5 Stunning Weekend Getaways From Mumbai You Didn’T Know Of

It was 2 am in the morning. Me and my friends were hanging out at my rented apartment in Mumbai. We had a very long work week and were recuperating ...

It was 2 am in the morning. Me and my friends were hanging out at my rented apartment in Mumbai. We had a very long work week and were recuperating from it. The state of inebriation brought all the philosophical questions that we collectively sought to answer. One of us threw a random question in the air, “Have you been to Kashid?”_. The rest of us wore blank expressions. He said, “If you guys haven’t, we must! It’s just a couple of hours drive from Mumbai.”

Before we knew it, we were on a cab to Kashid and I count the discovery of this lesser known destination as one of the best travelling experiences of my life. We all know about Pune, Lonavla, Matheran and Mahabaleshwar. But what about these hidden beauties that are waiting to get discovered and give you an amazing experience?

Read on to know about the 5 lesser known destinations you can go to from Mumbai:

Kashid

This had to feature on the top. Aside from the fact that it has given me great memories, Kashid is a beach town with white sandy beaches and whispering casuarinas. The amazing Konkan influence on the food makes for sumptuous delights. Located at a distance of 170 Km, Kashid makes for a serene place in nature’s lap. Hire a bicycle (easily available) and ride around the town, discovering Korlai fort, Revdanda fort and the clean beaches.

Kamshet

Located at just 110 km from Mumbai, Kamshet is a hill station known for paragliding and flying schools. A place that is regularly featured in the top 10 adventure destinations in India, offers a breathtaking aerial view. It is located close to Khandala and Lonavla, which makes it easier to be clubbed with these destinations for the long weekend. Kamshet’s cuisine comprises popular street food with local flavor that is bound to make your mouth water.

Harihareshwar

Also known as the Dakshin Kashi, Harihareshwar is the temple town that is surrounded by four hills and the river Savitri gracing the town. The place is at a distance of about 190 Km and takes about four and a half hours to reach. Authentic Konkani dishes can be enjoyed here at the clean beaches. Discover the simple village life by exploring the town by foot and visit the famous Lord Harihareshwar temple.

Bhimshankar

Located at a distance of 222 km, the longer road trip to Bhimshankar is absolutely worth it. It is a temple town which is one among the twelve traditional ‘Jyotilingam’ shrines of Lord Shiva in India. Apart from places of worship, the town also has a wildlife sanctuary and the Hanuman lake. Dharamshalas are available to those looking for an economical stay, but the town also have decent lodges at a short distance from the temple.

Murud Janjira

At a distance of 110 Km, Murud is known for its widespread sandy beaches and majestic forts. The small town is outlined by palm and coconut tress giving it the perfect scenic image. Konkan is the flavor of the food and this place is known for its unique preparations of sea food. The place like any city, offers an eclectic mix of cuisines from Biryani to Chinese! There are many places of interest but the the nearby hills of Murud-Janjira holds a marvelous shrine dedicated to lord Dattatreya, which takes the cake.

We found an answer to the philosophical questions in our travelling experience that night. It is in discoveries of lands that you tend to discover yourself.