I simply love sand, sea and surf. Maybe, that’s why I love visiting the many wonderful coastal destinations of India such as Goa, Vizag, Puri, and Chennai. But, none of them enthralled me like the Konkan Region. It is a coastal region on the western India and faces the Arabian Sea.

The Konkan Region--also called Parashurama Kshetra--was founded by the Great Parashurama and covers certain parts of Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Goa and stretches from Raigad to Mangalore. It has the Western Ghats, also called Sahyadris, as its eastern boundary.

Attractions

With scenic and safe beaches such as Divegar, Vengurla, Revdanda, Bhatye, Hariharshwar, and Murad-Harrier, the Konkan Region inspires all the lovers of sea and nature no end. Actually--thanks to its many beautiful beaches with white sand and palm groves--the Konkan Region appears straight out of a beautiful picture card.

Apart from sand, sea and surf, the Konkan Region has also some imposing temples, dominating forts, tiled homes, lush green pastures, rustic people, and huge mango groves that characterize this beautiful region of India. The Kaal Bhairav Temple in Hariharshwar and the Ganpati Temple on the Ganpatipule Beach are some of the many renowned temples of the Konkan Region which attracts all those inspired by religion and spiritualism.

Among the forts, Janjira Fort, Raigad Fort, Ratnagiri Fort, and Sindhudurg Fort are well known. These forts are living testimonies of the hardiness and the sense of pride of the former rulers of the region who jealously safeguarded their freedom and reused to surrender come what may.

The magnificent Janjira Fort--3 km away from Murad and 150 km away from Mumbai--is the most famous fort of the area and an unmatched specimen of pride and valor. This imposing and strong fort defied the likes of the Maratha (including the Great Shivaji) and the British rulers who could not conquer it despite trying every trick in the book.

Another attraction of the area is the lip-smacking Konkani Cuisine. Liberal use of a variety of spices, red chilies, coriander, and coconut oil make the cuisine of the region a gourmet delight. The use of some of the souring agents such as lime, raw mangoes, and tamarind while preparing the various delicacies add the much-needed sour taste to the local food that find much favour with those food lovers who simply feast on the various lip-smacking local delicacies of the Konkan Region.

When to visit

The best time to visit the Konkan Region is the monsoon season (June to September) though the ferry services are discontinued during this time. During this time, the entire area becomes a captivating and green canvas on which nature seems to have applied its finest and best brushstrokes.

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