Subhasis Banerjee

  GOA One of the beautiful states of India lying between the Sayadri Range and the Arabian Sea , with a major Portuguese influence, Goa is also the smallest of the Indian states. It is a sublime seaside resort and offers some of the world’s most famous and tranquil beaches with a wide variety of water sports. Goa is neatly divided into north and south Goa . The Terakhol Fort is on the north of the state and is only 45kms from Panaji. Going down south from the Fort, there is an almost uninterrupted stretch of silver-sandy beaches with grand palm and coconut stands. Very near to the Terakhol Fort is the virgin Querim beach with very few visitors. About 6kms down south from Querim is the Arambol beach. Mandre and Majorim are another two sparsely visited beaches south of Arambol. Further south, where the Chapora River meets the Arabian Sea is the pristine Chapora beach. 3kms south of Chapora is another beautiful beach called the Vagator. From Vagator, as one moves southward upt...

GANPATIPHULE Sparkling blue waters of the Arabian Sea, endless stretches of golden-silver sand, sun beams dancing through the swinging palms and a whispering cool breeze mark Ganpatiphule, one of Maharashtra’s virgin beach resort along the Konkan valley, complimented by the exquisitely tasty Alphonso mango, which grows here in abundance. Accessibility : By road, Ganpatiphule is 375kms south of Mumbai. The nearest railhead is Ratnagiri, another 45kms south. Accommodation : The state run Tourist Lodge makes stay comfortable in Ganpatiphule. Season : Throughout the year.

RATNAGIRI A serene, calm, sedate and secluded seaside resort, girdled by the Arabian Sea in the west and green hills, valleys and murmuring streams on the others, Ratnagiri is another virgin and unpolluted seaside paradise of Maharashtra, again a natural home of the exquisitely tasty Alphonso mango. Accessibility : Ratnagiri is a railway station on the Konkan Railway. Mumbai is 419kms from here. Accommodation : The state run Tourist Lodge is the best available accommodation here. Season : Throughout the year.

KOVALAM A typical tropical beach with a dose of ozone, the bow-shaped Kovalam beach has recently become the centre of attraction of the Occident. Apart from this, there are a number of smaller, calmer and virgin beaches around Kovalam which are fast developing into major attractions. These beaches include Bizhinjam, Pulinkudi, Chowara, Samudra, Puzhikkara and Varkala beaches. The city of Thiruvanthapuram, from where the beach is approached, is also a place of major attraction for the visitors. The Aruvikkara Water Works, 16kms north of Kovalam on the bank of the Karmana River with its lagoon, temples and landscaped gardens is an added attraction of Kovalam. Accessibility : The state capital city of Thiruvanthapuram is 16kms from Kovalam and has excellent air, rail and road connections. Kovalam is connected to Thiruvantapuram by road. Accommodation : Kovalam has a number of standard and deluxe Hotels. Season : Throughout the year.