Hi! Friends, hope you are healthy and fine. Today’s wellness Blog titled Wellness Retreat in Malvan – Beaches, lush green landscapes & more is about my recent trip to Mavan. Last week, I had the opportunity to visit this beautiful place with my friends. I always look forward to my Kokan Trips. Being a native of the region & having my E-Commerce Website Mangoes And Barach Kahi targeted to selling products from Kokan, I make some work trips from time to time to this natural paradise. So there is a lot of stock stored in my Kokan Diaries about various locations of Kokan. However, this time the trip was with a group of friends who are very close to me and the purpose was to just relax & rejuvenate. The Wellness Retreat in Malvan – Beaches, lush green landscapes & more offered not just a visual treat but also a holistic wellness experience that rejuvenated both mind and body.
Nestled in the heart of the Konkan region, Malvan is a paradise where lush green landscapes merge seamlessly with pristine seashores. The trip began from Mumbai by Tutari Express at around 12 AM at night from Dadar and we reached Sindhudurg Railway Station the next morning at around 9 AM. We were a group of 12 & had hired a Tempo Traveller for 3 Days to explore the scenic beauty of Malvan. As the bus left the Sindhudurg Railway Station the view of swaying coconut trees & the lush green mango trees and secluded roads came as a welcome stress buster especially if you are living in a crowded city like Mumbai. The calmness of the surroundings takes away your stress for a while. After relaxing for some time at our Homestay which had a Malvan Beach backdrop we left to experience The Wellness Retreat in Malvan – Beaches, lush green landscapes & more.
Nature’s Symphony at Devbag
Our Trip began with the captivating boat ride at Devbag offering a unique experience with its places of interest like Mini Kerala and the enigmatic Tsunami Island. Floating amidst mangroves and exploring these natural wonders felt like stepping into a world untouched by chaos. The pick of the lot was Devbag Sangam where our boat smoothly sailing on the Karli River entered the Arabian Sea. These are the moments that stay with you forever. For your Information (FYI) – Sangam is the unique meeting point where a river converges into a sea.
After sangam our boat headed to Tsunami Island. It is a small and unique tidal island that appears only during low tide. This island gets its name as it was formed after the devastating 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami. When the sea recedes, it creates a landmass that visitors can walk to from the mainland. During high tide, it becomes submerged under water. It was really fun walking on the landmass & the Tea served by the local vendor was like the icing on the cake. Then the boatman showed as the picturesque Mini Kerala. The quiet backwaters & the swaying coconut trees give it a Kerala-like vibe and therefore it is called “Mini Kerala”. You feel relaxed & rejuvenated by looking at this natural wonder.
The boat ride ended & it gave a much-needed supplement of positivity which is very rare in today’s stressful world. After that, we headed to Rock Garden at Tarkarli where you can see some unique Rock Formations. The garden also has a musical fountain & provides a scenic view of the sea. We enjoyed the local flavor of lemon soda at one of the stalls in the garden & headed back to our Homestay. So Kokan Diaries for Day 1 were full of watery tales & sublime experiences.
A Spiritual Sojourn
Day 2 of the Malvan Trip began by visiting some popular spiritual destinations of Malvan. The region of Kokan boasts a rich spiritual heritage which is evident by ancient temples scattered across the region. The divine aura of the Bharadi Devi Temple located at Anganewadi left us spellbound. The Anganewadi Bharadi Devi Jatra is immensely popular & the Anganewadi Bharadi Devi Jatra 2025 will be held on February 22 this year. This jatra is unique in its own way as devotees express their wishes to the goddess of Anganewadi and it is believed that the goddess fulfills their wishes.
We also visited Swami Samarth Math at Waingani Achara, which due to its quiet surroundings is a tranquil retreat for seekers of inner peace. There is something magical in the idol which you can feel during your visit to the temple (Math).
Next, we visited the ancient Rameshwar Temple at Achara. The traditional Konkani-style architecture with intricately carved wooden pillars, and wonderful stone sculptures is a testament to the craftsmanship of the bygone era. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, the temple attracts devotees from all over Kokan. A visit to this temple provides inner peace, calmness, and spiritual renewal.
The next spiritual chapter in the Kokan Diaries was the famous Kunkeshwar Mandir dedicated to Lord Shiva at Devgad. It is a popular pilgrimage destination and a marvel of historical and architectural significance. Nestled by the Arabian Sea, this temple is a perfect example of temple tourism in Konkan providing you with a combination of spirituality and natural beauty. The soothing sound of the waves elevates the spiritual ambiance.
After that came the unique spiritual retreat of Siddhivinayak Mandir at Pokharbav situated 11 kilometers from Devgad. on the Devgad – Dabhole – Dahibav route. The black stone Lord Ganesha statue on the marble is beautiful. On the right side of the temple, there are stairways leading down to a natural wonder. There is a small water body that flows throughout the year & looks mesmerizing in the months of September & October i.e. after the rainy season. There is a self-existing Shiv Pindi inside the water. Locals say that this Shiv Pindi is thousands of years old. Also, small fish under the water give you a natural fish pedicure which you experience for a few moments. Like Kunkeshwar Mandir, Siddhivinayak Mandir at Pokharbav is the perfect epitome of temple tourism. Visiting these ancient temples of Kokan helped calm our minds and allowed us to absorb more positive vibrations and energy.
Devgad Windmill Garden: A Hidden Gem
In between Kunkeshwar & Pokharbav we visited Devgad Windmill Garden. The sprawling fields adorned with towering windmills create a picturesque landscape of the Arabian Sea, blending nature’s beauty with sustainable technology. The windmills towering above the garden provide a dramatic and unique backdrop. We were fascinated to see these massive turbines up close and learned about their role in generating sustainable energy. Located on elevated terrain, the garden offers stunning views of the Arabian Sea, nearby villages, and the surrounding countryside. It’s a dream location for taking photographs & shooting reels and we utilized it to the fullest.
In this way, Day 2 of our Kokan Diaries was full of witnessing Kokan’s ancient temples and the amazing coastline of Devgad. We reached Malvan at around 7 PM and the spare time was spent exploring the Malvan market & shopping for some local specialties like Masalas, Cashew Nuts, Malvani Khaja to name a few.
Wellness Retreat in Malvan – Beaches, lush green landscapes & more i.e. A Gastronomic Delight
No trip to Malvan is complete without indulging in its culinary treasures. The region of Malvan is famous for its fresh catch and is a haven for seafood lovers. Malvani seafood is known for its bold flavors, aromatic spices, and use of tasty local ingredients. From spicy fish curries to crispy fried delicacies, the flavors are evidence of the region’s rich culinary traditions. For vegetarians, Malvan offers authentic delights like Tandalachi Bhakri (Rice Flour Bhakri), kokan style vegetable preparation & sweets like Aamras & Amrakhand. And not to forget the cooling solkadhi—a coconut milk and kokum-based drink that aids digestion after a hearty meal.
Breakfast in Malvan is another amazing experience. Traditional dishes like ghavne (ghavan) chutney, delicious Pohe, and the ever-popular misal pav provide a hearty and wholesome start to the day. And yes not to forget the Vada Pav. The vada preparation is different from the normal Mumbai-style Vada Pav & Pav here tastes a little sweet. These dishes highlight the simplicity and richness of Malvani cuisine and make our mornings more special and wholesome.
Kokan Diaries #Day3
Day 3 which was also the final day of our Kokan trip began with a visit to the Malvan Fish Market which was hardly a stone’s throw distance from our Homestay. The Malvan fish market is famous for its fresh catches like Pomfret (Paplet), Surmai, Shark (Mori), Crabs & Clams popularly known as “tisrya”. Since it’s winter season we were lucky to witness almost all the varieties in the Malvan Fish Market.
Being a Pure Vegetarian I am not that aware of fishes. So a new thing I came to know is that “Fresh fish doesn’t smell fishy”. The next on the list was to explore the historic Malvan Fort. Since we had a train at 5 PM & some of our friends had gone for water sports activities we missed visiting this historical marvel. But sharing some information about this iconic symbol of the Maratha Empire’s naval strength and architectural excellence.
Talking about the Wellness Retreat in Malvan – Beaches, lush green landscapes & more, one thing that stands out is the Malvan Fort. Also known as the Sindhudurg Fort, it was built by the great Hindu King Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj between 1664 to 1667. The purpose of building this fort was to strengthen the Maratha naval forces and protect the coastline from foreign invasions, especially the Portuguese, Dutch, and British. The fort is strategically located on an island in the Arabian Sea, around 1 km from the Malvan coast, and is accessible by boats. Spanning 48 acres, the fort is surrounded by high walls and bastions that are around 30 feet tall and 12 feet thick. The concealed main entrance of the fort makes it difficult for enemies to locate. The Sindhudurg Fort served as the headquarters for the Maratha navy and played an important role in protecting the western coastline of India. The Malvan fort is the epitome of the greatness of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj which can be witnessed by the advanced engineering techniques used at the time of the Maratha Era.
Wellness in Every Breath
After having a scrumptious lunch at Malvan we headed for Kudal & left for Mumbai at around 5:30 PM by Tejas Express. The trip to Malvan can be aptly termed as Wellness Retreat in Malvan – Beaches, lush green landscapes & more. The combination of natural beauty, spiritual tranquillity, and delicious food filled my Kokan Diaries with an unforgettable experience. Spending time amidst the lush greenery, experiencing the cool sea breeze, and listening to the rhythmic waves took us away from the daily tensions for a couple of days. It was a short getaway of three days, yet it felt like a complete reset—a reminder of how nature can heal and inspire us. In today’s age of cyberzombies where we spend our days in front of digital screens, a getaway like Malvan offers much-needed solace. If you are craving a short break to reconnect with yourself, just pack your bags and head off to the natural paradise of Kokan. Let nature weave its magic on your mind, body, and soul so you can be fully energized and refreshed to produce some high-quality work at your office, for your clients, or for your product you are aspiring to develop. For more information about the beautiful region of Kokan, you can check my Blog titled Kokan Diaries #Part1 Kankavli Devgad.