Tuesday, October 11

Best Villages in Maharashtra For Quick Offbeat Weekend Getaways

Here are the best villages in Maharashtra for those who like to tread off the beaten path and indulge in some rural tourism

Ganpatipule

Ganapatipule

Known for its beautiful beach which makes for an awesome weekend getaway, Ganpatipule is a small town which gives you the feeling of a quaint fishing village. It is located on the west coast of India in the Ratnagiri district. The Ganesha temple here is visited by locals and tourists all year round and is considered to be an important pilgrim spot. Several hotels have sprung up over the years for tourists here but the quiet charm of the beach and the easy pace of life in the town makes for a good break from the city.

Velas village

Photograph: Maharashtra Tourism 

Velas village is famous for the Velas beach which is a nesting ground of Olive Ridley turtles in Maharashtra. Thanks to the popularity of the turtles, the beach now has international recognition and there is also an annual festival held here called the Velas Turtle Festival which draws in tourists from all over the world. However, the true charm of Velas lies in its rural ambiance and history. This village in Ratnagiri is the birthplace of Nana Phadnis, the great minister of the Maratha Empire.

Shani Shingnapur

Shani Shingnapur 

Shani Shingnapur is popular as the village with no doors. The houses and temples in this village do not have doors due to a legend associated with Shani. Even the post office is left open as there is utmost faith that no kind of robbery can take place here. A significant place for Hindus on account of the Shani temple located here, Shani Shingnapur is usually part of the Shirdi tour for Sai Baba devotees. It is just 35 km away from Ahmednagar.

Murud

Murud-Janjira 

A taluka city in Maharashtra’s Raigad district, Murud is a great place for rural tourism due to its laid back ambiance and green scenic beauty all around. The administrative division of Murud is home to a number of villages like Adhi, Borli, Kashid, and Sawali which all fall on an extremely picturesque route. The coastal village of Murud is known for the mammoth Murud-Janjira fort which makes for a spectacular landscape.

Diveagar

Diveagar in Maharashtra 

Another coastal delight in Maharashtra is Diveagar, one of the best offbeat places to visit in the country. This village in the Raigad distrcit provide some stunning views of the sunset and gives you a sneak peek into rural life in the state. With sparse population, a relaxed pace of life and clean surroundings, Diveagar makes for an extremely pleasant getaway from the cities.

Dehna

One of the lesser known villages of Maharashtra, Dehna is worth a visit for its beautiful paddy fields and countryside landscapes. The gushing river, heartwarming greenery, and amazing local food and people of Dehna will keep you engaged and give you some respite from your busy routine. You can also take an excursion to the nearby Kalsubai, Maharashtra’s highest peak. Dehna is around 130 km from Mumbai and is located in a high rainfall region making it wonderful to visit during monsoon.

Purushwadi

Photograph Courtesy: Bhatta!/Creative Commons 

Purushwadi is known for the firefly festival which can be an experience of a lifetime. Imagine watching millions of fireflies shed light into the darkness in a valley! Located around 70 km from Igatpuri in Maharashtra, the Purushwadi village is an excellent choice for campers and nature lovers. An organization called Grassroutes sets up camps here and they are your best option for an organized trip.

Rajmachi

Rajmachi during the rains 

And then there is the monsoon paradise of Rajmachi! Popular among trekkers and nature enthusiasts, Rajmachi is a fort located near the Udhewadi village which is the base of the trek. Local families in Udhewadi are friendly people who provide food and refreshments to trekkers. The region around Udhewadi is as beautiful as the trek itself and provides a serene and rejuvenating ambiance.

You can find original Article here: https://www.india.com/travel/articles/best-villages-in-maharashtra-for-offbeat-weekend-getaways-3228731/

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