Dapoli is a town in Ratnagiri district, Maharashtra. It is 215 km (134 mi) from the state capital of Mumbai. Dapoli is also called as Camp Dapoli as British set their camps in Dapoli. Dapoli boasts of being a hill station located at an altitude of 800 ft (240 m) and having beautiful beaches 15 minutes away. It is also called "Mini Mahabaleshwar" because of its cool climate throughout the year.
Dapoli has a seaboard of 50 km (31 mi) that stretches from Burondi, Kelshi to Dabhol. With the main beaches being Karade, Murud, Harnai, Ladghar, Anjarle, Kolthare and Burondi. Coconut farms densely cover most beaches.
Dapoli being in the Western Ghats is lush green throughout the year and surrounded by natural beauty and wildlife. Being home to a myriad of migratory birds during few months of the year adds to the natural splendor of Dapoli.
Dapoli is home to one of India’s premier & biggest Agricultural Universities, Dr.Balasaheb Sawant Konkan Krishi Vidyapeeth with it’s campus and test farms spread over 800 acres.
It also has significant cultural and religious importance. Home to Kadyavarcha Ganpati Mandir at Anjarle, Keshavraj Temple at Asud, Chandika Devi Temple at Dabhol, Panhalekaji Buddhist Caves at Panhalekaji, Bhagwan Parshuram Statue at Burondi. A few forts from Maratha Empire and even predating it include Suvarnadurg, a fort situated in the middle of the sea that can be seen dotted throughout the areas in Dapoli.
The Dapoli Nagarpanchayat, which is India’s first Nagar Panchayat, administers Dapoli. It is 8 km (5.0 mi) from the Arabian Sea and acts as the main town (Taluka headquarters) for several surrounding villages such as Anjarle, Mandivali, Sarang, Bandhtivare, Pangari, Dabhil, Bhopan, Harnai, Dabhol, Navse, Unhavare/farare, Jalgaon, Gavhe, Gimhavane, Asud, Vanand, Kherdi, Karde (beach), Pichdoli, Visapur, Onanavase, Murud and Umberghar. The principal rivers are Bharja in the north and Vashishthi in the south. A small river called Jog flows through Bandhtivare, Sarang and Tadil into the Arabian Sea.
In an uncanny feat Dapoli is home to 3 Bharat-Ratna awardees Maharshi Dhondo Keshav Karve, Dr. Pandurang Vaman Kane & Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar.
Local attractions
Dapoli Camp
Distance from site – 13 kmsThe headquarter town of Dapoli Taluka. An old British military camp, now home to one of India’s top agriculture university is the closest large town to Blue Breeze.
Harnai Fish Market
Distance from site - 3 kmsThis is assumed to be one of the largest suppliers of fish to Maharashtra. Many kinds of seafood including lobsters and prawns are available.
Kadyavarcha Ganpati
Distance from site - 12 kmsAnjarle is famous for the Kadyavarcha Ganpati (Ganesh temple situated on a cliff). This ancient and magnificent Ganesh temple was originally constructed using wooden pillars in around 1150 AD. It was renovated during the period between 1768 and 1780. There is a magnificent view of the thick plantation of coconut trees, betel nut trees, Suvarnadurg Fort, blue sea and surrounding hills from the top.
Suvarnadurg and Kanakdurg Forts
Distance from site - 2 kmsThe Suvarnadurg fort consists of two forts. Kanakdurg is the land fort and Suvarnadurg is the sea fort. The forts were originally built by the Adil Shahi dynasty and later captured and fortified by Shivaji in 1660. These forts are part of the 4 forts in Harnai.
Asud Baug
Distance from site - 4 kmsIt is a calm and serene village lying covered with coconut and betel nut trees. The natural beauty of this village has been immortalized in many Marathi literary works.
Keshavraj Temple, Asud
Distance from site - 7 kmsA few minutes walk from Asud, climbing up stone steps lays this temple that dates back to the Peshva Era and is famous for the perennial water flowing from a mouth of a cow carved from stone. The temple is christened in folklore for its mystic powers.
Tamastirth, Ladghar
Distance from site - 16 kmsA long beach, which has reddish sand that also lends it’s reddish hue to the water. It is a safe beach that lies in a bay. It is home to Sri Veleshwar & Sri Datta temples.
Bhagwan Parshuram Statue, Burondi
Distance from site - 19 kmsBurondi is believed to be the birthplace of Lord Parshuram and a huge 21 feet statue stands here which is perched on a hemisphere that is 40 feet in diameter.
Shri Vimaleshwar Shiv Temple, Murdi
Distance from site - 12 kmsIt is located at village Murdi near Anjarle, just 1 km from Kadyavarach Ganapati. The temple is about 1200 years old and still has a strong building as well as a huge community of followers.
Dr. Balasaheb Sawant Konkan Krishi Vidyapeeth
Distance from site - 12 kmsIt is an agricultural university, which specializes in rice, horticulture & fisheries. It has developed new varieties of Rice, Mango, Cashew Nuts, Coconuts, Pepper, Cloves, Cinnamon and many other fruits and spices. It also is home to a man made forest, medicinal ayurvedic garden, bamboo forest, winery, cannery, rubber processing plant and concept farms. It has an information center open to visitors.
Gavhe
Distance from site - 16 kmsThe village of Gahve is home to various small and big nurseries where visitors can buy over 1000 varieties of saplings of vegetables, spices, fruits, flowers and ornamental plants.
Kolthare
Distance from site - 25 kmsSparkling white sand beach. The sea over the years has created a cave ‘Vaghbeel’ and also made a deep cavity called ‘Ghalai’ in the rocks at the seashore, which during high tide makes water leap upwards into a towering column of water.
Chandika Devi Temple, Dabhol
Distance from site - 35 kmsIt is built during the rule of the Peshwa dynasty. It is in a naturally formed monolithic cave. Legend has it that Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj used to offer his prayers in this temple when on march in Dabhol region.
Dabhol
Distance from site - 38 kmsDabhol is a port which is 28 km (17 mi) south of Dapoli. The Dabhol Power Plant by Enron is situated near Dabhol. The plant has now been taken over by Ratnagiri Gas and Power Private Limited (RGPPL). The power station is India's largest operating gas-based combined cycle power station.
Panhalekaji Caves
Distance from site - 39 kmsLocated on the Dapoli-Dabhil Pangari road, Panhalekaji Caves can be accessed from Khed via Vakavali and Tetavali. The place is situated deep in the valley near the confluence of the Kotjai and Dhakti rivers. There are around 29 leni or caves.
Unhavare/farare
Distance from site - 40 kmsHot Water Springs - There are natural hot water springs at Unhavare Village. People from surrounding areas come here regularly to dip in the hot sulphur water springs, said to cure skin ailments.
Olive Ridley Turtles, Velas
Distance from site - 48 kmsIt is an abode and breeding ground for the endangered olive ridley turtles through the summer and immediately after winter. Thousands of these turtles come and nest here.
Palgad Fort
Distance from site - 39 kmsIt is shaped like a lizard head as the name states. It is a delight for Trekkers and has scenic view. Surrounded by forest makes the trek closer to nature.
