Ratnagiri
Ratnagiri is a city in
India, located in the southwestern part of
Maharashtra State on the
Arabian Sea coast, in the
Ratnagiri district. It forms a part of the greater tract known as
Konkan. This tract is historically famous for it long coastline and convenient
harbours.
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.
Ratnagiri is noted for the delicious golden Haapus (
Alphonso) mangoes that are produced here.
It is here that the great freedom fighter
Bal Gangadhar Tilak was born.
*Latitude: 15° 36' and 18°05'N
*Longitude: 73° 05' and 74° 36'E
*Population: 1696482 (2001 census)
* Climate: Tropical
* Clothing: Cotton Clothes
* Food: Rice, fish and wheat are the staple diet of the people.
* Language:The principal language is Marathi
* STD code: 02352
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 them there.
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 "
Ganga of Rajapur" is a natural miracle. After nearly every 3 years, the wel built 14 small pondlets about 3 ft apart from one another flood with water, with different temperatures in each pond. It is believed, that the holy GangaMata arrives there for the devotees. Geologists believe that this is a rare case of a large natural "Syphen Cup", which is located in a neatby mountain.
Talukas
There are Total 9 Talukas under Ratnagiri District,
*Mandangad
*Dapoli
*Khed
*Guhagar
*Chiplun
*Ratnagiri
*Sangameshwar
*Lanja
*Rajapur
* Tilak Smarak - Bal Gangadhar Tilak's house which has become a landmark now.
* Shiv Samarth Gad - Situated at small village called Sawarde 17-18 Km from Chiplun having sculpture from Shivaji Maharaj Era.
* Patit Pawan Mandir - It was the first temple built for the non-Brahmins by revolutionary leader, Swatantryaveer
Savarkar.
*
Thibaw Palace - which was built for the exiled King & Queen of Burma (now Myanmar) in 1910-11. They lived here till their death. It now houses the Ratnagiri Sub-centre of the
University of Mumbai.
* Nature's Miracle - When we visit the seashore of Ratnagiri, we witness a miracle of nature. The coastline area surrounded by Mandavi Port in the city has black sand & the nearby located area of Bhagvati fort has white sand so the sea here is named as Black & White Sea.
* Ratnadurg Fort& Bhagwati Mandir - The fort "Ratnadurg" is at the sea shore of Ratnagiri. Area is about 120 acre. The fort is surrounded by sea. It was won by Shri Shivaji Maharaj in 1670 from Adilshah. There is a temple inside the fort called "Bhagwati Mandir". The ancient temple is very famous.
*Lighthouse - One of the oldest and most beautiful lighthouses, which is open to the public for a limited time everyday. You can buy a ticket costing Rs. 2.00 and go to the top. Photography is prohibited.
* Other attractions - Bhatye beach, the Ganpati temple on the beach, the Coconut Research Centre at Bhatye, Bhagwati Bunder (Sea-port) and the Seafood Processing Centre at Mirya.
