Alibaug

Alibaug, known also as Alibag or Alibagh, is a coastal town situated in Raigad District of Maharashtra. Alibaug is the administrative headquarters of Raigad, located in Konkan region, at a distance of 30 km from the city of Mumbai.

Alibaug was founded in 17th century during the reign of King Shivbaji, by the naval chief Sarkhel Kanhoji Aangre. It is believed that the place derived its name from a rich planter called Ali. This region fell in to the hands of British, post British-annexation of Colaba, which was later renamed as Raigad. Alibaug became the headquarters of District Administration of Raigad, since 1852.During the British rule, many educational institutions were  established in Alibaug. Post Indian Independence, Alibaug rose to become an industrial area.

Alibaug, known as Mini Goa among the tourists, has a prominent place in the tourism map of India. Alibaug tourism offers beaches, forts and ancient temples to its visitors. Some of the major tourist attractions offered by Alibaug are Alibag Fort, Kaneshwar Mandir, Kolaba (or Kulaba) fort, Tower of St. Barbara(Satkhani Buruj), Chaul town, Vikram Vinayak Temple or Birla Temple, Murud-Janjira Fort, Hingulja Mandir and Korlai Fort and Korlai Creole Portuguese of Korlai village. There are many beaches in Alibaug such as Alibag beach, Kashid Beach, Korlai Beach, Thal beach, Varsoli Beach, Akshi Beach, Nagaon beach, Kihim-Navgaon Beach, Saswane, Rewas, Chaul Revdanda, etc. Magnetic Observatory established by the Indian Institute of Geomagnetism is yet another tourist destination in Alibaug.

Alibaug is also famous for its rich cultural and traditional events. vinayakachauthurthi, Narali Pornima and Holi are celebrated with much gaity and pleasure by the people of Alibaug. Fairs are also a main attraction of Alibaug, which are conducted annually at Awas village, Varsoli Village ,Chaul village, etc.

Reaching Alibaugis easy as the rails, roads and ferries connect it to other destinations in Maharashtra. Alibaug can be easily reached through Pen, which is situated en route to Mumbai-Goa highway (NH-17), by turning at Wadkhal (Vadkhal). The nearest railway station to Alibaug is situated at Pen, which connects this place to Panvel Central Railway Station. Another way of reaching Alibaug is by catamarans or ferries. The jetty at Mandwa connects Alibaug to Gateway of India of Mumbai (12 km). Another nearest jetty to Alibaug is situated at Rewas. The nearest airport to Alibaug is Mumbai International Airport, which is at a distance of 140 km away.