Tourism Places

 The following are the main tourist attractions in and around Alibag:

Alibag beach: This is the main beach of the town. A very flat stretch makes for a long walk. Reasonably clean beach and has thin crowds during the week. The sand has a hard texture and is a shade of black. Not easy to create sand-castles. Note that the tide rolls in from all sides. You may have to wade through water on the way back.

Siddheshwar Mandir near Khandale: This is famous Shiva temple situated near picturesque hills near village Khandale just 4 km from Alibag-Pen state highway. You can drive your vehicles just near to hillocks and with small trek you can reach this beautiful temple. The beauty around this temple is awesome during Shrawan month when hundreds of people throng to worship this temple during Shrawani Somwars. If you further travel from this temple you can see the remains of ancient fort called " Sagargad".

Alibag Fort: Alibag is the seat of District Administration of Raigad (formerly Kolaba) district since 1852. The name Kolaba is attributed to a Sea Fort Kolaba built by Shivaji the great, in 1680 to fight the mighty naval prowess of the Siddis' (Abyssenians) of Janjira and the British of Mumbai. Kolaba fort is famous for many battles, between Siddis and Kanhoji Angre, the British and the Portuguese.

Khanderi & Underi Islands  : Just few kilometers from sea shore of Kihim Beach one can visit Khanderi & Underi islands. These islands are heavily fortified and built by Shivaji Maharaj as sea observation posts in 1660 CE to keep a check on the Siddis at Murud-Janjira fort. However later on it lost its importance. Most of the fort is still intact the most prominent structure is a lighthouse built in 1837 which is still in service and used for sea navigation.

Bet El Synagogue: Once upon a time there was very Big Jewish Community living in Alibag; most of the them were oil pressers and sellers. Bet El Synagogue is the only Synagogue in Alibag. Viceroy Lord Curzon (1899-1905) visited this synagogue. This place had been place of worship for the Jewish community and rather than religious services it was place where community centre, Konkan development programmes and those days Village meetings used to be held. The synagogue is a heritage property having unique style and is well known Indian Jewish and Konkan tourist point.

Varsoli Beach:Located about a mile from the main beach, home to a very large naval base. It is situated just on the outskirts of Alibag. It is relatively less visited site and as a result is a quiet beach with sparkling white sand and cleaner seawater. Varsoli is a small satellite village across Alibag, complete with thick vegetation of coconut and Casuarina.

Akshi Beach: It is situated 6 km away from Alibag. It is a favourite spot for advertising, TV serial and film shoots. This beach is well suited for the children and ladies as the sea is flat for a long distance. One can walk through to a considerable distance towards the sea.

Nagaon beach: It is situated about 10 km away from Alibag and is famous for coconuts and betel nuts. One can walk on the beach from Nagaon beach to Akshi beach in ten minutes. It is more popular for its water sports and most of the tourists coming to Alibag stay near Nagaon beach.

Kihim-Navgaon Beach: Kihim is a secluded place at a distance of 12 km from Alibag. The Kihim beach is famous for dense cover of Coconut trees. It is also famous[citation needed] for woods which are home to rare butterflies, birds and flowers.

Awas: It is situated about 16 km away from Alibag.

Saswane: It is situated about 18 km away from Alibag.

Rewas: It is situated about 24 km away from Alibag.From Rewas, there is a ferry boat service to Mumbai (bhaucha Dhakka) and also to Uran (Karanja).

Chaul Revdanda: It is situated about 17 km away from Alibag.

Kanakeshwar Mandir: It is situated about 17 km away from Alibag to Karlekhind – Chondi road.13 km from Alibag in Northeast direction is this very famous Shiv temple on a 900 ft. high hill. It is a 5000 ft. long climb on well paved stairs, which takes around one hour. Landmarks along the route are tombs of MohanGiri and Balgiri, Nagoba Rest, Jambhali Plateau, God's stair, Gaymandi etc. The fatigue of the uphill climb vanishes the moment one enters the scenic temple premises . It comprises various small temples of Sri Paleshwar, Sri Hanuman, Sri Balram Krishna and Lord Shiv. The special attraction is an ancient sweet water tank enclosed in traditional structure of black stone. The ancient temple was built by Raja Ramdeorai yadav. The height of the Shiv temple is 54 ft. The front gate has Lion sculpture on both sides with traditional lamp-pillar(deepmaal) in front. The 4 ft. long 'Pindi' of Lord Shiv is silver plated. The premises also include Nagaar-khana, Bheem Kunda, a garden for flowers to be offered to the Lord, Sri Ram Ganesh temple and Gomukha. Every year, there is a fair on Kartik Poornima in Hindu calendar. On this hill, a variety of herbs are found.

Mandawa: It is situated about 20 km north of Alibag. The catamaran/ferry services are available from Mumbai to the Mandawa jetty. Many Bollywood celebrities own bungalows here.

Kashid Beach: It is 36 km away from Alibag, on the Alibag-Murud highway, also this beach is possibly one of the cleanest and most beautiful beaches in the region with almost 'white' sand. There are many cottages and resorts available ranging from around RS:1500 to RS:20,000. Prakruti resort is the luxury and the costliest of all. This village does not have any wine shops. One has to go around 6 km towards Murud to buy alcohol. Kashid is the perfect place to calm down and relax for the urban people. One can find water sports facility and number of small shops for snacks. BEWARE: Take care of your self in the water (particularly at the high tides) as there were many incidents which cost the life. There is a danger board warning the people.

Korlai Beach: A quiet serene beach with alternate white and black sands, along a serene stretch of the Arabian coastline, adjacent to a village of Korlai Creole Portuguese speaking Indians. Just across the bridge, to the right there is Korlai fort within the sea and attached to the mainland by a narrow land strip through the Korlai fort through the Korlai Village. It is supposed to have been built by the Portuguese in 1521. The main gate has an inscription which means 'no entry without a fight'. The fort has seven gates, a sweet water well, a church in disuse, a Hindu temple and a Lighthouse which is still used for navigation purpose.

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