When visiting a bustling city in the name of work, it is convenient to have a vacation spot nearby.

This is what Murud is.  Being only a few hours drive away from Mumbai, the place is easily accessible and provides visitors with easy access to relaxation.  Tourists and businessmen alike pause in the city of Murud in order to tour the area and rid themselves of their woes.

History of Murud

Although the beaches of Murud have been in existence since the world came to be, it was not always the tourist spot that it currently is.  It did have the small fishing village in the area, and it is the villagers who first built a wooden fort some two kilometers from the mainland for protection from pirates and robbers.  In 1567 the ruler of the area demolished this fort and established a new one made from rock.  This fort was given much attention by several factions wanting to take over the land, but the fort remains undefeated up until this day.

Tourism of Murud

The town, still a small fishing village, still generates an income from its age old livelihood.  It is picking up income through the tourism industry as well, since more and more people drop by to see the sites and relish the offerings of the area. 

Of course the most visited tourist spot of Murud is the Janjira fort, the one fort that remains undefeated up until today.  Some restoration is going on, but not much is needed in order to witness the structure's old glory.  The entrance has the symbol of its occupant's bravery: a single tiger herding 6 elephants into a trap.  Inside, one would see a handful of cannons on the ramparts.  There once were 500 protecting the fort.  Three of the favorite cannons, Kalal Bangdi, Landakasam and Bhavani are still present in the fort.

Another main attraction of the town is the beach that, unusually, sits right at the foot of a hill.  Due to the expanse of the beach, there is real privacy for the tourists.  There are even times when one can stroll down the beach and not meet a single soul.

If communing with nature is something that all people would want to do, then the whole tour should devote one day to exploring the Janjira caves.  These are the Buddhist caves some 20 km from the city, and they exhibit the life of people who walked the area some 2000 years in the past.  There are a lot of things to see here, and the place is a wonderful spot for a picnic.

Murud is an awesome place to catch one's breath.  With the sights and wonders that are present here, it isn't a surprise that it gets a lot of attention from tourists and travel agencies.  Take the trip and get the best combination ever: time with nature, time learning of historical figures and time to yourself and your companions.  No other travel or tour will provide anyone with a better deal.