Kelwa beach in Maharashtra, which is also known as Kelva Beach or Kelwe beach, is a most popular sea beach. Kelwa Beach acts as a popular weekend gateway for the people of Mumbai in Maharashtra.
Kelwa beach is about eight kilometres long. The beach is overcrowded with local tourists during weekends which indicate its growing popularity among the Mumbaians. One can enjoy the horse carting, camel ride, paragliding, angling, fishing and many other water sports. This sea beach also acts as a picnic spot for the local tourists.
Kelwa Beach is situated about 80 kilometres north of Mumbai, the capital city of Maharashtra. It is easily accessible from the Kelve Road station situated about five kilometres away.
Kelwa Beach is also a 25 minutes ride on an 8 seater rickshaw from Palghar, a busiest tourist destination in Maharashtra. It is around 13 kilometres from highway of Maharashtra.
The most important and traditional mean of earning is cultivation of "Panmala" or Betel leaves. The community cultivates the mala"s; popularly known as "vadvals", the people cultivates "vadis"
The residents of Kelwa beach are involved in the fishing industry due to the proximity of Satpati, Maharashtra`s biggest fishing centre. Some people work in factories in the nearby industrial areas of Palghar and Tarapur.
Some people own the factories as well. Some people are also involved in the Tourism industry due to the growing popularity of the beach. Many restaurants and snack joints have come up near the beach to cater to the growing number of tourists.
Shitla Devi Temple, a Hindu ancient temple is situated just besides the beach of Kelwa. It is believed that the two sons of Lord Rama, Luv and Kush grew here when Sita, the consort of Lord Rama was in exile for the second time.
There are three forts on Kelwa Beach. One is at the southern tip of the Kelwa Beach and is submerged in sea water during high tides. The smaller one is located within the coniferous trees near the northern tip on Kelwa Beach.
Kelwa Beach is also linked by State Transport buses which make frequent trips from Palghar or Saphale and Kelwa Road Station.
