Karjat

Overview:

Karjat, located approximately 67 kilometres from Mumbai is a popular tourist destination. It is a picturesque town located in Asthavinayak Ganesha belt region, at the end of the coastal plains of Konkan region near Deccan as well as at Bhor Ghat at the foothills of Matheran, in the Western Ghats. Karjat is a Tahsil and a sub-district in Raigad district in the Indian state of Maharashtra. The average elevation of Karjat is close to 194 meters. It is a perfect weekend getaway where people can relax and rewind after a hard week at work. Its hilly terrains and undulated lush plains in the backdrop of the Bhor Ghat make it a popular tourist destination. Karjat is a part of Mumbai Metro Region. It lies at the serene banks of the river Ulhas. Karjat is an amalgation of sundry engineering, pharmacy, medical, management, advertising, hospitality colleges and also a few other graduation colleges and Oxford Schools. It has several tourist attractions including Palasdari, Matheran, Khandala, Bhimashankar, Malshej Ghat, Lonavla, etc. To facilitate ultra-modern urbanization of the area new housing policies have been formulated. A favored destination during rainy season, it is a preferred spot for weekend holidays, picnics, river rafting, trekking, hiking, and mountain climbing. The main occupations of modern day Karjat involves tourism, adventure sports, higher education, film shooting, retailing, nurseries & plantation and spa hospitality. Karjat is also the refuge to the largest chain of Farm Houses in Asia. The cool and tranquil atmosphere of the place does wonders to provide a sanctuary for the mind, body and soul. Monsoon season starts in July and ends in September. People usually travel to Karjat from Mumbai just for a day or two, and hence prefer to hire cabs from Mumbai airport to Karjat via mobile smart phone devices or online portals to ensure comfort and convenience. National and local highways from Pune, Nasik, Goa, Mumbai, Raigad District and Kharghar connect with Karjat. The trip from Mumbai to Karjat by taxi takes about 2 hours. Most of the tourists prefer to hire a car to Karjat from Mumbai so that their journey is comfortable, convenient and punctual.

Places to Visit:

Kondana Caves attract tourists in droves. These rock-cut caves have numerous specimens of ancient Buddhist architecture in the form of sculptures and stupas. In the early nineteenth century an earthquake had damaged the floor and the front entrance of the caves. However, the caves still attract a large number of Buddhist pilgrims and tourists.

Peth Fort, located in a small village near Karjat, is yet another popular place of interest. It is also known as Kotligad. The fort is located at the pinnacle of a conical hill called Peth, tendering breath-taking views of the foothills. With the Western Ghats and the Matheran Ranges in the backdrop, the fort creates a sight to behold.

"ND Studio" built by art Director Nitin Chandrakant Desai is a major stopover attraction for tourists in Karjat. Top directors, shoot their films here. The Academy Award winning movie, Slumdog Millionaire was also shot here.

Things To Do:

The lofty slopes and undulating hilly terrain render Karjat as an ideal locale for trekking expeditions, offering plenty of trails, ranging from medium to very demanding. Matheran via Rambagh point, Peth Fort, and Chanderi Fort, are the three prominent trekking trails.

White water rafting is possible during the monsoon. Upper sections of the Ulhas River, 15 kilometers from Karjat, is the put-in point.