Harnai

Adventurous Weekend tourist Destination Situated 15 km from Dapoli, Harnai beach provides a quite and a peaceful experience. It is an isolated stretch that is lined with a fort on its northern end. With natural harbor, clear waters, beautiful seascape and rocky co

asts, it promises to be a place for pleasurable holidays. It is becoming apopular tourist spot amongst many visitors from Pune and Mumbai.

People love to spend their relaxing vacations here by exploring the deserted beaches and feasting on delicious sea food.

Harnai port

is the main fishing village. Every evening hundreds of fishing boats come back after fishing and gather to auction their catch. The fish auction is the essential trade step between fish landings and the trade.

Business worth lakhs of rupees is carried out daily between 4 pm to 7 pm. Loads and loads of Pomfret, kingfish, mackerel, white jumbo prawns, lobsters, squids, sting rays and many more varieties of fish are auctioned and sent to Mumbai, Cochin as well as exported to the international market. You can also participate into the fish auction and bid for fish of your choice. It is an unforgettable experience for all seafood lovers. Watching fish auctions has become one of the major tourist attractions at Harnai.

From temples to beaches and ancient forts, Harnai has it all. It houses four forts viz. Suvarnadurg, Kanakdurg, Goa Fort and Fategad. Suvarnadurg is a shore fort and surrounded by sea on all sides. It was conquered and refurbished by Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in 1660. It was also a base for the Maratha navy ship-building facility. Suvarnadurg fort was the base for Kanhojee Angrey who was the chief of Maratha Navy. Kanhojee Angrey spent his childhood in Suvarnadurg fort, of which he was later the Governor. He set up powerful fleet of warships to protect the western coast of Konkan from British, French, Dutch and Portuguese attacks. Suvarnadurg fort is a landmark in Konkan.

Kanakdurg Fort

is a sub fort of Suvarnadurg and was constructed by Shahu Maharaj in 1710. There are steps to reach to the top of the fort and the fishermen colony situated on Fategad can be seen from here. On one of the highest points on the fort, there is an old lighthouse from which gives a fabulous view of fishing boats, fish auctions, Suvarnadurg fort and beautiful sunset. Earlier this lighthouse was used by fishermen and sailors as a navigation guide towards Harnai Port. Goa fort lies on the way of Harnai harbor. It can be identified by its huge black stoned wall.

Suvarnadurg fort and the beautiful sunset can be viewed from this wall.

How to reach Harnai

State Transport (ST) buses / private shared jeeps, rickshaws run between Dapoli and Murud. You can hire an auto rickshaw or drive down. Rented jeeps / cars are available.

Directions from Dapoli to Harnai

Take the Harnai road from Dapoli Follow this road straight till Harnai ST Stand and after crossing it, turn left You will reach Harnai harbor (Road Route: Dapoli - Gimhavane - Asud Pul (bridge) - Saldure - Palande - Harnai)

Dapoli - Anjarle - Kadyavarcha Ganpati

Anjarle is one of the finest places in Konkan. It is just 20 km from Dapoli. It is famous for the 'Kadyawarcha Ganpati' (Ganesh temple situated on a cliff). This ancient and magnificent Ganesh temple was originally constructed using wooden pillars in around 1150. Later it was renovated during 1768 to 1780. Earlier people used to cross Anjarle creek (Jog River) in a boat and then climb the hill using steps that go through the Anjarle village. Recently a bridge has been constructed and you can take your car right up to the entrance of the temple.

The Ganesh idol

is right-sided (its trunk curved towards the right, ("Ujwya Sondecha Ganpati") which is very rare. Kadyawarcha Ganpati is also considered as the live deity (a jagrut daiwat) who responds to distress calls of common people (nawsala pavnara Ganpati). The temple has a stone staircase on the right hand side to reach to the top of the temple (Kalas). You can get a magnificent view of the thick plantation of coconut trees, betel nut trees, Suvarnadurg Fort, blue sea and surrounding hills from the top. There is a pond in front of the temple where you can feed big fish and turtles. Beside the Ganesh temple there is a small but beautiful temple of Lord Shiva.

Anjarle

also has a clean, unspoiled beach with white sand and surrounded by palms and trees. This Palm Beach is an ideal place to visit on a long weekend. Anjarle is a nice little, green village having all basic facilities. However, as there are no beach resorts or hotels at Anjarle, one must find rented house to stay. Local people are extremely friendly and helpful.

Some of them also provide rented accommodation in their homes and serve delicious home-made food at a very low price.

How to reach Anjarle

Anjarle is situated around 24 km from Dapoli. State Transport (ST) buses / private shared jeeps, rickshaws run between Dapoli and Anjarle. You can hire an auto rickshaw or drive down. Rented jeeps / cars are available.

Directions from Dapoli to Anjarle

Take the Harnai road from Dapoli Before reaching Harnai take a right turn towards Khem (New Road). After 15 min drive you will see the bridge over Anjarle creek. Cross this bridge to reach Anjarle.(Road Route: Dapoli – Gimhavane – Asud Pul (bridge) – Saldure – Palande – Khem – Anjarle)

Ancient Shree Bhargavram (Parshuram) temple

and an unexplored beach. The road to the Ade beach is a pleasant one passing through coconut and betelnut groves. The beach is clean and unexplored. There are thick, extensive woods of Kevda alongside this beach. Don't miss this picturesque beach in your trip to Ade. Viewing the sunset or just lying down in the Kevda woods is a fascinating experience. An ideal tonic to recharge yourself!

The ancient Shree Bhargavram (Parshuram) temple

is located amidst a group of five temples between Ade and Kelshi. A short climb of about 10 – 15 minutes via stone steps brings one to this magnificent temple complex.

The architecture is from the regime of the Peshwa. One cannot miss a unique and an uncommon facet of these temples – all of them are facing east! Along with the main temple of Shree Bhargavram, this complex also houses the temples of Lord Shiva temple, Goddess Renuka, Lord Hanuman, Lord Ganesh, Lord Vetal and Lord Shani. Ade is one of the two places in Konkan which house a Lord Parshuram temple, the other one being Chiplun.

How to reach Ade

Ade is situated around 30 km from Dapoli. State Transport (ST) buses / private shared jeeps, rickshaws run between Dapoli and Ade. You can hire an auto rickshaw or drive down. Rented jeeps / cars are available.

Directions from Dapoli to Ade

Take the Harnai road from Dapoli Before reaching Harnai take a right turn towards Khem (New Road). After 15 min drive you will see the bridge over Anjarle creek. Cross this bridge to reach Anjarle. Ade is 6 km further towards Kelshi from Anjarle. (Road Route: Dapoli – Gimhavane – Asud Pul (bridge) – Saldure – Palande – Khem – Anjarle – Ade)