Ratnagiri

Infobox Indian Jurisdiction
native_name= Ratnagiri | other_name = रत्नागिरी
type= city | latd= 16.98 | longd = 73.3
locator_position = right | state_name = Maharashtra
district = Ratnagiri
leader_title =
leader_name =
altitude = 11
population_as_of = 2001
population_total = 70,335| population_density =
area_magnitude= km²
area_total =
area_telephone = 02352
postal_code =
vehicle_code_range =
sex_ratio =
unlocode =
website =
footnotes =

Ratnāgiri (Marathi:रत्नागिरी) is a port city on the Arabian Sea coast in Ratnagiri district [http://ratnagiri.nic.in/distGazette/Part2.pdf] in the southwestern part of Maharashtra, India. The district is a part of Konkan.

The Sahyadri mountains border Ratnagiri on its west. Heavy rainfall results in highly eroded landscape in the coastal region, but fertile alluvial valleys in the region produce abundant rice, coconuts, cashew nuts, and fruits, delicious "Hāpus" (Alphonso) mangoes being one of the main fruits. Fishing is an important industry in Ratnagiri.

A few illustrious Indians, including "Lokmānya" Bal Gangadhar Tilak, a prime leader in the nation's freedom movement in the British Raj days; Bharat Ratna "Maharshi" Dhondo Kehav Karve, an eminent social reformer and educationist; and Wrangler Raghunath Purushottam Paranjpe, a mathematician and educationist, were born in Ratnagiri or its vicinity.

Geography

Ratnagiri is located at coord|16.98|N|73.3|E|. [ [http://www.fallingrain.com/world/IN/16/Ratnagiri.html Falling Rain Genomics, Inc - Ratnagiri] ] It has an average elevation of 11 meters (36 feet). The region's climate is tropical.

Demographics

According to 2006 census of India [GR|India] , Ratnagiri had a population of 70,335, males and females constituting 53% and 47%, respectively, of the population. 84% of males and 86% of females were literate. 11% of Ratnagiri's population was under 6 years of age.

* Language: Mainly Marathi
* Food: Staple diet comprising rice, fish, and wheat.
* Clothing: Made mostly out of cotton
* STD code: 02352

History

In 1731, Ratnagiri came under the control of Satara kings; subsequently, the British gained control in 1818.

Earlier, one of the Bijapur rulers had built a fort on a headland near the harbor of Ratnagiri, and Maratha King Shivaji had strengthened it in 1670.

Ratnagiri has a palace, where the last king of Burma (Myanmar), Thibaw, and, later, "Veer" V. D. Savarkar, a freedom fighter in the British Raj days, had been confined by the ruling British.

According to a legend, after their twelve-year exile, Pandavas of the Mahabharata epic had settled for a while in the vicinity of Ratnagiri during their pilgrimage in the thirteenth year, and the then king of the region, Veeravrat Rāy, had subsequently fought on their side against Kauravas during the Mahabharata war at Kuruskshetra.

Prime Attractions

Rajapur Ganga: The site of Rajapur Ganga is three km from nearby Rajapur. According to a theory by some geologists, the Ganga is a rare phenomenon of a large natural siphon from a nearby mountain. There are fourteen blackstone "kunda" (pools), each about 2.25 feet deep, mutually about three feet apart in the region. Fragrant waters of Rajapur Ganga appear once about every three years in great force from one of the pools, and stay for about two months. The temperature of water is different in the fourteen pools. Thebaw Palace: The Thebaw Palace was built in 1910-11 for the 1911-16 stay there in exile of the king and the queen of Burma (Myanmar). The place has tombs of the royal couple.

Mālgund: The famous Marathi poet, Keshavsut, was born in the village of Malgund. His house has recently been renovated and converted into a students' dormitory. The "Marāthi Sāhitya Parishad" (Marathi Literature Society) has constructed a monument called "Keshavsut Smārak" in Malgund.

Jay Gad: This 17th century fort is nestled on a cliff at the entrance of the Sangameshwar river, and it offers a spectacular view of the sea. Jay Gad's sea fort is situated at a sheltered bay.

Pawas: Pawas has its natural beauty. It achieved prominence after Swami Swaroopānand, a rcent influential religious leader in Maharashtra, settled in this town. His residence has now been converted into an "āshram".

Velneshwar: Velneshwar is located 170 km from Ratnagiri. Its adjoining beach is clean and lined with coconut trees. It is possible to swim in the nearby sea because it is free of rocks. There is a well-known Shiva temple near Velneshwar.

Ratna Durga: This fort was built during the Bahamani rule. In 1670, Shivaji conquered the fort from Bijapur ruler Adil Shah. In 1790, one Dhondu Bhaskar Pratinidhi rebuilt the fort, and strengthened its ramparts. The fort has the shape of a horseshoe, with a length of 1,300 meters and a width of 1,000 meters. The Arabian Sea surrounds it on its three sides. One of the fort's bastions, "Siddha Buruj", has a lighthouse which was built many years ago in 1867 and rebuilt to its present form in 1962. A picturesque temple of Goddess Bhagwati is located inside the fort.

Ganpatipule: Ganpatipule has clean beaches. It is 21 kilometers from Ratnagiri on the way to "Purna Gad". It has a well-known Ganesh temple.

Parashurām Temple (near Chiplun): This temple was built in 1685 by Maharshi Brahmendra.

Shivasamarth Gad (at Sawarde near Chiplun): contains sculptures from Shivaji's times.

Caves in Chiplun, Khed, Dabhol, Sangameshwar, Gauhani Velgaum, and Vade Padel: The Buddhist legend in the Papanch, Sudan, and Srath Appakasini records the conversion of Konkan residents to Buddhism during the lifetime of Gautama (BC 560-481). Caves in Chiplun, Kol, and Pabol indicate that the "sarthawalas" (caravan-men) rested in some of them.

Gallery

References

External links

* [http://www.kokanyatra.com/pavas/trip.html Places of Interest in and around Ratnagiri]
* [http://www.konkanonline.com Ratnagiri on Konkanonline]
* [http://www.royalorienttrain.com/deccan-odyssey/ratnagiri.html Luxury Trains of India: Ratnagiri Travel Guide]
* [http://ratnagiri.iwarp.com/ Ratnagiri District Homepage]

* Maharshi Karve & Family http://maharshikarvefamily.blogspot.com/