Location: In Southwestern
Maharashtra On The Arabian Sea
Coast, Maharashtra
Administrative Capital Of: Bijapur
Rulers
Surrounded By: Beautiful Hills Of
Sahyadri |
Tourism in
Ratnagiri
Ratnagiri is located in the
southwestern part of Maharashtra State on
the Arabian Sea coast. Ratnagiri became the
administrative capital under the Bijapur
rulers. It forms a part of the greater tract
known as Konkan. This tract is historically
famous for it long coastline and convenient
harbours, together with it comparative
nearness to the Arabian Sea.
The surrounding area is bordered by the
Sahyadri Hills on the West; the heavy
rainfall results into highly eroded
landscape in the coastal region. Fertile
alluvial valleys produce rice and coconut as
the main crops; fruit and cashew nut
cultivation is being promoted.
History
In 1731 it came under the control of Satara
kings; in 1818 it was surrendered to the
British. A fort was built during the Bijapur
dynasty and strengthened in 1670 by the
Maratha king Shivaji, which is located on a
headland near the harbour. It is one of the
ports of the Konkan coast. It has a palace
where the last king of Burma, Thibaw, and
later Veer Savarkar, were confined.
It is also believed that the Pandavas having
performed their pilgrimage on the 13th year
had settled in the adjoining territory of
the Ratnagiri district and when the Pandavas
and the Kauravas had the famous war at
Kuruskshetra, the king of this region
Veeravat Ray had accompanied then there.
PRIME ATTRACTIONS
Parashuram Temple near Chiplun, Ganapatipule
and Pavas draw many visitors. In Few 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 and
early as the lifetime of Gautama (BC
560-481) Chiplun, Kol, and Pabol caves
indicate that Sarthawalas or Caravan-men
donated some of them.
Ganapatipule
Ganapatipule is an ancient pilgrim centre
located in Ratnagiri district. It has a lot
of history behind it while being a very
beautiful sea town. Ganapatipule is about
25-km from Ratnagiri and around 375-km from
Mumbai, housing a Swayambhoo (a naturally
formed idol) of Ganapati.
Ganapatipule is untouched by commercialism;
the pastoral beauty of the village is
enhanced manifold by six kilometres of
virgin beach on the breathtaking Konkan
coastline. Ganapatipule is one of the `Ashta
Ganapatis' (eight Ganpatis) of India and
called the "Paschim Dwar-Dewata" (Western
Sentinel God).
HOW TO GET THERE
Air: Nearest airport is at Ratnagiri.
Rail: Ratnagiri has a railway station, but
not many trains pass through it.
Road: The district is well connected by road
transport with important towns such as
Mumbai , Pune , Kolhapur, etc.
WHERE TO STAY
Ratnagiri is a small place, but one can find
small hotels where tourists can stay for a
night or two.
GENERAL INFORMATION
Latitude: 15° 36' and 18°05'N
Longitude: 73° 05' and 74° 36'E
Population: 1544057(1991 Census)
Climate: Tropical
Clothing: Cotton Clothes
STD code: 02352
NEARBY CITIES
Ganapatipule: 25-km
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