Alibag is the a small town on the coast of the
Arabian Sea, with a vast seashore stretching from
Rewas to Revdanda. Alibag is famous for coconut
and betelnut plantations and a large number of
historic places to visit. Lately Alibag has become
a preferred weekend holiday destination for people
from Mumbai looking for an beautiful getaway from
the hustle and bustle of urban Mumbai.
Alibag used to be the headquarters the great
Maratha Admiral, Kanhoji Angre and has the famous
Kolaba fort in the sea. Kanhoji Angre created
the town of Alibag towards end of 17th century.
Legend has it that a wealthy Muslim named Ali
Owned many plantations, which gave the town the
name Alibag. Alibag is the seat of District Administration
of Raigad (formerly Kolaba) district since 1852.
The name Kolaba is attributed to a Sea Fort Kolaba
built by Shivaji the great, in 1680 to fight the
mighty naval prowess of the Siddis' (Abyssenians)
of Janjira and the British of Mumbai. Kolaba fort
is famous for many battles, between Siddis and
Kanhoji Angre, the British and the Portugese.
The Kolaba Fort is accessible only at low ebb
through a 1 km long land strip that is covered
during high tide. The fort has a sweet water well
in the middle, temples, fortifications and guns
facing the sea. Being on the fort gives you a
taste if the history of Alibag.
Alibag is surrounded by beautiful pristine beaches
such as Aakshi, Nagaon (where our cottage is),
Kihim, Kashid (white sand beaches)etc. Other places
of interest are the Vikram Vinayaka temple, Revdanda,
Vikram Ispat factory, Kanakeshwar, temples of
Sri Datta, Shitala Devi, Hingulja Devi, Sri Rameshwar,
Alibag produces classic local products like seasonal
white onions, tamrind balls, tender coconut, dried
fish of tremendous variety, water melons, palm
fruit (Tadgola) Jamun, Mangoes of local and Alphonso
variety, Flowers with intense fragnance like Sonchampa,
Bakul etc. Fresh fish such as Pomfret, Surmai,
Ghol, Saranga are also available in the Alibag
fish market and can be ordered at our cottage.
Alibag provides an excellent holiday destination
as well as a great place to visit historical landmarks.
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