Raigad: Coast, Mountains and History

Raigad brings together diverse landscapes and travel interests: the Arabian Sea coast forms the district’s western boundary, while most of its hilly areas lie in the Sahyadri range. The district also offers historic sites, beaches and the varied flora and fauna of the Western Ghats. If you’re looking for a holiday rental in Raigad, one initial question can help you decide where to go: should your trip focus mainly on the water, the mountains, or historic and religious sites?

Forts and history

Raigad Fort is a hill fort in the district, about 25 km from Mahad. A cable car takes visitors from the valley floor to the fort in just a few minutes. From there, Raigad Fort overlooks the man-made Ganga Sagar Lake. The setting and lake give this historic site a distinctive character. If you’re interested in forts, you can also distinguish between Kolaba Fort and Murud-Janjira Fort: Kolaba Fort was one of the Maratha Empire’s most important naval bases. Murud-Janjira, by contrast, is a sea fort on an island in the Arabian Sea off the coast of Murud.

Mahad is also associated with an important chapter in history. The Satyagraha led by Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar took place at Chavdar Tale on March 20, 1927. The anniversary is commemorated every year on March 20; hundreds of thousands of followers of Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar and tourists visit the site for the occasion. This recurring date is especially important for travel planning if you want to experience the anniversary itself.

Mountain scenery, trails and nature

Matheran sits at an elevation of 800 m on a gently rolling ridge densely covered with trees. The town is a car-free zone; visitors explore the hills on foot along trekking trails or on horseback. This offers a clear contrast with an excursion focused more on the coast or forts. Matheran’s history also includes the Matheran Hill Railway, a historic toy train listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Matheran is also part of the Western Ghats, which are recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

In Karnala, nature takes center stage: the area around Karnala Fort is protected as the Karnala Sanctuary. About 125 to 150 bird species are observed there over the course of the year. Another natural feature is the hot springs in the village of Unhere in Sudhagad taluka.

Coast, water and religious sites

Water sports such as boat rides and kayaking are offered at Nagaon Beach. If you’d like to include water activities among your holiday interests, this is a specific option to consider; the beaches and mountain scenery also provide distinct areas of focus within Raigad. Catamaran and ferry services run from the Gateway of India to Alibag. Larger towns and tourist destinations in the district are connected by road, with bus services operated by the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC).

For a trip with a religious focus, two Ashtavinayak temples are located in the district. The Varadvinayak Temple is in the village of Mahad in Khalapur taluka, near the town of Khopoli. The Ballaleshwar Temple is in the village of Pali in Sudhagad taluka and is the third of the eight Ashtavinayak temples. These sites are in different locations and can be considered alongside forts, nature and the coast when choosing a focus for your trip.

For families, the interests of your fellow travelers can help make the choice easier: Matheran’s trails, the history of the forts, the Satyagraha commemoration in Mahad, or the water sports at Nagaon Beach each offer a different focus. When looking for a holiday rental, first choose the part of Raigad that best suits the experiences you want to make central to your trip.

Other places

Other places: Vagholi, Murud, Kihim, Alibaugh, Zirad, Bori, Karjat, Palasdari, Revdanda, Kolad, Mahad, Matheran, Diveagar, Nagothane, Khopoli, Juna Sheva, Mandve, Belkhar, Roha, Khalapur, Jambhulpada, Neral, Thal, Pen, Ainwahal, Kashid, Harihareshwar, Akshi, Vaijanath, Bekare, Bodani, Kune N.m., Durtoli, Kurvande, Bhaliwadi, Korlai, Gaulwadi, Mandave Tarf Bamangaon and Nadode.

For the overarching travel guide: Maharashtra.