Hedvi Ganapati (Dashbhuja) Raigad Tourism, Travelling guide, Tourist places near Hedvi Ganapati (Dashbhuja) Raigad

Hedvi is a very calm and pristine location present in the Indian state of Maharashtra. It is located in the Konkan region of the state. Hedvi is essentially a small village that is located near the bigger town of Guhanagar. There are many attractions in the town of Hedvi, as many temples and other religious destinations are located in this region. 

Hedvi is primarily a pilgrim destination, which attracts pilgrims from across the country through its many temples. The Lord Ganesha temple in Hedvi is very popular, because it is a site that’s of major historical relevance. Constructed during the time of the Peshawas, this temple has an idol of Lord Ganesha that is made fully out of marble. This idol is rumored to have been carved out in Jammu and Kashmir and brought all the way to Hedvi during their rule. You can also visit the Uma Maheshwari temple during your stay in Hedvi. This temple is popular among women, who flock to catch a glimpse of this deity throughout the year. The beach in Hedvi is also very famous for its pristine features, and the Brahman Ghal, which is a large black rock that is thirty five feet high, is a prime destination in the beach.

Mandwa and Kihim Beach Raigad Tourism, Travelling guide, Tourist places near Mandwa and Kihim Beach Raigad

North of Alibag on the North Coast, lies the beach of mandwa. just 120 km away from Mumbai. On a clear day one can see the Gateway of India. The fishing village of Mandwa has a charm of its own with beautiful groves of coconut palms. Quite near is Kihim beach. For the young at heart and gypsy by spirit, MTDC organises an unusual tent holiday to give you feel of nature. Twenty tents lay nestled amidst the thick coconut groves. these tents also have modern aminities like fans, beds, blankets, cafeteria.

Kihim a nearby unsspoilt and isolated beach, has also a lot to offer; woods brimming with wild flowers, rare butterflies and birds. Kihim is famous for its birds. Kihim is exclusive beach, laced with lush coconut tree. The inviting part of it is that kihim is entirely undiscovered and unpolluted. Its surroundings are as attractive -Murad beach & Chaul, historic fort, churches, synagogues and the fascinating towers of St. Barbara. At kihim, you have an unconventional 'tent Holiday' with modern facility attached.

Shree Vikram Vinayak Temple ( Birla Temple) Raigad Tourism, Travelling guide, Tourist places near Shree Vikram Vinayak Temple ( Birla Temple) Raigad

 20 Kms. away from Alibag is a small village named ' Salav ' on the Alibag - Roha route. There is a temple on a hill top near Salav village. Vikram Ispat company, a part of Birla udyog group has built this temple called ' Birla Mandir '. This temple is between the Vikram Ispat company and its beautifully located residential colony. It is a temple built in pure milk white marble and its dome can be seen from a long distance also. It can be reached by road or by climbing the steps. While climbing the temple steps one is always mesmerized by the landscape. On both sides of the steps is green velvet carpet of grass and beautiful flowers which will keep you spell bound for a minute.

The temple has marble floors and the hall of the temple is open from all sides. The ceiling of the temple is transparent which allows free flow of air and ample of light to come in. On entering the temple there is a square shaped nave.The nave is also made of marble and is very beautifully carved. The beautifully carved idol of 'Ganapati' is placed the nave. The idols of 'Riddhi and Siddhi' are placed on both sides of idol. Around the nave are small temples of 'Radha-Krishna', 'Shiv-Parvati', 'Bhavanidevi' and 'Suryadeva'. In the the garden next to the temple there is a statue of "Late Aditya Birla".

Ballaleshwar Ganpati - Pali Raigad Tourism, Travelling guide, Tourist places near Ballaleshwar Ganpati - Pali Raigad

Named after Ballal, son of Kalyan Shreshthi, from whose `tapasya', Ganesh appeared at pali. The deity is known as Ballaleshwar. Erlier the deity was placed in a wooden temple. The wooden temple was so constructed that the rays of the sun would fall directly on the deity from the two equinoxes of the temple. The temple was reconstructed in 1770 by Morobadada Phadanvis.

The Ganesh idol in the temple is 3 ft. high. Behind the temple, another temple of Ganesh, known as Dhundi Vinayak is situated. The Peshwas had installed the big bell, in the temple which is of Portuguese make. Nearby Pali is Sudhagad which is famous for its hot springs. 

Inner sanctum is quite big and is 15 feet high. Outer sanctum is 12 feet high and it has rat idol with Modak in his hands and facing Ganesh. Temple walls are made quite strong by mixing lead with cement while construction.Hall of the temple is 40 feet long and 20 feet broad and it was built by late Shri Krishnaji Ringe in 1910 A.D. Hall is very beautiful with 8 pillars resembling cyprus throne tree. Idol of Vinayaka sitting on stone throne, faces east and its trunk is left turned.

Panvel Raigad Tourism, Travelling guide, Tourist places near Panvel Raigad

Panvel is a city that is located in the Raigad District of the state of Maharashtra. Panvel is locally called as the gateway to the Konkani region. Panvel is an old place and the earliest known settlement in the region was around 3000 years ago. There are many old buildings and havellis that are located in the city if Panvel and it was an affluent city during the colonial period and also during the time of the Peshawahis. 
History : Panvel is about 300 years old, developed around trade routes (both land and sea), during the Mughal rule and hence after by the Marathas, the British and the Portuguese. Panvel Municipal Council (PMC) was established in the year 1852, which is the oldest municipal council of Maharashtra. Also civilians celebrated Sesquicentennial anniversary (150th anniversary) of Panvel Municipal Council (PMC)in the year 2002. The city prospered and grew due to the influence of large scale trade by land and sea. This was characterised by the large Wadas (Palace-like homes) that came up during the Peshwai and post-Peshwai period. It is also said that old name of this city was Paneli. There were Historic cannons (During the time of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj) situated on Panvel port.

Prabal Fort Raigad Tourism, Travelling guide, Tourist places near Prabal Fort Raigad

Prabal Fort presently in ruins is located at the flat top of the hill named Prabhal hills in the western side of Matheran. The fort, which is of historical importance, was captured by Chathrapathi Shivaji from Mughals and it is believed that the forts enclosed price worthy treasure at the time of capture. On top of Prabal hills, there is a pond. There were two gateways and eleven towers in the fortifications and in 1818 the gateways were destroyed in the uncongenial fights. Presently walls of three or four towers are remaining as a specimen of grand old days of Maratha rulers.

Karnala Fort, Raigad Raigad Tourism, Travelling guide, Tourist places near Karnala Fort, Raigad Raigad

Karnala fort (also called Funnel Hill[1]) is a hill fort in Raigad district about 10 km from Panvel city. Currently it is a protected place lying within the Karnala Bird Sanctuary. It was a fort of strategic importance as it overlooked the Bor pass which connected the Konkan coast to the interior of Maharashtra (Vidharba)[1] and was the main trade route between these areas 
History : Shivaji conquered it from the Portuguese in 1670 by building breastworks as he advanced.[2] After his death in 1680 it was taken over by Aurangzeb. After this the Mughals occupied it for some time after which it in 1740 with the rise of the Peshwas of Pune it went to them. It remained under the command of killedar (garrison commander) Anantrao[5] until a colonel Prother won the fort and established the rule of the British East India Company there in 1818.