Maharashtra: Unravelling the secrets and surprises of Sindhudurg

Did you notice the sleepy but picturesque beach town of Vengurla in the latest movie Three of Us? Do you know where the grand statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj (father of the Indian Navy) was unveiled on the recently concluded Navy Day? Are you aware of the traditional art form of puppetry ‘Kalasutri Bahuliya’ and where does it hail from? The answer to all the above questions lies in Sindhudurg, the southernmost district of Maharashtra.


Once a significant part of the Maratha Empire, now it is interspersed with compelling heritage, historic temples, unconquerable forts, gorgeous forest cover, lush plains, photogenic backwaters, and long swathes of golden sands. On a recent unhurried and intimate road trip along the Konkan coast, I was enthralled with many virgin spots of Sindhudurg which seemed just perfect to escape the humdrum of overcrowded destinations.

Nivati Fort (Nivati Killa)
There are no second thoughts about the fact that the most significant landmark of this region is Sindhudurg Fort which not only inspired the name of the district but also safeguarded it from foreign attacks. But if you wish to hike to a dilapidated fort which promises no crowd and alluring views of the namesake beach that you can have all to yourself, a hike to the ruins of the Nivati Fort is a must.

This one was also built by Shivaji Maharaj for the protection of his naval empire. Before starting the hike towards the fort, one must indulge in the tranquillity of Nivati Beach and climb up the rocky outcrops on the other side, colloquially known as the Golden Triangle as the rocks gleam in gold colour with the first rays of the sun.

Karli River BackwatersTo experience a quiet boat ride accompanied by the sounds of monkeys and the chirping of birds, one must take a short ride on the Karli River in Walawal village in Kudal. There is a single boatman who drops and fetches the locals from one side to another. In between these short trips, the boatman takes visitors for a boat ride in the backwaters.

The clean air, the greenery, the blue water, the clear sky and the village colours will inspire the photographer in you. After the boat ride, one must also make a quick stop at the two most popular temples of the area - Lakshmi Narayan temple and Mauli Devi temple. Do not forget to notice the Konkani design and styles, vibrant paper decorations and the beautiful idols inside the prayer halls.


Sun Temple of Parule village
Not much is known or written about this one but Shree Dev Adinarayan is one of the well-known historical temples of this region. Shree Dev Adinarayan is a west-facing Surya temple with the idol of the sun in black stone. The locals share that the rays of the setting sun used to touch the idol but now with a renovated façade, this phenomenon is not visible. The idol is unique and speculated to be an amalgamation of the Sun God and Vishnu God.

Bluish-green waters of the Arabian Sea and the Golden sunsets
The ribbon-like coastal Konkan belt is replete with sparkling beaches. To name a few Bhogwe, Malwan, Devgad, Kunkeshwar, Mochemad, Tarkarli, Vengurla, and Nivati in Sindhudurg are the just perfect to dig your toes in the soft sand, hear the crashing waves, watch the peaceful sun, and surrender to nature like there is no tomorrow. A salubrious climate around the year makes this region a veritable tourist delight. When it comes to cleanliness and responsible tourism, most of these beaches are spic and span, free from litter, and rowdy crowds.

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Malvani Cuisine Nothing beats a Solkadhi on a scorching sunny day and the mere mention of bombil fry or kombdi vade (chicken Malvani) is enough to make you crave Malvani food. Malvan is a subset of the Konkan region and yet puts up a buffet of sorts brimming with tastes, textures, and aromas. Relying heavily on rice, coconut and seafood, food from the Malvan coast has its own identity in terms of ingredients and style of cooking. The use of coconut base, kokum, freshly ground spices (malvani masala) and farm-grown vegetables make vegetarian preparations surprisingly good too. Mori masala, Kaju Chi Aamti, cucumber cake, and malvani malpua are a must-try.

Also read: Exploring beautiful beaches near Mumbai

Pottery making, Sculpting and Puppetry
Even the remotest part of India boasts of the richest traditional heritage of arts and culture. The little villages of Sindhudurg are no exception. From learning all about Chitrakathi to meeting the last few surviving puppeteers of Pinguli to learning hands-on from the eco-friendly clay sculptors and village potters, there is a lot to appreciate and indulge in SIndhudurg if you are interested in arts, artists, and cultural takeaways. Chitrakathi is a forgotten 300 years old art form that is being revived by the Thakkar tribal community.


About the author: Manjulika Pramod travels the world and tells compelling stories to make people pack their bags. She is also a compulsive foodie, an author, an upcycling artist and a telecom engineer.