Dapoli

Distance   200 km

District   Ratnagiri

Category   Beach

Overview

Dapoli is one of the exotic and scenic places to be visited in Konkan. Just around 200 Kms from Pune & 240Kms from Mumbai, this wonderful place has some exotic & breath taking wonders of nature. At about 240 mtrs. above sea level, the most sought after places are beaches like Murud, Ladghar, Karde & Anjarle that add to value of Dapoli. Surrounded by hills & forests, Dapoli has a long costal line and nesting place for various varieties of flaura & fona.
Dapoli a small town in the Ratnagiri district is everything a holiday destination should be. A perfect place for a beach holiday, Dapoli has something for every one. With a long stretch of beach extending from Kolthare and Dabhol in the south and Kelshi in the north,Dapoli has one of the longest stretch of beaches. The Dapoli temples seaforts hotsprings and archaeological sites around Dapoli makes it a complete holiday destination.
Despite the increase in tourism, Konkan beaches have managed to remain untouched and unspoiled and are amongst the cleanest ones on the entire west cost of India. The beaches near Dapoli won’t disappoint you either. Nature lovers can indulge themselves in exploring the hiking trails in the nearby jungles. You can also visit the ancient temples, forts, caves and hot springs nearby. If you plan to make a trip during summer vacations, be sure to feast on Dapoli’s famous Alphonso (Hapus) mangoes.
Dapoli is just a couple of hours drive from Mumbai or Pune making it an ideal weekend getaway. There are various tour operators and travel agents who organize car rentals, bus / train reservations and take care of your accommodation. Many of the hotels and resorts here offer attractive, economic deals. You can even book yourself on Konkan tour packages.
Dapoli is also famous for its plantations of Mangoes, Betel nuts, Cashew nuts & Coconuts. It holds a rich cultural heritage with Dr. Balasaheb Sawant Krishi Vidyapeeth ( Agricultural University ) & A.G.High School.
Dapoli stands to be an ideal getaway weekend for goers from Pune & Mumbai. Far away from the busy and hectic city life you can find peace of mind in the midst of nature.

Places of Interest

Panhalekazi - It is an archeological place also known as Pranaldurg. This is near Kotjai and Dhakti rivers meeting point. This is the best example of cultural & architecture. Buddhist as well as Hindu artistic works can be seen on this. Like Ajantha this place is also having historic as well as Architectural Importance. Location: 40 Km from Dapoli.
Kelshi - Due to beautiful beaches, Mahalakshmi temple and Ganesh Temple Kelshi Village has become a Tourist Place. This Village is connected to Mumbai, Pune, Ratnagiri, Mahad and Dapoli.The Mahalakshmi Temple is believed to be constructed in 1808. This Temple is an example of Architecture in Peshwas regim. Beleshwar, Radhakrishna temple, Utambarkarni Devi temple, Ganapati temple, Bhai Miya Bhet are some of the other important places which are worth watching. This village is on the border of Raigad and Ratnagiri district. Location : 240 Km from Mumbai. 58 Km from Dapoli, Via Anjarle 26 km.
Murud - This is the birth place of Maharshi Keshav Karve . It is famous due to its beaches, coconut plantations etc. Location: 11 Km from Dapoli.
Asood - This is 8 Kms from Dapoli-Harne road. Due to temples at Vyaghreshwar and Keshavraj, Assod has importance. Shri JolaiDevi Temple and Dabke wadi are also Worth watching. The Keshavraj temple is at the top of a mountain. In front of main gate there is a fountain from cows head carved in Rocks. Rest house is also there for the tourist visiting Vyaghreshwar . Location: 8 Km from Dapoli - Harne road.
Suvarnadurg - This is an old fort. it is divided into Bhuikot and Suvarnadurg. This fort is surrounded by sea from all sides. It was constructed by Athilsha in 16th Century and Shivaji conquered it in 1660 and later its importance increased. >From this fort we can watch Goa fort and Fathegad . Location: 15 Km from Dapoli.
Kanakdurg - Kanakdurg and Harney are inter-related. Here we can see the ruins of old house, light house,etc. Harney port is the main fish market where lakhs of rupees business is carried out every hour. Location: 15 Km from Dapoli.
Kadayawarcha Ganapathi - This temple of Ganesh is situated on a cliff so it is called as Kadayawarcha Ganapati. This temple was probably built in the regim of Peshwas. This temple is situated near forest & seashore. So it attracts the tourist. Location:10 Km from Dapoli.
Ambvali - Due to Idol of Siddi Vinayak which is made up of marble, Ambvali a village in Dapoli taluka is famous. Location: 7 Km from Harne.This is on the way to Dapoli-Harne.
Chikhalgaon - It is the village of Lokmany Tilak, the national hero of India. Dabhol famous Swayambhu Chandika Devi temple is on Dapoli-Dabhol road. This is believed to be from the pandav era. There are many small idols and a Tulsi garden and a stream always flows through it. This temple is inside a mountain. Location:28 Km from Dapoli.
Anjarle - Ganapati of Hill (Kadyawarcha): - In Aanjarle village on the seashore the temple built on huge mountain is known as 'Ganapati of Kadyawar'. After crossing the Jog river creek, there is Aanjarle village. In earlier times there were two temples in the sea, one of Aanjarleshwar & other of Ganapati. They got drowned in the sea, later on Ganapati temple was built on a high mountain. The temple must be of Madhavrao Peshve period. There are 250 steps to it. There is a lake in front of it. It has a big hall & a stone staircase. There is water fountain in the hall, There is a dome, are & many pillars in the temple. The place is cool & pleasant in Dapoli Taluka with seashore & forest. Hence, tourist are attracted at this place.

Accommodation

There are a number of hotels and resorts available including a resort owned by the Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation.

How to Reach

Three road routes exist. All of them are abound with lush green trees and take you through the undulating Sahyadri mountains. These ranges dotted with numerous small and large waterfalls in monsoon are truly a breathtaking sight. State transport (ST) buses / cars & jeeps available on rent. Via Tamhini ghat (200 km)
• Pune --- Paud – Pirangut Road --- Tamhini Ghat --- Turn left at Vile
• Vile --- Nijampur --- Mangaon .You will reach NH – 17.
• NH – 17 --- Turn right at Lonere Phata --- Goregaon --- Turn left towards Purar / Nandavi.
• Purar --- Ambet --- Dapoli (After Ambet, follow sign boards till Dapoli).
• After Ambet follow sign boards to reach Dapoli.
(Road map: Pune - Chandani Chauk - Paud - Mulshi - Dongarwadi - Tamhini Ghat - Vile - Nijampur - Mangaon - Lonere Phata - Goregaon - Ambet - Mhapral - Shenale - Mandangad - Dapoli)

Via Mahabaleshwar (235 km)
• Pune --- Pune – Bangalore Highway --- Shirur
• Turn right towards Wai --- Panchgani --- Mahabaleshwar --- Ambenali Ghat --- Poladpur.
• You will reach NH17 at Poladpur.
• Turn left towards Bharana Naka at Poladpur --- Turn right at Bharana Naka --- Khed.)
• Follow sign boards towards Dapoli.
(Road map via Mahabaleshwar: Pune - Shirur – Wai – Panchgani – Mahabaleshwar – Poladpur – Bharna Naka – Khed – Furus – Wakawali - Dapoli)

Via Bhor (185 km)
• Pune --- Pune – Bangalore Highway --- Khed Shivapur
• Turn right just ahead of Khed Shivapur at Bhor Phata
• Bhor --- Varandha Ghat --- Cross NH – 17 at “Hotel Sagar” just outside Mahad --- Latwan.
• Follow sign boards towards Dapoli.
(Road map via Bhor: Pune - Khed Shivapur – Bhor – Varandha Ghat – Latwan – Dapoli)