MAPS
posted by KOKANASTH at 11:48 PM
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Saturday, June 17, 2006
Anjarle Tal. Dapoli, Dist. Ratnagiri
Ganapati of Hill (Kadyawarcha): - In Aanjarle village on the seashore the temple built on huge mountain is known as 'Ganapati of Kadyawar'. After crossing the Jog river creek, there is Aanjarle village. In earlier times there were two temples in the sea, one of Aanjarleshwar & other of Ganapati. They got drowned in the sea, later on Ganapati temple was built on a high mountain. The temple must be of Madhavrao Peshve period. There are 250 steps to it. There is a lake in front of it. It has a big hall & a stone staircase. There is water fountain in the hall, There is a dome, are & many pillars in the temple. The place is cool & pleasant in Dapoli Taluka with seashore & forest. Hence, tourist are attracted at this place. KELSHI : Further north from Anjarle, near the border of Raigad district, is another small town known as Kelshi. This village is frequented by pilgrims who come to the Mahalaxmi Temple here, built during the rule of the Peshwa dynasty. Other than the Mahalaxmi Temple, there are other temples here dedicated to Rasha Krishna, Beleshwar and Ganesha, to name a few.Just outside of the village is a lovely beach, which stretches for 2.5 kms and the sunset is said to be spectacular from this beach.Getting thereBy Road : From Mumbai to Dapoli and Dapoli to AnjarleBy Rail : Train upto Khed - konkan RailwayBy Air : Mumbai
गणपतीपुळे
The sun-kissed beach and lush green of `Ganapatipule inevitably draws tourists back, year after year. The added attraction is a 400-year old temple which houses the Swayambhu Ganapati (a naturally formed idol) and a glittering white-sand beachSome interesting excursions are: Malgund, the birthplace of Keshavsoot, the Marathi poet. Ratnagiri , the birthplace of Lokmanya Tilak, and Thebaw Place, where the deposed king of Burma was confined. Flanked by stretches of scenery, Ganpatipule is the seaside resort of today especially for families. Some interesting day-trips are the Jaigad beach and fort, the Velneshwar beach temple and and Swami Swarupanand's Ashram in Pawas. Pawas are also worth a visit.Ganapatipule is a sleepy hamlet on the Western coast of India in the state of Maharashtra. About 375 km. South of Mumbai, this tiny resort village boasts of 6 km of unspoiled white sand beaches, the only other white sand beaches other than Kashid in all of Maharashtra. Though Ratnagiri, famous for its Alphonso mangoes, is just 19 km. away, commercialization has yet to tarnish this rural resort. Unlike Goa, this virgin stretch of beach has not been tainted with huts, shacks and vendors all about.Ganapatipule is famous for its 400-year-old Ganesha temple made from one massive rock. This temple holds the Swayambhu Ganpati shrine, which is a naturally formed or self-created monolith of Lord Ganesha. Pilgrims from all over and especially Maharashtra flock here to pay homage to Lord Ganesha at this temple. During the Ganesh Chaturthi festival and on other such festivals, this idol is taken out of the temple accompanied by a pujari or priest and a drummer.There are three resorts that offer creature comforts to tourists looking for respite from the demands of everyday life. One can eat in the restaurants here or sample traditional Maharashtrian cooking. Many of the locals sell and serve food in their own homes. This tradition dates back to their ancestors who gave food to all the weary pilgrims that had arrived at the temple. The Maharaja of Baroda promoted this ritual and every year when he made his annual pilgrimage to this place, he would reimburse the locals for all their costs and efforts. This practice continued until independence.Rest and relaxation are the key to this offbeat resort. You can amble along the peaceful beach, stroll through the village or wade across the shoals of a nearby creek. Boat rides upstream are also offered, sailing past swaying palm tress and then jungles.Ganapatipule is an ideal place to forget all your worries and smileGetting thereBy Air: Nearest airport is Ratnagiri 50 kms.By Rail: Ratnagiri on the Konkan Railway is the nearest railhead and kolhapur 144 kms. on the South Central Railway.By Road: Mumbai-Ganpatipule 375 kms. via Mahad. Pune-Ganpatipule 331 kms. via Satara.Kolhapur-Ganpatipule 144 kms.State Transport buses ply from Mumbai and Ratnagiri to Ganpatipule
Ganapati of Hill (Kadyawarcha): - In Aanjarle village on the seashore the temple built on huge mountain is known as 'Ganapati of Kadyawar'. After crossing the Jog river creek, there is Aanjarle village. In earlier times there were two temples in the sea, one of Aanjarleshwar & other of Ganapati. They got drowned in the sea, later on Ganapati temple was built on a high mountain. The temple must be of Madhavrao Peshve period. There are 250 steps to it. There is a lake in front of it. It has a big hall & a stone staircase. There is water fountain in the hall, There is a dome, are & many pillars in the temple. The place is cool & pleasant in Dapoli Taluka with seashore & forest. Hence, tourist are attracted at this place. KELSHI : Further north from Anjarle, near the border of Raigad district, is another small town known as Kelshi. This village is frequented by pilgrims who come to the Mahalaxmi Temple here, built during the rule of the Peshwa dynasty. Other than the Mahalaxmi Temple, there are other temples here dedicated to Rasha Krishna, Beleshwar and Ganesha, to name a few.Just outside of the village is a lovely beach, which stretches for 2.5 kms and the sunset is said to be spectacular from this beach.Getting thereBy Road : From Mumbai to Dapoli and Dapoli to AnjarleBy Rail : Train upto Khed - konkan RailwayBy Air : Mumbai
गणपतीपुळे
The sun-kissed beach and lush green of `Ganapatipule inevitably draws tourists back, year after year. The added attraction is a 400-year old temple which houses the Swayambhu Ganapati (a naturally formed idol) and a glittering white-sand beachSome interesting excursions are: Malgund, the birthplace of Keshavsoot, the Marathi poet. Ratnagiri , the birthplace of Lokmanya Tilak, and Thebaw Place, where the deposed king of Burma was confined. Flanked by stretches of scenery, Ganpatipule is the seaside resort of today especially for families. Some interesting day-trips are the Jaigad beach and fort, the Velneshwar beach temple and and Swami Swarupanand's Ashram in Pawas. Pawas are also worth a visit.Ganapatipule is a sleepy hamlet on the Western coast of India in the state of Maharashtra. About 375 km. South of Mumbai, this tiny resort village boasts of 6 km of unspoiled white sand beaches, the only other white sand beaches other than Kashid in all of Maharashtra. Though Ratnagiri, famous for its Alphonso mangoes, is just 19 km. away, commercialization has yet to tarnish this rural resort. Unlike Goa, this virgin stretch of beach has not been tainted with huts, shacks and vendors all about.Ganapatipule is famous for its 400-year-old Ganesha temple made from one massive rock. This temple holds the Swayambhu Ganpati shrine, which is a naturally formed or self-created monolith of Lord Ganesha. Pilgrims from all over and especially Maharashtra flock here to pay homage to Lord Ganesha at this temple. During the Ganesh Chaturthi festival and on other such festivals, this idol is taken out of the temple accompanied by a pujari or priest and a drummer.There are three resorts that offer creature comforts to tourists looking for respite from the demands of everyday life. One can eat in the restaurants here or sample traditional Maharashtrian cooking. Many of the locals sell and serve food in their own homes. This tradition dates back to their ancestors who gave food to all the weary pilgrims that had arrived at the temple. The Maharaja of Baroda promoted this ritual and every year when he made his annual pilgrimage to this place, he would reimburse the locals for all their costs and efforts. This practice continued until independence.Rest and relaxation are the key to this offbeat resort. You can amble along the peaceful beach, stroll through the village or wade across the shoals of a nearby creek. Boat rides upstream are also offered, sailing past swaying palm tress and then jungles.Ganapatipule is an ideal place to forget all your worries and smileGetting thereBy Air: Nearest airport is Ratnagiri 50 kms.By Rail: Ratnagiri on the Konkan Railway is the nearest railhead and kolhapur 144 kms. on the South Central Railway.By Road: Mumbai-Ganpatipule 375 kms. via Mahad. Pune-Ganpatipule 331 kms. via Satara.Kolhapur-Ganpatipule 144 kms.State Transport buses ply from Mumbai and Ratnagiri to Ganpatipule
Ratnadurga - Ratnagiri Fort
Ratnagiri Fort or Bhagvati FortRatnagiri, also known as Ratnadurg, or Bhagwati, fort is situated about 220 km south of Mumbai. The Bijapur sultans built the fort in the sixteenth century but it was renovated by Shivaji in 1670, serving as an important base for the Maratha navy. The fall of the hereditary Angre admirals also meant the decline of Ratnagiri as a naval base of any military significance.The fort, easily accessible by road, comprises three fortified peaks. The largest, to the south, is called Parkot and supports a functional lighthouse on its western edge. There are hardly any traces of the middle peak, Peth fort, but the Bale Kila, or citadel, is still well preserved and houses the famous Bhagwati Temple. Beyond the temple is a cliff with a sheer drop from where it is said that condemned prisoners were thrown to their death. There are also some old caves on the western face of the cliff. Thibaw, the last king of Burma, was exiled by the British to Ratnagiri in 1885 and put under house arrest in a palace specially built for him.Getting thereBy Road : Mumbai Ratnagiri 340 km By Rail : Ratnagiri (konkan railway) By Air : Ratnagiri, Mumbai, Goad
Kihim - Alibag
Kihim Beach - Alibag dist. Raigad, Tal. Alibag. Just 120 kms. away from Bombay, Kihim is an exclusive beach laced with lush coconut trees. The inviting part of it is that Kihim is entirely undiscovered and unpolluted. Its surroundings are as attractive: Murud beach and Chaul, historic forts, churches, synagogues and the fascinating tower of St. Barbara.At Kihim, you have an unconventional 'Tent Holiday' with modern facilities attached.The journey to these two destinations is as wonderful an experience as the beaches, if one travels by ferry. The boat journey of more than an hour from Bhaucha Dhakka or Ferry Warf to Rewas Jetty is simply exhilirating. Sailing with sea gulls for company is not a Mumbaikar does every second day. There are now catamarans from Gateway of India which touch Rewas in 30 minutes flat but don't provide the same romance as that of the ferry. Of course, one can travel by road but it is not the same and is too time consuming. Located in Raighad district, Kihim is 136 km while Alibaug is 124 km away. The nearest railhead is Panvel which is 85 km from Kihim. Rewas Jetty is just six km from Kihim. Both these places have turned into a weekend retreats for the rich and the famous who have their bungalows along the beach and in the interiors. The proximity to the city is the main asset of the beaches and tourists throng them in large numbers. In fact, much of Alibaug's charm has been lost due to the presence of too many people. On Sunday, Alibaug resembles Juhu beach but with greater scenic beauty. In comparison, Kihim with MTDC tented accommodation on the beach, is a more attractive proposition. The attractions around Kihim include historic forts, churches, synagogues and the fascinating tower of St. Barbara. Accommodation is no problem as there are many resorts which have sprung up in the last few years to suit all kinds of budgets. Instead of a day's picnic, one should visit these beaches for three or four days to really enjoy and experience its beauty. Getting thereBy Air : Nearest airport is Bombay 136 kms.By Rail : Nearest railhead is panvel 85 kms. on Diva Panvel section of Central Railway.By Road :Mumbai-Panvel-Pen-Alibag-Kihim 136 kms.Alibag-Kihim 12 kms.Panvel-Kihim 85 kms.State Transport buses ply from Mumbai to Alibag, and Alibag, Rewas to Kihim.By Sea : Nearest port is Rewas 6 kms. from Kihim. Regular ferry service between Mumbai-Rewas[except during monsoons].
Gopalgadh [Anjanwale Fort]
Kihim - Alibag
Kihim Beach - Alibag dist. Raigad, Tal. Alibag. Just 120 kms. away from Bombay, Kihim is an exclusive beach laced with lush coconut trees. The inviting part of it is that Kihim is entirely undiscovered and unpolluted. Its surroundings are as attractive: Murud beach and Chaul, historic forts, churches, synagogues and the fascinating tower of St. Barbara.At Kihim, you have an unconventional 'Tent Holiday' with modern facilities attached.The journey to these two destinations is as wonderful an experience as the beaches, if one travels by ferry. The boat journey of more than an hour from Bhaucha Dhakka or Ferry Warf to Rewas Jetty is simply exhilirating. Sailing with sea gulls for company is not a Mumbaikar does every second day. There are now catamarans from Gateway of India which touch Rewas in 30 minutes flat but don't provide the same romance as that of the ferry. Of course, one can travel by road but it is not the same and is too time consuming. Located in Raighad district, Kihim is 136 km while Alibaug is 124 km away. The nearest railhead is Panvel which is 85 km from Kihim. Rewas Jetty is just six km from Kihim. Both these places have turned into a weekend retreats for the rich and the famous who have their bungalows along the beach and in the interiors. The proximity to the city is the main asset of the beaches and tourists throng them in large numbers. In fact, much of Alibaug's charm has been lost due to the presence of too many people. On Sunday, Alibaug resembles Juhu beach but with greater scenic beauty. In comparison, Kihim with MTDC tented accommodation on the beach, is a more attractive proposition. The attractions around Kihim include historic forts, churches, synagogues and the fascinating tower of St. Barbara. Accommodation is no problem as there are many resorts which have sprung up in the last few years to suit all kinds of budgets. Instead of a day's picnic, one should visit these beaches for three or four days to really enjoy and experience its beauty. Getting thereBy Air : Nearest airport is Bombay 136 kms.By Rail : Nearest railhead is panvel 85 kms. on Diva Panvel section of Central Railway.By Road :Mumbai-Panvel-Pen-Alibag-Kihim 136 kms.Alibag-Kihim 12 kms.Panvel-Kihim 85 kms.State Transport buses ply from Mumbai to Alibag, and Alibag, Rewas to Kihim.By Sea : Nearest port is Rewas 6 kms. from Kihim. Regular ferry service between Mumbai-Rewas[except during monsoons].
Gopalgadh [Anjanwale Fort]
Near Enron project in Guhagarh, there is Anjanwale Fort which is also known as Gopalgadh located at the top of the mountain this fort covers 7 acres area. In it their is a place called 'Padkot' where there are pillars which reach out to the sea. It is believed that in the year 1699. It was built by Siddhi Khairath Khan. It has assumed importance due to Dabhol creek. The fall of Maratha Kingdom was seen by this fort and as such has historical importance. Shivaji Maharaj captured this fort in 1660. At that time a godown was built for Maratha troops. In the year 1699 Khairath Khan captured this fort and it was under his control for 46 years. In 1736 Chimaji Appa captured it. In 1745 Tulaji Angre captured it uptill than the fort was known as Govalkot, but due to Angre it came to be known as Gopalgadh. During the Peshwa rule Sardar Biwalkar captured it uptill 1880 it was under Maratha rule.How to Reach : From Guhaghar 26 km. Bus facility available from Guhaghar and Chiplun to Anjanvel.Ufrata Ganapati : When the face of idol of Ganapati facing towards the east turns towards west, it came to be known as Ufrata Ganapati. This temple is located near Guhagar the idol is white in colour & there are Parshu & Trishul in its hands. There is a snake entangled the idol. Around 300 years ago this idol was found by the fisher man or kolis in the sea.How to Reach : Near Guhaghar.Vijaygad : Dhamanakhol is the port near Tavsal, the fort which protects, this port is Vijaygad. In Guhaghar taluka, to the south coastal area of Jaigad creek, Vijaygad is located. It is famous as a part of Jaigad fort. The main entrance of the fort fell down many a times while constructing, so it took many years for the construction of this fort. When an idol of Ganapati was placed at the main entrance gate, that time construction work of the gate was complete and no further incidents of falling of the gate occurred.How to Reach : From Guhaghar 66 km.Getting thereBy Rail : konkan railwayBy Air : MumbaiState Transport buses ply from Mumbai, Pune to Neral
Guhagar - Dist. Ratnagiri
Hedavi - 'Dashabuja Ganapati' : In every month on 'Chathurthi' the devotees of Lord Ganesh make a point to visit the temple. The idol of Ganapati was created in Kashmir. The idol is made from Marble. Goddess Laxmi is seated on the laps of Lord Ganapati. On the body of Ganapati there is a sacred thread in the form of a snake. Bow, Trishul, Club 'Modak' chakra lotus are the weapons in the hands of God Ganapati. This temple is of the time of Peshwas and the foundations of Kelkar Swami. The temple was renovated in 1956. Charitable institutions are built to provide accommodation facilities to the tourist. Near this temple at a distance of 3 km there is a temple of 'Uma Maheshwar' in Bomanhal.How to Reach: From Guhagar 27 km.Vyadeshwar : This temple is situated at Guhaghar Taluka. In this temple there are idols of Shreedevi, Surya Narayan, Vishnu, Ganapati. There are temples of Balkeshwar, Talkeshwar, and Udaleshwar in this area. They are the incarnations of Vyadeshwar.How to Reach : Near Guhaghar.Velaneshwar : Situated near the seashore a very quite and nice place for relaxation of the tourists. It is at 25 km from Guhakar and 6 kms from Hedavi. The area of Velneshwar temple is 70 kms. In front of the temple there is a huge pillar for lightning lamps. Also, there are temples of 'Kal Bhairav', 'Ganapati', 'Rameshwari'. There are also ancient charitable institutions and cannons in this temple. The Enron Electricity project has resulted into frequent visits of people to this place. Bus facility is available from Guhaghar, Chiplun, Mumbai. Away from the polluted atmosphere of the city, this quiet place with beautiful scenery of Coconut trees, has attracted many tourists.How to Reach : From Guhaghar 21 kms.
Karnala - Karnala Bird Sanctuary
While travelling by the Mumbai-Pune or the Mumbai-Goa highway, beyond Panvel, one can easily notice a thumb shapped pinnacle. On top of the pinnacle is the Karnala Fort and the dense forest covering almost five square Km. around the pinnacle is the Karnala Bird Sanctuary. The sanctuary area extend on both sides of the Mumbai-goa highway.The Park is a great place for bird lovers and you can spot drongos, barbets, bulbuls, spotted doves, tree-pies, woodpeckers and many other smaller birds.Although there are many species of birds, spotting them is not very easy as the vegetation is very dense and you have to rely more on bird calls that tell you about their presence.The locals also tell about panthers prowling the woods after sunset.There is a trail that goes up to the base of the pinnacle. The view from the top is very good and makes the half hour climb worthwhile. You can see the wooded areas of the sanctuary, the villages around and even the sea from the top. At the base of the pinnacle there is a temple of goddess Bhavani and may water cisterns. There are many beehives on the pinnacle and you have to take care not to irritate the bees.Getting thereBy Air : Nearest Air Port MumbaiBy Rail : konkan RailwayBy Road : on 17 highway
Pawas, Dist. Ratnagiri
Besides its natural beauty and serenity, Pawas achieved prominence when Swami Swaroopanand (a spiritual leader who influenced an entire generation of Maharashtrians) had made it his abode. The place where he used to reside is now converted into an ashram. A visit there is still like a journey through time.Following the great saint Dnyaneshwari tradition Swami Swarupanand too tried to spread his teachings in the cannon people. Now due to Swami Swarupanandas work Pawas has become a major place of tourists attraction. He made a new big family of devotees all over Maharashtra by chanting the Mantra 'Om Ram Krishna Hari'. He stayed here for a period of 40 years. Pawas is now one of the important holy places of Konkan. Samadhi of Swami Swarupananda is there in the Pawas & also temple has been built for his devotees. The special variety of eatables of Konkan like 'Fanaspoli', Ambapoli, Amras & other different Konkans items are available to the tourists at a very reasonable rate. Near Swarupanandas Samadhi on the Avala tree lord Ganesh Statue has appeared. People definately visit this place & also the house 'Anant Niwas' where Swami Swarupananda stayed. It is 20 km. from Ratnagiri. Getting thereBy Road : Mumbai to Ganapatipule (via Mahad) is 375 kms. Pune to Ganapatipule (via Satara) is 331 kms. Kolhapur to Ganapatipule is 144 kms.By Rail : Nearest Railway Ratnagiri By Air : Mumbai, Ratnagiri
Hedvi Tal.Guhagar, Dist. Ratnagiri
Hedvi is a small village that is spread out over a largish area behind a small beach. The highlight of the beach is the grove of coconut trees and the small temple at the bottom of the hill to the north of the beach. The Ganpati temple has a convenient fresh water spring just outside the entrance and its located just right to "shower" down after a romp in the sea. The sand, however, is slightly dark but that does not mar the beauty of the beach and its exclusivity. Also conveniently located is a "beach house" bed and breakfast place belonging to one Mr Abhay Bhatkar. He has erected some huts at the rear of the beach and his more "pucca" hut is located a further 50 yards behind. You can drive upto this place and park your car in his porch. Mr Bhatkar lets out this place. A year ago it cost us Rs 200. With a sumptuous dinner with fish and a generous breakfast the next morning for three put us back by only Rs 175. To get in touch with Mr Bhatkar you can call him at (02359) 43208 or 43209. He calls his place "Suruchi Corner". Toilet and bath facilities are extremely basic and have to be shared with others, if any. Getting thereBy Road : From Mumbai to GuhagarBy Rail : Konkan RailwayBy Air : Mumbai, Goa
Yashvantgarh Fort
It protects the Mosa Kazi port & is famous tourist visiting place. Strong fortification is its peculiar feature. It is spread over an area of 1200 sq. Metres. It has 17 pillars which are still in a very strong position. Near it there is Ambegad fort which is also in a strong position.How to Reach: Close to Mosa Kazi.Getting thereBy Air: Nearest Airport Ratnagiri,By Rail: By Konkan Railway - Ratnagiri Rly.Stn.By Road: Mumbai-Goa High way 17 Places to see near by Yashvantgarh FortGanpatipulePavasBhatye
Harihareshwar Beach
Gentle winds, soft sands and inviting waters make Shriwardhan Bay irresistible to beach lovers. And if one relishes sea-food, there is no dearth of delicacies to sample here. The adventuerers can even take a small boat to the north side of the bay and explore a land where the "Peshwas" or prime ministers of the Maratha Kingdom, Originally resides. The "Peshwas Smarak" is of interest to most people who visit Shriwardhan.The town of Harihareshwar, known for its tranquil and picturesque beach is also landmarked by Kalbhairav - the Shiva temple. Getting thereBy Air: Nearest airport is Mumbai 215 kms.By Rail: Nearest railhead is Mangaon on Konkan Railway.By Road: Mumbai-Harihareshwar 230 kms. via Mumbai-Panvel-Mangaon-Gregaon phata on Mumbai-Goa highway. Shriwardhan-Harihareshwar 20 kms. Bagmandala-Harihareswar 4 kms.
Guhagar - Dist. Ratnagiri
Hedavi - 'Dashabuja Ganapati' : In every month on 'Chathurthi' the devotees of Lord Ganesh make a point to visit the temple. The idol of Ganapati was created in Kashmir. The idol is made from Marble. Goddess Laxmi is seated on the laps of Lord Ganapati. On the body of Ganapati there is a sacred thread in the form of a snake. Bow, Trishul, Club 'Modak' chakra lotus are the weapons in the hands of God Ganapati. This temple is of the time of Peshwas and the foundations of Kelkar Swami. The temple was renovated in 1956. Charitable institutions are built to provide accommodation facilities to the tourist. Near this temple at a distance of 3 km there is a temple of 'Uma Maheshwar' in Bomanhal.How to Reach: From Guhagar 27 km.Vyadeshwar : This temple is situated at Guhaghar Taluka. In this temple there are idols of Shreedevi, Surya Narayan, Vishnu, Ganapati. There are temples of Balkeshwar, Talkeshwar, and Udaleshwar in this area. They are the incarnations of Vyadeshwar.How to Reach : Near Guhaghar.Velaneshwar : Situated near the seashore a very quite and nice place for relaxation of the tourists. It is at 25 km from Guhakar and 6 kms from Hedavi. The area of Velneshwar temple is 70 kms. In front of the temple there is a huge pillar for lightning lamps. Also, there are temples of 'Kal Bhairav', 'Ganapati', 'Rameshwari'. There are also ancient charitable institutions and cannons in this temple. The Enron Electricity project has resulted into frequent visits of people to this place. Bus facility is available from Guhaghar, Chiplun, Mumbai. Away from the polluted atmosphere of the city, this quiet place with beautiful scenery of Coconut trees, has attracted many tourists.How to Reach : From Guhaghar 21 kms.
Karnala - Karnala Bird Sanctuary
While travelling by the Mumbai-Pune or the Mumbai-Goa highway, beyond Panvel, one can easily notice a thumb shapped pinnacle. On top of the pinnacle is the Karnala Fort and the dense forest covering almost five square Km. around the pinnacle is the Karnala Bird Sanctuary. The sanctuary area extend on both sides of the Mumbai-goa highway.The Park is a great place for bird lovers and you can spot drongos, barbets, bulbuls, spotted doves, tree-pies, woodpeckers and many other smaller birds.Although there are many species of birds, spotting them is not very easy as the vegetation is very dense and you have to rely more on bird calls that tell you about their presence.The locals also tell about panthers prowling the woods after sunset.There is a trail that goes up to the base of the pinnacle. The view from the top is very good and makes the half hour climb worthwhile. You can see the wooded areas of the sanctuary, the villages around and even the sea from the top. At the base of the pinnacle there is a temple of goddess Bhavani and may water cisterns. There are many beehives on the pinnacle and you have to take care not to irritate the bees.Getting thereBy Air : Nearest Air Port MumbaiBy Rail : konkan RailwayBy Road : on 17 highway
Pawas, Dist. Ratnagiri
Besides its natural beauty and serenity, Pawas achieved prominence when Swami Swaroopanand (a spiritual leader who influenced an entire generation of Maharashtrians) had made it his abode. The place where he used to reside is now converted into an ashram. A visit there is still like a journey through time.Following the great saint Dnyaneshwari tradition Swami Swarupanand too tried to spread his teachings in the cannon people. Now due to Swami Swarupanandas work Pawas has become a major place of tourists attraction. He made a new big family of devotees all over Maharashtra by chanting the Mantra 'Om Ram Krishna Hari'. He stayed here for a period of 40 years. Pawas is now one of the important holy places of Konkan. Samadhi of Swami Swarupananda is there in the Pawas & also temple has been built for his devotees. The special variety of eatables of Konkan like 'Fanaspoli', Ambapoli, Amras & other different Konkans items are available to the tourists at a very reasonable rate. Near Swarupanandas Samadhi on the Avala tree lord Ganesh Statue has appeared. People definately visit this place & also the house 'Anant Niwas' where Swami Swarupananda stayed. It is 20 km. from Ratnagiri. Getting thereBy Road : Mumbai to Ganapatipule (via Mahad) is 375 kms. Pune to Ganapatipule (via Satara) is 331 kms. Kolhapur to Ganapatipule is 144 kms.By Rail : Nearest Railway Ratnagiri By Air : Mumbai, Ratnagiri
Hedvi Tal.Guhagar, Dist. Ratnagiri
Hedvi is a small village that is spread out over a largish area behind a small beach. The highlight of the beach is the grove of coconut trees and the small temple at the bottom of the hill to the north of the beach. The Ganpati temple has a convenient fresh water spring just outside the entrance and its located just right to "shower" down after a romp in the sea. The sand, however, is slightly dark but that does not mar the beauty of the beach and its exclusivity. Also conveniently located is a "beach house" bed and breakfast place belonging to one Mr Abhay Bhatkar. He has erected some huts at the rear of the beach and his more "pucca" hut is located a further 50 yards behind. You can drive upto this place and park your car in his porch. Mr Bhatkar lets out this place. A year ago it cost us Rs 200. With a sumptuous dinner with fish and a generous breakfast the next morning for three put us back by only Rs 175. To get in touch with Mr Bhatkar you can call him at (02359) 43208 or 43209. He calls his place "Suruchi Corner". Toilet and bath facilities are extremely basic and have to be shared with others, if any. Getting thereBy Road : From Mumbai to GuhagarBy Rail : Konkan RailwayBy Air : Mumbai, Goa
Yashvantgarh Fort
It protects the Mosa Kazi port & is famous tourist visiting place. Strong fortification is its peculiar feature. It is spread over an area of 1200 sq. Metres. It has 17 pillars which are still in a very strong position. Near it there is Ambegad fort which is also in a strong position.How to Reach: Close to Mosa Kazi.Getting thereBy Air: Nearest Airport Ratnagiri,By Rail: By Konkan Railway - Ratnagiri Rly.Stn.By Road: Mumbai-Goa High way 17 Places to see near by Yashvantgarh FortGanpatipulePavasBhatye
Harihareshwar Beach
Gentle winds, soft sands and inviting waters make Shriwardhan Bay irresistible to beach lovers. And if one relishes sea-food, there is no dearth of delicacies to sample here. The adventuerers can even take a small boat to the north side of the bay and explore a land where the "Peshwas" or prime ministers of the Maratha Kingdom, Originally resides. The "Peshwas Smarak" is of interest to most people who visit Shriwardhan.The town of Harihareshwar, known for its tranquil and picturesque beach is also landmarked by Kalbhairav - the Shiva temple. Getting thereBy Air: Nearest airport is Mumbai 215 kms.By Rail: Nearest railhead is Mangaon on Konkan Railway.By Road: Mumbai-Harihareshwar 230 kms. via Mumbai-Panvel-Mangaon-Gregaon phata on Mumbai-Goa highway. Shriwardhan-Harihareshwar 20 kms. Bagmandala-Harihareswar 4 kms.
posted by KOKANASTH at 10:27 PM
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Thursday, June 15, 2006
DAPOLI
Dapoli is hill station in Ratnagiri District.There are so many places around Dapoli - Beaches - temples, Caves, Forts - like...It is a small yet nice place. It is at a height of 700 to 800 feet from the sea level & is a cool & pleasant place. As it is located at a height, it is surrounded by beautiful natural surroundings. People are attracted to Dapoli village because of its natural beauty. In summer holdings & Christmas holidays, people especially from Mumbai & Pune come to spend their time.
The Britishers selected Dapoli as the place for their military camp being cool place & so it came to be known as camp Dapoli. The camp are consists of Dapoli, Gimhavane, Jogale & Jalgaon. In the year 1880 Alfred Gaddne started a high school (A.G.High School). Many well known people were the students of this school. Bharat Ratna, P.V. Kane & Bharat Ratna Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar had studied from this school. Also you can see here Balasaheb Sawant Konkan Krishi Vidyapeeth, This is world famous Agriculture College.
How to Reach :
From :Mumbai to Dapoli 250 Kms by State Transport Bus (ST)
By Konkan Railway, get down at Khed and from Khed take ST bus to Dapoli (Buses ply every Half an hours)
Can also be reached by private buses ply Khed to Dapoli
Amboli : Ganapati temple in Dapoli taluka is famous due to marble idol of Lord 'Siddhivinayak'. It is situated on Dapoli-Aanjarle road. It is at a distance of 7 km from Harnai.
There is a great festival on 'Maghi Chaturthi' day. Getting there by Road : 22 km from Khed - Mumbai-Goa Highway-NH17 By Rail : Train upto Khed from khed Dapoli 27 km. By Air from Mumbai.
Places to see near by Dapoli is Harnai Beach and Suvarnadurg Fort 15km from Dapoli.
Ladghar Beach 10 km.
Anjarle Beach & Ganpati Temple 20 km.
Dabhol-Godess Chandika & Enron 28 km.
Dapoli - Konkan Krishi Vidyapith (Dapoli)
Panhalekaji Caves 40 km
Murud Beach Palghar Saneguruji Birth Place
Kanakdurg Sea Fort 15 km.
Murud Beach 11 km.
Keshawraj 8 km
posted by KOKANASTH at 3:06 AM
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Wednesday, June 14, 2006
DAPOLI
Dapoli
Ade, Adkhal, Agarvayangani, Aghari, Ambhavali Bk, Ambavali Kh, Anjarla, Apti, Asond, Asud, Atgaon, Awashi, Bandhativare, Bhadavale, Bhangare, Bhatgar, Bhati, Bhomadi, Bhopan, Bondivali, Borghar, Borivali, Borthal, Brahmanwadi, Burondi, Chandikanagar, Chikalgaon, Chinchali, Dabhil, Dalkhan, Damame, Dauli, Dagaon, Dehen, Derde, Devke, Dhankoli, Dr.Iquabalnagar, Dumdeo, Ganpatipule, Gaonrai, Gaontale, Gavhe, Gimhavane, Gudaghe, Hatip, ILane, Inampanagari, Jalgaon, Jamge, Jogale, Juikar Mohalla, Kandivali, Kalambat, Kalanagar, Kalki, Kangavai, Karajgaon, Karanjali, Karde, Katran, Kawadoli, Kelashi, Kelil, Karavate, Kherdi, Kinhal, Kolbandre, Kolthare, Kondhe, Kongle, Kundavale, Kumbhave, Ladghar, Lonvadi, Mahalunge, Mahamaynagar, Male, Malvi, Mandivali, Mathegujar, Matwan, Mauje Dapoli, Mugij, Murdi, Murud, Nante, Nargoli, Navase, Navashi, Nawanagar, Nigade, Olgaon, Onanvase, Oni, Panchavali, Padale, Palgad, Panchanadi, Panderi, Pandhari, Pangari Haveli, Panhale Kazi, Panvnal, Phansu, Pharare, Pichadoli, Pisai, ophalwane, Rajapur, Rawatoli, Revali, Rowale, Rukhi, Sadavali, Sadave, Sahilnagar, Sakhaloli, Sakurde, Saldur, Saldur, Samsher ali nagar, Sarang, Satamba, Satere Haveli, Satere Natu, Shiravane, Shirde, Shirkenagar, Shirkhal, Shirsadi, Shirseshwar, Shirsinge, Shirsoli, Shitalnagar, Shivajinagar, Shivajinagar, Shivajinagar, Shiwnari, Sondeghar, Soveli, Sukondi, Tadachakond, Tadil, Talsure, Tamastirth, Tamond, Tangar, Teleshwarnaga, Terevayangani, Tetavali, Turavade, Umbarghar, Umbarle, Umbarshet, Unhavare, Urphi
Ade, Adkhal, Agarvayangani, Aghari, Ambhavali Bk, Ambavali Kh, Anjarla, Apti, Asond, Asud, Atgaon, Awashi, Bandhativare, Bhadavale, Bhangare, Bhatgar, Bhati, Bhomadi, Bhopan, Bondivali, Borghar, Borivali, Borthal, Brahmanwadi, Burondi, Chandikanagar, Chikalgaon, Chinchali, Dabhil, Dalkhan, Damame, Dauli, Dagaon, Dehen, Derde, Devke, Dhankoli, Dr.Iquabalnagar, Dumdeo, Ganpatipule, Gaonrai, Gaontale, Gavhe, Gimhavane, Gudaghe, Hatip, ILane, Inampanagari, Jalgaon, Jamge, Jogale, Juikar Mohalla, Kandivali, Kalambat, Kalanagar, Kalki, Kangavai, Karajgaon, Karanjali, Karde, Katran, Kawadoli, Kelashi, Kelil, Karavate, Kherdi, Kinhal, Kolbandre, Kolthare, Kondhe, Kongle, Kundavale, Kumbhave, Ladghar, Lonvadi, Mahalunge, Mahamaynagar, Male, Malvi, Mandivali, Mathegujar, Matwan, Mauje Dapoli, Mugij, Murdi, Murud, Nante, Nargoli, Navase, Navashi, Nawanagar, Nigade, Olgaon, Onanvase, Oni, Panchavali, Padale, Palgad, Panchanadi, Panderi, Pandhari, Pangari Haveli, Panhale Kazi, Panvnal, Phansu, Pharare, Pichadoli, Pisai, ophalwane, Rajapur, Rawatoli, Revali, Rowale, Rukhi, Sadavali, Sadave, Sahilnagar, Sakhaloli, Sakurde, Saldur, Saldur, Samsher ali nagar, Sarang, Satamba, Satere Haveli, Satere Natu, Shiravane, Shirde, Shirkenagar, Shirkhal, Shirsadi, Shirseshwar, Shirsinge, Shirsoli, Shitalnagar, Shivajinagar, Shivajinagar, Shivajinagar, Shiwnari, Sondeghar, Soveli, Sukondi, Tadachakond, Tadil, Talsure, Tamastirth, Tamond, Tangar, Teleshwarnaga, Terevayangani, Tetavali, Turavade, Umbarghar, Umbarle, Umbarshet, Unhavare, Urphi
posted by KOKANASTH at 10:29 PM
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KOKAN GHATS
Ghats in Konkan
1) Kashedi Ghat - Mumbai to Goa
2) Parshuram ghat -
3) Karnala Ghat -
4) Kamthe Ghat -
5) Nivali Ghat - here one nice waterfall can be seen while passing through
6) Watul ghat -
7) Akeri Ghat near Sawantwadi
8) Insuli Ghat near Banda
9) Sukeli Ghat - near Sukeli
10) Dahanu Ghat - nasik through javhar ghat
11)Ghats of Rajapur
Ghats connecting Konkan and Deccan
1)Khandala Ghat - Mumbai- Khopoli - Lonavala-Pune
2) Kumbharli Ghat - Chiplun to Umbraj towards Pune
3) Amba Ghat - Ratnagiri to Kolhapur
4) Varandh Ghat from Mahad to Pune via Varandh & Bhor
5) Ambenali Ghat to Mahabaleshwar from Poladpur
6) Amba Ghat to Kolhapur from Ratnagiri
7) Phonda ghat to Kolhapur from Phonda Kankavali
8) Anuskura Ghat to Kolhapur from rajapur
9) Amboli Ghat to Kolhapur-Belgaum from Sawantwadi
10)Bhuibavda Ghat to Kolhapur from Bhuibavda via Vaibhavvadi
11)Kashedi Ghat Mumbai to Goa between Khed - Poladpur
12)Karul Ghat via Vaibhavwadi to Gaganbavda -Kolhapur
13)Tamhane Ghat - Mangaon to Pune
14)Kasara Ghat - mumbai - nasik
15)Malshej Ghat - kalyan - alephata - Junnar
posted by KOKANASTH at 1:52 AM
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कोंकाण मेवा (KOKAN MEVA)
The traditional crops of the Konkan region, the West coast of Maharashtra, are coconuts, mangoes, cashews, rice and a variety of pulses. The region also grows a great quantity of kokum, a sweet-sour fruit.Fish is available in vast varieties and seafood is in abundant supply. All these ingredients find place in the traditional and exotic Konkani food. Be it the mild, naturally fragrant vegetable mixture served with local papads, or a spicy-hot fish and meat curry with a coconut milk base, Konkani food is a gourmet's dream come true.Fruits from the Konkan sea belt such as jamuns(जांभुळ), aonla(आवळा), chickooGoan participation is through the Directorate of Agriculture which exhibits a range of fruits from aonla to zizypus rugosa including the jack of all fruits and the mother of all mangoes. Most of the 35 Goan mango varieties are also on display.Six dozen varieties of mango, a dozen varieties of cashewapples (काजू), chikoos, guavas(पेरू), jamuns(जांभुळ), kokum, mangosteen(कोकम),velvet apples(चिकू), custard apples(सिताफळ), sour sops, carissa(kantam), zizyphus (churna), jackfruit(फणस), pumelo(पपनस) and grapefruit
posted by KOKANASTH at 1:23 AM
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KOKAN FESTIVALS
- The Konkani People are a hearty, festive people. The love for celebration is deeply ingrained in their culture and it finds expression through the various occasions on the Maharashtrian calendar.There is festivity all round the year and people cherish the good times with music, dance and delectable food.
Nag Panchami
In Hindu mythology, the cobra has a special significance and the earth, it is believed, rests on the head of 'Shesha' - the thousand-hooded cobra. Snake worship is an important ritual of the Maharashtrians, and on the festival of Nag Panchami, clay icons of cobras are venerated in homes. People offer sweets and milk to the snake deity and the day is celebrated with folk dances and songs, especially in the countryside. Snake charmers carry cobras in baskets and collect offerings from the public in the streets. A small village near Sangli, Battis Shirale, is famous for its snake catchers, and people throng the streets to watch the thrilling performances of expert snake charmers.
Narali Pournima
The full moon day of the month of Shravan is celebrated with characteristic fervour in different parts of Maharashtra and is known variously as Narali Pournima, Shravani Pournima, Rakhi Pournima or Raksha Bandhan. 'Naral' means 'coconut', and Narali Pournmia is thus called because offerings of coconuts are made by people to the sea-god on this day. Narali Pournima also marks the advent of the new fishing season and fishermen appease the sea-god before sailing out in their gaily-decorated boats. The festival is a day of singing and dancing.
Raksha Bandhan is also observed on this day. Sisters tie 'rakhis' or beautifully decorated threads on their brothers' wrists. The ritual renews the bond of affection between siblings and signifies the brother's responsibility of protecting his sister all her life.Gokul AshtamiThe birth of Lord Krishna is celebrated on
Gokul Ashtami or Janmashtami
Most devotees fast till midnight and when the birth of Lord Krishna is announced, they eat a festive preparation of rice, butter, yogurt, puris and potatoes. This meal, according to Hindu mythology, was relished by Lord Krishna and his playmates in Gokul. Another fun-filled ritual performed on this day is dahi-handi - clay pots filled with curd, puffed rice and milk are strung high up above the streets and groups of enthusiastic young men (and even women) form human pyramids to reach these and break them open, the way Lord Krishna and his friends would, after sneaking into the houses of gopis (milkmaids) to steal and eat butter.
Ganesh Chaturthi
The most delectable offerings during Ganesh Chaturthi are modaks, small rice or wheat flour dumplings stuffed with coconut and jaggery. They are best when served with shudh ghee.
Lord Ganesh, the patron deity of Maharashtra, is the God of wisdom. Come August, preparations to celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi - the auspicious day when Lord Ganesh was born - begin with great enthusiasm all over the state. The 11-day festival begins with the installation of beautifully sculpted Ganesh idols in homes and mandaps (large tents), colourfully decorated, depicting religious themes or current events. The Ganesh idols are worshipped with families and friends. Many cultural events are organised and people participate in them with keen interest. After ten exciting days comes the time to bid farewell to the beloved God. People take Ganesh idols in procession to the accompaniment of music and dance for immersion in the sea or nearby river or lake. Emotions run high as people chant 'Ganpati bappa moraya, pudhachya varshi lavkar ya' (Oh Lord Ganesh, please come back soon next year).
Gudhi Padwa
'Gudhi'- the bamboo staff with a coloured silk cloth and a garlanded goblet atop - symbolises victory or achievement. Maharashtrians erect gudhis on Padwa, the first day of the Hindu new year. People welcome the new year with gudhi worship and distribute prasad comprising tender neem leaves, gram-pulse and jaggery. Gudhi Padwa heralds the advent of a prosperous new year and is considered as a shubh muhurat - one of the most auspicious days - by Hindus.
Dussehra
According to the great Hindu epic Ramayan, Dussehra is the day on which Lord Ram killed Ravan, the evil king of Lanka. It is considered as a shubh-muharat - a very auspicious day - to start a new venture. It is a symbol of the victory of good over evil. People decorate the entrances of their homes with torans, flower studded strings, and worship the tools of trade, vehicles, machinery, weapons and even books. As the evening falls, the villagers cross the border, a ritual known as Simollanghan, and worship the Shami tree. The leaves of the Apta tree are collected and exchanged among friends and relatives as gold.
Diwali
Diwali inspires a variety mouth-watering preparations like karanji, chakli, kadboli, anarsa, shankarpali and ladoos, consumed in Maharashtrian households by children and adults alike.
Diwali or Deepawali means a row of lights. The most beautiful of all Indian festivals, Diwali is a celebration of lights. Streets are illuminated with rows of clay lamps and homes are decorated with rangoli (coloured powder designs) and aakash kandils (decorative lanterns of different shapes and sizes). People rise at dawn, massage their bodies and hair with scented oil and take a holy bath. Diwali is celebrated with new clothes, spectacular firecrackers and a variety of sweets in the company of family and friends.
Dhanatrayodashi; Narakchaturdashi, Amavasya (Laxmi poojan), Balipratipada and Yamadvitiya (Bhaubeej) are the five days which comprise Diwali, and each day has a peculiar religious significance. This joyous celebration is, on the whole, symbolic of dispelling the darkness of misery and bringing the light of prosperity and happiness into human life.
Makar Sankranti
Sankrant means the passing of the sun from one Zodiac sign to the other. People exchange greeting and good wishes on this day, which marks the Sun's passage from the Tropic of Dhanu (Sagittarius) to Makar (Capricon). Sweet and crunchy ladoos made of sesame and jaggery are the favourite treats.
Holi
On this spring festival day, people enjoy a puran poli, a sweet, stuffed chappati made of channa dal and refined flour (maida), served warm with clarified butter or a bowl of milk.
Other delicacies prepared exclusively for festival days are shrikand, motichur ladoo, basundi and kheer. Each year, after a successful winter harvest, people get ready to welcome the spring with Holi - the festival of colours. Holis or bonfires are lit in the night and people gather to worship the fire-god, who is believed to burn away all evil. On the next day, people of all ages come outside and playfully drench each other with coloured water. Brightly coloured powders are applied on faces, and there is plenty of music, dance and sweets to fill the rest of the day. The exuberant display of colours symbolises the advent of a colourful and prosperous spring season.
posted by KOKANASTH at 1:02 AM
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KOKAN MYTH
The most famous legend associated with konkan, is that of the mythicalsage Parashuram
(the sixth incarnation of Lord Vishnu), who severalthousand years ago created the entire stretch of Konkan coast byordering the seas to recede.An interesting sidelight in this legendary origin of konkan is thatLord Parashuram is supposed to have shot an arrow from the top of thewestern ghats into the sea to command the Sea God to withdraw till theplace where the arrow fell and claimed that land to be his kingdom.The place where the arrow landed was called Bannali (in Sanskrit for'where the arrow landed'; Bann: arrow, ali: village), or today'sBenaulim.Parashuram arrived in the new abode with other Saraswat Brahmins andsages in order to perform the Yadnya and other rituals. These Brahminfamilies of Dashgotras from Panchgoudas of Trihotrapura in northernIndia came along with their family deities and settled themselves inthis land of Gomantak or the land of the Gods as it came to be knownthereafter.Another legend, less well known, states that the coastal area ofKonkan enchanted Lord Krishna, who was charmed by the beautiful ladiesbathing in the area. The ladies in turn, were so taken up by themelodious music coming from his flute, that they kept dancingforgetting their daily chores. Lord Krishna, then named the landGovapuri after the cows (gov) belonging to the locals.The history of the sacred land of Gomantak, 'land of the Gods' is welldescribed in Sahyadri Khand of Skandha Purana, the ancient text ofHindu religion. According to this story narrated in the ChapterShantiparva of Mahabharat, a Brahmin from the Saraswat family,Parashuram, annihilated the entire community of the warrior tribeKshatriyas and gifted the conquered land to a sage named Kashyapmuni.Unfortunately, the Kshatriya annihilation meant that the land was leftunadministered and fell into anarchy and chaos. The worried sageKashyapmuni, requested Parashuram to leave the area and settleelsewhere. Parashuram came south and reclaimed new land by orderingthe sea to recede and give up the coastal land. This land known as"Aparant" or "Shurparak" is spread between the Sahyadri mountains andSindhusagar.The first wave of Brahmins to settle in Goa and konkan, were calledSaraswats because of their origins from the banks of the RiverSaraswati, an ancient river that existed in Vedic times. Thesubsequent drying up of the river caused large scale migration ofBrahmins to all corners of India.A group of ninety-six families, known today as Gaud Saraswats, settledalong the Konkan coast around 1000 BC. Of these, sixty-six familiestook up residence in the southern half in today's Salcete taluka whichderives its name from the Sanskrit word "Sassast" meaning the number66.The other thirty families settled in the northern area in today'sTiswadi taluka which derives its name from the Sanskrit word for thenumber 30. The Saraswat Brahmins worked in partnership with the localindigenous people, the Kunbi tribals who still exist today. Around theyear 740 AD, the Brahmins established their first Matha (religiouscentre of learning) at Kushasthali (present day Cortalim) .They initially settled at Mathagram (Margao), Kushasthal (Cortalim)and Kardalinagar (Keloshi). The main deities which also came alongwith them were Mangirish, Mahadeo, Mahalaxmi, Mahalsa, Shantadurga,Nagesh, Saptakoteshwar besides many others. According to local legend,the ash found at Harmal beach in Pernem Taluka is cited as the ash ofthe Yadnya or holy ritual performed in Goa.Today a temple of Parashuram exists in Painguinim village of CanaconaTaluka in South Goa and in chipalun also. There is no concrete proofto determine the exact date of the arrival of Saraswats or Parashuramain the area, nor is it conclusively proved that Saraswats or otherAryans were the first to arrive in Konkan.Even if the legends are considered as only myths, the residence ofSaraswat Brahmins in Goa since ancient times along with their familydeities is an undeniable fact. And most probably they arrived in Goaunder the leadership of a towering personality named Parashuram.
(the sixth incarnation of Lord Vishnu), who severalthousand years ago created the entire stretch of Konkan coast byordering the seas to recede.An interesting sidelight in this legendary origin of konkan is thatLord Parashuram is supposed to have shot an arrow from the top of thewestern ghats into the sea to command the Sea God to withdraw till theplace where the arrow fell and claimed that land to be his kingdom.The place where the arrow landed was called Bannali (in Sanskrit for'where the arrow landed'; Bann: arrow, ali: village), or today'sBenaulim.Parashuram arrived in the new abode with other Saraswat Brahmins andsages in order to perform the Yadnya and other rituals. These Brahminfamilies of Dashgotras from Panchgoudas of Trihotrapura in northernIndia came along with their family deities and settled themselves inthis land of Gomantak or the land of the Gods as it came to be knownthereafter.Another legend, less well known, states that the coastal area ofKonkan enchanted Lord Krishna, who was charmed by the beautiful ladiesbathing in the area. The ladies in turn, were so taken up by themelodious music coming from his flute, that they kept dancingforgetting their daily chores. Lord Krishna, then named the landGovapuri after the cows (gov) belonging to the locals.The history of the sacred land of Gomantak, 'land of the Gods' is welldescribed in Sahyadri Khand of Skandha Purana, the ancient text ofHindu religion. According to this story narrated in the ChapterShantiparva of Mahabharat, a Brahmin from the Saraswat family,Parashuram, annihilated the entire community of the warrior tribeKshatriyas and gifted the conquered land to a sage named Kashyapmuni.Unfortunately, the Kshatriya annihilation meant that the land was leftunadministered and fell into anarchy and chaos. The worried sageKashyapmuni, requested Parashuram to leave the area and settleelsewhere. Parashuram came south and reclaimed new land by orderingthe sea to recede and give up the coastal land. This land known as"Aparant" or "Shurparak" is spread between the Sahyadri mountains andSindhusagar.The first wave of Brahmins to settle in Goa and konkan, were calledSaraswats because of their origins from the banks of the RiverSaraswati, an ancient river that existed in Vedic times. Thesubsequent drying up of the river caused large scale migration ofBrahmins to all corners of India.A group of ninety-six families, known today as Gaud Saraswats, settledalong the Konkan coast around 1000 BC. Of these, sixty-six familiestook up residence in the southern half in today's Salcete taluka whichderives its name from the Sanskrit word "Sassast" meaning the number66.The other thirty families settled in the northern area in today'sTiswadi taluka which derives its name from the Sanskrit word for thenumber 30. The Saraswat Brahmins worked in partnership with the localindigenous people, the Kunbi tribals who still exist today. Around theyear 740 AD, the Brahmins established their first Matha (religiouscentre of learning) at Kushasthali (present day Cortalim) .They initially settled at Mathagram (Margao), Kushasthal (Cortalim)and Kardalinagar (Keloshi). The main deities which also came alongwith them were Mangirish, Mahadeo, Mahalaxmi, Mahalsa, Shantadurga,Nagesh, Saptakoteshwar besides many others. According to local legend,the ash found at Harmal beach in Pernem Taluka is cited as the ash ofthe Yadnya or holy ritual performed in Goa.Today a temple of Parashuram exists in Painguinim village of CanaconaTaluka in South Goa and in chipalun also. There is no concrete proofto determine the exact date of the arrival of Saraswats or Parashuramain the area, nor is it conclusively proved that Saraswats or otherAryans were the first to arrive in Konkan.Even if the legends are considered as only myths, the residence ofSaraswat Brahmins in Goa since ancient times along with their familydeities is an undeniable fact. And most probably they arrived in Goaunder the leadership of a towering personality named Parashuram.
posted by KOKANASTH at 12:35 AM
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Tuesday, June 13, 2006
Districts of Maharashtra
DISTRICTS OF MAHARASHTRA
Maharashtra state is made up of 35 districts, which are grouped into six divisions. Population data are from the 2001 Census of
India
Amravati Division 9,941,903
Akola District 1,629,305
Amravati District 2,606,063
Buldhana District or ( Buldana ) 2,226,328
Washim District 1,019,725
Yavatmal District 2,460,482
Aurangabad Division (Marathwada) 15,589,223
Aurangabad District 2,920,548
Beed District 2,159,841
Hingoli District 986,717
Jalna District 1,612,357
Latur District 2,078,237
Nanded District 2,868,158
Osmanabad District 1,472,256
Parbhani District 1,491,109
Konkan Division 24,807,357
Mumbai City District 3,326,837
Mumbai Suburban District 8,587,561
Raigad District 2,205,972
Ratnagiri District 1,696,482
Sindhudurg District 861,672
Thane District 8,128,833
Nashik Division 15,774,064
Ahmednagar District 4,088,077
Dhule District 1,708,993
Jalgaon District 3,679,936
Nandurbar District 1,309,135
Nashik District 4,987,923
Nagpur Division 10,665,939
Bhandara District 1,135,835
Chandrapur District 2,077,909
Gadchiroli District 969,960
Gondiya District 1,200,151
Nagpur District 4,051,444
Wardha District 1,230,640
Pune Division 19,973,761
Kolhapur District 3,515,413
Pune District 7,224,224
Sangli District 2,581,835
Satara District 2,796,906
Solapur District 3,855,383
Konkan or Kokan is also one of six divisions of the state of Maharashtra
The Sanskrit term Konkanashta, meaning "Native of Konkan", is used to refer to the Chitpawan, a Brahmin caste of the region.
Latitude: 15° 36' and 18°05'N
Longitude: 73° 05' and 74° 36'E
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
Maharashtra state is made up of 35 districts, which are grouped into six divisions. Population data are from the 2001 Census of
India Amravati Division 9,941,903
Akola District 1,629,305
Amravati District 2,606,063
Buldhana District or ( Buldana ) 2,226,328
Washim District 1,019,725
Yavatmal District 2,460,482
Aurangabad Division (Marathwada) 15,589,223
Aurangabad District 2,920,548
Beed District 2,159,841
Hingoli District 986,717
Jalna District 1,612,357
Latur District 2,078,237
Nanded District 2,868,158
Osmanabad District 1,472,256
Parbhani District 1,491,109
Konkan Division 24,807,357
Mumbai City District 3,326,837
Mumbai Suburban District 8,587,561
Raigad District 2,205,972
Ratnagiri District 1,696,482
Sindhudurg District 861,672
Thane District 8,128,833
Nashik Division 15,774,064
Ahmednagar District 4,088,077
Dhule District 1,708,993
Jalgaon District 3,679,936
Nandurbar District 1,309,135
Nashik District 4,987,923
Nagpur Division 10,665,939
Bhandara District 1,135,835
Chandrapur District 2,077,909
Gadchiroli District 969,960
Gondiya District 1,200,151
Nagpur District 4,051,444
Wardha District 1,230,640
Pune Division 19,973,761
Kolhapur District 3,515,413
Pune District 7,224,224
Sangli District 2,581,835
Satara District 2,796,906
Solapur District 3,855,383
Konkan or Kokan is also one of six divisions of the state of Maharashtra
Residents of Konkan and their descendants are called Konkanis. The name may also refer specifically to the Konkani people, an ethnic group of the region; most of them speak the Konkani language, which is from the Indo-European family of languages.
The Sanskrit term Konkanashta, meaning "Native of Konkan", is used to refer to the Chitpawan, a Brahmin caste of the region.
Boundaries
The precise definition of Konkan varies, but mostly it includes Maharashtra's districts of Thane, Raigad, Ratnagiri and Sindhudurg, the state of Goa and Mumbai.
The Konkan division
The Konkan division of Maharashtra comprises the entire coastal region of the state, including Mumbai.
Area: 30,746 km²
Population (2001 census): 24,807,357
Districts: Mumbai, Mumbai Suburban, Raigarh, Ratnagiri, Sindhudurg, Thane
Literacy: 81.36%
Area under irrigation: 4,384.54 km²
Area: 30,746 km²
Population (2001 census): 24,807,357
Districts: Mumbai, Mumbai Suburban, Raigarh, Ratnagiri, Sindhudurg, Thane
Literacy: 81.36%
Area under irrigation: 4,384.54 km²
Mumbai
Mumbai City District is a district of Maharashtra. A city district, it has no headquarters or subdivisions. It, along with the Mumbai Suburban District make up the metropolis of Mumbai. The city area is called the "island city" or South Bombay or Old Bombay. It extends from Colaba in the south to Mahim and Sion in the north. Until the 1960s, (1964?) the area was known as Mumbai. Today, Mumbai municipality includes both districts.
This is the most advanced district in Maharashtra. It had a population of 3,338,031 of which 100% were urban as of 2001
This is the most advanced district in Maharashtra. It had a population of 3,338,031 of which 100% were urban as of 2001
Mumbai suburban district 
The Mumbai suburban district is a district of the state of Maharashtra, India. Its headquarters is Bandra (East). It consists of three administrative subdivisions or tehsils: Kurla, Borivali and Andheri. The district along with Mumbai City district make up the metropolis of Mumbai. Total area: 370 sq km.
This is the second-most advanced district in Maharashtra. It had a population of 8,640,419 of which 100% were urban as of 2001.
This is the second-most advanced district in Maharashtra. It had a population of 8,640,419 of which 100% were urban as of 2001.
Raigad District
Raigad District is a district in the Indian state of 
Maharashtra. It is located in the Konkan region. The district was renamed after Raigad, the fort and former capital of the Maratha leader Shivaji, which is located in the interior forests of the district, on a west-facing spur of the Western Ghats or Sahyadri range. The district had a population of 2,207,929 of which 24.22% were urban as of 2001. [1]
The district is bounded by Mumbai Harbour to the northwest, Thane District to the north, Pune District to the east, Ratnagiri District to the south, and the Arabian Sea to the west. It includes the large natural harbor of Pen-Mandwa, which is immediately south of Mumbai Harbour, and forming a single landform with it. Part of the district is included in the planned metropolis of New Bombay, and its port, the Jawaharlal Nehru Port.
The district includes Kashid and Kihim beaches, besides the towns of Mahad and Panvel.
The district also includes the isle of Gharapuri or Elephanta, located in Mumbai Harbor which has ancient Hindu and Buddhist caves.
Maharashtra. It is located in the Konkan region. The district was renamed after Raigad, the fort and former capital of the Maratha leader Shivaji, which is located in the interior forests of the district, on a west-facing spur of the Western Ghats or Sahyadri range. The district had a population of 2,207,929 of which 24.22% were urban as of 2001. [1]The district is bounded by Mumbai Harbour to the northwest, Thane District to the north, Pune District to the east, Ratnagiri District to the south, and the Arabian Sea to the west. It includes the large natural harbor of Pen-Mandwa, which is immediately south of Mumbai Harbour, and forming a single landform with it. Part of the district is included in the planned metropolis of New Bombay, and its port, the Jawaharlal Nehru Port.
The district includes Kashid and Kihim beaches, besides the towns of Mahad and Panvel.
The district also includes the isle of Gharapuri or Elephanta, located in Mumbai Harbor which has ancient Hindu and Buddhist caves.
History
The district was called Colaba or Kulaba during British rule, a name that is derived from it ancient form, and which means the "Land of the Koli". The Koli are an adivasi, or tribal people.
Later the district was renamed to Alibaug, after the Muslim African principality of Murud-Janjira was merged into it after 1947; the town of Alibaug is the largest urban settlement and the capital of the district.
The fort of Murud was being built by minor Koli chieftains as part of their defense against piracy when, by a stratagem, Siddis (African Muslims from Somalia), slaves and employees of the Bahamani Sultanate, seized it and made it their headquarters.
The tiny Muslim state of Murud-Janjira withstood attempts by many local powers, such as the Portuguese, English, Marathas, etc. to seize it but was never conquered. It allied at different times with different powers, often with the Mughal Empire and thrived off piracy. The Siddis even attempted to seize Bombay from England, and actually succeeded in overwhelming the English force but were driven out by a militia organized by a Parsi settler from among the natives who had immigrated from Surat. Finally, it entered the system of subsidiary alliance with Britain, becoming a princely state of British India, in which condition it remained until 1947, when it acceded to newly-independent India.
Later the district was renamed to Alibaug, after the Muslim African principality of Murud-Janjira was merged into it after 1947; the town of Alibaug is the largest urban settlement and the capital of the district.
The fort of Murud was being built by minor Koli chieftains as part of their defense against piracy when, by a stratagem, Siddis (African Muslims from Somalia), slaves and employees of the Bahamani Sultanate, seized it and made it their headquarters.
The tiny Muslim state of Murud-Janjira withstood attempts by many local powers, such as the Portuguese, English, Marathas, etc. to seize it but was never conquered. It allied at different times with different powers, often with the Mughal Empire and thrived off piracy. The Siddis even attempted to seize Bombay from England, and actually succeeded in overwhelming the English force but were driven out by a militia organized by a Parsi settler from among the natives who had immigrated from Surat. Finally, it entered the system of subsidiary alliance with Britain, becoming a princely state of British India, in which condition it remained until 1947, when it acceded to newly-independent India.
Thane District
Thane (formerly Thana) is a city in Maharashtra, India, part of the Mumbai Conurbation, northeast of Mumbai at the head of the Thane Creek. It is the administrative headquarters of Thane District.
Thane (pronounced Thaanai by the locals) is a district in northern Maharashtra in India. The capital of the district is the city of Thane. Other major cities in the region are Navi Mumbai (formerly New Bombay), Kalyan-Dombivli, Mira-Bhayander, Bhiwandi, Ulhasnagar,Ambernath, Kulgaon-Badlapur, Dahanu, Shahapur, Wada and Vasai-Virar. This is the third-most advanced district in Maharashtra. It had a population of 8,131,849 of which 72.58% were urban as of 2001. [1] Thane comprises of 13 talukas. The southern talukas are the location of urban areas and hence urban Indians while the western coastal region is mostly populated by Kolis, Marathi and Gujaratis. The northern and the eastern talukas are populated by the Warli tribes, known for making stark images from red mud on house walls.
Brief History
The name "Thane" is said to be derived from Sthan or Sthanaka, the capital of the Shilahara kings of Konkan. It is currently the headquarters of Thane district. The earlist evidence of Thane appears in the works of the Greek geographer, Ptolemy, who, in his writings (135-150) refers to a place called Chersonesus, which, according to researches, is the area around Thane creek. Slabs and copper plates dating back to the middle ages have also been discovered in Thane. Venetian traveller Marco Polo also visited Thane in 1290. He describes the city as a great kingdom, which apparently had a well-developed port, for he mentions a continuous traffic of ships, and merchants trading and exporting leather, buckram, cotton, and importing horses. The Portuguese came to Thane about 1530 and ruled for over 200 years till 1739. Thane was then known as Cacabe de Tana. Work on the Thane Fort began in 1730. The Marathas, who conquered Bassein and Thane in 1737 and 1739, held sway over the region till 1784, when the British captured the Fort and ruled Thane, then also called Tana. They made it the headquarters of the district administration with a district collector stationed in Thane. The Thane Municipal Council was formed in 1863 when the city had a population of 9000. The first railway train in India ran from Bombay VT (Now Mumbai CST, See Mumbai) to Thana in 1853. Thane (or Thana) literally means "station" in Marathi the local language. It was the only railway station besides Victoria Terminus. After India's independence, Thane grew slowly and became an industrial town in the '60s and '70s. There was also a corresponding growth in trade, transport and construction activities, which picked up tremendously in the '80s. Once considered as the 'ugly twin' of Mumbai, today Thane outshines Mumbai cvbcvin its planning and neatness. Even as it develops at a fast pace, Thane, is also known as the City of Lakes, is still plagued with overcrowding and commuting problems.
History
The city of Thane is situated on the western banks of Thane creek with Parsik hills on the east and Yeour hills on the west. The creek not only provides a natural protection to the place but has also facilitated transport of big and small ships since ancient times. This has also acted as an impetus for the development of local and international trade since the pre-historic times. Besides being the stamping ground of the pre-historic tribes, Thane city has a rich cultural heritage, mythological background, and has been home to many events of historical importance. The history of Thane city can be broadly categorized into 5 eras. Vedic period to 1300. : Comprising of Hindu or ancient period, Aparant, Silhara and Bimba dynasties. 1300 –1660: Muslim and Portuguese rule. 1660-1800: Maratha and Portuguese rule. 1800-1947: British Rule. 1947-till date : Independent India. ‘Aparant’ is the ancient name of the geographical area hosting Thane city. During the Indian expedition of the Greek Emperor Alexander, a number of philosophers, historians and geographists visited India. Among them a Greek historian ‘Tolemi’ has mentioned about the city of Thane in his writings. In the 9th century the city, know as Shreesthanak, was the capital of the Silhara dynasty. The Silharas ruled thane from 810 to 1260. A place called ‘Ghodbunder’ was famous for horse trading thus deriving its name from the word ghoda i.e. horse and bunder meaning port. During this period a fabric called ‘Tansi’ was exported from Thane. The Silhara emperors were disciples of Lord Shiva, and the Kopineshwar Temple was built during their reign. During this period, due to the secular attitude and tolerance of Silharas towards different religions, people from diverse communities including Parsis, Christians, Muslims and Jews settled down in Thane, creating a cosmopolitan city. At this time the Silharas also divided the city into different sections and named them as ‘padas’. These padas exist today, in the names of Naupada, Patlipada, Agripada etc. In the earlier part of the 12th century with a view to create a new township, King Bimbadev, alongwith 66 segments of his community came over and settled in Thane. The explorer Marco Polo visited Thane in 1290 and noted it to be one of the best cities in the world. In 1480 Sultan Mahmud Begara of Gujarat made Thane the capital of his ‘Subha’ Province. The Portuguese ruled Thane for over 200 years from 1530 to 1739. During this period Thane was known as “Kalabe De Tana”. St. John the Baptist Church was constructed in Thane in 1663. Construction of the Thane Killa (Fort) was started in 1730. In 1737 the Maratha general Chimaji Appa the planned the conquest of Vasai (Portuguese Baçaim), and on March 28 1738 the Marathas conquered the Thane Killa. The fort is presently being used as Thane Central Jail. In 1744 the British conquered Thane city and its fort. The famous Kopineshwar Temple was renovated in 1760. In 1778 the palatial residence of the Peshwas was converted into the Court building. In the year 1780 Keshavji Sorabji Rustomji Patel constructed the first Parsi Agyari in Thane. The first District Court was established in 1803. The first railway train ran on April 16 1853 from Boribunder to Thane. The Thane Borough Municipality was established on March 10 1863. The first newspaper in Thane was launched in the year 1866. Different Marathi magazines like Arunodaya, Survodaya, Vakilancha Sathi, Nyaylahari, Manohar, Dyanapradip, Dyanadipika were seen to be in circulation thus showing the importance of the print media during that period. In the year 1880 the Thane Borough Municipality spent Rs. 12,960 on construction of the Pokharan Lake, to supply the town with drinking water. This prestigious project was inaugurated by the then Governor of Bombay Presidency, Sir Ferguson James. The first elections of the Municipality were conducted in 1885. The first census took place in the year 1881 and the population of Thane at the time was 14,456. The Jain temple of Thane was built in 1879. The first ever English medium school was started in 1821 and was named as ‘Thane English School’. In the year 1893, the first Marathi Library was established. In 1896 the birth anniversary of Shivaji Maharaj was celebrated for the first time in Thane. In June 1897 Lokmanya Tilak visited Thane. On April 19 1910 freedom fighters Veer Anant Laxman Kanhere, Gopal Krishnaji Karve, and Vinayak Narayan Deshpande were hanged to death in the Central Jail for killing the Nasik District Collector Jackson. In 1938 freedom fighter Veer Savarkar was fêted by the citizens of Thane after his release from the British confinement. In 1920 a road near Masunda lake was named after Dr. F.A. Moose for the commemorative service during the epidemic of plague. A reputed citizen of Thane Shri Vithal Sayanna’s son Divan Bahadur Narayan Sayanna reconstructed the Civil Hospital building in 1935. India's Independence day, August 15 1947, was celebrated in Thane by bringing down the British Union Jack and hoisting the tri-coloured flag of India at the hands of a freedom fighter Shri Nanasaheb Joshi at the District Collector’s Office. With a view to preserve the rich cultural heritage of Thane, the Thane Municipal Council constructed Rangayatan, a drama theatre, named after the Marathi writer Shri Ram Ganesh Gadkari. The theatre has been hosting different plays and cultural programmes since. The Thane Municipal Corporation was established on 1 October 1982. It had a population of 790,000 as per the 1991 census. The population has reached to about 1,400,000 in the year 2003. The Thane Municipal Corporation has undertaken many development projects and schemes since 1982. One of major projects is the Integrated Road Development Project. Taking in view the all round infrastructural development which has recently taken place in Thane , the Govt. of India conferred the prestigious ‘Clean City Award’ to Thane in the year 2000.
Thane (formerly Thana) is a city in Maharashtra, India, part of the Mumbai Conurbation, northeast of Mumbai at the head of the Thane Creek. It is the administrative headquarters of Thane District.
Thane (pronounced Thaanai by the locals) is a district in northern Maharashtra in India. The capital of the district is the city of Thane. Other major cities in the region are Navi Mumbai (formerly New Bombay), Kalyan-Dombivli, Mira-Bhayander, Bhiwandi, Ulhasnagar,Ambernath, Kulgaon-Badlapur, Dahanu, Shahapur, Wada and Vasai-Virar. This is the third-most advanced district in Maharashtra. It had a population of 8,131,849 of which 72.58% were urban as of 2001. [1] Thane comprises of 13 talukas. The southern talukas are the location of urban areas and hence urban Indians while the western coastal region is mostly populated by Kolis, Marathi and Gujaratis. The northern and the eastern talukas are populated by the Warli tribes, known for making stark images from red mud on house walls.
Brief History
The name "Thane" is said to be derived from Sthan or Sthanaka, the capital of the Shilahara kings of Konkan. It is currently the headquarters of Thane district. The earlist evidence of Thane appears in the works of the Greek geographer, Ptolemy, who, in his writings (135-150) refers to a place called Chersonesus, which, according to researches, is the area around Thane creek. Slabs and copper plates dating back to the middle ages have also been discovered in Thane. Venetian traveller Marco Polo also visited Thane in 1290. He describes the city as a great kingdom, which apparently had a well-developed port, for he mentions a continuous traffic of ships, and merchants trading and exporting leather, buckram, cotton, and importing horses. The Portuguese came to Thane about 1530 and ruled for over 200 years till 1739. Thane was then known as Cacabe de Tana. Work on the Thane Fort began in 1730. The Marathas, who conquered Bassein and Thane in 1737 and 1739, held sway over the region till 1784, when the British captured the Fort and ruled Thane, then also called Tana. They made it the headquarters of the district administration with a district collector stationed in Thane. The Thane Municipal Council was formed in 1863 when the city had a population of 9000. The first railway train in India ran from Bombay VT (Now Mumbai CST, See Mumbai) to Thana in 1853. Thane (or Thana) literally means "station" in Marathi the local language. It was the only railway station besides Victoria Terminus. After India's independence, Thane grew slowly and became an industrial town in the '60s and '70s. There was also a corresponding growth in trade, transport and construction activities, which picked up tremendously in the '80s. Once considered as the 'ugly twin' of Mumbai, today Thane outshines Mumbai cvbcvin its planning and neatness. Even as it develops at a fast pace, Thane, is also known as the City of Lakes, is still plagued with overcrowding and commuting problems.
History
The city of Thane is situated on the western banks of Thane creek with Parsik hills on the east and Yeour hills on the west. The creek not only provides a natural protection to the place but has also facilitated transport of big and small ships since ancient times. This has also acted as an impetus for the development of local and international trade since the pre-historic times. Besides being the stamping ground of the pre-historic tribes, Thane city has a rich cultural heritage, mythological background, and has been home to many events of historical importance. The history of Thane city can be broadly categorized into 5 eras. Vedic period to 1300. : Comprising of Hindu or ancient period, Aparant, Silhara and Bimba dynasties. 1300 –1660: Muslim and Portuguese rule. 1660-1800: Maratha and Portuguese rule. 1800-1947: British Rule. 1947-till date : Independent India. ‘Aparant’ is the ancient name of the geographical area hosting Thane city. During the Indian expedition of the Greek Emperor Alexander, a number of philosophers, historians and geographists visited India. Among them a Greek historian ‘Tolemi’ has mentioned about the city of Thane in his writings. In the 9th century the city, know as Shreesthanak, was the capital of the Silhara dynasty. The Silharas ruled thane from 810 to 1260. A place called ‘Ghodbunder’ was famous for horse trading thus deriving its name from the word ghoda i.e. horse and bunder meaning port. During this period a fabric called ‘Tansi’ was exported from Thane. The Silhara emperors were disciples of Lord Shiva, and the Kopineshwar Temple was built during their reign. During this period, due to the secular attitude and tolerance of Silharas towards different religions, people from diverse communities including Parsis, Christians, Muslims and Jews settled down in Thane, creating a cosmopolitan city. At this time the Silharas also divided the city into different sections and named them as ‘padas’. These padas exist today, in the names of Naupada, Patlipada, Agripada etc. In the earlier part of the 12th century with a view to create a new township, King Bimbadev, alongwith 66 segments of his community came over and settled in Thane. The explorer Marco Polo visited Thane in 1290 and noted it to be one of the best cities in the world. In 1480 Sultan Mahmud Begara of Gujarat made Thane the capital of his ‘Subha’ Province. The Portuguese ruled Thane for over 200 years from 1530 to 1739. During this period Thane was known as “Kalabe De Tana”. St. John the Baptist Church was constructed in Thane in 1663. Construction of the Thane Killa (Fort) was started in 1730. In 1737 the Maratha general Chimaji Appa the planned the conquest of Vasai (Portuguese Baçaim), and on March 28 1738 the Marathas conquered the Thane Killa. The fort is presently being used as Thane Central Jail. In 1744 the British conquered Thane city and its fort. The famous Kopineshwar Temple was renovated in 1760. In 1778 the palatial residence of the Peshwas was converted into the Court building. In the year 1780 Keshavji Sorabji Rustomji Patel constructed the first Parsi Agyari in Thane. The first District Court was established in 1803. The first railway train ran on April 16 1853 from Boribunder to Thane. The Thane Borough Municipality was established on March 10 1863. The first newspaper in Thane was launched in the year 1866. Different Marathi magazines like Arunodaya, Survodaya, Vakilancha Sathi, Nyaylahari, Manohar, Dyanapradip, Dyanadipika were seen to be in circulation thus showing the importance of the print media during that period. In the year 1880 the Thane Borough Municipality spent Rs. 12,960 on construction of the Pokharan Lake, to supply the town with drinking water. This prestigious project was inaugurated by the then Governor of Bombay Presidency, Sir Ferguson James. The first elections of the Municipality were conducted in 1885. The first census took place in the year 1881 and the population of Thane at the time was 14,456. The Jain temple of Thane was built in 1879. The first ever English medium school was started in 1821 and was named as ‘Thane English School’. In the year 1893, the first Marathi Library was established. In 1896 the birth anniversary of Shivaji Maharaj was celebrated for the first time in Thane. In June 1897 Lokmanya Tilak visited Thane. On April 19 1910 freedom fighters Veer Anant Laxman Kanhere, Gopal Krishnaji Karve, and Vinayak Narayan Deshpande were hanged to death in the Central Jail for killing the Nasik District Collector Jackson. In 1938 freedom fighter Veer Savarkar was fêted by the citizens of Thane after his release from the British confinement. In 1920 a road near Masunda lake was named after Dr. F.A. Moose for the commemorative service during the epidemic of plague. A reputed citizen of Thane Shri Vithal Sayanna’s son Divan Bahadur Narayan Sayanna reconstructed the Civil Hospital building in 1935. India's Independence day, August 15 1947, was celebrated in Thane by bringing down the British Union Jack and hoisting the tri-coloured flag of India at the hands of a freedom fighter Shri Nanasaheb Joshi at the District Collector’s Office. With a view to preserve the rich cultural heritage of Thane, the Thane Municipal Council constructed Rangayatan, a drama theatre, named after the Marathi writer Shri Ram Ganesh Gadkari. The theatre has been hosting different plays and cultural programmes since. The Thane Municipal Corporation was established on 1 October 1982. It had a population of 790,000 as per the 1991 census. The population has reached to about 1,400,000 in the year 2003. The Thane Municipal Corporation has undertaken many development projects and schemes since 1982. One of major projects is the Integrated Road Development Project. Taking in view the all round infrastructural development which has recently taken place in Thane , the Govt. of India conferred the prestigious ‘Clean City Award’ to Thane in the year 2000.
Ratnagiri District
Ratnagiri is a city 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.
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.
Ratnagiri is a district in Maharashtra, India. Ratnagiri 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. It is the third-most backward district in Maharashtra. The district is 11.33% urban
Adjoining districts: West: Arabian Sea; south: Sindhudurg district; east: Satara, Sangli, Kolhapur districts; north: Raigad district
General information
Latitude: 15° 36' and 18°05'N
Longitude: 73° 05' and 74° 36'E
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
Population: 1,696,777 (2001)
Literacy: 65.13% (2001)
Urbanization: 11.33% (2001)
Literacy: 65.13% (2001)
Urbanization: 11.33% (2001)
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.
Sindhudurg District
Sindhudurg (सिंधुदूर्ग in Marathi) is an administrative district in the state of Maharashtra in India, which was carved out of the erstwhile Ratnagiri district. The district headquarters are located at Oros (ओरोस). The district occupies an area of 5207 km² and has a population of 868,825 of which 9.47% were urban (as of 2001). [1] The district is named for the fort of Sindhudurg (which means "fort in the sea"), which lies on a rocky island just off the coast of Malvan (मालवण). It is the second-most backward district in Maharashtra
Location
Sindhudurg is bordered on the north by Ratnagiri District, on the south by the state of Goa, on the west by the Arabian Sea, and to the east across the crest of the Western Ghats or Sayadhris is Kolhapur District. Sindhudurg is part of Konkan (coastal) region, a narrow coastal plain in western Maharashtra which lies between the Western Ghats and the Arabian Sea.
Climate
Sindhudurg has a semi-tropical climate and remains warm and humid in most of the year. It has three clear seasons : Rainy (June - Septemeber), winter(October-January) and Summer(February-May). Temperatures vary between Max. 32°C and Min. 21°C. South-west monsoon winds bring heavy rains (average rainfall 2482.10 mm.
Major crops are : Rice, Mango, Cashew, Coconut, Vari, Nachani, Groundnut, Jackfruit, Beetlenut and spices.
Major crops are : Rice, Mango, Cashew, Coconut, Vari, Nachani, Groundnut, Jackfruit, Beetlenut and spices.
People
The people of Sindhudurg District mostly speak Malvani, though Marathi and English are also spoken. Cities in the district include Sawantvadi, Kudal, Oros, Kankavli, Devgad, Vengurla and Malvan. Smaller towns include Nerur, Katta, Kalse, Banda and the hill resort of Amboli.
Cuisine
The cuisine of the district is popularly known as Malvani cuisine. Coconut, Rice and fish assume prime significance in the Malavani cuisine. Sea-food containing fish (especially Bangada, Paplet), prawns, Bombil (shells) and crab is very popular food of the people here. "Kombdi Vade", a chicken savoury, is the most popular dish here. Others include Ukadya Tandulachi Pej (उकड्या तांदुळाची पेज - a semi-fluid boiled preparation made of brown-red rice variety) and Sol Kadhi (सोल कढी - A preparation made of Aamsul आमसुल and coconut milk).
Mango आंबा assumes a major factor to the life of Sindhudurg, in fact whole of Konkan. Varieties of Alphonso Mango (हापुस आंबा ) from Devgad are particularly popular. Other varieties of mango: Mankur(मानकुर), Pāyari (पायरी) and Karel (करेल - used for preparing Mango Pickle) are also popular for their distinct taste.
Mango आंबा assumes a major factor to the life of Sindhudurg, in fact whole of Konkan. Varieties of Alphonso Mango (हापुस आंबा ) from Devgad are particularly popular. Other varieties of mango: Mankur(मानकुर), Pāyari (पायरी) and Karel (करेल - used for preparing Mango Pickle) are also popular for their distinct taste.
कोकणी
Typical Konkani words
Typical Konkani words
साकव
फुलपात्र
बडगे (बारीक चवळ्या)पडवी
माड
गडगा , चिरे
पंचक्रोशी
कुकारा
तर
बाव
माचा (साधा पलंग)
व्हाळ
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START (सुरुवात )
MAHARASHTRA STATE
Geographical Profile
The word Maharashtra, the land of the Marathi speaking people, appears to be derived from Maharashtri, an old form of Prakrit. Some believe that the word indicates that it was the land of the Mahars and the Rattas, while others consider it to be a corruption of the term 'Maha Kantara' (the Great Forest), a synonym for 'Dandakaranya'.
The Land
Located in the north centre of Peninsular India, with a command of the Arabian Sea through its port of Mumbai, Maharashtra has a remarkable physical homogeneity, enforced by its underlying geology. The dominant physical trait of the state is its plateau character. The Maharashtra Desh is a plateau of plateaux, its western upturned rims rising to form the Sahyadri Range and its slopes gently descending towards the east and southeast. The major rivers and their master tributaries have carved the plateaux into alternating broad-river valleys and intervening higher lever interfluves, such as the Ahmednagar, Buldana, and Yavatmal plateaux.
The Sahyadri Range is the physical backbone of Maharashtra. Rising on an average to an elevation of 1000m. it falls in steep cliffs, to the Konkan on the west. Eastwards, the hill country falls in steps through a transitional area known as Mawal to the plateau level. The series of crowning plateaux on the crest forms a distinctive feature of the Sahyadri Range.
The Konkan, lying between the Arabian Sea and the Sahyadri Range is narrow coastal lowland, barely 50 km. wide. Though mostly below 200 m., it is far from being a plain country. Highly dissected and broken, the Konkan alternates between narrow, steep-sided valleys and low laterite plateaux.
The Satpudas, hills along the northern border, and the Bhamragad-Chiroli-Gaikhuri Ranges on the eastern border form physical barriers preventing easy movement, but also serve as natural limits to the state.
The Sahyadri Range is the physical backbone of Maharashtra. Rising on an average to an elevation of 1000m. it falls in steep cliffs, to the Konkan on the west. Eastwards, the hill country falls in steps through a transitional area known as Mawal to the plateau level. The series of crowning plateaux on the crest forms a distinctive feature of the Sahyadri Range.
The Konkan, lying between the Arabian Sea and the Sahyadri Range is narrow coastal lowland, barely 50 km. wide. Though mostly below 200 m., it is far from being a plain country. Highly dissected and broken, the Konkan alternates between narrow, steep-sided valleys and low laterite plateaux.
The Satpudas, hills along the northern border, and the Bhamragad-Chiroli-Gaikhuri Ranges on the eastern border form physical barriers preventing easy movement, but also serve as natural limits to the state.
Geology and Topography
Except around Mumbai, and along the eastern limits, the State of Maharashtra presents a monotonously uniform, flat-topped skyline. This topography of the state is the outcome of its geological structure. The state area, barring the extreme eastern Vidarbha region, parts of Kolhapur and Sindhudurg, is practically co-terminous with the Deccan Traps. Roughly 60 to 90 million years ago, the outpouring of basic lava through fissures formed horizontally bedded basalt over large areas. Variations in their composition and structure have resulted in massive, well-jointed steel-grey cliff faces alternating with structural benches of vesicular amygdaloid lava and ash layers, all of which contribute to the pyramida-shaped hills and crest-level plateaux or mesas. Earth sculpturing under the tropical climate completed the panorama-sharply defining the landform features in the semi-arid conditions, and rounding the hilltops under wetter condition. Fluvial action by the Krishna, Bhima, Godavari, Tapi-Purna and Wardha-Wainganga river systems has further aided in the compartmentalisation of the Desh into broad, open river valleys, alternating with plateau interfluves, that form the ribs of the Sahyadrian backbone. In sharp contrast, the hill torrents of the Konkan, barely a 100 km. long, tumble down as roaring streams which flow in deeply entrenched valleys to terminate in tidal estuaries.
Climate
The state enjoys a tropical monsoon climate; the hot scorching summer from March onwards yields to the rainy monsoon in early June. The rich green cover of the monsoon season persists during the mild winter that follows through an unpleasant October transition, but turns into a dusty, barren brown as the summer sets in again. The seasonal rains from the western sea-clouds are very heavy and the rainfall is over 400 cm., on the Sahyadrian crests. The Konkan on the windward side is also endowed with heavy rainfall, declining northwards. East of the Sahyadri, the rainfall diminishes to a meagre 70 cm. in the western plateau districts, with Solapur-Ahmednagar lying in the heart of the dry zone. The rains increase slightly, later in the season, eastwards in the Marathwada and Vidarbha regions.
The highly pulsatory character of the monsoon, with its short spells of rainy weather and long dry breaks, floods, as well as droughts add much to the discomfort of the rural economy.
The highly pulsatory character of the monsoon, with its short spells of rainy weather and long dry breaks, floods, as well as droughts add much to the discomfort of the rural economy.
Resources
Forests comprising only 17% of the state area cover the eastern region and the Sahyadri Range, while open scrub jungle dots the plateaux. If Maharashtra represented the Maha Kantara in the historic past, today little of it is left; vast sections have been denuded and stripped of the vegetal cover.
The soils of Maharashtra are residual, derived from the underlying basalts. In the semi-dry plateau, the regur (black-cotton soil) is clayey, rich in iron, but poor in nitrogen and organic matter; it is moisture-retentive. Where redeposited along the river valleys, those kali soils are deeper and heavier, better suited for rabi crops. Farther away, with a better mixture of lime, the morand soils form the ideal Kharif zone. The higher plateau areas have pather soils, which contain more gravel. In the rainy Konkan, and the Sahyadri Range, the same basalts give rise to the brick-red laterites productive under a forest-cover, but readily stripped into a sterile varkas when the vegetation is removed. By and large, soils of Maharashtra are shallow and somewhat poor.
Water is the most precious natural resource of the state, greatly in the demand, and most unevenly distributed. A large number of villages lack drinking water, especially during the summer months, even in the wet Konkan. Barely 11% of the net sown area is irrigated. Perched water tables in the basalt aquifers have contributed to increased well irrigation, which accounts for approximately 55% of the irrigable water. The granitic-gneissic terrain in the eastern hilly area of Vidarbha accounts for all tank irrigation. Tube-wells in the Tapi-Purna alluvium and shallow wells in the coastal sands are the other main sources of water.
The mineral-bearing zones of Maharashtra lie beyond the area of the basalts in eastern Vidarbha, southern Kolhapur and the Sindhudurg area. The Chandrapur, Gadchirali, Bhandara and Nagpur Districts form the main mineral belt, with coal and manganese as the major minerals and iron ore and limestone as potential wealth. The Ratnagiri coast contains sizeable deposits of illimenite.
The soils of Maharashtra are residual, derived from the underlying basalts. In the semi-dry plateau, the regur (black-cotton soil) is clayey, rich in iron, but poor in nitrogen and organic matter; it is moisture-retentive. Where redeposited along the river valleys, those kali soils are deeper and heavier, better suited for rabi crops. Farther away, with a better mixture of lime, the morand soils form the ideal Kharif zone. The higher plateau areas have pather soils, which contain more gravel. In the rainy Konkan, and the Sahyadri Range, the same basalts give rise to the brick-red laterites productive under a forest-cover, but readily stripped into a sterile varkas when the vegetation is removed. By and large, soils of Maharashtra are shallow and somewhat poor.
Water is the most precious natural resource of the state, greatly in the demand, and most unevenly distributed. A large number of villages lack drinking water, especially during the summer months, even in the wet Konkan. Barely 11% of the net sown area is irrigated. Perched water tables in the basalt aquifers have contributed to increased well irrigation, which accounts for approximately 55% of the irrigable water. The granitic-gneissic terrain in the eastern hilly area of Vidarbha accounts for all tank irrigation. Tube-wells in the Tapi-Purna alluvium and shallow wells in the coastal sands are the other main sources of water.
The mineral-bearing zones of Maharashtra lie beyond the area of the basalts in eastern Vidarbha, southern Kolhapur and the Sindhudurg area. The Chandrapur, Gadchirali, Bhandara and Nagpur Districts form the main mineral belt, with coal and manganese as the major minerals and iron ore and limestone as potential wealth. The Ratnagiri coast contains sizeable deposits of illimenite.
PRINCIPAL CITIES
Principal Cities
In contrast to the agrarian economy that characterises India, Maharashtra stands out, with the highest level of urbanisation of all Indian states. The mountainous topography and soil are not as suitable for intensive agriculture as the plains of North India; therefore, the proportion of the urban population (38.69 per cent) contrasts starkly with the national average (25.7 per cent).
The state has one metropolitan city, two mini-metropolises and many large towns. Mumbai is the state capital, with a population of approximately 9.926 million people. The other large cities are Pune, Nasik, Nagpur, Aurangabad and Kolhapur.
The state has one metropolitan city, two mini-metropolises and many large towns. Mumbai is the state capital, with a population of approximately 9.926 million people. The other large cities are Pune, Nasik, Nagpur, Aurangabad and Kolhapur.
Mumbai - The Gateway of India
The earliest inhabitants of the seven islands of Mumbai were the Kolis, a fishing community. They called the islands "Mumba-aiee (mother Mumba)" out of a reverence for Mumbadevi, their patron deity. Over history, the seven islands were linked and conglomerated, forming a city which commands the currency and commerce of India.
The origins of modern Mumbai hark back to 1662, when Catherine of Braganza, the sister of the King of Portugal, married Charles the II. The Portuguese, who then ruled the islands, included them as part of the wedding dowry. In 1668, when the coffers of England were almost empty, Charles the II sold his dowry to the East India Company, a trading venture, which fully appreciated Mumbai’s natural advantages; a magnificent harbour sheltered from the monsoon winds encouraged the Company to shift its headquarters from Surat to Mumbai. The Company established docks, a printing press and a mint and invited rich merchants and ship builders to the city, promising freedom of worship. Armenians, Gujaratis, Parsis, Jews and Christians soon arrived, giving Mumbai its cosmopolitan character and the work ethic which survives even today.
Mumbai is the financial and commercial capital of India. It has the largest proportion of taxpayers in India and its share markets transact almost 70 per cent of the country’s stocks.
Mumbai offers a lifestyle that is rich, cosmopolitan and diverse, with a variety of food, entertainment and nightlife available in a form and abundance comparable to that in world capitals.
The largest number of Victorian buildings in the world are juxtaposed with some of the most modern. Four golf courses, speciality race courses and polo grounds, numerous cricket arenas and facilities for other sports - ranging from bridge to chess and billiards - are available at clubs across the city.
The world famous Prince of Wales Museum houses an exquisite collection of Rajput and Mughal miniatures, as well as rare pieces of Tibetan, Japanese and Chinese art. Mumbai is the home of the Hindi film industry, known as Bollywood, distinguished by prolific records in production. Cinemas showing the newest films from the West, theatres with Indian and English plays and dance and music performances can be seen in auditoria all across the city.
Mumbai has dynamic transportation links with the rest of India and the world. The trading ports, Mumbai and Nhava Sheva, offer connections with major ports worldwide. The international airport at Sahar (recently renamed Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport) and the domestic terminal at Santa Cruz (also called Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Airport) receive major airlines of the world, as well as the services of domestic airlines. The Western, Central and Harbour railway lines connect the city to distant suburbs and destinations across India, while the BEST (Bombay Electrical Supply and Transport) buses provide services relied on by 9.926 million people in Mumbai.
The origins of modern Mumbai hark back to 1662, when Catherine of Braganza, the sister of the King of Portugal, married Charles the II. The Portuguese, who then ruled the islands, included them as part of the wedding dowry. In 1668, when the coffers of England were almost empty, Charles the II sold his dowry to the East India Company, a trading venture, which fully appreciated Mumbai’s natural advantages; a magnificent harbour sheltered from the monsoon winds encouraged the Company to shift its headquarters from Surat to Mumbai. The Company established docks, a printing press and a mint and invited rich merchants and ship builders to the city, promising freedom of worship. Armenians, Gujaratis, Parsis, Jews and Christians soon arrived, giving Mumbai its cosmopolitan character and the work ethic which survives even today.
Mumbai is the financial and commercial capital of India. It has the largest proportion of taxpayers in India and its share markets transact almost 70 per cent of the country’s stocks.
Mumbai offers a lifestyle that is rich, cosmopolitan and diverse, with a variety of food, entertainment and nightlife available in a form and abundance comparable to that in world capitals.
The largest number of Victorian buildings in the world are juxtaposed with some of the most modern. Four golf courses, speciality race courses and polo grounds, numerous cricket arenas and facilities for other sports - ranging from bridge to chess and billiards - are available at clubs across the city.
The world famous Prince of Wales Museum houses an exquisite collection of Rajput and Mughal miniatures, as well as rare pieces of Tibetan, Japanese and Chinese art. Mumbai is the home of the Hindi film industry, known as Bollywood, distinguished by prolific records in production. Cinemas showing the newest films from the West, theatres with Indian and English plays and dance and music performances can be seen in auditoria all across the city.
Mumbai has dynamic transportation links with the rest of India and the world. The trading ports, Mumbai and Nhava Sheva, offer connections with major ports worldwide. The international airport at Sahar (recently renamed Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport) and the domestic terminal at Santa Cruz (also called Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Airport) receive major airlines of the world, as well as the services of domestic airlines. The Western, Central and Harbour railway lines connect the city to distant suburbs and destinations across India, while the BEST (Bombay Electrical Supply and Transport) buses provide services relied on by 9.926 million people in Mumbai.
Pune
Pune, the second largest city in Maharashtra, is the state's cultural capital, with a population of 2.5 million people. About 170-km from Mumbai by road, Pune was the bastion of the Maratha empire. Under the reign of the Peshwas - key ministers in the Maratha Empire - Pune blossomed into a centre of art and learning. Several far-reaching revenue and judicial reforms were also initiated in the city.
The British developed Pune as a military town when they captured it in 1818. Educational institutes there include the College of Military. Engineering and the University of Pune, which offers a diverse choice of engineering, agriculture and technical courses.
A number of industries were located in Pune after Independence, as the city had well-connected road and rail links and a pool of technical and professional personnel.
Bajaj Auto, the world’s largest manufacturer of scooters and three wheelers, TELCO (Tata Electric and Locomotive Company), the manufacturer of India’s primary commercial vehicles and trucks, and the luxury car-maker, Mercedes Benz are located here. Software companies are the newest entrants into Pune's vibrant atmosphere. With the setting up of these new industries, there has been a corresponding increase in both the population and standards of lifestyle; today Pune is rapidly maturing into a prime industrial town, while retaining all its old charm, a unique blend of British and Maratha influences.
The British developed Pune as a military town when they captured it in 1818. Educational institutes there include the College of Military. Engineering and the University of Pune, which offers a diverse choice of engineering, agriculture and technical courses.
A number of industries were located in Pune after Independence, as the city had well-connected road and rail links and a pool of technical and professional personnel.
Bajaj Auto, the world’s largest manufacturer of scooters and three wheelers, TELCO (Tata Electric and Locomotive Company), the manufacturer of India’s primary commercial vehicles and trucks, and the luxury car-maker, Mercedes Benz are located here. Software companies are the newest entrants into Pune's vibrant atmosphere. With the setting up of these new industries, there has been a corresponding increase in both the population and standards of lifestyle; today Pune is rapidly maturing into a prime industrial town, while retaining all its old charm, a unique blend of British and Maratha influences.
Nasik
One of the holy cities of the Hindu tradition, Nashik lies on the banks of the sacred river Godavari and has a population of about 0.725 million people. It is believed that Lord Rama, hero of the great Indian epic, the Ramayana, spent a major part of his exile here. Nashik is also a temple town, with over 200 temples.
Nashik is located at a distance of 195 km from Mumbai by road on the Bombay-Agra highway. It is also a major pilgrimage centre. The greatest event in Nashik is the sacred Kumbha Mela, held to commemorate a mythological story. The mela (a religious carnival) occurs every 12 years (equal to one day for the gods) and attracts millions of people from India and abroad. This event is held alternately at Nashik, Hardwar, Ujjain and Allahabad, which are among the major pilgrimage centres in the country.
Nashik is located at a distance of 195 km from Mumbai by road on the Bombay-Agra highway. It is also a major pilgrimage centre. The greatest event in Nashik is the sacred Kumbha Mela, held to commemorate a mythological story. The mela (a religious carnival) occurs every 12 years (equal to one day for the gods) and attracts millions of people from India and abroad. This event is held alternately at Nashik, Hardwar, Ujjain and Allahabad, which are among the major pilgrimage centres in the country.
Nagpur
The nerve centre of Vidarbha (eastern Maharashtra), Nagpur - the 'orange city' as it is known - is located in the heart of India, with a population of about 1.7 million people. It is dotted with many picturesque sites, including the civil lines and well-laid-out gardens. Nagpur has much to offer by way of relaxation. It was the old capital of the Bhonsale rulers, the former Central Provinces and Berar. The city is noted for its antiquity and is about 868 km from Mumbai by road.
Nagpur is a growing industrial centre and the home of several industries, ranging from food products and chemicals to electrical and transports equipment.
Nagpur is a growing industrial centre and the home of several industries, ranging from food products and chemicals to electrical and transports equipment.
Aurangabad
Malik Ambar, the Prime Minister of Murtaza Nizam Shah II, and the then ruler of the Deccan (central parts of Southern India), founded Aurangabad in 1610. The city has a population of about 0.593 million people.
Aurangabad derives its name from Prince Aurangzeb (who later became a Mughal emperor), who made it his regional capital when he was Viceroy of Deccan. His legacy is reflected in the architecture of the city. Even today, Aurangabad is a hub of culture and history in the Marathwada region. The Bibi-ka-Maqbara is the only example of Mughal architecture in the Deccan plateau; it was built in 1679 as a tribute to Aurangzeb’s wife, Begum Rabia Durani, by his son.
Close to the city of Aurangabad are the famous Ajanta nd Ellora caves, an architectural marvel. Through the caves, visitors can trace the evolution of three great world religions - Buddhism, Hinduism and Jainism.
Aurangabad is famous for Paithani saris, himroo shawls and bidri work (zinc with silver embedding).
Aurangabad derives its name from Prince Aurangzeb (who later became a Mughal emperor), who made it his regional capital when he was Viceroy of Deccan. His legacy is reflected in the architecture of the city. Even today, Aurangabad is a hub of culture and history in the Marathwada region. The Bibi-ka-Maqbara is the only example of Mughal architecture in the Deccan plateau; it was built in 1679 as a tribute to Aurangzeb’s wife, Begum Rabia Durani, by his son.
Close to the city of Aurangabad are the famous Ajanta nd Ellora caves, an architectural marvel. Through the caves, visitors can trace the evolution of three great world religions - Buddhism, Hinduism and Jainism.
Aurangabad is famous for Paithani saris, himroo shawls and bidri work (zinc with silver embedding).
Kolhapur
In southern Maharashtra, on the banks of the river Panchganga, Kolhapur is an ancient town known for its exquisite palaces and forts. In 1945, archaeological excavations close to a hill near Kolhapur revealed the existence of an ancient town dating back to the times of the Roman empire. Today, Kolhapur is a modern city with a population of about 0.419 million people and a thriving industrial infrastructure.
posted by KOKANASTH at 8:54 PM
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