We reside in a state that is rich in culture, and customs, along with some stunning landscapes. A variety of beaches, some popular and others less so, can be found in Maharashtra, which is bounded by the Arabian Sea on its western side.
This past weekend, I set out to find some lesser-known locations close to Pune for a day excursion. In the process, I discovered a pristine beach that was isolated from the daily commotion and a fort that was well-known but not as popular and not everyone's first choice of location.
On an island in the Arabian Sea, Murud-Janjira Fort is situated 160 kilometers from Pune and Mumbai and on the western peninsula of Maharashtra, towards the Kokan area. Until it was incorporated into Independent India in 1947, this fort was an unconquered area. Ramrao Patil, the owner of the territory and the leader of the Kolis, constructed the island of Janjira. The agricultural group of Kolis can be found throughout the nation, with Maharashtra being the most prevalent region. However, Kolis are well known for working in agriculture and fishing in the coastal Konkan area. The chief constructed this island to shield the local fishing community from the damaging impacts of nature during thunderstorms or when they become stranded and are unable to return to land after fishing due to oceanic climate shifts.
Due to the fort's structural design, it was impossible to triumph over. The primary gate of the fort cannot be seen from a distance of about 12 meters. This ancient fort, which is presently somewhat submerged in the sea, defies all odds by still standing as an island fort.
From Mumbai and Pune, respectively, it takes 4 hours of driving to get to the Janjira Jetty, where the adventure begins. For Rs. 80 to and fro, the ferry ride will take you to the middle of the sea, where you must switch to another boat that will transport you to the fort's stairs. Before you get off the boat, the guides will give you background information on the fort and lead you to each of the 15 publicly accessible locations, which should be covered in the allotted 45 minutes.
The fort has many picturesque locations that are worth photographing to improve your memories for years to come. Once the beauty of the fort in the middle of the sea, which affords us a 360-degree view of the ocean from atop, has filled our hearts, we must return to the fort's entrance, where our boats are lined up in line for passengers to board. After boarding the boat, we arrive on land in about 20 minutes, bringing our travel time to the fort to about 30 minutes. (including the time for changing boats). To explore this island, you will need a maximum of 2 hours, depending on the availability of the ferry ride.
Pro Tip : Wear comfortable footwear, ideally flip-flops, as the staircase leading up to the fort's entrance is quite slick.
Entry Fees : Fort entry fees is Rs.25.
Boat Ferry Ride : Rs.80 (for both the boats)
Note : Unofficially, the boat guides charge a large sum of Rs.200-500 per group for guiding through the fort.
After spending a few hours on an island, we felt the need for more vitamin sea, so we looked for a peaceful, isolated seashore and found this beach 35 kilometers from the jetty. Although Nagaon or Nagav Beach is closer to Kashid Beach, it has not yet attained the same level of popularity, affluence, or commercialization.
This location allows you to partake in a variety of activities, including banana rides, paragliding, horseback riding, and more. The younger crowd may find the beach to be more appealing because it is one of the safest beaches nearby, allowing them to appreciate it without worrying about anything.
On the west coast, watching the sun fade is one of the most magical things you can do. Few people visit to unwind, play, or observe the sun set on the horizon, but this location is perfect for all the seaside activities you want to cross off your bucket list.
As the days and years go by, its counterpart, Alibaug or Kashid Beach, has become increasingly crowded, making it challenging for us to locate a spot for ourselves. Therefore, taking a stroll around the area can be useful for unwinding a little in solitude.
From Mumbai or Pune, one can take a number of short weekend trips. However, we took a one-day journey there and back this past weekend. And it was among the best as we conducted a search mission for the state's undiscovered treasures.
If you've been on any similar expeditions in the region, please let me know in the comments section.
P.S. : When exploring such locations, please act like a responsible citizen by not bringing any trash with you.
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