The ways of nature are strange and the methods of poetic justice are amusingly bizarre. A great civilization is grounded to dust in a fortnight as the Mayan’s realized at the cost of own existence and some obscure villages and cities become the focus of attention just because of one act of bravery or even stupidity by a human or nature (The shifting of capital from New Delhi to Devgiri fort by Sultan Mehmood).

The history of Vengurla, Maharastra tells us a strikingly similar story about a busy port of yesteryears that lost its role and existence in the folds of history. This town located on the shores of Maharashtra has often been mentioned as a bustling trade center during its golden past. One of the busiest ports of its times Vengurla excelled in trade and business. The relics of those heady golden days still stand tall inform of Huge Warehouses, Godowns, markets and trading centers. The port was central to many trading activities during the rule of the Maratha King Chatrapati Shivaji.

The town has been making waves in the recent past more due to its beauty and beaches than its history. The natural beauty that has always engulfed this part of the coastline has been inviting the nature lovers for decades however, it has recently gained prominence and word of mouth advertising has led to the well deserved recognition and upliftment of the place. The place reeks of natural beauty, amazing stretch of beaches and rich culture and heritage. This sleepy little township has been encircled by a range of hillocks and verdant plantations of cashew-nuts, mango, coconut and a variety of berry trees.

Vengurla, is a town located on the Konkan coast of Maharashtra, India. This small town some say has natural beauty, good beaches, as well as a rich culture and heritage. The town is surrounded by a semicircular range of hills with a lush green foliage (mainly cashew, mango, coconut plantations interspersed with all kinds of berry trees).There are very famous Cashew factories namely N.M.Varaskar Cashew Factory,Atul Cashew Factory etc.To the north there is Dabholi hill, to the south there is Mochemad hill, east is encompassed by Tulas hill, while to the west it's the deep blue Arabian Sea all the way till horizon. Some say the view of the town acquires a different shade of beauty from every different angle one views it.

This town also has some beautiful temples like Shri Sateri, Rameshwar, the famous "Shri Navadurga at Kanyale-Redi", Vengurla Taluka, Sri Vetoba at Shiroda, Shri Ravalnath etc. Some of the temples have been listed below :

Shri Rameshwar Temple - Ancient Gram Devta ( God Shiva – main god of the city ) of Vengurla.

Shri Devi Navadurga Temple, Kanyale-Redi, Vengurla - Originally from Goa. Ancient Gram Devta of Kanyale-Redi, Vengurla.

Ubhadanda Beach & Sagareshwar Temple --- This beach is about 3 kms from Vengurla. Has golden sand , pleasant breeze .It is very clean without any pollution. On the sea shore itself is the Temple of Shiva. Worth visiting.

Shri Vetoba Temple & Shri Sateri Temple at Aaravali - Both are in Aaravali . Have lot of religious importance in this region. The idol of Shri Vetoba's idol is very huge .

Shri Sateri Temple at Parabwada, Vengurla - one more goddess Sateri Temple in Vengurla at Parabwada.

Redi Ganesh Temple – Idol of God Ganesh was found in the mines of Redi. It came in the dream of a worker who works in the mine, and asked him to search for him in the mines. When the mines were dug, this Ganesh idol was found underneath . It is a huge idol with only 2 hands. Also a big mouse ( vehicle of Ganesh ) was found there near

Shri Mauli Temple of Redi- Goddess Mauli is the Gram Devta of Redi region. Has a huge ancient temple.

Shri Mauli Temple of Shiroda - One more temple of goddess mauli at Shiroda , very near from Shiroda market.

Shri Ram Purush Temple - One more ancient temple at Kanyale -Redi worth visiting .This also belongs to many Goud Saraswat Brahmins , among others.

Swayambhu Mahadev Temple at Redi - This is a Swayambhoo (emerged from land on its own) Temple of lord Shiva.

Purnadasbaba Upaskar Maharaj Samadhi & Shri Vitthal Mandir at Ubhadanda ,Vengurla - Saint at Ubhadanda. Beautiful Vitthal (Vishnu ) Temple worth visiting.

Some of the other places to visit in Vengurla, Maharastra are as below :

Mochemad - at a distance of about 8 kms from Ubhadanda , very beautiful sea shore and greenery. Nice beach . On the way from Vengurla to Redi , from the hill top , the beach can be seen below. Huge Rocks are also an attraction here.

Vengurla Market – Main market place of the city with many shops. During May – June , you will find fruits available in plenty and very cheap also . Nearby is the fish market. Cashew nuts / Mangoes available in plenty . Famous for " Khaja " , a sweet dish prepared from joggery.

Vengurla Port – Once upon a time , a very busy sea port in this area. It still has a light house . A very beautiful view of the Sea can be seen from here. Also Terekhol river & Goa border are visible.

Shiroda / Aaravali - can be called as twin villages with a major market place at Shiroda. Sunday is a special day for marketing here. Sea shore is very near. Shiroda is at 8 kms from Vengurla towards Redi.

Redi Port & Fort Yashwantgad -- Again a major sea port of this region . Redi called Redipattan earlier , was /is a famous mining area . Maharashtra state ends here and from Terekhol starts the Goa border , towards the south. Redi is at a distance of 20 kms from Vengurla. Yeshwantgad fort is said to have lot of importance during days of Chattrapati Shivaji Maharaj but lies unattended now.

Vengurla Beaches are undoubtedly the main draw of Vengurla, and the casuarinas-framed Sagareshwar beach, three kilometres from the ST bus stand, is absolutely gorgeous. Access to this beach is over soft, powdery white sand dunes with scattered patterns of low shrubs. In the early morning light, the sand takes on a golden hue. At sunset, the view of that great ball of fire dipping into the ocean is peerless.

Clean and mostly deserted, the beach is quite safe for a dip in the inviting blue waters, though at high tide the pounding waves can seem a bit intimidating. This is not unusual to Vengurla and any seasoned Mumbaikar who has splashed around in the waters off Gorai can handle Sagareshwar with ease. The quaint old Sagareshwar temple of Shiva on the beach has a courtyard blooming with flowers and a huge deepasthambh.

Vengurla’s lighthouse - A lighthouse perched on a hill overlooking the jetty is the unmistakable, unchallenged landmark and main attraction of the town. A steep, winding path up a flight of a huge steps cutting through some thick vegetation leads to the top of the hill. A fairly huge plateau houses the lighthouse and a few staff quarters. What a difference the view from up here must make to those stuck with the dreary job of switching the lights on and off.

For, the view from the top of the lighthouse is indeed mind-blowing. Ahead of you is a vast seascape, stretching till the eye can see. You have a bird’s eye view of the jetty and the palm-fringed shoreline of Vengurla on the left, with the jagged cliff face kissing the sea on the right. To the north-west, thrusting out of the sea, lie the Vengurla Rocks, also called Burnt Islands, an important pointer for seafarers in times long gone, that they had reached land and safety in Vengurla.

The plateau extends to the north of the lighthouse and is worth exploring in itself. The northern tip of the plateau overlooks a fantastic horseshoe beach. While there is no direct path down to the beach, there are a number of winding pathways going down to small coves — tiny strips of sand just large enough to pitch a tent, with the cliff face rising on both sides. Be warned that this is no walk in the park and only those who have some experience in hiking should try and venture down to the waterline from here.

Vengurla’s Fruit Research Centre - Even if you don’t have a green thumb, the Konkan Farming University and Fruit Research Centre at Vengurla is a must-see. The centre’s main brief is to carry out experiments on mango and cashew, for which the region is famed. Indeed, a new variety of mango, named Sindhu, was developed here. The research centre has an excellent nursery where one can buy all types of saplings. Close by is a cashew factory and, on request, one can witness the entire process of how cashews are separated, roasted and packed. Both the research centre and the factory are located off the main road when entering Vengurla towards the Camp area (15 minute walk from the ST Bus Stand on the main Vengurla-Kudal Road).

History of Vengurla :
Many many years ago, when Vengurla was not center of trade and commerce there is a village called Ansur (situated 4 km away from Vengurla) was the main center. Ansur was central place of old vengurla. Initial temple of Shri Sateri was placed at Ansur known as 'Mul Bhumikeche Mandir'. That time, a man from Parab family unit always march ten miles every day go to see and urge Shri Sateri Devi. As the time conceded by and the man grew older, it became extra difficult for the unfortunate guy to hold out this schedule. Still he maintained the prayers with the same moderation and enthusiasm.

Sri Devi was delighted to see the commitment and pledge shown by her follower. She blessed him and promised to end his suffering by coming nearer to his residence. On the way reverse, the old man witnessed a dazzling view where a ground like construction was unexpectedly growing from the ground. He realized that Shri Sateri Devi is appearing at the peak and hugged that formation with excessive pleasure. He asked Shri Devi to continue there and stop growing. At once the structure stopped increasing. That location is nothing but toady’s Shri Devi Sateri Mandir.

In the local language VENG menas a hug and URLE means remaining. That is how the place got its name as VENGURLE.

Getting yourself at Vengurla

Location on the far, far south of Maharashtra’s Konkan strip near the border with Goa, just 28 km from Sawantwadi

By Road :Route NH17 to Kudal via Mahad, Lanja and Kankavli, SH120 to Math, SH121 to Vengurla Distance 534 kms of Mumbai Journey Time 10½ hrs

By Rail : Nearest Station - Kudal on Konkan Railway, then need to travel by road Journey Time By rail 9½ hrs + 1 hr by Road

By Air : Nearest Airport Dabholim Goa, Then need to travel by road/rail Journey time by air 1 hr + 2½ hrs by road