For siblings Siddharaj and Priti Thale, Alibaug is home. They could never wrap their heads around the fascination that tourists had for the coastal town. The forts, beaches and temples were part of their everyday life. “And so, we never realised its importance,” says Siddharaj, 23. This changed during the pandemic. The law graduate from Mumbai returned to Alibaug, when the lockdown was announced in March last year, and gradually fell in love with its history. Priti, a designer and illustrator, also turned homewards for inspiration.

The facade of Mayur bakery