HARNAI- MURAD BEACH
AT
RATNAGIRI
A wide range of beautiful and serene beaches is what makes the twin
villages of Harnai and Murud in the Dapoli taluka of Ratnagiri district such a
big favourite of tourists all year round. Also, not only have they been blessed
with natural attractions but they also occupy a significant place in the
history of the state.
The white silky seashore at Harnai-Murud is adorned with a chain of sea
forts such as Suvarnadurg, Kanakdurg and Goa. Murud is also famous for being
the birthplace of two prominent personalities who have been awarded the Bharat
Ratna.
Located 225 kilometers from Mumbai with the nearest railway station at
Khed on the Konkan line and the closest airport at Mumbai, Harnai is an ancient
port on the west coast of India. Though the village is very small, a visit to
the sea fort Suvarnadurg makes for an amazing experience.
One can also travel from here to a village called Anjarle by crossing
the Paaj Creek to visit the temple of Kadyavarcha Ganapati. The forts of
Kanakdurg and Goa are situated on the shore of the Arabian Sea at Harnai.
Murud, with Durga Devi as its local deity, is located just 14 kilometers from
Dapoli, the taluka place.
This village too has a historical background apart of course from being
on the map of pilgrims for its beautifully designed temple dedicated to Durga
Devi.The temple has intricately carved eight wooden pillars and decorative
slabs. A six-layered ‘deepmaala’ stands tall in front of the temple. A smaller
temple of Svayambhuva Devi is located in the courtyard of this main temple.
A big bell hangs outside the main hall, this being a souvenir which
Maratha warrior Chimaji Appa brought here to celebrate his victory over Vasai.
Vasudev Joshi Murudkar was then the ‘subhedar’ of Vasai during the reign of
Bajirao Peshwa I and is believed to have been instrumental in adorning the
temple with this bell.
Murud is a tiny village with thick foliage of trees on its coastline. A
unique feature of this village is that it has offered two well-known
personalities in the service of the nation – social reformer Annasaheb alias
Dhondo Keshav Karve and Sanskrit laureate Pandurang Vasudev Kane.
They both were honoured with the supreme civil award Bharat Ratna. The
official residence of Annasaheb Karve is no longer in existence but a bust
honouring him has been erected in the square near the temple. The school in
which both these personalities finished their studies has completed its
centenary and is a matter of pride for Murud.
By Air
The nearest airport is at Mumbai.
By Train
The nearest railway station is khed on Konkan railway.
By Bus
Number of state transport buses ply regularly to Dapoli from Mumbai,
Pune and Kolhapur. Harnai-Murud is just 14 kms away from Dapoli and
autorikshaws are available in ample.
