Guhagar and Velneshwar – Weekend Destinations near Ratnagiri
Sure enough, not too many people have heard of Guhagar. It is a small town on the beach, close to the town of Ratnagiri in Maharashtra. But it’s among the more interesting places you could visit on any weekend because of the culmination of various interesting attractions.
For instance, where else will you find a forest with wildlife, coconut and betel nut plantations, a 16th century fort, the temple of Shri Vyadeshwar, and a ride in a ferry boat on the creek, together at one place? And everything is close to the pristine beach, which remains close to empty almost throughout the year. If you are lucky, you might even have the beach entirely to yourself. The Guhagar beach is good for swimming and sunbathing. The beach here is about 4 kilometers long. There are chat and tea stalls where you could have some refreshments. And like so many other beaches in the state, there are suru trees along the coastline.
Guhagar is a nice and quiet place where you will always have plenty to see and do on any weekend. It could be just the destination for you for a couple of days.
Of course you should also visit Velneshwar, which is just 25 kilometers from Guhagar. There is a temple of Lord Shiva here, just 100 meters away from the white sandy beach. You can hire a car and go on a day trip to Velneshwar and Hedvi as well for its Shree DashaBhuj Laxmi Ganesh temple. You should be back in your hotel by lunch time if you leave in the morning after breakfast.
Attractions on Guhagar
Don’t miss the small forest here. The inhabitants include hornbills, wild cats, rabbits, jackals, langoors, viper snakes, cobras, sea gulls, black eagles, crested serpent eagles, kites, and hawks. Even leopards and wild boars are sometimes seen here.
Walking in the forest could be risky. But not so at the many plantations here! You will find plantations of mangoes, cashew nuts, jackfruits, betel nuts and coconuts.
Head to Gopalgad, just 13 kilometers from Guhagar and you can visit the 16th century sea fort that goes back to the Vijapur dynasty. Sardar Angre and eventually the Peshwas took control of this fort later. You can enjoy a ride on your ferry boat on the Washishthi creek here.
The weekend destinations close to Mumbai and Pune can get quite crowded. Lonavla, Khandala, Matheran, Mahabaleshwar and such places are always busy. Guhagar and Velneshwar are both perfect for a peaceful weekend getaway within nature.
