“Ocean is more ancient than the mountains, and freighted with the memories and the dreams of time”
H.P. Lovecraft
Alibag – Mumbai’s Weekend Playground
What do the millionaires of India’s megapolis do when they want a weekend hangout? They head out to Alibag in their swish speed boats from the marina at the Gateway Of India. But so does the average person in Mumbai. Alibag, the beach destination closest to the metropolis’ southern tip, welcomes one and all at its Mandwa Jetty, be it a speed boat, Ro-Ro or a regular ferry.
The Ro-Ro service from the terminal at Bombay Port Trust takes around an hour to transport you along with your vehicle. If you stay at the Northern borders of Mumbai, then it may be wiser to take the road to Alibag, though. But nothing beats the feeling of the sea waves caressing your face while taking the sea route. The Mandwa ferry terminal at Alibag connects to the city centre through regular shuttle buses and private cabs, if you don’t have your own vehicle.
Beaches and more
Alibag is but a small hamlet in a long coastline of Raigad district that extends from Mandwa up to Agardanda, 75 kms away along the coast. Along this coast lie Kihim, Korlai, Kulaba, Kashid, Revdanda, and Murud, each with spectacular beaches. It isn’t only beaches, though. Many of these places have small forts that were the watchtowers for the seafarers right from the 17th century. Some of them have fallen into ruins, some stand tall still. But each showcases the engineering feats required to build forts right where the Arabian sea crashes ferociously.
The beach fronts at Mandwa, Alibag, Nagaon and a few more boast of adventurous water sports activities. While indulging in those, don’t miss out on the lighthouse at Korlai. If you time it right, the lighthouse keeper would take you on a brief tour as well. Just adjoining the lighthouse is the Korlai Fort, a steep climb away. Not much is there to see except ruins, but the views from the top are spectacular.
Coastal Forts
The history of Mumbai’s Weekend Playground, Alibag, begins 300 years ago, when Shivaji Maharaj established the Kolaba Fort. His naval commander, Kanhoji Angre, developed it into a bustling defence port. One could wonder where the name Alibag comes from. The region is a historical settlement of the Bene Israel Jews, with landlords holding large fruit orchards and plantations. From one such Elizah’s orchard, which translates to Eli-chi Baug, comes Ali-bag.
Along the coast, starting from Kolaba Fort, one can visit Korlai, then Revdanda and finally the jewel of Raigad, the Murud Janjira (island) Fort. The Murud Janjira finds association with the Abyssinian Siddi dynasty, whose descendants still live at the Siddi Palace in mainland Murud. The island fort of Padmadurg is close to the Murud beach, and just a ferry visit away.
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