If you’re looking for a weekend away from the busy life, you want to check out this town in Konkan. Surrounded by hills on all four sides, Harihareshwar gives a nice change of pace and scenery. From temples or beaches, unwind like never before on the upcoming weekend with this 2-day Harihareshwar itinerary.
Harihareshwar Itinerary
Places To Visit On Day 1
1. Kalbhairav Temple
Start your day with some spiritual vibes as you visit your first destination. Comprising two temple complexes, the Kalbhairav Temple in Harihareshwar was built by Bajirao Peshwa I in 1723. It’s one of the oldest temples in the Konkan region. As tradition holds, you must first visit the small Kalbhairav Temple and then go to the main temple.
This temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva, who was considered to be the chief deity of the Peshwas. After entering the main temple, you’ll find the architecture to be quite peculiar. Why? To see the Shiva Linga, you’ll have to descend some steep stairs because the shrine is below ground level.
Address: X2VF+F23, Harihareshwar Temple Road, Harihareshwar, Devaghar, Maharashtra 402110
Timings: 6:30 am to 9:00 pm
2. Ganesh Gully
Only a few minutes away from the temple, have an exciting adventure as you make your way toward Ganesh Gully. As the name suggests, the gully is a narrow path between two rocks that’s only 3 ft wide. It is located right behind Harihareshwar temple and the rocks hold immense geological and spiritual significance.
There’s a Ganesh idol that’s submerged 30 ft deep and can only be viewed during a low tide. YHence a huge number of tourists and devotees flock here during low tides to get a glimpse of the submerged idol. You can go down and sit on the rocks for an unobstructed view of the sea!
While there are railings and stone steps to help you walk here, some portions might be rugged and slippery. Try and avoid climbing the stairs during midday under the scorching sun as it can actually be physically draining.
Also Read: A Weekend In Alibaug – 2-Day Itinerary
3. Harihareshwar Beach
End your day with an offbeat beach that has the best view of the sunset! Harihareshwar Beach is very clean, tranquil, and hardly crowded. It’s considered to be one of the cleanest beaches in Maharashtra. The beach is also famous for having black sand, making for a stark contrast against the waters.
It is surrounded by four green hills namely Harshinachal, Harihareshwar, Pushpadri and Bramhadri. the beach is a much less commercialized one and less crowded than many other beaches in Maharashtra.
You can try leisure activities like camel rides, beach buggy rides and camel rides. The beach also hosts water activities like water surfing, speed boating and banana boat rides. While the waters might appear shallow during the low tide, try and avoid swimming near the cliffs.
Timing: 6:00 Am to 8:00 PM
Places To Visit On Day 2
1. Bankot Fort
10 km away from Harihareshwar, Bankot Fort is worth the short trip. It’s also known as Himmatgad or Victoria Fort. The Greek philosopher Ptolemy has mentioned this fort as ‘Mangir’ and it’s also been visited by a Chinese Traveler called Hieun Tsang. It is a historic hilltop coastal fortress located near the Savitri river.
Bankot is made using red laterite and has moats dug up all around it. You’ll notice that the main entrance, which is to the north, has intricate carvings on the stone. It is square shaped and has a Lord ganesha carving over the main arch. There is a Ganesh temple at the bottom of the fort. It also has a captivating view of the Savitri River joining the Arabian Sea.
Address: X2FR+CW5, Ratnagiri, Bankot, Maharashtra 415208
Timings: Open 24 hours
Also Read: A Weekend In Coorg: 2-day Itinerary
2. Srivardhan Beach
This beach in Harihareshwar was an important port during the 16th and 17th centuries. The name of the beach also has a historical significance. Shrivardhan was first mentioned in the Mahabharata and Arjuna, one of the five Pandavas, visited this beach during his pilgrimage.
You can make your way to this beach from the fort and relax on the warm sand. Just like Harihareshwar Beach, this beach isn’t crowded with a lot of tourists, so you can even catch some z’s with no worries! Taking a stroll and making your way to witness the heart point is also an impeccable option! As the name implies, it’s a heart-shaped hollow that’s filled with water.
3. Velas Beach
Capture one of the best sunsets you might see in Maharashtra. Yes, one might argue that Velas Beach is just like any other beach and we’ve already visited one in Harihareshwar. However, there’s one thing that makes it extra special – the Velas Turtle Festival.
Velas Beach is an eco-friendly and calm shoreline, where the endangered Olive Ridley turtles nest. Between February and April, the eggs hatch and the tiny turtles make their way to the sea. A sight to behold indeed, but please don’t touch the turtles!
Also Read: Experiencing Velas Turtle Festival In Ratnagiri
Summing Up
Now that you’ve gone through the 2-day Harihareshwar itinerary, you know that if there’s one thing we know confidently is that there will be lots of relaxing and rejuvenation; making it the perfect getaway.
