Diwali is celebrated in India with a religious fervour with families and friends and the five-day-long holiday this year just gave one more reason to celebrate the festival.
During the festival time, people generally visit relatives to greet each other. However, some others would want to take advantage of this extended weekend off and explore different places in and around.
So if you are in Mumbai and planning for a weekend trip, then check out these five nearby destinations.
Karnala
Karnala is situated just 10 km away from Panvel in Maharashtra's Raigad district. The place, which has historical importance, is known for two things – Karnala fort and Karnala Bird Sanctuary. Karnala is also known for its beauty, as it connects the beautiful Konkan coast to the interior districts of Maharashtra.
The well-known Karanala fort, which was constructed before 1400, is a popular trekking destination covered with beautiful scenery.
Rajmachi
Rajmachi is a small village located in the mountains of Sahyadri, Maharashtra. This village is about 311 km from Mumbai and is well-connected through roadways. Rajmachi, which was a historical trade route, is known for the fort. Rajmachi fort is a popular trekking destination and is just 15 km from Maharashtra's one of the famous hill stations, Lonavala. Interestingly, it is located between Lonavala and Khandala, so in case of a change in plan, one can visit Khandala or Lonavala as well.
Kamshet
Kamshet, which is nestled near Pune, is about 110 km from Mumbai and 45 km from Pune. The hill station, which is about 2,200 ft above the sea level, is known for its greenery cover, placid lakes and hilly terrains.
The place is also known for several activities, including paragliding and hand gliding.
Malshej Ghat
The mountain pass in the Western Ghats range near Pune is another beautiful place one can go this long weekend. The best time to visit Malshej Ghat is during the rainy season and after that. The ghat, which is known for its natural beauty, flourishes in flora and fauna. The place is also known for its birdlife, including cuckoos, flamingos, crakes, rails and quails. Malshej Ghat is 154 km from Mumbai and is known for roundtrips.
Bhandardara
Bhandardara is one of the most sought-after weekend places near Mumbai. The place, known for waterfalls, mountains and peaceful stay, is located about 165 km from Mumbai.
Places to visit in Bhandardara includes Mount Kalsubai, the highest peak in Maharashtra, Ghatghar, Randha Falls, Arthur Lake, Ratnagad Fort and the Wilson Dam.
