Ratnagiri district

Ratnagiri(रत्नागिरी)(رتناگری) is a district in Maharashtraمھاراشٹر, India. Nearly 400 km from Mumbai. It has the distinction of being the native place of three Bharat Ratna awardees, namely Maharishi Karve, Dr. Pandurang Vaman Kane and Dr.B.R. Ambedkar. Ratnagiri (city) is the district headquarters of the district. The district is 11.33% urban. [ [http://www.censusindiamaps.net/page/India_WhizMap/IndiaMap.htm Census GIS India ] ]

Adjoining districts: West: Arabian Sea; south: Sindhudurg district; east: Satara, Sangli, Kolhapur districts; north: Raigad district

History

The district is in the Konkan region of Maharashtra. This region was under the rule of the Mauryas, the Nalas, the Silaharas, the Chalukyas, the Kadambas, the Portuguese, the Marathas and subsequently the British. In 1948 the independent princely state of Sawantwadi was merged with the Indian union and in 1956 with Bombay Province, thus becoming part of Ratnagiri district. In 1960 with the creation of Maharashtra, Ratnagiri became a district of that state. In 1981 Ratnagiri district was bifurcated and the new district of Sindhudurg was created. Ratnagiri has nine tehsils and eight towns.

Divisions

There are nine talukas within the Ratnagiri district: Mandangad, Dapoli, Khed, Chiplun, Guhagar, Sangameshwar, Ratnagiri, Lanja and Rajapur.

There are 7 Vidhan Sabha constituencies in this district. They are Rajapur, Ratnagiri, Sangameshwar, Guhagar, Chiplun, Khed and Dapoli. There is only one Lok Sabha Constituency Ratnagiri in this district. Rajapur and Sangameshwar are part of Rajapur Lok Sabha Constituency.

One of the four districts of the 'kokan' region of Maharashtra State in India. It is situated at north Latitude 17o and east Longitude 73o 19'. City is lying at the center of the district and is bounded on north by Chiplun, on the east by Sangameshwar, on the south by Rajapur and on the west by the Arabian sea. The chief rivers in Ratnagiri are the Shastri, Bor, Muchkundi, Kajali river.

Ratnagiri is the district headquarters. It is the birth place of Lokmanya Tilak. Also in the city are Ratnadurg fort, Lighthouse, Gitabhavan, an aquarium, a college of pisciculture, Thiba palace, an aerodrome , a radio station, and a television transmission center. Nearby at Mirjole there is an industrial estate. Another unique feature are the two beaches on either side of the Ratnadurg fort,one of pure white sand and other of black sand.

Prime Attractions

Parashuram Temple near Chiplun, Ganapatipule and Pavas draw many visitors. Caves in the Chiplun, Khed, Dabhol, Sangameshwar, Gauhani Velgaum and Vade Padel are also worth visiting. The Buddhist legend in the Papanch, Sudan and Srath Appakasini record the conversion of Konkan to Buddhism as early as the lifetime of Gautama (BC 560-481). Chiplun, Kol, and Pabol caves indicate that the Sarthawalas or Caravan-men donated some of them. Shivsamarth gad at sawarde near chipalun is also worth visiting with all sculptures from Shivaji Maharaj era. The Agricultural University also a prime attraction which is located in Dapoli Taluka. The university is famous for research, extension and education by the name Dr. Balasaheb Sawant Konkan Krishi Vidyapeeth, Dapoli.

The "Ganga of Rajapur" is a natural phenomenon believed by many locals to be a miracle. Nearly every 3 years the well forms 14 small pools of water of different temperatures about 3 ft apart. It is believed that the holy Ganga Mata appears to the devotees there. Geologists have theorized that this is a rare case of a large natural syphon from a nearby mountain.

"Thebaw Palace :"' Constructed in 1910-1l, the Thebaw Palace wasbuilt for the exiled king and queen of Burma (now Myanmar). Theylived in this palace from 1911 till their death in 1916. The fiveyears of their stay are now immortalised in stone with their tombs.In future, this palace might be converted into a regional museum or aheritage hotel.

Malgund : Birthplace of the famous Marathi poet, Keshavsoot. Itis a small peaceful village about 1 km away from Ganapatipule. Thepoet's house was recently renovated and converted into a students'hostel. The Marathi Sahitya Parishad (Marathi Literature Society) hasconstructed a beautiful monument called Keshavsoot Smarak in memory ofhim.

Jaigad Fort : Nestled on a cliff, at the entrance of theSangameshwar river and 35 km from Ganapatipule is the Jaigad Fort.This 17th century fort offers a commanding view of the sea. Jaigad'ssea fort is situated at a sheltered bay. Its beach is small andsafe.

Pawas : Besides its natural beauty and serenity, Pawas achievedprominence when Swami Swaroopanand (a spiritual leader who influencedan entire generation of Maharashtrians) had made it his abode. Theplace where he used to reside is now converted into an ashram. Avisit there is still like a journey through time.

Velneshwar : 170 km from Ratnagiri is the sleepy, village ofVelneshwar. Its adjoining beach is clean and natural and is linedwith coconut trees. It is possible to swim there as the beach is freefrom rocks. There is an old Shiva temple near Velneshwar which isfrequently visited by pilgrims; a haven for those in search of quietmysticism in the ethereal presence of the master mystic - LordShiva.

Ratnadurga : Built during the Bahamani rule. Later to become the property of Adilshah. In 1670, Shivaji conquered the fort.1761 saw the fort fall into the hands of a man impersonating Sadashivrao Bhau. In 1790, Dhondu Bhaskar Pratinidhi rebuilt the fort and strengthened its' ramparts.The fort never was witness to any decisive, or historically magnificent battles.

The fort is horseshoe shaped, with a length of 1300 metres and width of 1000 metres.Surrounded by sea on three sides, with land touching it on the fourth side. On one of the sea facing sides, part of the cliff has collapsed to reveal a cave. One of the fort's bastions, the ' Siddha Buruj ', still has a lighthouse, that has stood here for years. A picturesque temple of The Goddess Bhagwati is one of the important places of worship in the area of the fort. A well near the temple has steps leading down.

References

External links

* [http://ratnagiri.gov.in Ratnagiri district official website]