This is another scenic spot located in the hilly area close to Alibaug. The beauty of this place is amazing during the monsoon. A favourite place for trekkers as well as for monsoon short trips – “Ramdharaneshwar temple” surrounded by lush green mountains.

How to reach-

There are two routes to reach Ramdharaneshwar, one from Vayshet village via Simon Colony and the other from Bamnoli/Bhute village. These are two convenient routes. If you go via Bamnoli, the car reaches the base of the hill. But then you have to walk.

After 15 to 20 minutes of climbing, there is a small infiltration well on the left hand side. On the other side of the well is the Ramdharaneshwar infiltration Lake. The water of this lake seeps into this well. This cool and clear water well is a pleasant surprise when you get tired of climbing the hill in summer. The cool water of the well would be splashed on the face and the journey would continue. After approximately 10 minutes of further climbing, we reach the hilltop and the small temple of Goddess Ekvira Devi comes into view. Behind the temple is Ramdharaneshwar infiltration lake. This lake on the mountain plateau is also worth seeing. During the monsoons, this lake overflows, and a beautiful waterfall forms on the other side.

The road to Vaishet Simon Colony also reaches here. From this place, walk towards east along the path, then you will see water streams on the plane rock. The stream is dry in summer, but the view is very beautiful in monsoons. After crossing this stream, instead of going to the right, keep walking along the path on the left side, and in about 20 to 30 minutes, you will reach the base of the Ramdharaneshwar temple.The temple is on a high hill and if we walk straight to the right we further reach the Bhavani temple and Ramdharne fort.. To reach the temple we have to take the path leading to the left, after a ten minute climb we reach the temple.

Ramdharaneshwar temple-

Nandi can be seen at the door of the mandap in the temple. There is an idol of Ganesha on the left and an idol of Shankara Pindi and Parvati in the centre, all these idols and Shivapindi are carved in special black stone called “Gandaki Pashan” . In front of the temple there is a small “Tulsi Vrindavan” and a continuous burning “Dhuni” is also visible.

Outside the temple, on the right side, some ancient idols are seen, including stone carved Nandis and an idol of Hanuman. The special attraction here is Shankar’s pindi carved in Brown Laterite Stone. All the Shankara Pindi found in all the ancient temples seen so far are made of black stone, but here is a rare Pindi carved in Brown Laterite Stone.

As the temple is on the top of the hill, the area on all four sides can be seen as far as the eye can see. Varsoli beach, Alibaug, Kihim, Saswane etc. can be seen in the west. Ramdharaneshwar infiltration lake can be seen from here. Bhavani temple and Ramdharne fort can be seen to the east.

Bhavani Temple & Potholes –

From the temple, one can reach the temple of Bhavani Mata by going down towards the east. This path is steep and slippery. If possible go down the coming route and take a detour up the temple hill to reach the Bhavani temple..we also found some small sized 4 to 5 potholes in a stream bed near the Bhavani temple. It is not heard of where such potholes were possibly found in the vicinity of Alibaug.

Ramdharaneshwar fort –

Ramdharaneshwar fort can be reached in 20 minutes towards Bhavani temple to the east, there are very few remains of the fort. As the temple and surrounding area is quiet, various types of birds and their chirping can be heard here continuously. On the way back we heard some rare birds chirping.

Lavha bombs –

At the base of the mountain there are many rounded stones, these characteristic rounded stones may have been formed when the lava flowed into the air and cooled during the formation of the mountain.

How to reach there ?

There are two routes to reach Ramdharaneshwar, one from Vayshet village via Simon Colony and the other from Bamnoli/Bhute village. These are two convenient routes. If you go via Bamnoli, the car reaches the base of the hill. But then you have to walk.

• Bamnoli Alibag – 04 kms
• Vayshet Alibag – 06 kms
• Pune Alibag:-  145 kms
• Mumbai Alibag :- 120 kms

Nearby attractions –

• Khanderi Fort (7 kms )
• Varsoli Beach (8 kms)