Just 125 kms outside of Mumbai and 33 kms from Alibaug, Kashid Beach is a popular tourist destination in Maharashtra. This remains one of the few beaches in the country that has not lost its beauty even with a high number of visitors. The clear blue water of the Arabian Sea, with white, sandy beach is perfect for a weekend getaway.

You can plan a picnic under the shade of the Casuarina trees that line the 3 km stretch or indulge in the many water sport options available at the beach.Whether you are a solo traveller, planning a weekend getaway with your partner or taking your family for a holiday, Kashid Beach has something for everyone. Go for long walks, enjoy horse riding, get an adrenaline rush with all the water sports, plan a night camp under the star-filled sky, or simply spend some quiet time with your significant other.

Surrounded by a varied landscape of water, rocks, and cliffs, and due to its proximity to Mumbai, Pune, and Alibaug, the place witnesses a large number of visitors all year round. Weekends may be completely booked so plan your holiday in advance and make the most out of your experience. There are also a number of staying, eating and shopping options close to the beach to cater to your every need.

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Nestled on the Arabian Sea coast in the Raigad district of Maharashtra, Revdanda Beach is at a distance of 17km from Alibaug and is one of the most visited beaches of the region. The crystal blue waters of the sea and the vast stretch of black sand make it distinguished from the other beaches of the area. Though the beach experiences visitors throughout the year, it never seems crowded as the vast shoreline of the beach accommodates thousands of people at a time. Because of spacious shore and the peaceful ambiance, the beach is visited by many families and couples to have some quality time, out from the hustle-bustle of life.

Revdanda beach is one of the top tourist spots of Alibaug. If you wish to visit this beach, try to spend at least one night here to witness the most amazing and the mesmerizing sunset in the evening. You can also stay at a beach camp to enjoy the starry sky and the delicious seafood. The camps are clean, safe, and well organized and the most important thing is they keep you out of the noise of the city. A huge bonfire is built where you can sit and talk with other people or you can build your own campfire while enjoying the barbeque.

The beach is also ideal to enjoy a pleasant sunny day while picnicking with your family or buddies and eating delicious home-made food or seafood from the nearby local restaurants. Walking along the quite seashore of the beach is a rejuvenating activity everyone should indulge in. The silky soft sand under your feet and the crashing waves of the sea on your feet feels very comforting and therapeutic. So, if you live in the nearby cities from Alibaug, a weekend trip to Revdanda beach is must if you want some peaceful time away from the noise of the city.

THINGS TO DO IN REVDANDA BEAch

PLACES TO VISIT NEAR REVDANDA BEACH

If you are staying the night on Revdanda beach, then do take some time out to visit some of these spectacular places near the beach to explore the beauty of the place.

1. Revdanda Fort
2. Portuguese Church
3. Korlai Fort
4. Phansad Dam
5. Shitaladevi Temple
6. Kulaba Fort

PLACES TO EAT AND DRINK NEAR REVDANDA BEACH

Alibaug is full with eateries and restaurants serving delectable mouth-watering dishes and regional food. You will have plenty of options to choose from and the wide variety of dishes from the menu will leave your brain exercising. These are some of the best restaurants near Revdanda beach you can delight your palate in.

1. Shahi Biryani
2. Sanman Restaurant Alibaug
3. Aparanta
4. Kokum and Spice
5. Charcoal Family Restaurant

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Located on the shores of the Arabian sea, Nagaon beach is 9 km away from Alibaug’s city centre. Lined palms, betel, and Suru trees, this beach is most famous for its cleanliness and for hosting water-based adventure activities available at a reasonable price. Experience the life of the locals at the many homestays and resorts here, which make Nagaon Beach the perfect weekend getaway.

The shore of Nagaon beach stretches for 3 km meeting the waves of the Arabian sea. Sunsets are especially picturesque here and an evening walk is a wonderful way to end your day at the beach. The beach shacks serving finger-licking seafood is another amenity that Nagaon beach offers to its visitors. Nagaon beach also acts as the central place for surrounding other beaches like Murud, Kashid, Akshi, Alibaug, Kihim and Mandva.

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If you’re looking forward to getting lost in a serene place, stop looking because Akshi Beach is all you need. Sandwiched between Nagaon beach and Alibag beach, Akshi is a fisherman’s village which is not very popular amongst tourists making it secluded and peaceful. The calm waters hitting the shore laden with palms and coconut trees are what makes this place an absolute delight. It is one of the cleanest beaches in India.

The beach is around 5 kilometres away from the Alibaug beach. The coastline has numerous cottages and hotels. The sea is typically safe, and the shoreline is relatively horizontal making it a unique spot for activities like boating, sunbathing and swimming. Akshi beach also attracts a lot of different species of birds, making it a famous bird watching spot. Many species can be spotted on these shores like the Seagulls, Bar-tailed Godwit, Dunlin, terns, and plovers to name a few. There are over 300 kinds of birds that visit this beach each year. Akshi beach is a must-visit place for the avid bird watchers and shutterbugs as well.

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Varsoli Beach is one of the most peaceful and serene beaches in the city of Alibaug. Situated at a distance of a few kilometers from the heart of the city, this beach has gained a lot of popularity for its clean shores, pristine waters, calm environment, thrilling water activities, and umpteen beachside cottages and resorts. Serving as Indian army’s naval base, the beach assures its visitors a fun-filled and tranquilizing beach holiday.

Varsoli Beach happens to be a stunning surprise to the eyes with its shores packed with glittering white sand and the sea boasting clear blue water. The 2 kilometers long picturesque coastline flaunts a host of casuarina, suru, and palm trees, which forms a truly mesmerizing sight. The shoreline is also lined with rocky stones up to a few meters, which further adds a charm to the virgin beauty of the beach.

There are also a number of well-equipped and comfortable cottages and resorts at the beach, offering visitors a splendid stay for a memorable beach vacation. In addition, there are even a plethora of decent and budget-friendly restaurants and cafés close to the beach, offering local as well as international delicacies to tourists. All these elements put together make Varsoli Beach a highly recommended getaway for a perfect beach holiday.

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Murud-Janjira (pron. (help·info)) is the local name of a famous fort and tourist spot situated on an island just off the coastal town of Murud, in the Raigad district of Maharashtra, India.

Origins of the name

The word Janjira is a corruption of the word “jazira”, which means “island” in the Arabic language. Murud was once known in Marathi as Habsan (“of the Habshi”, that is, the Abyssinians). The name of the fort is a concatenation of the Konkani and Marathi words, “murud” and “Janjiri”. The word “morod” is peculiar to Konkani and is absent in Marathi.

Ramrao Patil of Janjira

Raja Ram Rao Patil was the Patil of Janjira Island and a chief of the Kolis who built this island in the 15th century for Kolis to live on peacefully away from pirates. He built the island after gaining permission from the Sultan of the Ahmadnagar Sultanate but later refused to obey the orders of the Sultan. In retaliation, the Sultan sent his Admiral Piram Khan in 1489 to capture the island. Due to the castle’s fortifications, Piram Khan was unable to attack the island conventionally, so he disguised himself as a merchant and requested to stay a night at Janjira. He was granted permission, and he hosted a party under the guise of thanking the Patil. When the Patil and the Kolis were intoxicated, Piram Khan attacked them with his men, who had been hidden in barrels, and captured the island.

Major features

Fort Murud-Janjira paintings from the 17th century in the Mughal Kalaal Baangadi, 3rd Largest Cannon in India At Janjira Fort, weighing over 22 Tons Murud-Janjira Fort is situated on an oval-shaped rock off the Arabian Sea coast near the port city of Murud, 165 km (103 mi) south of Mumbai. Janjira is considered one of the strongest coastal forts in India. The fort is approached by sailboats from Rajapuri jetty.

Janjira from the outside

The main gate of the fort faces Rajapuri on the shore and can be seen only when one is about 40 feet (12 m) away from it. It has a small postern gate towards the open sea for escape.

Entry Gate into Murud Janjira Fort. Accessible by ferry.

The fort has 26 artillery towers still intact. There are many cannons of native and European make rusting on the towers. Now in ruins, the fort in its heyday was a full-fledged living fort with all the necessary facilities, such as barracks, quarters for officers, a mosque, two small 60-foot-deep (18 m) fresh water ponds and so on. On the outer wall flanking the main gate, there is a sculpture depicting a tiger-like beast clasping elephants in its claws.

The sculpture on the main gate

The palace of the Nawabs of Janjira at Murud is still in good shape.

A special attraction of this fort are 3 gigantic cannons named Kalaal Baangadi, Chavri and Landa Kasam. These cannons were said to be feared for their shooting range. Another gate to the west is sea-facing, called ‘Darya Darwaza’.

There is another fortress which is located on top of the hill around 32 km (20 mi) east of Murud-Janjira, named Ghosalgad, that was used as an outpost by the rulers of Janjira.

History

Inside the fort

Main article: Janjira State

During its heyday, the island fort boasted 572 cannons.

Visitors can gain access to the Janjira fort from Rajapuri, a small village on the coast. After a short ride in a small boat, one can enter the fort through the main entrance. The fort is oval shaped instead of the usual oblong or square shape. The fort wall is about 40 feet high and has 19 rounded porches or arches, some of which still have cannons mounted on them, including the famous cannon Kalaal Baangadi. These cannons were greatly responsible for repelling oncoming enemies from the sea. Inside the fort walls are the ruins of a mosque, a palace and bath with water channelled from streams. There is evidence that royal ladies occupied quarters here. A deep well, still functional, provides fresh water despite the fort being surrounded by salt water.

On the shore is a luxurious cliff-top mansion, the Palace of the Nawab. Built by the former Nawab of Janjira, it commands a panoramic view of the Arabian sea and the Janjira sea fort.

According to another record,[vague] the Abyssinian Sidis established the Janjira and Jafarabad state in early 1100.

Archaeological Survey of India noticeboard at fort entrance

According to accounts written by the Portuguese Admiral Fernão Mendes Pinto, the Ottoman fleet that first arrived in Aceh prior to the Ottoman expedition to Aceh led by Kurtoğlu Hızır Reis included 200 Malabar sailors from Janjira to aid the region of Batak and Maritime Southeast Asia in 1539.Later, in 1621, the Siddis of Janjira became exceptionally powerful as an autonomous state to the point that the commander of Janjira, Siddi Ambar the Little, successfully defied his overlord Malik Ambar’s attempt to replace him. Siddi Ambar the Little is accordingly considered the first Nawab of Janjira state.

The island fortress was under control of the Adil Shahi dynasty until the reign of Ibrahim II where the Janjira fort was lost to the Siddis.

Major historical figures from Murud-Janjira include men such as Sidi Hilal, Yahya Saleh and Sidi Yaqub. During the rule of Aurangzeb, Sidi Yaqut received a subsidy of 400,000 rupees. He also owned large ships which weighed 300–400 tons. According to records, these ships were unsuitable for fighting on the open sea against European warships, but their size allowed for transporting soldiers for amphibious operations.

Despite repeated attempts, the Portuguese, the British and the Marathas failed to subdue the Siddis, who were themselves allied with the Mughal Empire. For example, 10,000 soldiers from the Maratha Peshwa Moropant Trimbak Pingle were repulsed by the Janjira army in 1676. The Marathas, led by chatrapati Shivaji maharaj, attempted to scale the 12-meter-high (39 ft) granite walls but failed in their attempts. Shivaji’s son Sambhaji even attempted to tunnel his way into the fort and was very close to capturing the fort. His attempt was thwarted when a Mughal army attacked the Maratha capital city, forcing Sambhaji to withdraw his forces from the siege and return to the Maratha capital. He built another sea fort in 1676, known as Padmadurg or Kasa fort, to challenge Janjira. It is located northeast of Janjira. Padmadurg took 22 years to build and is constructed on 22 acres of land.

Janjira ruins

The small pond inside Janjira fort

In the year 1736, the Siddis of Murud-Janjira set out in a battle with the forces of the Peshwa Baji Rao. On 19 April 1736, the Maratha warriors Nanaji Surve and Chimaji Appa attacked the gathering forces in the encampments of the Siddis near Rewas. When the confrontation ended, 1,500 Siddis, including their leader Siddi Sat, were killed. Peace was brokered in September 1736, but the Siddis were confined to only Janjira, Gowalkot, and Anjanwel, with their power greatly reduced. However, Janjira remained unconquered until it became part of Indian territory after independence from the British in 1947.

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Interspersed with dense coconut trees and enveloped with a pollution-free green atmosphere, Kihim Beach is famous for a variety of reasons. Located just 12 kilometers from Alibaug and 120 kilometers away from Mumbai, the proximity of the beach to Mumbai adds to the increasing reputation of the beach. The place boasts of extraordinary beauty and picturesque scenes and is the perfect place for nature lovers to come and relax in the lap of nature, and for photographers to click some fantastic shots. Furthermore, the beach beckons tourists because of its cleanliness and fresh air.

The beach is adorned with incredible white sand, with distinct types of shells scattered all over. The area is surrounded by various trees and is dotted by coconut trees and wildflowers, which are often visited by colorful butterflies. Beautiful migratory and resident birds also make their way to the Kihim beach and are found in abundance here. The entire site is a literal feast for the eyes and tourists crave to return here, again and again, to dwell in the glory of nature and revel in her bounties.

There are many options for sightseeing in and around Kihim Beach. The Kolaba Fort for instance, which is located in the vicinity of the beach, can be seen from a distance and is a favorite tourist spot. This makes the attraction a fashionable tourist destination for people of all age groups, and the place can thus be visited with friends, family, relatives, or spouse. The joy in all cases is equally exhilarating, and the experience is entirely fun-filled and worth it.

Located along the coast of the Arabian Sea, the Alibaug Beach is a picturesque stretch of sand situated in Maharashtra. Alibaug is a black-sand beach that offers the panoramic sight of the Kolaba fort from the shores. Amber sand lies underneath its coarser black counterpart, and its unique sight is further accentuated by the rocks that lazily lie around the entire landscape. The ruins of the fort are clearly visible from the Alibaug beach which can be easily accessed by waddling through the waters in low tides and a short boat ride during high tides. The beach is famous for its picturesque sceneries of sunrise and sunset that one must marvel at when in Alibag. It is a great place to spend time in leisure while you marvel at the Arabian sea and landscapes of sunrise, sunset, and the silhouette of the Kolaba Fort.

Named after the Alibaug coast, the Alibaug beach is not only popular for its scenic beauty but also its rich history and many adventure sports activities. You can take a boat ride through the waters of the beach, which overlooks the Colaba Fort in all its glory. An unwavering symbol of all that the Maratha Empire stood for, this historic monument stands strong along the coast even today. The coastline of the beach runs for 4 kilometers along the shores of the Arabian sea and is also a settlement of a few fishing villages, where you can experience the lifestyle and culture of the locals. While here, you can also visit the Ganpati Temple, which is almost 400 years old. Visit the Alibaug Beach to experience its unique shades which range from illustrious history to thrilling activities.