Kihim: Difference between revisions

[[Chondhi]] is the nearest marketplace which is dotted with a few restaurants, departmental stores and banks.

Major attraction in Kihim is its sandy beach. Though Kihim was once known as a "Bird Watchers' Paradise", very few exotic species can be still found in the areas having dense cover of trees. Variety of butterflies are also found here. Most common bird sightings include, Red-vented Bulbul, Oriental Magpie Robin, Orange-headed Thrush, Baya Weaver, Green bee-eaters, Common Myna and Asian Koel. Less common sightings include Greater Coucal, Black-rumped Flameback Woodpecker, Plum and Grey Headed Parakeets and Black-hooded Oriole. If you are near a water source, you might see a White-throated Kingfisher or an Egret.[[File:Mumbai skyline from Kihim Beach.JPG|thumb|On a clear day Colaba area of Mumbai is visible from Kihim Beach on the north western side.|281x281px]][[File:People enjoying on Kihim Beach.JPG|thumb|Tourists enjoying in the waves on a sunny day on Kihim Beach|281x281px]]Tourist facilities here mainly consist of "Bed and Breakfast Schemes" run by the locals under the regulations of [[Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation]], which acts as a governing body for [[Tourism]] throughout the State of [[Maharashtra]]. One can easily find average quality lodging and boarding facilities throughout the village, except for the month of December when advance bookings may be required. For restaurants and marketplaces, one has to go to a nearby locality known as [[Chondhi]].

Kihim acts as a [[Gram Panchayat|Group Gram Panchayat]] for few small villages like Kamath, [[Chondhi]] and Bamansure. The village is locally divided into various neighborhoods; namely, Khore, Angshe Ali, Brahmin Ali, Bazar Peth, Bhandar Ali, Mhatre Ali, Bhombad, Sri Nagar and Sai Nagar (also known as Navedar Kihim).

* '''Road''': Kihim is well connected to [[Alibag]] by road. [[Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation|MSRTC]] buses run to and from [[Alibag]] few times a day. It can also be accessed from Mumbai via [[National Highway 17 (India)(old numbering)|NH-17]] and then a state route connecting from Wadkhal. The distance is approximately 94 km from [[Mumbai]]. From [[Pune]], Kihim is accessible forking out from [[Khopoli]] onto the state route leading towards [[Alibag]] after taking [[National Highway 4 (India)(old numbering)|NH-4]]. Distance is approximately 144 km. Passenger ferry terminals like [[Mandwa, Maharashtra|Mandwa]] (11 km) and [[Rewas]] (15 km) are also connected to Kihim via road. [[Auto rickshaws|Auto Rickshaws]] are readily available everywhere for local travel, but the fares are not regulated. It's a common practice to decide the fare before hand to avoid bargaining later. One can also travel to [[Chondhi]] (1.5 km) as more frequent buses and autos are available from here for Alibag, Mandwa and Rewas.