Harihareshwar - Shrivardhan

Harihareshwar is a beautiful small town along the Konkan border in Maharashtra. It is nearly 200 kms from Mumbai and 170 kms from Pune. This place is known for its famous temple along the seashore and the silent, clean beaches. Shrivardhan can also be visited along with Harihareshwar as it has a beautiful long clean beach as well.It is about 20 kms from Harihareshwar temple.



Harihareshwar is popularly known as South Kashi.It is surrounded by four holy hills, namely, Harihareshwar, Harshinachal, Bramhadri and Pushpadri.
The temple consists of idols of Lord Brahma - Vishnu - Mahesh and Devi Parvati.
The other temples in the premises are of Shri Kalbhairav and Shri Yogeshwari.

It is said that you should visit the Kalbhairav temple first and then the others.
Note that most of the cell phone networks do not work at Harihareshwar.
BSNL might be available in the travel route. So its a good time as your holidays are going to be mobile-free.
Some sight-seeing places in and around Harihareshwar:

- Shrivardhan sea shore (20 kms)
- Dive Agar sea beach and Golden Ganapati temple (24 kms)
- Dighi Bandar and Janjira Fort (35 kms)


How to get there :

Road journey: Time taken around 4- 4.5 hours from Pune(via Tamhini ghat).
Distance : 170 kms
The road is a mess in some stretches, but otherwise is simply a lovely smooth drive.

Routes:

Via Tamhini ghat (approx 170 km)
Pune — Chandani Chauk - Paud gaon – Mulshi - Pirangut Road - Dongarwadi — Tamhini Ghat — Vile ( Take left after the ghat ends. There is a big hoarding of MIDC-Vile at that junction. After the 2 way huge road ends, Take left) — Nizampur — Mangaon .You will reach the highway (NH – 17). Take Left. You will immediately see the bus stand on right hand side. Turn right about 500 mts after Mangaon ST Stand to Mhasala (The road is small and crowded at the crossing. make sure you dont miss the turn).- Borle - Mhasala - Keep following the directions on the route to Harihareshwar.
Alternately, you can go through Goregaon after Mangoan. Till you reach Mangaon there are not many direction boards on the way. Keep in mind the villages mentioned to make sure you are on the right track.
There is only one toll at chandni chowk (18 Rs) throughout the route.


Via Mahabaleshwar (235 km)
Pune – Bangalore Highway — Shirwal - Surur Village - Turn right towards Wai — Panchgani — Mahabaleshwar — Ambenali Ghat — You will reach NH17 at Poladpur – Turn right towards Mahad – Lonere Phata – Goregaon (SH 98) – Mhasala – Harihareshwar/Shrivardhan.
Road is smooth and very good. It is 4 lane toll road (NH4) till the surur village (first 75-80 KMs). Ghat section is also good but it is crowded with the Mahabaleshwar tourist traffic.

Via Bhor (190 km)
Pune — Pune – Bangalore Highway NH4 — Khed Shivapur - Turn right just ahead of Khed Shivapur at Bhor Phata - Bhor - Varandha Ghat — reach NH – 17.There is Hotel Sagar just after Mahad - Turn right towards Mangaon – Goregaon – Mhasala – Harihareshwar/Shrivardhan.
Road is nice 4 lane toll road till Khed Shivapur. After that it is not that good and avoid travelling through Varandha Ghat during night.


Hope this information helps you.
Have a wonderful holiday and a safe journey.