Konkan Coast – A Treasure to be Cherished
The word Konkan is of Indian origin and of considerable antiquity. Its meaning as the name of a country has never been satisfactorily explained nor is it obvious, although there are various interpretations which have been made. The district known under the name ‘Konkan’ has had very different limits under different periods in time. The Konkan is now held to include all the land in the Western Ghats and the Indian Ocean, from the latitude of Daman on the North to that of Terekhol, on the Goa frontier, which is its Southern end. This track is about three hundred and twenty miles in length with a varying breadth of thirty to sixty miles and is divided into the British districts of Thane, Kolaba, and Ratnagiri, and the native states of Jawar Janjira and Savantvadi.
The Pant Sachiv of Bhor in Pune also has a group of villages below the ghats. Whatever the old significance of the word ‘Konkan’ may have been, the name is now used in the sense first mentioned, and the modern division of the district is in the North and South Konkan. Of this district, it may be said generally that the parts near the coast are fertile, highly cultivated, and populous, and the inland parts rocky and rugged, not much favored by nature nor improved by man. Compared with other parts of India the climate is moist, the rainfall being very heavy, and hot winds but little felt. Although enervating it is much more equal than that of the Dakhan, and the district, especially the southern part, maybe called decidedly healthy. North of Mumbai, the coast is low and sandy, containing in many places great expanses of the salt swamp, the rivers few and shallow, and the harbors insignificant. South of Mumbai, the coast is bold with a line of hills often bordering the sea, never receding more than two or three miles from it; there are many navigable rivers and commodious harbors and in most parts deep water near the shore.
The Konkan belt is the coastal division of the state of Maharashtra in India. It stretches North-South from the city of Mumbai (Bombay) in the North to Goa, which borders the southern tip of Maharashtra. Apart from being rich in its own Konkani culture, this belt is home to some of the most scenic beaches in India, many of which are yet to be commercialized and retain their pristine beauty. A drive through this region is particularly captivating in the monsoons, as it lends breathtaking views of lush green hills rolling in all directions and occasional glimpses of the majestic Arabian Sea.
The official language of the region is Marathi and Konkani but everyone understands Hindi in the Konkan coast region too. The locals would typically not speak very fluent English however, they’ll speak enough broken English for people to understand. People are generally warm and helpful and would point out the best places to eat and see.
The amazing destinations on the Karnataka Konkan Coast –
Chikmagalur – A small town in Karnataka, Chikmagalur is famous for being a getaway for busy folks and tourists. Taking a leisurely walk in the coffee plantations is an all-time favorite pastime of any traveler visiting the town. There are various other attractions near the town too such as the Mullayanagiri Trek, the Kudremukh National Park, Kalhatti Falls, and Ayyanekere lake.
Image Credits: Baliyans
Horanadu – This incredible town is located in the picturesque surrounding of the Western Ghats of Karnataka and Horanadu is a place of the enchanting natural landscape. The place is also known for the Annapoorneshwari Temple and the Kalleshwara temple. This amazing place also has a picnic spot known as Ambuthirtha which is known for its scenic beauty and ever natural bliss.
Image Credits: Tourism of Karnataka
Udupi – Udupi is known as the temple city of India in popular culture and is very often frequented by pilgrims who visit this site on a pilgrimage. The place Udupi has many serene beaches, islands and various other attractions. The best time to visit this surreal place is the monsoons and in the winters. The place offers a lot of incredible attractions such as the Malpe beach, Kup beach, Jumadi islands, Udupi Shri Krishna Matha, and the Udupi Anantheshwara temple.
Image Credits: Holidify
KARWAR – This is a really wonderful port town, known as Karwar, and is situated about five hundred and nineteen kilometers from Bangalore. Karwar lies on the banks of the Kalindi river on a thin strip of tropical sand that is bound by the Western Ghats on one side and is bound by the Arabian Sea on the other side. There are many tourist attractions in this beautiful place such as the Dargah of Peer Shan Shamsuddin Kharobat, the river Kalindi and Karwar Harbor. Apart from this, the biggest cultural event that takes place in Karwar is the Karavali Utsav which takes place near the Rabindranath Tagore Beach in Karwar.
Murudeshwar – The town of Murudeswar has the second largest statue of Lord Shiva in the world. As this town is located near the Arabian sea, this town has plenty of places to offer to the traveller. One of the most famous and known places is the Murudeshwar temple, which is located on the hill of Kanduka Giri, The temple is surrounded by the sea on all three sides, and has a statue of Lord Shiva standing at over one hundred and twenty-three feet in height.
Image Credits: Gokarna tourism
Gokarna – Another amazing location to visit with pristine beaches is Gokarna on the Konkan coast. Gokarna is also a popular tourist destination for Hindus and it is known for its sacred sites such as the Mahabaleshwara temple and Koti Teertha. The town is also home to pristine beaches with turquoise blue waters such as Om beach, Half Moon Beach, Kudle beach, and Paradise beach. Red Earth Gokarna is a recluse for you to spend your time while resting in Gokarna. Our resort in Gokarna is the perfect distance from all major towns on the Konkan coast and also offers a myriad of activities both inland and by the sea. Come by our resort in Gokarna when planning your Konkan coast escape!
