Far from the madding crowd and urban jungle of Pune, it was time to take a long deserved break. Our ’hum do hamare do’ family packed ourselves into our favorite indigo and started out towards the Kashid Beach for a short vacation.
From Pune we took the Road to Mulshi Dam from Chandini Chowk. Thereafter one has to take a left turn at the base of the dam and drive along the southern bank of the lake. This road is off the beaten track and offers spectacular views along the way. It sets you up perfectly for the vacation that lay ahead, one of relaxation and peace, away from hectic city life. After climbing down the ghats, the road crosses the main Mumbai-Goa Highway and heads west for the coast. There is another route via Alibuag but we preferred this one for the serenity it offers.
The magic of the coast starts immediately after the Revgunda Bridge with a lazy drive along the Arabian Sea. The black top runs in easy ups and downs with majestic views of the sea on the west. A short drive brings you to a climb which takes a sharp bend and presents to you a breath-taking view of the Kashid beach from the hillside.
The beach is clean with white sand and at some places ’suru’ trees something akin to pine lining the coast. Hammocks are aplenty along the beach with the occasional person selling fresh coconut water. It looks magnificent round the clock and tempts you to take the plunge every time. The locals however do have a tale or two of how strong undercurrents have swallowed the young man on vacation. So approach the surf with due respect and caution... there are no lifeguards here!! The beach is best suited to the kind of tourist who plans to ’do nothing but relax’ in his vacation.
Place to stay. There are many village cottages apart from two uptown and costly hotels. Unless you are the very kushi type and have loads of cash to throw, avoid these two and hunt for a simple room in one of the many cottages in the village. The cottages are essentially large bedrooms with attached bathrooms. The rates vary as per season and day of the week but try to bargain and look around before you make the final choice. None of the hotels / cottages faces the beach and so search for one reasonably near the sea-face. We stayed at the Kashid Sea Face which is on the main highway itself and very near to the beach. The rooms were clean and service good. There was a well maintained lawn to go along with where the kids could play. The villagers themselves are a likeable lot and the tourist bug has not bitten them hard as yet. So they let you be yourselves without interfering or trying to sell you some trinkets ( like goa !!). It is best to have your food cooked by the locals in the house you are staying as it is fresh, tasty and wholesome. Most serve on a thali basis costing 60-100 apiece. Also try the vada paavs from the only chai dhaba at the only village bus-stand in the morning.
There are nearby places worth visiting including Murud beach and Janjira fort but if you are on a trip that means to relax, they are best avoided. One evening is however definitely worth spending at the Vikram Vinayak temple which is 30 odd km away near the Revdanda bridge. The white marble temple is floodlit with its dome visible from afar. Park your car and walk up the gentle staircase and sit for some time on the feet of the creator. This is a clean and well maintained temple with heavenly ambience. Next to the temple is a tourist resort which has rooms and serves sumptuous pure vegetarian meals.
Recently the sheepish village has awoken the rush of tourists especially on weekends and hence we recommend avoiding the beach on weekends. The place is best enjoyed on a lazy weekday for a 2-3 day trip. Having your own vehicle is a bonus and helpful in the place where the drive is memorable. Carry that novel you have been postponing to read since long and a drawing board and the trip would be worth making again and again.
Every rose has its thorn and so does Kashid. To begin with is the lack of any eating restaurants in the village. the government does it bit by enforcing long power cuts of nearly 6 hrs everyday in April, a pretty hot month in Maharashtra.
To conclude, if you are the types looking for a lazy break from your busy schedule with a vacation in which you plan to ‘do nothing but relax’, a trip to Kashid is a perfect rejuvenator for such souls.