Guhagar

Guhagar is a hidden gem situated in Ratnagiri, Maharashtra’s beautiful coastal district. The charming city is a must-visit if you are seeking a refreshing and relaxing beach vacation away from the crowds, and filled with scenic views, delectable local cuisine and laid-back fun.

Guhagar’s pristine virgin beach is one of the best and cleanest beaches in the Konkan region. The union of the crystal-clear sea-water and the expanse of fine white sand is a sight to behold. Take a leisurely dip in the cool and inviting blue ocean or simply lay back and sink in your feet in the pebble-free golden sand. Children, too, can look forward to getting their feet wet and swimming in the gentle waters alongside the shore.

To make the most of your day on the beach, you can always enjoy an impromptu game of volleyball or indulge in water-sports like jet-skiing, banana boat rides, camel rides, ATV rides and more, depending on their availability. To keep up your energy up through the day, you can treat yourself to refreshing natural beverages like coconut water and kokum sherbet as well as a variety of delicious snack items sold by friendly locals at food-stalls along the beach.

Often called as the ‘temple town’, Guhagar and its vicinity is home to many prominent temples. Temples dedicated to Lord Shiva include Vyadeshwar temple (Kuldaivat of many Konkanastha Brahmins), Tolekeshwar temple, Udaleshwar temple, Velneshwar temple and Balkeshwar temple. Other significant temples include the Ufarata Ganpati temple, Hedvi Dashbhuja Lakshmi-Ganesh temple, Uma Maheshwari temple and Chandika temple. Every year on the eve of Mahashivratri, Guhagar witnesses the arrival of throngs of ardent devotees of Lord Shiva, who come together to celebrate the pious occasion with great zeal and dedication.

In addition to its beach and temples, Guhagar is also famous for its divine Alphonso (Haapus)mangoes, coir items, coconut and suru trees strewn across the city, and local fruits like jackfruit, betel nuts amongst others.

No trip to Guhagar is complete without indulging in the finger-licking cuisine the city has to offer. If you are a seafood lover, you will be in for a treat owing to the wide availability of a variety of seafood delicacies cooked in the typical Malvani and Konkani style. If you prefer vegetarian fare, you will find several restaurants serving authentic and mouth-watering local vegetarian dishes including ukadiche modak, sol-kadhi, bharli wangi, thalipeeth and more.

Two other attractions, which should not be missed when you visit Guhagar include the Anjanvel Lighthouse and the Gopalgad Fort. Situated in the Anjanvel village, 14 km away from Guhagar, Anjanvel Lighthouse is a 30-feet structure sitting atop a hillock, and it offers breathtaking views of the seascape, especially during sunset. About 2 km away from the Anjanvel Lighthouse is the historic Gopalgad Fort believed to be built by the Siddis in the 16^th century and captured by Chattrapati Shivaji Maharaj in 1660. Besides offering a piece of history, the ruins of the fort and the stunning vistas of the sea prove to be delightful subjects for photography.