Konkan Calling – Part 1: Guhaghar, Velneshwar & Hedvi   –

“Chalo Doston, Ek Road Trip Ho Jaye!”

“Yeh dosti hum nahi todenge…”
Exactly the vibe when the idea of a road trip was dropped in the Family group WhatsApp chat.

What began as a casual chat turned into packed bags, playlists on loop, and wheels pointing straight from Mumbai to the serene coastal stretch of Guhaghar, Hedvi, Velneshwar, Dapoli, Harnai, and the majestic forts of Suvarnadurg and Gopalgad.

But let’s not rush—this is just Part 1. Our story begins as we rolled into the Konkan dream.

Day 1: Mumbai to Guhaghar – “Aisa road trip dobara na milega!”

We left Mumbai early—so early that even the sun was like, “Aap log bhi na…”
With caffeine in our systems, music in the air, and hearts full of excitement, we cruised past Panvel and dove headfirst into Konkan’s lap of green ghats and open skies.

🚩 Enroute Stop – Parshuram Temple: History, Peace &… Turtles!

Before we reached Guhaghar, we took a soul-refreshing detour to the Shri Parshuram Temple near Chiplun—and trust me, it’s more than just another temple stop on the way.

This temple is dedicated to Lord Parshuram, the sixth avatar of Vishnu, and the one who’s said to have thrown his axe into the Arabian Sea to reclaim the Konkan coast.

Yep—yeh zameen asli mein Parshuram ki hai!

The temple complex is calm, clean, and nestled in the lush Sahyadri hills. You’ll find beautiful Konkani-style architecture, quiet corners, and a sacred energy that instantly soothes your travel-weary soul.

Now here’s the cool part—there’s a kund (sacred water tank) right in the temple courtyard, and if you peer inside, you’ll spot turtles gliding gracefully under the surface. It’s strangely meditative to just stand there and watch them swim.

🐢 Turtles at a temple—Konkan really knows how to surprise you!

⚠️ Note: Bathing in the kund is not allowed, so enjoy the view respectfully and soak in the serenity instead.

The complex also houses other temples like:

• Shri Renuka Temple (Mother of Parshuram)

• Shri Kalbhairav Temple

• Shri Shani Temple

Each shrine has its own charm, and the overall vibe is peaceful, with the sound of rustling trees and temple bells in the background. 

We wrapped up our temple visit with a quick break at a local eatery nearby, where we sipped on some chilled solkadhi—that magical Konkan potion made with coconut milk and kokum.

Ek glass solkadhi aur garmi gayab!

Cool, refreshing, and just what we needed to beat the heat before continuing our journey toward Guhaghar. It wasn’t just a drink—it was a Konkan-style recharge!

We spent a few peaceful moments here, clicked some photos, soaked in the silence, and got back on the road—refreshed, recharged, and spiritually aligned.

“Thoda bhakti, thoda masti—balance zaroori hai na bhai!” 

By afternoon, we arrived at Guhaghar, a quiet town with coastal calm and the comforting scent of sea breeze. Our original plan was to head straight to Velneshwar for some temple time and beach vibes.

But then… the sun happened !

“Taapmaan itna zyada tha, lag raha tha hum chicken tandoori ban jaayenge!” 😃

So, we did the wise thing—checked into our hotel in Guhaghar, freshened up, changed into our “beach best,” ( Actually I am writing this only to sound cool 😃, I was in my cargos) We decided to ditch the highway route. We chose the coastal road to Velneshwar instead—because what’s a road trip without a little detour and a lot of views?

Coastal Vibes & Konkan Curves – Off to Velneshwar

The coastal route was a visual treat—twisty lanes hugging the sea, green hills playing hide and seek, and the kind of rustic beauty that can’t be captured even by 4K drones (I can say that because I don’t have a drone),Instead we stood at a vantage point and captured some beautiful pictures. It was now time for some adventure …..

Click on the link below  to enjoy our ride from Guhaghar to Velneshwar in video format.

🚘 The ‘Moon Surface’ Patch – Thrills, Spills & Konkan Chills!

Now let’s talk about that one stretch on the way from Guhaghar to Velneshwar… the road that looked like it had been through ten monsoons, three earthquakes, and possibly a moon landing!

We’re talking muddy, skiddy, cratered chaos—the kind of road that makes you feel like you’re auditioning for an off-road rally without signing up for it.

I gripped the steering wheel, muttered a prayer or two, and with my heart firmly lodged in my throat, navigated through what can only be described as a real-life lunar experience.

“Zindagi mein risk lena padta hai… warna log Goa tak hi ghoom ke wapas aa jaate hain!”

But hey, what’s a road trip without a little bit of drama, right?
It was bumpy, it was wild, but it was also pure adventure—the kind that makes for great stories (and stronger brakes).

And the reward? The road eventually smoothed out… and the coastline reappeared like a long-lost friend.

We finally reached Velneshwar Temple, soaked in the divine peace for a bit, paid our respect to the gods and then stepped onto Velneshwar Beach, where the waves whispered secrets and the sand held centuries of stories.

But unlike your typical tourists, we didn’t wait for sunset there.

Why?

Because I’m a sucker for sunsets, and I had my eyes set on Hedvi Beach—to witness the golden glow on the waves and that magical sun-kissed goodbye that only Konkan can offer.

Hedvi – Sunset, Reels & Bamanghal  Feels

And let me tell you—Hedvi did not disappoint.

We reached just in time to catch the sun lazily dipping into the sea, bathing everything in a warm, golden hue. The waves shimmered like they were dressed for a red-carpet event. And the star of the show?

🌊Bamanghal  – a natural marvel where the sea crashes through a rocky crevice, creating a dramatic fountain of waves. It’s nature’s own version of a fireworks display.

“Kya scene hai yaar!”
Imagine the background score of a dramatic Bollywood climax playing here.

This was no solo trip—it was a full-on family outing! Cousins laughing, exploring, pulling each other’s legs, and my daughter turning the beach into her personal reel studio. Shot after shot, pose after pose—her energy made the beach come alive!

And me? I was soaking it all in—the sounds, the smiles, the sun, and that feeling of “this is what life’s about.” ( psst, in between I too made few reels, Akhir me hum kon se dood ke dhule hai )

While you’re at Hedvi, don’t miss:

• Shri Dashbhuja Lakshmi Ganesh Temple – A unique temple with Lord Ganesha’s idol having ten hands.
• Uma Maheshwari Temple – Another ancient shrine worth a quick visit.
• Tranquil coastline walks – A perfect spot for a romantic stroll or soul-refreshing solitude.

Back to Base – Guhaghar Goodnight

As twilight faded into stars, we packed our memories, our reels, and our sandy slippers, and drove back through the coastal curves to our hotel in Guhaghar.

Tired? Yes.
Sun-kissed? Absolutely.
Happy? 200%.

“Picture abhi baaki hai mere dost…”

Part 2 – Guhaghar beach, Shree Vyadeshwar Temple, Talkeshwar temple and Talkeshwar lighthouse, Gopalgad fort. Stay tuned for forts with views and plates with prawns 🐟🍤

Click on the link given below to read the next part of this blog

Konkan Road Trip Part 2 – Guhaghar to Dapoli with Beaches, Forts & Family Fun

📍 Konkan Tip of the Day:

Skip the highway, take the coastal route. And if it’s summer, stay hydrated, wear those shades, and chase that golden hour—it’s worth every dusty turn.

Feeling the travel itch already? We don’t blame you. If our road trip tales have you plotting your escape to the Konkan coast, here’s how you can reach Guhaghar from Mumbai—depending on your mood and mode of travel:

🚗 By Road – For the Highway Wanderers

If you live for playlists, pitstops, and long drives, this one’s for you!

• Distance: Around 280–300 km (depending on the route you choose)
• Travel Time: 7 to 9 hours
• Suggested Route:
  Mumbai → Panvel → Mangaon → Mahad → Chiplun → Guhaghar
  (Or take the scenic detour via Anjanwel for postcard views)

🚣️ Pro Tip: Start early and take chai breaks along the ghats—it’s half the fun!

🚆 By Train – For the Scenic Soul-Searchers

Love a good window seat and the rhythmic charm of train journeys?

• Nearest Station: Chiplun (about 45 km from Guhaghar)
• Popular Trains: Konkan Kanya Express, Mandovi Express, Jan Shatabdi
• From Chiplun, hop into a cab or local ST bus to Guhaghar.

🚆 Don’t Miss: The Konkan Railway route is a stunner—lush greenery, bridges, tunnels, and all that train romance!

✈️ By Air – For the Jetsetters in a Hurry

No direct airport in Guhaghar, but you can still fly close:

• Closest Airport: Ratnagiri Airport (~110 km away)
• Alternative: Fly into Goa or Mumbai, then drive down to Guhaghar

✈️ Heads-up: Flights to Ratnagiri are limited, so road-tripping from Mumbai might be the most convenient—and scenic—option.

Now that you know how to get there, no excuses, okay? Start planning, pack that sunblock, and get ready for some serious Konkan magic 🌊✨