Shriwardhan is situated in the Raigad district of Maharashtra and is has gained fame as one of the best seaside resorts of the region. The town itself has many clean and well-maintained beaches and there are few more located nearby. Shriwardhan attracts tourists from Mumbai and Pune in large numbers throughout the year but you can find crowds from all over Maharashtra here during holiday season. Shriwardhan means ‘blessed by the Lord’.

Shriwardhan is nestled by the sea on the west side, mountains on the north and a creek in the south. There are two roads running parallel along the entire length of the town and both of them take you to the sea. The place has many places of religious and historical significance.

History

Shriwardhan is a must-visit destination for beach lovers as the gentle, cool breeze keeps visitors refreshed and rejuvenated. There is boat journeys organized to take visitors to the north side of the beach. This is the place where the Peshwas of the Maratha kingdom worked from during the initial stages of the Maratha rule. The locals believe that the place has been blessed by the footsteps of Arjuna, the Pandava warrior.

Shriwardhan is the birthplace of Balaji Visvanath, the first Peshwa. He was the Deshmukh of the town. The Peshwa Smarak, dedicated to the memory of the Peshwas is a place that attracts large crowds. The Shri Laxminarayan Temple in Shriwardhan is home to one of the oldest idols in the region. Other temples in the town are the Kusumdevi temple, Jivaneshwar, Bhairavnath and Somjai. The town of Harihareshwar in Shriwardhan is famous for its natural beauty, miles of pristine white beaches and also has religious significance in the form of the revered Harihareshwar Temple.

The coast is nearly three kilometers long and a pleasure to walk down during early mornings and evenings. The sunset is a major point of attraction for visitors and locals.

Special Attractions

Tourists can have a rollicking time on the long beach here. There are many beaches situated nearby such as the Kondivli, Harihareshwar and Diveagar. They can also visit numerous temples located in the vicinity of Shriwardhan. Most of them have a historical significance attached to it. For sea food connoisseurs, Shriwardhan is the perfect place to get a heavenly spread of the freshest catch served in local style. There are small roadside eateries as well as big restaurants ready to serve you with a platter of your choicest seafood preparations. The sumptuous cuisine of Shriwardhan has been heavily recommended in various review sites.

Harihareshwar temple is an important tourist destination. The place is believed to have been blessed by Lord Vishnu and is often referred to as the Dakshin Kashi. The temple has idols of Brahma, Shiva and Vishnu. The temples of Yogeshwari and Kalbhairav also attract large number of visitors annually.

How to Reach Shriwardhan

By Road

Private and state government buses, cabs and private cars are available from Mumbai which is 185 km and Pune which is 163 km. Travelers can also book cabs from Panvel, situated 125 km from Shriwardhan. Harihareshwar is 20 km from Shriwardhan.

By Rail

The nearest station is Mandgaon on the Konkan Railway strip. This is 45 km from Shriwardhan.

By Air

Nearest airport is Mumbai.