Vengurla: Where time slows and memories linger

From Dutch Forts to Tranquil Beaches, Vengurla's soul lies in Its stillness

About 500  km south of Mumbai, on the Konkan coast, lies the charming town of Vengurla that carries traces of Dutch colonial history, quiet spirituality, and the soothing rhythm of afternoon beaches. Vengurla offers a serene escape to families and solitary travellers alike who come here to find refuge from life’s demands, drawn to its peaceful shores, where time seems to slow and solitude feels like a companion.

On a quiet afternoon, laughter and shrieks of children echoed from swings scattered across a beach. Amid the noise and energy, Shailaja and Pratik sat quietly in a ferris wheel gondola, suspended above the chaos. Old lovers, reunited by chance, they found comfort in the stillness between them, two people, weathered by time, remembering what once was. As the wheel turned slowly, Pratik broke the silence, his voice soft but weighted, ‘Why have you never gone back to your childhood home?’ Shailaja did not answer right away. She gazed out over the vast ocean, eyes reflecting something distant. After a long pause, she whispered, ‘I do not know’.

But the next morning, she returned. The broken gate, the dry well, the echo of footsteps that were not hers anymore, they all waited.

Her sister’s laughter, once vibrant, was now but a haunting memory tied to the place where it had all ended. Shailaja had carried the guilt of that day like a shadow. She had been playing with her sister when it happened, when she fell into the well. She never came back and Shailaja never forgave herself.

These haunting moments are none other than from Three of Us, featuring Shefali Shah, Jaideep Ahlawat and Swanand Kirkire in key roles. The film takes a tragic and nostalgic tone as it gently explores the emotional landscapes of its characters, mirrored beautifully by the physical setting of Vengurla.

Situated near the Arabian Sea, Vengurla is a place where time seems to slow down. Surrounded by rolling hills of the Western Ghats and blessed with natural beauty, the town is adorned with cashew, mango, and coconut plantations. Its quiet beaches, lush greenery and rustic charm lend the perfect backdrop to a story rooted in memory, loss and unspoken longing.

Vengurla: Echoes of a simpler era

While Goa often takes the spotlight as the jewel of the Konkan region, Vengurla is equally captivating and the coastal haven offers a unique blend of natural splendour, historical intrigue and local culture that remains largely untouched by mass tourism.

One of the town’s most overlooked yet fascinating landmarks is the fort that lies adjacent to the Vengurla Jetty. Vengurla Fort is a centuries-old storage and office complex that reveals a lesser-known chapter of colonial history. Unlike the commonly recounted tales of British, Portuguese, or French influence, this structure reflects the presence of another European power, the Dutch.

Built in 1638, the fort served as a strategic trading post and military outpost used to counter Portuguese expansion.

Though abandoned by 1682, the remnants of this Dutch fort still stand, as its massive fortified walls enclosing three halls and two gates bear testament to the colonial ambitions that once played out along India’s western coast. Now under the care of the Archaeological Survey of India, the site remains closed to visitors due to its fragile condition.

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High above the town, quietly watching over Vengurla for generations, stands the Point Lighthouse. Built on a hilltop, it offers stunning views of the sea and the surrounding green hills, making it a peaceful spot for both locals and tourists.

The lighthouse has a long history. The first one was built in 1869, using a simple vegetable oil lamp and a 200 mm optic lens mounted on a teakwood pole. In 1968, the stronger and taller stone tower was built. From the top, visitors can enjoy a 360° view of the Arabian Sea, especially beautiful at sunset.

But this lighthouse is more than just a tourist attraction. It also serves as a NAVTEX station,  a radio service which sends out navigational and meteorological warnings,  helping sailors navigate safely along the coast. Even after all these years, it continues to guide and protect.

Tucked away in a quiet corner of nostalgia stands a beacon of faith, about 30 km from Vengurla lies a discovery that blends legend with mystery. In 1976, deep within a manganese mine near Rewati Port, an extraordinary idol of Lord Ganesha was unearthed, giving rise to what is now known as the Redi Ganpati Temple.

Unlike most, this Ganesha idol is unique. Seated and crafted with just two arms, rather than the usual four, it is believed by many to date back to the era of the Pandavas. Surrounded by the very mines that once held it in secrecy, the temple stands as a symbol of spiritual discovery emerging from the depths of the earth, where the divine was not built, but found.

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Vengurla: Crown Jewel of Untouched Beaches

In Three of Us, as the film draws to a close, a subtle yet striking visual lingers, that of a lazy afternoon where locals and tourists alike unwind by the sea, families sharing quiet laughter, friends lounging without urgency, and children lost in the thrill of beachside games. These unguarded, peaceful moments, depicted in the film but which are also replayed every weekend in real life, gently echo the everyday rhythm of Vengurla’s coastline, where life seems to pause just long enough to breathe.

Tucked away from the more frequented shores lies Nivati Beach, a secluded gem known for its serenity and raw beauty. Cradled by the historic Nivati Fort, this beach remains untouched by commercial noise. With powdery white sands, crystal-clear blue waters, and sunsets that melt into the horizon, Nivati offers a surreal escape for those seeking solitude and scenic wonder.

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A short distance away, Sagareshwar Beach adds a spiritual note to the coastal symphony, much like the shores of Gujarat’s Porbandar.

This beach feels like a place made for introspection, ideal for solo walks, quiet contemplation and reconnecting with nature. Its clean white sands, calm waters of the Arabian Sea and the subtle presence of an old Shiva temple create an atmosphere of calm reverence. Flanked by whispering Casuarina plantations and often graced by dolphins, Sagareshwar is not just a beach, it is an experience that invites an individual to slow down and look inward.