Western Ghats - Near Kholhapur

The Western Ghats also known as the Sahyadri mountains, is a mountain range in the west of peninsular India. It runs north to south along the western edge of the Deccan Plateau, and separates the plateau from a narrow coastal plain along the Arabian Sea. The range starts near the border of Gujarat and Maharashtra, south of the Tapti River, and runs approximately 1600 km through the states of Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Kerala ending at Kanyakumari, at the southern tip of the Indian peninsula. About sixty percent of the Western Ghats are located in the state of Karnataka.
These hills cover 60,000 km² and form the catchment area for a complex of river systems that drain almost 40% of India.The average elevation is around 1,200 meters.The area is one of the world’s ten "Hottest biodiversity hotspots" and has over 5000 species of flowering plants, 139 mammal species, 508 bird species and 179 amphibian species. At least 325 globally threatened species occur in the Western Ghats.

Jyotiba Temple

About :Jyotiba Temple is located 14 km north-west of Kolhapur in the Panhala Range,in Maharashtra. It is situated at an altitude of 3124 ft above the sea level.The temple is dedicated to Jyotiba (also Dattatreya), which was formed by the amalgamation of the jyotis (souls) of three gods - Lord Brahma, Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva. Legend has it that the three gods took the form of Jyotiba to destroy the evil Ratnasur.A large fair held in the temple on the full moon night of the Hindu months of Chaitra and Vaishakh is a major draw.
State buses connect Jyotiba Temple with Kolhapur.

How to Reach :
Air:Nearest airport is Kolhapur at 14-km.
Rail:Nearest Railway station is Kolhapur at 14-km on South Central Railway.
Road :Located 14 km north-west of Kolhapur.

Tarkarli Beach

Tarkarli situated 6 Kms. south of Malvan and 546 kms. away from Mumbai on the west coast of India, is Tarkarli. The major attraction here is the long and narrow stretch of beach, with its pristine waters. On a clear day, you can see the sea-bed through a depth of 20ft. Then, of course, there are the forts, Sindhudurg one of Maharashtra's more popular and important sea forts, built in the 17th century and the famous Padmagarh Fort. While in Tarkarli, make sure to visit the konkan's favorite food restaurant for the delectable cuisine and experience something unusual-staying in MTDC's inviting tents.
How to reach :

Road : Mumbai-Tarkarli, 546 kms.Kolhapur-Tarkarli, 160 kms.Malvan-Tarkarli,7 kms. State Transport buses ply from Mumbai, Kolhapur, Pune to Malvan and from Malvan to Tarkarli. Rickshaws are also available from Malvan.

Rail : Nearest railhead is Kudal, 45 kms, on Konkan Railway.

Air : Nearest airport is Mumbai.

Panhala Fort

Panhala situated at an altitude of 977.2m is a fascinating hill station with a rich historical heritage.It was built by King Bhoja between 1178-1209 and is the largest of all Deccan forts. The innermost citadel is enclosed by a strong wall over 7 Km in length fortified by bastions. Panhala's historic fort throws up memories of Chhatrapati Shivaji, It was from here that Shivaji beleaguered for over four months, escaped one rainy night to Vishalgad, while his faithful general Baji Prabhu Deshpande laid down his life holding down the forces of Siddi Johar at a narrow pass, since christened Pavankhind.

How to reach :

Air:Nearest airport is Kolhapur at 20-km.

Rail:Nearest Railway station is Kolhapur at 18-km on South Central Railway.

Road :Bombay-Panhala 428-km via Kolhapur and Kolhapur-Panhala is just 20-km. There are regular buses and luxury coaches that run between Kolhapur and the Panhala Fort. Panhala is located at a distance of 20-km off the Kolhapur-Ratnagiri highway. A direct drive from Mumbai can get one to Panhala in 8 hours.

Sindhudurg

Sindhudurg is a fortress, which occupies an islet in the Arabian Sea, just off the coast of Maharashtra in western India. The fortress lies on the shore of Malvan town of Sindhudurg District in the Konkan region of Maharashtra, south of Mumbai.

The fort was built with the help of huge rocks on the Kurte Island which amazes people & one appreciates imaginative power of Shivaji. In 1664 shivaji erected this fort on 44 acres of land. It took 500 stone splitters & stonebreakers, 200 blacksmiths, 3000 labourers & hundreds of skilled artists who toiled very hard to complete this fort in three years. This is evident from stone inscriptions. Initially 3 K.M. long outer wall (Tat) was built. Average height of wall 10 meter and 2 to 4 meter broad in which liquid lead was used in the foundation.

How to reach :

Air : The airports nearer to Sindhudurg are located at Ratnagiri, Belgaum (Karnataka) and Dabolim (Goa).

Rail : It has good road and rail links with Goa and Bombay. With 7 railway stations, a 103 Km stretch of Konkan Railway line passes through this district.

Road : National Highway 17 also passes through the district.From Malvarn 4Km.There are state government( ST )buses running from Kholhapur,Mumbai,Ratnagiri and Panaji.

Vodarevu Beach

 

About :A charging and scenic beach,it is a popular weekend getway for those needing a respite from city-life , to escape to the golden sands and sparkling waters.
State : Andhra Pradesh
District : Prakasam District.
How to reach Vodarevu:
Road:Vodarevu Beach is located in Prakasam District of Andhra Pradesh and is 6 km from Chirala.Number of city busus are available.It is 35 km from Guntur ,70 km from Vijayawada and 70km from Ongole.
Air: The nearest airport is at Gannavaram[Vijayawada].
Rail: Nearest railway station is Chirala on Vijayawada -Chennai main line.

Vijaydurg Fort

Vijaydurg Fort, also known as Victory Fort,is one of the great forts of
Konkan. It was once the stronghold of the Maratha king Chhatrapati Shivaji.
In the 17th century, Shivaji strengthened the fort by adding impressive
features including the triple line of huge walls, numerous towers and the
spacious interior buildings.It was naval-base during the reign of Great
Chattrapati ShivajiState : MaharastraDistrict : Sindhudurg

How to reach: The nearest railhead is Kankavli. Sindhudurg by road is around 100 kms, and Vijaydurg is 425 kms from Mumbai via the Goa highway.From

Kohlhapur 150 Km.Vijaydurg, situated 48kms south of Ratnagiri,

Note : View of Arabian Sea from Vijayadurg fort.