Walking bare foot on a seashore
can be rejuvenating.
Kihim is a beautiful stretch of sand 136 Km away from
Mumbai. The beach is a long strip flanked on one side by the brushwood
and coconut trees. Gentle waves and surf lap the shore and you can
find a few rocks, which make a perfect throne to sit if you don't
mind a few pokes.
 You can spot the isles
of Oonderi and Khanderi, the latter one a little beyond
the first. Permission is not usually granted to visit the two sea-forts
on the isles, which are being looked after the Mumbai Port Trust.
Shivaji Maharaj started building the Fort Khanderi, in the year 1672,
much to the dislike of the British who at that time had gained control
of Mumbai. In 1867, a lighthouse was built near the fort to warn mariners
at night about the jagged rocks that surround the island. There is
a fresh water well on the fort though the island stands amidst the
salty waters of the Arabian sea.
The Abyssinian king of Janjira, Siddi Kasam, did not approve of the
Maratha rule, so in the process of attacking Khanderi (1679-80) he
gained control of the isle Oonderi, and later built the fort Oonderi.
The Brushwood flanking the Kihim beach provides an idyllic spot to
rest and sip coconut water. You can spot a few kingfishers, egrets,
jacanas and other water birds at the ponds near the beach, no wonder
this place was among Dr.Salim Ali's favorite retreats.
Although this place is enchanting through the year, the best time
to visit is from November to March. The rains bring its own magic
but summer time can be scorching.
Getting there:
Kihim is 136 Kms and about 4 hours drive from Mumbai. You have to
take the highway which passes Vashi ( Navi Mumbai ) and Panvel. After
Panvel the road divides, the left one goes to Pune. You take the right
one, which goes to Pen, passing through the famous Karnala Bird
Sanctury. You can break for refreshments at the hotel adjoining
the highway at Karnala. The Thumb shaped hill can be seen from great
distance and gives you good company. The place is very scenic and
you can see some beautiful farmhouses. The road twists and turns and
you see a lot of warning signs for danger. The phrase - 'getting
there is half the fun' finds its meaning relevant on this route.
You pass by paddy farms and over river bridges. While passing by small
villages you can see uniformed school children and young boys playing
cricket or volleyball. There are some good hotels at Pen, where one
can break for a meal. On the way ahead of Pen you can see a few Kilns
where bricks are made and you have to pass the bridge over the Dharamtar
creek. The road to Kihim is a right turn just two Kms before Alibaugh.
You pass by Wadi's with mango and coconut trees. The Rashtriya Chemical
& Fertilizer's plant at Thal, just before Kihim looks eerie and out
off place. |
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| Accomodation |
Sai-Inn
Resort
Mumbai contact:
Tel.No: 2182237, 2181678
2161639 |
| Other Places of Interest: |
 Alibaugh
Once a lazy town this place now has its own superstores and cinema
theater. The beach here has a gradual gradient and is safer for swimming.
Pen
is a big town famous for its Ganapati idols, you can see frantic activity
at the Ganapati Karkhanas through out the year. The Deodhar family
at Pen, owns a studio where you can get some arty clay and plaster-of-paris
idols and other work. |
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