Konkan Tourism - Visit to Karde beach | Keshavraj Temple | Dapoli | Ratnagiri

The beautiful Karde Beach and Keshavraj Temple Dapoli          

Keshavraj Temple

        Even though our next destination was not very far away from Pune, trip toh trip hoti hai and as the saying goes “What matters is the Journey not the destination”.

My daughter already turned 3 and she had not been to any beach yet, so we decided on taking her on road trip to one. The destination was one I had been to 14years ago, Karde beach.

This will be my 2nd of many post to come on Konkan diaries, first one was on  5 day visit to Tarkarli and scuba diving experience

About Karde beach

                   It's located next to Murud beach in Dapoli and less explored in Ratnagiri. So you can expect less crowd even during Holiday season. 

Like most of Konkan topography, Karde also has its own charm where the land meets the sea. In addition, weather here maybe due to the green forest, it is not as humid as it is near other beaches.

How to reach Karde from Pune

           There are two ways to reach Karde - Tamhini Ghat and Bhor-Warandh Ghat.

• Pune to Dapoli distance via Bhor  is approx. 130km and Karde is 80-90km from there.
•  The total distance from Pune to Karde is approx. 220km, either way.

Transport options from Pune: 

Best to have private transport but there are public transport options as well.

•  Bus : There are regular Govt. and Volvo buses available from Pune.
• Train : The nearest railway station to Dapoli is Khed, 27 km from Dapoli. You can reach Dapoli by bus or renting a private vehicle.

Top 10 Places to Visit in Karde and Dapoli:

1. Keshavraj Mandir Dapoli
2. Ladghar Beach
3. Panhalkaji Caves - Buddhist caves dating back to 3rd century.
4. Kadyvaril Ganpati Harne
5. Anjarle Beach
6. Murud Beach
7. Kelshi Beach - Kelshi beach is another less explored beach and a clean beach.
8. Suvarnadurg Fort
9. Harnai Beach - Harne is Dapoli's main sea fish market/harbour in Dapoli.
10. Parshuram Bhumi, Tamasteerth Beach.

Day 1:

We started from Wagholi, Pune at 6.45am, we were 2 families travelling together and 2 small kids, so we had to take many stops.

Backwaters of Deoghar dam

We had planned to take Bhor-Warandh Ghat route to Karde,Dapoli as reviews were much better compared to Tamhini Ghat route and we hadn’t explored it yet. 

It was a good decision to take this route, as not only the roads were smooth and good, you feel like taking multiple halts with all the scenic beauty throughout the way.

Deoghar Dam

It’s 2-2.5hrs hours travel through the Ghat, we had stopped for snacks (tasty Kanda bhaji and Tapri ki chai with Dam Backwater view). 

    Even though we had kids with us, the extended travel dint matter to them as they were engaged in watching the view around and the curvy route.

    Ideally it takes 4-5 hours to reach through this route to Karde, because we took many stops, we reached at 1.30pm at our resort (Teertharaj Beach resort).

    Its better to have the Dapoli and Karde maps downloaded offline as the network is weak in some areas.

Karde Beach Hotel Stay

    Teerthraj resort a beach facing resort with 4 cottages and few rooms. We had all the cottages booked for us 2 months in advance as it was Year end holidays and we dint want to take last minute chances. 

Tirthraj Resort karde  cottages

Hotel Stay options in Dapoli and Karde

    Sagar Sawali beach view resort Ladghar is amongst the best in Dapoli but is usually fully booked most of the time.

There are other beach resorts and homestays between price range 2k-5k near Dapoli and Karde beach but TeerthRaj seemed to be better option of all.

Beach view from cottage

The Beach id just 50mtr from the property, so one can enjoy a nice walk at any time, even at night.

Moon light reflecting on sea

    We dint have much on our itinerary for the day, so we just took quick dip in the evening and rest for the night, as it was long travel and decided to start afresh next day.

Little ones enjoying the beach party😜

Day 2:

    Breakfast was at the resort itself, so we nabbed quick bites and headed straight to the beach. It’s a clean and serene beach, not completely white sand but mix of black and white sand. Karde is one of the many beaches in Dapoli and luckily not much explored by public.

    Coming to Konkan and not having authentic konkan style Fish is not something one would want to do. Fish was well prepared, although I subconsciously compared it with the one I had in Tarkarli which was awesome.

Parshuram Bhumi

    Evening we went to Parshuram Bhumi (Land of Parshuram) which was approx. 8km from resort. It’s in Burondi village near Ladghar beach, perched on hilltop, on a private land having one view of sea and other side of the mountains. Its basically a monument built in respect of Lord Parshuram, the sixth avatar of Bhagwan Vishnu.

A click at Parshuram monument

    On-route to Parshuram Bhoomi, you also get to see Tamasteerth beach, Ladghar beach. One can stop at Tamasteerth to watch the seagulls in evening. It starts getting dense dark after 6.30pm, so plan accordingly.

    The route to Ladghar and Parshuram bhoomi from Karde is very scenic, its coastal road running parallelly to the Dapoli beaches. While you travel on this route, you will cross many small villages with typical Konkani style houses with huge Mango farms almost attached to every house.

Day 3:

    Karde’s main attraction are the dolphins. There are boat rides available, starting early morning from 7-7.30 am, no prior reservation is required. They take you for a ride in the sea to show dolphins. It’s incredible to watch these magnificent  sea creatures jump and dive high in the sea happily. 

Boat ride to watch the Dolphins 

    Post that we went for water sports on Karde beach itself and spent the first half on beach. Sports activities are limited on this beach, but if you want to enjoy parasailing, head to nearby Murud Beach, which is more commercial.

Daughter with her Grandpa

              

    We had reserved evening to visit two temples, one a 5000 years old Keshavraj temple and the other Kadyawaril Ganpati temple.

Keshavraj Temple,Asud:

Keshavraj Temple entrance

This has to be one the best places I have visited so far. One of the most secret places in Ratnagiri but now it's starting to gain attention from tourists. The road to the temple passes through a small village settlement with areca and spice plantations all along the way.

Areca plantations converted into food forest

    The Keshavraj temple is pretty much simple, but you feel the spiritual closeness with the nature and the charm of God. It is a must-visit place if your soul is seeking composure. 

    This temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu. The lord Vishnu idol is enlightened only with a oil lamp, capturing and focusing your energy towards it.

    It’s a 15-min trek to the temple which came as a surprise event for us but eventually you forget the trek as you enter the temple’s vicinity.

    On the way to the temple, there is a beautiful bridge with a stream flowing under it. A trip to this temple can offer an absolutely revitalizing experience amid a profoundly tranquil atmosphere.

Small bridge below which flows the stream

Don't forget to take a stop at one of the houses in the village and shop for some local homemade stuff. The people here are so innocent and you notice a special peace on their face and in their tone.

About Keshavraja Mandir

    The temple is said to have been built by Pandavas overnight and might have been reconstructed during Peshwa period.

Place where the natural source of water stream comes

There is also a natural water stream which flows from hill through gowmukh inside the temple.

Kadyawaril Ganpati Dapoli:

This is also one of the popular temples in Dapoli, is located on the hill near Anjarle. According to the history of the temple, Ganpati is said to have walked on this hill.

Kadyavaril Ganpati

Apart from its spiritual significance, the location is mesmerizing. When you look at the horizon on the way to temple, you can see that the land on the edge is curved and feels as if the sea is being poured.

NOTE: Again, make sure these Kadywaril Ganpati is visited before sunset. We were late at this location but fortunate to have reached at time of evening aarti.

  Day 4:

    It was day to get back to routine and hustle city life, but we had one more place to visit before that. We had planned to visit Shivthar ghal as it is near Warandh Ghat which is just 15km further than the normal route.

Shivthar Ghal

    This is a cave amidst the Warandh Ghat hills in Raigad district with adjoining waterfall. This is where Samarth Ramdas Swami wrote Dasbodh. It’s a beautiful location and paradise for trekkers/tourists during rainy season.

View on the way to Shivthar

Caves where Samarth Ramdas Swami lived

Entrance to the caves

    Ramdas Swami, not only was spiritual guru but also a great patriot. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj considered him as his guru and followed many instructions which were beneficial for public welfare and national integrity.

Beautiful Poem on Shivthar Ghal by Samarth Ramdas Swami

    The return journey was same route, and we expected it to be smooth and fun driving as we enjoyed while coming to Karde and of course it was awesome.
We left from Shivthar Ghal at 4pm and were able to cover the Ghat in 1 and half hour and reached Pune Bengaluru highway at 5.45pm.

Expenses during Trip : 

1. Tea and snacks in Warandh Ghat – 450/- (8 ppl)
2. Lunch near Shivthar Ghal (Pithali Bhakri, Kanda bhaji) – 800/-(9 ppl)
3. Petrol – 3k with Swift Dzire.
4. Stay – 3.5k per night per cottages, plus 20k for complete meals of 10 ppl.
5. Activities on beach – 4-5k 

Our Karde Group

If you are planning to go on a vacation to Karde or Dapoli, you can enjoy it by planning for a 3 or 5 day trip.

Starting new year with the hope you would like this blog and the details and share it with your friends as well. Let me know your thoughts or any detail you would like me to include in upcoming blogs.

Wish you all a very Happy New Year!

" Everything in nature invites us constantly to be what we are"