Ethnically and traditionally important town, Malvan is located in Sindhudurg which is the southernmost district of Maharashtra State. Malvan is renowned for its Malvani cuisine, mangoes, and the famous historical monument, the Sindhudurg Fort. The Malvani language (Marathi and Konkani mix) and regional food signify a very distinctive culture of Malvan. Malvani cuisine mainly comprises of fish curry, rice, and coconut. Malvani Dashavtar, a critical artistic component of this region showcases the legendary stories through plays.
Several places in Malvan are worth visiting during your trip. Sindhudurg fort built by the great Maratha warrior King Shivaji is a sight to behold. It is surrounded by water on all sides, and the only way to reach the fort is by boat. Apart from the splendid structure, Sindhudurg Fort is one of the best places in the country to try scuba diving and snorkelling. The best way to get to Malvan is to book taxi to drive down the Konkan coast.
The rock garden is a place recommended for tourists who like to spend their evenings watching waves hit the rocks and enjoy the cool breeze. It is situated barely half a kilometre away from the Malvan jetty near Arase Mahal. Another interesting place to visit is the Jai Ganesha temple that has been transformed into its present structure by renovating an old house. This temple has a golden idol of Lord Ganesha and is very popular amongst the tourists.
Finally, let’s talk about beaches that have transformed Malvan into a tourist destination. The most famous beach of the region is the Tarkali beach which attracts visitors from around the world. Tarkarli Beach has everything that nature and sports enthusiast can dream. White sand, water sports, sea food, clear water that will make your visit memorable. When in Tarkarli do not forget to try the fantastic range of water sports such as scuba diving, Bumper boats, Banana boat ride, Parasailing, and Snorkelling that are available at very reasonable prices.
Other beaches that you can visit include the Devbaug beach, Chivla beach, and Kolamb beach. Chivala Beach is uncluttered and sparsely crowded making it perfect for tourists to relax amidst the cool breeze. If you want to spend time at a beach with no one around, head to Kolamb beach. There are hardly any tourists or locals in the vicinity.
Malvan Wild life Sanctuary, Rameshwar Temple, and Tsunami Islands are a few other places that should be visited provided you have time. The Malvan food is a bit on the spicier side, so please be careful before ordering. Some of the must try dishes include Murgh Malvani, Mori Masala, Kaju chi Aamti, and Solkadhi.
The best time to visit Malvan and Tarkali is from October to April which is primarily winter and early summer. Malvan is 510 km away from Mumbai and at a distance of 200 km from Ratnagiri. The nearest airport is Dabolim airport in Goa, and the closest railway station is Kudal. State transport buses and Volvos are available from Pune and Mumbai. It is recommended that you hire a private taxi with Savaari Car Rentals from Pune or Mumbai to enjoy the pleasant roads en-route Malvan and Tarkali. Walking or hiring a bicycle is also suggested to explore Malvan. Happy Vacationing!
