Ratnagiri
Ratnagiri is a port city on the Arabian Sea coast in Ratnagiri district in the southwestern part of Maharashtra, India. This place has some of the most beautiful beaches along the countryside. Take a walk down to Ratnagiri beach for a lovely tranquil sight; you’ll simply love this place!
Owing to its location encircled by the Sahyadri Hills on the west, Ratnagiri receives heavy rainfall which results into highly eroded landscape in the coastal region. The main crops of this land are rice and coconut. Along with these the fertile alluvial valleys also allow the cultivation of fruits and cashew nut. One can taste the most famous variety of mangoes in the world - the Devgad `Hapus’ mango which are available here during summer. These Mangoes are exported throughout the world.
In 1731, Ratnagiri came under the control of Satara kings; subsequently, the British gained control in 1818. According to 2006 census of India, Ratnagiri had a population of 70,335 people.
It is here that the great freedom fighter Bal Gangadhar Tilak was born.
Places of interest
Ganapatipule
An ancient pilgrim center, it is located about 25 kms from Ratnagiri district. Its coastline is abundant with scenic greenery and, it is also home to one of the most pristine beaches along the Konkan coast. Head out to see the mysterious Swayambhoo (a naturally formed idol) of Lord Ganesh. Ganapatipule is also famous for its lovely scenic surrounding along with the Cave temple; it’s surely a place where God would like to live.
The Thebaw Palace
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. The Government Polytechnic Ratnagiri functioned from Thebaw palace, for a few years, it has subsequently shifted to its own premises. It is believed that in future, this palace of exquisite architecture might be converted into a regional museum or a heritage hotel.
Ratnadurga Fort
Located on the scenic sea shore of Ratnagiri and spread across an area of about 120 acres, the fort is horseshoe shaped. Surrounded by sea on three sides part of the cliff is now a cave. Pay a visit to a temple inside the fort called the “Bhagwati Mandir” which is dedicated to the Goddess Bhagwati. This ancient temple is quite famous among the locals as well as tourists who come here to pay respects. The fort is 12 kms away from Ratnagiri. With Arabian Sea surrounding 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.
Other places of interest:
Ratnagiri is located at an average elevation of 11 meters (36 feet), with tropical temperature mostly throughout the year.
Know more about Ratnagiri- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ratnagiri
Hotels at Ratnagiri - http://www.cleartrip.com/hotels/india/ratnagiri/
