Saturday 8 July 2017

Weekend Trip from Mumbai to Palghar, Trip to Shirgaon Beach, Kelva Beach, Chinchani beach and Mahim beach 🚅🚅🚅 👪

The Journey from Mumbai to Palghar - Trip to Shirgaon Beach, Kelva Beach, Chinchani beach and Mahim beach
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Travel blog palghar

     Palghar is a town (district) in Konkan div. of Maharashtra state and It is a famous weekend getaway (can be considered for a weekend trip) especially for Mumbaikars. It is hardly 2-2.5 hrs drive by road from Mumbai city and 1.5 hrs by mail/exp train from Mumbai. Palghar is Taluka and a district place in Maharashtra. It is a major railway station on the Western railway after Virar, located about approx. 90 kilometers on north off Mumbai on the Western Line of the Mumbai Suburban Railway on the busy Mumbai-Ahmedabad rail corridor, Along with shuttle/Memu/EMU/Passenger services & many long distance Mail & Express trains also halt at Palghar. MSRTC BUS provides direct connectivity to several towns across Maharashtra. So it is well connected via road and rail transport. Tourists attract towards Palghar because of beautiful beaches on the western coastline, Fort, Dam, Waterfalls, resort, food, and many activities.


Travel blog palghar
@Mahim beach, Palghar

The best season / time to visit Palghar:
January to March, September to December. Sightseeing in Palghar can also be done by local transport if you are coming by train also by own vehicle if you want to drive from Mumbai. Local sightseeing will take half a day or one day, but to see all sightseeing places, travellers need to stay in Palghar for at-least 2-3 days. I would recommend visiting this place for friends or a family outing. Also, there are many resorts available near beaches in Palghar to spend weekends with family & friends. 

Travel blog palghar
Mahim beach, Palghar

Tourist attractions / things to do in Palghar / Places to visit in Palghar: (must visit place for the beach and nature lovers Located on the West Konkan Coastline). Following are top 10 popular tourist places to visit in Palghar (including beach, temple, Dam etc.) 
  • Shirgaon Beach, Palghar
  • Kelva Beach, Kelve-Palghar (Kelwe beach)
  • Satpati Beach, Palghar
  • Chinchani beach, Palghar Vangaon
  • Mahim beach, Palghar
  • Shirgaon Fort, Shirgaon-Palghar
  • Kelva Fort, Palghar
  • Shree Ram temple, Palghar
  • Sheetla Devi Temple, Palghar - near to the beach of Kelva, Shitladevi Temple (Sheetladevi Temple), Temple is situated just besides the beach. A small children Park is there near Shitladevi Temple
  • Kelva dam, Palghar

Mahim Beach
Mahim beach, Palghar


On this blog, I am sharing details of tourist places I visited on my weekend trip to Palghar (sharing photographs of tourist places) as well as wonderful experience on my journey to Palghar by train and car both including photos of beaches and Monsoon rail journey from Mumbai to Palghar by Saurashtra express. This blog will help you in planning your weekend trip to Kelve beach, Mahim beach and Shirgaon beach in Palghar.

Village Road Palghar
Way to Mahim Beach

How to reach Palghar from Mumbai by train and road:
Road-trip to Palghar
If you love long drives at 100-120 km/h speeds with enjoying lush greenery on both the sides of the road, then this place is surely for you. We drove all the way from Parel (Mumbai) to Palghar (Shirgaon and Kelva beach) via Western express highway, Palghar - Manor road and then palghar - Mahim (for Kelve beach) and Palghar - Satpati road (for Shirgaon beach). The drive to this places is really awesome. Parel (Mumbai) to Palghar by road, distance is: 110Km via Western express highway and is 122Kms via Parel-Sion-Thane-Virar-Manor-Palghar (when we go by car, it takes around 2h 30min to reach Palghar from Mumbai with Average speed 70Km/hr). However you can also reach Kelva beach from Palghar or Kelve Road station by superfast Mail, express, passenger and local trains from Mumbai. 

Kelve beach
Kelva Beach, Palghar

About my road trip to Palghar (Kelve beach): On Friday night we planned for a weekend road trip to Palghar, Kelve beach and the next day, early morning, We started our journey from Parel (Mumbai) and were heading towards Manor. After crossing a toll plaza near Virar, We visited one of highway restaurants, had our breakfast and back on the road after relaxing for a few mins. After crossing Virar, It was time to enjoy the high-speed action on the highway till Manor phata, so gear shifted to 5th top-notch and covered distance between Virar and Manor phata on the highway in just 20 minutes. We wanted to drive from Mumbai to Kelve beach (Palghar) but not through the shortest way via Varai Naka-Safale to Kelve; We planned to drive through the Manor Ghats, crossing hills, forests, waterfalls and taking a stop at some of the wild destinations in the ghat section. Driving through Ghat section on Manor-Palghar road was my favourite part of the journey. we drove through the Waghoba Ghat which connect Mumbai to Palghar via Manor. While going towards Palghar via Manor, you can find beautiful place, Waghoba Khind. on top of this Ghat a small temple of Waghoba is situated. Number of monkeys are staying around there. People like to feed them. I fully enjoyed my trip to Palghar through Ghats. This is one of the best road trips from Mumbai if you are looking for a quick weekend getaway.

Travel blog palghar
Kelva Beach, Palghar

Kelwa Beach, Palghar (Kelva Beach or Kelwe Beach): The Kelwa beach which is also known as Kelwe or Kelve beach, is in Palghar, Maharashtra. This beach is popular weekend getaway for tourists from Mumbai, Thane and Kalyan. This beach is overcrowded with tourists during weekends as compared to other beaches in Palghar. The Shitla Devi Temple is situated just besides the beach. Distance of the Kelva beach from Palghar station is approximate 12Km via Mahim - Palghar road. (20Mins journey).

Shitla Devi Temple
Sheetladevi Temple, Kelve
Visited Sheetala Devi Temple very close to Beach.

How to Reach Kelva Beach
Kelwa Beach is easily accessible from the Kelve Road railway station but I suggest going there from Palghar station due to the good frequency of many fast mail / express trains in addition to Passenger and EMU services, so your travel time can be maintained. It is just 25 minute ride on 8 seater dumdum rickshaw from Palghar also it is well connected by state transport buses which make frequent trips from Palghar or Saphale Railway station and Kelwa Road Station. There are many numbers of Resorts available for overnight stay with basic amenities, restaurants and snacks corners, food stall are also available near beach to cater to the growing number of tourist, hence growing popularity of the Kelva beach. You can also visit Kelva Beach Fort - This is accessible only during low tide as the fort is surrounded all the sides by sea water. Local boat facility is available sometimes, to approach the fort. If you are coming by car, go to Kelva Danda bridge (Danda Creek Bridge) to enjoy the beautiful sea view. 

Kelva Beach Parking


I parked my car in an authorized parking space near the beach. (Car parking charges 20Rs.) In front of my parking, I saw the advertisement for Kelve Beach Paryatan Mahotsav, 2018. So it was a golden opportunity for me to attend and enjoy this event.

Kelve Beach Paryatan Mahotsav

Kelve Beach Paryatan Mahotsav
Food fair in Kelve Beach Paryatan Mahotsav

Kelve Beach Paryatan Mahotsav
Food stall (nonveg) in Kelve Beach Paryatan Mahotsav

Other local food stall are also available near beach side where some local hawkers are selling Tad Golas, (a fruit from Palm (TAD) Trees), Coconut Water, local fruits like Banana, Sapota (Chiku), Ice Gola, Bhelpuri-Panipuri and lots of other stuff. On Kelve beach, you can also enjoy Horse cart, Camel Ride, Para Gliding, Dirt bike-car ride and other fun activities as well as outdoor games.

Kelve Beach Paryatan Mahotsav Travel Blog Palghar

Many food stalls were available there in Mahotsav with variety of Veg and Non veg, sea food, Ice-cream, Coconut Water etc.

Kelve Beach Paryatan Mahotsav

Dirt bike ride on Kelva beach
Dirt bike ride on Kelva beach, Palghar (ride cost: Rs. 100 per person)

horse cart ride on Kelve beach
Ready for horse cart ride (cost: Rs. 30 per person) @ Kelve beach, Palghar

Camel ride on kelve beach
@ Kelve beach, Camel ride

Resorts in Palghar:
Tourist book resorts to enjoy and spend weekends in Palghar. There are many resorts available for accommodation nearby the beach of Palghar; well placed besides the sea beach of Kelva, Shirgaon, Satpati and Mahim; with amenities like swimming pool, Beachfront, Restaurant-limited/unlimited breakfast; lunch and dinner, free parking, well maintained AC/Non AC rooms, lawn, kid's play area, lot of trees, DJ and rain dance etc. There are number of resorts and luxurious hotels available near Kelva beach for comfortable stay with family and friends.

Photo of Shirgaon beach Travel blog palghar
Shirgaon Beach Jagrut
Shirgaon Beach, Palghar

Shirgaon Beach, Palghar: Shirgaon beach is one of the most popular beaches in Palghar. I always visit this place with my family whenever we visit our native home in Palghar. Beach is very much clean and not so crowded as compared to Kelva beach. Shirgaon is knows as Fisherman's village. Nearby area is covered with abundant palm trees and famous tourist attraction here is Shirgaon fort.  
You can visit Shirgaon beach by Car or MSRTC bus or local Auto. Whenever I travel from Mumbai to Palghar by my Car (via Mumbai Ahmedabad highway), I always visit Shirgaon beach first as it is just 10mins drive from my native home. If you are coming by train; then distance of Shirgaon beach from Palghar station is: 7.3Km via New Satpati road. 
It is one of the beautiful beaches in Maharashtra to spend time with both friends and family.

Mahim Beach Palghar
Mahim Beach, Palghar

Mahim Beach, Palghar: Our next day picnic to Mahim beach in Palghar. Mahim beach is adjacent to the Kelve beach. Beach driving can only be enjoyed in few selected areas. Here we can enjoy bike ride or car drive along the beach in sand for about 3-4Kms.

Mahim Beach in palghar
Mahim beach, Palghar

Shree Swami Samarth Maharaj Temple in Palghar

You can also visit Shree Swami Samarth Maharaj temple and Mahikavati temple (temple of goddess Mahikavati) at Mahim - Vadrai, nearby vadrai beach on Mahim - Shirgaon road

Travel blog palghar
Mahim beach, Palghar

Travel blog palghar
Mahim beach, Palghar

Beach in palghar
Mahim beach, Palghar

Mahim beach in Palghar
Mahim beach in Palghar

Mahim beach in Palghar
Mahim beach, Palghar

Mahikavati Devi temple
Mahikavati temple (temple of goddess Mahikavati) at Mahim - Vadrai,

Chinchani Beach: Scenic beach of Chinchani is in Palghar District, in the state of Maharashtra, India. Chinchani is well connected by road from Mumbai and this will be the perfect weekend getaway for beach lovers. For weekend tour, I would recommend this place if you love long drive and beaches (Here you can have a beautiful experience of driving along the beach as well).

How to reach Chinchani from Mumbai:

By road: Chinchani is at a distance of about 132 kms from Mumbai and it takes approximately 2 hours 45 mins to reach this exotic beach via Eastern express highway ( Parel-Sion-Thane) and Mumbai Ahmedabad highway.

By train: The nearest railway station to this beach is Vangaon, around 8 km away. Boisar railway station (Approx 14km) is another option available if you are travelling by superfast mail/express trains.

Regular state transport ST buses and auto-rickshaws are available to travel from Vangaon and Boisar railway station to Chinchani.

This is one of the popular beaches in Maharashtra. Here you can enjoy driving on the beach, Horse cart and Camel ride, peaceful walk along the beach and other fun activities. After taking a long drive from Mumbai, we took a rest at our native home and in the evening, we visited the beach of Chinchani. There are many food stalls and restaurants on the beach and plenty of parking space available near beach. We spent almost an hour there on the beach and enjoyed driving on the beach. Here I am sharing some photographs of my trip to Chinchani beach.

Chinchani beach
 @ Chinchani Beach

Chinchani Beach
Beautiful beaches in Maharashtra, Chinchani beach

Drive on the beach in India Chinchani Beach
Drive on the Chinchani beach

Beautiful beaches in India Chinchani Beach
Chinchani beach, Vangaon

Details of expenses during my trip to Palghar by Train.
This will help you estimate travel cost for 2D,1N trip to Palghar. (Including accommodation and local sightseeing).
  • Journey by train from Mumbai to Palghar.
  • Railway ticket from Dadar to Palghar: for passenger and local EMU trains - 25Rs and for Mail/Express trains - 50Rs. I travelled by early morning express train from dadar.
  • Bus ticket / Auto fare from Palghar station to Shirgaon, Mahim and Kelve - 10-15Rs.
  • Food and refreshment during the journey - 200Rs. (per person)
  • Resort booking, Accommodation rate - 1600Rs per person 24hrs. (min rate)
  • Other local travelling expenses to visit tourist spots by local transport - 100Rs.
  • Return to Mumbai (Dadar) by Superfast express train from Palghar - 65Rs (including additional super fast charges which are applicable for Superfast category of trains)
  • Expenses for fun on beach like Camel and horse cart ride, dirt bike ride etc. 
  • For by road journey from Mumbai to Palghar: If you are planning to go by car then it is approx. 110Kms from Mumbai and total trip expenses including fuel cost, toll, food and refreshment during the journey, parking charges and other additional expenses as per our requirement during the journey.
Note - To get more details regarding traveling to Palghar, you can take the help of internet (official website of railways and other transport) or travel guide. Please go through the official website of railway for getting updated details about trains running between Mumbai and Palghar and ticket fare. Also you can check the fare chart available near the ticket counter.

Keep traveling because Every travel teaches you something new, create memories and connect to other cultures and people, which surely helps in your education as well.

I have shared details about the mode of transport available to reach tourist places, how to reach Palghar by train and by road, train time table, Collection of photographs of Monsoon rail journey (on board Saurashtra and Gujarat express). 

Pics captured near Vaitarna, onboard Saurashtra exp.

Train crossing scenic vaitarna creek.
Train crossing the scenic vaitarna creek. Monsoon rail journey.

crossing Vaitarna bridge
Greenery after crossing Vaitarna bridge, as viewed from the train

Saurashtra express
The high-speed link of Saurashtra express.

Here I am sharing timetable of trains arrival and departure from Palghar railway station. This will be helpful for those who want to travel by train to visit Kelve beach, Shirgaon beach, and other tourist places in Palghar.

timetable of trains arrival and departure from Palghar station
Time table of train arrival and departure from Palghar

timetable of trains arrival and departure from Palghar station
Time table of train arrival and departure from Palghar

Palghar MSRTC

There is an auto-rickshaw and bus stand available just outside the Railway station where visitors can get a bus or hire an auto to get to the venue. For shirgaon beach you can take bus towards the Satpati and Kelve bus for Kelva beach. 

Return journey to Mumbai by Ahmedabad Mumbai Gujarat superfast Express. Train departs from Palghat at 02:08PM

Ahmedabad Mumbai Gujarat superfast Express

Hope this blog will help you in planning your weekend trip to Palghar.

Beach Maharashtra wallpaper
Mahim beach wallpaper

Happy Journey; Enjoy you weekend trip to Palghar beach 
This is very nice and pleasant weekend getaway!!!!


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