A weekend getaway to the coastal town of Dapoli proved to be the perfect mix of relaxation, culture, and exploration. With my husband and our adventurous pet dog Sophie, we spent three memorable days exploring Dapoli’s rich history, stunning beaches, and serene temples.
We started from Pune early in the morning. We came via Tamhini ghat, Mangaon and Mahad. We had a quick lunch stop at Vivan Pure Veg Restaurant Chiplun in Chiplun as he allows our pet on request. We also had a quick tea stop at Hotel Viraj. We had some steaming hot vada pav and packed Solkadhi. We reached Dapoli within 6 hrs. We rested at our ancestral home in Dapoli.
| Before Lunch | After lunch | |
| Day 0 | Journey from Pune to Dapoli | Rest at home |
| Day 1 | Panhalekaji caves, Unhavare hot water springs | Keshavraj Temple, Asud |
| Day 2 | Chandika Devi Mandir & Shahi masjid, Dabhol | Shree Datta Mandir, Ladghar & Murud Beach |
| Day 3 | Journey from Dapoli to Pune |
Day 1: Caves, Springs, and Temples
After having breakfast at home, our journey began with a visit to the Panhalekaji Caves, an ancient cave complex nestled along a riverbank. It is just 16kms from our house. There is no network near Panhalekaji caves. So we were relying on offline google map. We reached the cave premises in 30 minutes. There are some hawkers at the entrance and there is a lot of space for parking vehicles. There were no tourists at the cave. One local person came with us as he was searching for his goat in the caves. There is a paved pathway to explore the caves in the jungle. But the pathway is quite slippery. It is not advisable to visit tis place in the monsoons. These caves are nestled in the jungle with Kodjai river on one side. The pathway to all the caves is completely flat. Entry is free of cost and there are no washrooms available.
The Panhalekaji Caves, located in a small village in the Konkan region of Maharashtra, consist of 29 Buddhist and Hindu rock-cut caves. Though recognized as a protected monument, the site remains underdeveloped. The absence of heavy tourism has helped preserve its untouched charm, keeping the area relatively clean and uncommercialized.
Believed to have originated in the 2nd century AD as a shelter for Buddhist monks, the caves gradually expanded over time. They are categorized into upper and lower levels, with only the lower-level caves accessible to visitors.
Over the centuries, the caves have been influenced by Buddhist, Jain, and Hindu traditions, each leaving distinct marks on their structures. Some caves are simple, while others feature seating arrangements carved into the walls. A few exhibit intricate carvings, and one cave even contains a water enclosure, suggesting it may have been the residence of a high-ranking monk.
Among all, the most remarkable is the ‘Kailash’ cave. Its ceiling showcases beautifully carved scenes from the Mahabharata, making it a truly awe-inspiring site to explore.
The first cave is in the parking itself. The intricate rock carvings and serene setting made it a fascinating place to explore, and Sophie seemed just as captivated by the surroundings as we were.
There are 4 broken stupas lying outside Cave no.2
There is a small underground tank outside Cave no. 3 to harvest rainwater. Since the cave is based on a higher elevation, steps have carved to reach its roof.
There is a stupa lying outside cave no.4
After the caves, we made our way to the Unhavare Hot Springs, where naturally warm waters bubble up from the earth. Located 35 km from Dapoli, the Unhavare village is home to a natural hot water spring that flows throughout the year. The water level remains constant during all seasons, including winter and monsoon, and its temperature remains unchanged.
The spring has a flow rate of 8,000 to 10,000 liters per hour, with water temperatures reaching 70°C. Rich in sulfur and carbon dioxide, these waters are known for their therapeutic properties. Due to the high sulfur content, they are believed to help treat skin ailments and provide stress relief.
However, it is advised not to enter the hot spring on an empty stomach, as it may cause dizziness or fainting. In Unhavare village, a designated bathing pool with waist-deep water has been constructed for visitors, along with a separate enclosed area for women. Bathing in these hot springs offers a truly soothing and rejuvenating experience. The locals also frequently use these facilities as part of their daily routine. It was a unique experience to relax by the springs, feeling nature’s own spa treatment.
Our last stop for the day was the Keshavraj Temple in Asud, perched atop a small hill amidst lush greenery. On road parking is available at Keshavraj temple. It takes around 10 minutes to come walking to the base village. The base village has a lot of eateries where they sell local preserved food items, solkadhi, ukadiche modak, breakfast, snacks, etc. It takes another 5-10 minutes to reach the entrance of the premises of Keshavraj temple. From there, the steps led us down to the river. So you first get down and then go up to reach the temple. One needs to cross the river from the pedestrian bridge and start climbing upwards on the hill. There are around 210 steps . It takes 45 minutes to reach the main temple. There are kokum sorbet and lemon sorbet sellers throughout the entire trek route.
A short trek brought us to this tranquil temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu, and the scenic views along the way were worth every step. The temple is beautiful. There is a place to wash our hands and feets with water and the beautiful part is that the waters flows from ‘Gomukh’. The water where we wash hands and feet is actually coming from uphill naturally which feels godly. Keshavraj is a reincarnation of Lord Vishu and there is a Ganesha statue as well, both the statues are beautifully carved. On the way back, we ate some snacks in one of the shops in the base village. Exhausted but content, we headed back, looking forward to the adventures the next day would bring.
To read the next blog of Dapoli: Day 2, click here