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Kanchan Athalye
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Purna Travels

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TOUR PACKAGE TO DAPOLI

DAPOLI - Mahabaleshwar of Konkan

Duration: 2N / 3D

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Tour Package to : Fort Raigad / Shivtharghal

Tour package to: Fort Raigad - Shivthargal
Duration: 1N / 2D
Ideal for Monsoon Getaway

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OBJECTIVES OF PURNA TRAVELS

Incorporated in 2008, by Kanchan Athalye, Purna Travels is currently one of the leading travel agency which conducts tours to Konkan.

With continuous growth of business, the company remains committed to provide its valued clients one stop solution for all of their travel needs in Konkan.

Travelling with Purna you arrive your destination with such great ease that the weariness of the journey doesn't exist there to bother you. You'll not only be turned up in Konkan but sight-seeing tours that'll give you an insight into the alluring valley are also arranged. Journey with Purna Travels will definitely turn out to be a journey of many lifetimes.

Our mission is to strengthen the travel trade in Konkan. We aim to meet the needs of our
clients through technical excellence, competitive pricing and unmatched services based on
strong business and professional ethics.

The Organisation wishes to establish long term relationships not only with corporate clients
but also with each and every individual client by providing better and prompt services.
Think of sounds of cheerful chatter swaying in with the morning breeze, think of mountains peeping out from their misty veils, think of the rivers whispering into your ears, think of Konkan, the ultimate destination of nature-fanatics, the adventure enthusiasts and the ones longing for an enlivening vacation. It provides opportunities as well as facilities for adventure sports.

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LORD LAKSHMI-PALLINATH - PALI

THE TEMPLE

Lord Lakshmi-Pallinath of Pali is our Family Deity (KulaSwami). Pali lies on the Mumbai Goa highway near Ratnagiri and is the family deity of several Karhade Brahmin Families. Shri Pallinath is also the Family deity of Rani Lakshmibai of Jhansi(both before and after marriage). Tambes, Nevalkars, Chandorkars, Athalyes have this deity as their Kulaswami.



The following Shloka praises lord Lakshmi-Pallinatha

THE LORD LAXMI PALLINATH

1. जपा कुसुमसंकाशं रक्तनेत्रं त्रिलोचनं
दिगंबरं महाकायं भक्तानामभयप्रदम्
2. त्रिशूलं डमरू खड्गं पात्रं च करपंगजे
बिभ्राणं योगिनीनाथं पल्लीशं भूतनायकं
3. युवानं हास्यवदनं तांबूलेना वृताननं
ऊर्ध्वकेशं भूतिभालं चिंतयेत् कार्यसिद्धिदम्

THE NAGARKHANA
 BUILD BY RANI OF JHANSI

Although the name Lakshmi appears before Pallinath he is not Vishnu as is seen from the above Shlokas, just like Lakshmi Ravalnatha (Jotiba) Lakshmi Pallinath is also lord Shankar. Lakshmi herein means "Yogini" (64 Yoginis of Shaktas) which is the collective name for 64 assistant energies. It denotes the influence of the Shakta Tantric Spirituality. For more energy dissipation, the idol is Dakshinabhimukh (facing the South ).
Lord LakshmiPallinatha is worshipped with the Ritual of Rudra Adhyaya just like lord Dattatreya moorti in Devale.

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LAXMI KESHAV TEMPLE - KOLISARE

This is a famous temple of Lord Lakshmi- Keshav, a Guardian God [कुलदैवत] for many Maharastriyan Brahmin families such as Joshi, Khambete, Ghaisas etc [mostly शांडिल्य गोत्र]. The temple is at 2000 ft high from sea level. A continuous spring of water is the prime attraction for the visitors near this temple.

The deity of the Lakshmi- Keshav is having a long history. Before 1200 years Rashtrakul [राष्ट्रकुल] family was ruling over Marathwada region of Maharashtra. All the family members were devotees of Lord Vishnu and they had constructed many beautiful temples. After few years due to attacks of Mughals, many deities were immersed into the water for protection. Such one deity is immersed into the Rankala Lake [रंकाळा तलाव] near Kolhapur. The same deity is installed at Lakshmi- Keshav Temple Kolisare. This ceremony took place in the year 1510. The deity is the example of rich ancient Indian sculpture. A must see place during Konkan visit.

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KARNESHWAR TEMPLE

This temple was built 1600 years ago by Karna of Kolhapur. This is situated 4 km away from Sangameshwar and is one of the important places in Sangameshwar taluka. The statues and carvings of many Hindu Gods can be seen on the walls of Karneshwar temple.
The great Maratha King Sambhaji Raje son of Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj was traped by Aurangazeb at vilage Kasba.

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KONKAN - THE HEAVEN, THE PARADISE

KONKAN is a coastal strip of land bounded by the Sahyadri hills on the east and the Arabian Sea on the west. Maharashtra's Konkan area consists of Raigad, Ratnagiri, Sindhudurg and Thane districts. No other coast in India will offer you such a vast choice of Beautiful Beaches, Majestic Forts, Sacred Temples, and Ancient Caves.
Make a visit to the Konkan land and find the coastline dotted with the palm groves that shade the white sand of beaches, mango trees planted in perfect sequence in the agricultural fields, imposing temples and the tiled homes that stand high in naked beauty of lush green pastures, and rustic life of the deep countryside that are populated mostly by the fisher community. The vast virgin sands that stretch as far as to the beach paradise of Goa is showcasing the attractions of forts that backdrop many beaches, temples for pilgrims, exotic delicacies for the food buffs and paradise for history bums alike.
This land attracts millions of tourists every year and fulfills the thirst of adventure and excitement of every visitor to Konkan region. A tour during monsoon is the most entertaining when you will find miniature water falls that wash away the elevated grass lands, but to your dismay enjoying a ferry ride at that time is a distant dream as ferry service is suspended during monsoon season. Simultaneously you will be pleased to see Maharashtra wrapped in a canopy of greens.
The best time to visit the Konkan Region is the monsoon season (June to September) though the ferry services are discontinued during this time. During this time, the entire area becomes a captivating and green canvas on which nature seems to have applied its finest and best brushstrokes.

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8,000-YEAR-OLD CIVILIZATION ON KONKAN COAST?

Did the coastline of the Konkan, from Shrivardhan in Raigad to Vengurla in Sindhudurg, have human habitation around 8,000 years ago? Did that population have well-developed engineering skills? Was there a unique Konkan culture in existence in 6,000BC? The latest discovery in the field of archaeology, below the sea waters of Konkan coast, could answer these questions with a big resounding‘Yes!’

In what could turn out to be a major discovery,researchers have found a wall-like structure, which is 24km long, 2.7m in height, and around 2.5m in width. The structure shows uniformity in construction. “The structure is not continuous from Shrivardhan to Raigad, but it is uniform. It has been found 3m below the present sea level. Considering the uniformity of the structure, it is obvious that the structure is man-made,” said Dr Ashok Marathe, department of archaeology, Deccan College Postgraduate and Research Institute, Pune.
This joint expedition carried out by Deccan College, Pune and Department of Science and Technology, Central Government, has been in progress since 2005. “We were actually studying the impacts of tsunami and earthquake on western coast when we first found this structure in Valneshwar,” said Marathe.
However, the age of the structure was decided on the basis of sea level mapping. “There have been exhaustive studies about the sea water coming inside the land. Based on the calculations, experts from the National Institute of Oceanography (NIO) pegged the age of the wall at around 6,000 BC,” Marathe informed.

The discovery has raised a number of questions, such as how these huge stones were brought to the shore? What was the purpose behind building this wall? If the date of the wall is accurate, then is it the same age as the Indus civilisation? Why have none of the researchers till date, found or made any mention of this civilisation? Marathe, who will be retiring in July 2011, has asked more people to try to find answers to these questions.

In the wake of power projects coming up on Konkan’s coastline and the growing discontent, this discovery could prove vital. Marathe, though, displays little faith in the government.

Published: Friday, May 27, 2011, 1:28 IST
By DNA Correspondent | Place: Mumbai | Agency: DNA

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पावसाळ्यात - चला कोकणात

सह्याद्रीच्या उंचच उंच पर्वतरांगा, निळ्याशार अरबी समुद्राच्या किनारपट्टीवर वसलेली व निसर्गसौंदर्याने नटलेली कोकण किनारपट्टी आणि आंबा, फणस, काजू आणि नारळी-पोफळींच्या बागांनी फुलणारी कोकणभूमी पर्यटकांना नेहमीच खुणावत आली आहे. या भूमीतील प्रश्नचीन ऐतिहासिक किल्ले, प्रश्नचीन मंदिरे, लहान-मोठय़ा नद्या आणि त्यांच्या आसपास असणारे सृष्टीसौंदर्य मनाला निश्चित भुरळ पाडणारे आहे. पावसाळ्यात तर कोकणचे निसर्गसौंदर्य आणखीनच बहरते. त्यामुळे या काळात एकदा तरी कोकणातील महत्त्वाच्या स्थळांचा आनंद घेण्यास काय हरकत आहे!
मुंबई, गोवा ही पर्यटनासाठी प्रसिद्धीची ठिकाणे. या दरम्यान, मुंबईपासून साधारणत: ३७५ कि.मी.

अंतरावर कोकणची भूमी वसली आहे. सिंधुदुर्ग, रत्नागिरी जिल्ह्यांचा या कोकणभूमीत समावेश आहे. रत्नागिरी जिल्ह्यातील श्री क्षेत्र गणपतीपुळे मंदिर व मंदिर परिसरातील नयनरम्य समुद्रकिनारा पर्यटकांना नेहमीच आकर्षित करीत आला आहे. समुद्रकिनाऱ्यावरील टेकडीवर बांधलेल्या सुमारे ५०० वर्षापूर्वीचे मंदिर स्वयंभू मानले जाते. रूपेरी वाळूचा विस्तीर्ण किनाराही गणपती मंदिराबरोबरचे मुख्य आकर्षण आहे. दररोज हजारो पर्यटक येथील वाळूच्या किनाऱ्यावर फेरफटका मारीत व समुद्रस्नानाचा मनसोक्त आनंद लुटतात. कोकण किनारपट्टीवरील एक सुरक्षित म्हणून जयगड बंदर प्रसिद्ध आहे. शास्त्री नदीच्या मुखाशी ऐतिहासिक जयगड किल्ला आहे. विजापूरच्या बादशहाने बांधलेल्या या किल्ल्याला २० बुरूज आहेत. पुरातन विभागाच्या अखत्यारित असलेला जयगड किल्ला सध्या दुर्लक्षामुळे ढासळत चालला आहे. मात्र त्याचे ऐतिहासिक महत्त्व व सौंदर्य बिलकुल कमी झालेले नाही. जयगड किल्ल्याच्या जवळच निसर्गसौंदर्यात नटलेल्या समुद्रकिनाऱ्यावर शिलाहारकालीन पुरातन कऱ्हाडेश्वर मंदिर आहे. डोंगराच्या उतरणीवर समुद्राला खेटून उभ्या असलेल्या डोंगरकपारीतून पाझरणाऱ्या नैसर्गिक झऱ्यांच्या एकत्रीकरणातून मनगटाएवढय़ा जाडीचा झरा येथे बारमाही वाहात असतो. मुख्य म्हणजे थंडीच्या दिवसातही या झऱ्याचे पाणी उबदार असते. रत्नागिरीत आल्यावर लोकमान्य टिळकांची आठवण आल्याशिवाय राहात नाही. रत्नागिरीतील त्यांच्या जन्मस्थानी शासनाने टिळकांचे राष्ट्रीय स्मारक उभारले आहे. राजापूर हे अतिप्रश्नचीन केंद्र. या परिसराला इतिहासाचा स्पर्श आहे. येथील निसर्गवैभव प्रत्येकाला शांत, सुंदर आणि पवित्र वातावरणात घेऊन जाते. येथे प्रकट होणाऱ्या गंगेला अपार महत्त्व आहे.

सह्याद्रीच्या कडेकपारीतील एका गुहेत मार्लेश्वर मंदिर आहे. अत्यंत दुर्गम ठिकाणी असलेले देवस्थान म्हणून ते ओळखले जाते. गुहेसदृश दिसणाऱ्या मंदिरात शिवशंकर विराजमान आहेत. पायथ्यापासून वाहणाऱ्या बाव नदीचा उगम २०० फुटांवरून खाली कोसळणाऱ्या ‘धारेश्वर’ धबधब्यातून होतो. पावसाळ्यात तर मोठय़ा प्रमाणात कोसळणारा धबधबा पर्यटकांना नेहमीच खुणावत्सह्याद्रीच्या उंचच उंच पर्वतरांगा, निळ्याशार अरबी समुद्राच्या किनारपट्टीवर वसलेली व निसर्गसौंदर्याने नटलेली कोकण किनारपट्टी आणि आंबा, फणस, काजू आणि नारळी-पोफळींच्या बागांनी फुलणारी कोकणभूमी पर्यटकांना नेहमीच खुणावत आली आहे. या भूमीतील प्रश्नचीन ऐतिहासिक किल्ले, प्रश्नचीन मंदिरे, लहान-मोठय़ा नद्या आणि त्यांच्या आसपास असणारे सृष्टीसौंदर्य मनाला निश्चित भुरळ पाडणारे आहे. पावसाळ्यात तर कोकणचे निसर्गसौंदर्य आणखीनच बहरते. त्यामुळे या काळात एकदा तरी कोकणातील महत्त्वाच्या स्थळांचा आनंद घेण्यास काय हरकत आहे!
मुंबई, गोवा ही पर्यटनासाठी प्रसिद्धीची ठिकाणे. या दरम्यान, मुंबईपासून साधारणत: ३७५ कि.मी. अंतरावर कोकणची भूमी वसली आहे. सिंधुदुर्ग, रत्नागिरी जिल्ह्यांचा या कोकणभूमीत समावेश आहे. रत्नागिरी जिल्ह्यातील श्री क्षेत्र गणपतीपुळे मंदिर व मंदिर परिसरातील नयनरम्य समुद्रकिनारा पर्यटकांना नेहमीच आकर्षित करीत आला आहे. समुद्रकिनाऱ्यावरील टेकडीवर बांधलेल्या सुमारे ५०० वर्षापूर्वीचे मंदिर स्वयंभू मानले जाते. रूपेरी वाळूचा विस्तीर्ण किनाराही गणपती मंदिराबरोबरचे मुख्य आकर्षण आहे. दररोज हजारो पर्यटक येथील वाळूच्या किनाऱ्यावर फेरफटका मारीत व समुद्रस्नानाचा मनसोक्त आनंद लुटतात. कोकण किनारपट्टीवरील एक सुरक्षित म्हणून जयगड बंदर प्रसिद्ध आहे. शास्त्री नदीच्या मुखाशी ऐतिहासिक जयगड किल्ला आहे. विजापूरच्या बादशहाने बांधलेल्या या किल्ल्याला २० बुरूज आहेत. पुरातन विभागाच्या अखत्यारित असलेला जयगड किल्ला सध्या दुर्लक्षामुळे ढासळत चालला आहे. मात्र त्याचे ऐतिहासिक महत्त्व व सौंदर्य बिलकुल कमी झालेले नाही. जयगड किल्ल्याच्या जवळच निसर्गसौंदर्यात नटलेल्या समुद्रकिनाऱ्यावर शिलाहारकालीन पुरातन कऱ्हाडेश्वर मंदिर आहे. डोंगराच्या उतरणीवर समुद्राला खेटून उभ्या असलेल्या डोंगरकपारीतून पाझरणाऱ्या नैसर्गिक झऱ्यांच्या एकत्रीकरणातून मनगटाएवढय़ा जाडीचा झरा येथे बारमाही वाहात असतो. मुख्य म्हणजे थंडीच्या दिवसातही या झऱ्याचे पाणी उबदार असते. रत्नागिरीत आल्यावर लोकमान्य टिळकांची आठवण आल्याशिवाय राहात नाही. रत्नागिरीतील त्यांच्या जन्मस्थानी शासनाने टिळकांचे राष्ट्रीय स्मारक उभारले आहे. राजापूर हे अतिप्रश्नचीन केंद्र. या परिसराला इतिहासाचा स्पर्श आहे. येथील निसर्गवैभव प्रत्येकाला शांत, सुंदर आणि पवित्र वातावरणात घेऊन जाते. येथे प्रकट होणाऱ्या गंगेला अपार महत्त्व आहे.

सह्याद्रीच्या कडेकपारीतील एका गुहेत मार्लेश्वर मंदिर आहे. अत्यंत दुर्गम ठिकाणी असलेले देवस्थान म्हणून ते ओळखले जाते. गुहेसदृश दिसणाऱ्या मंदिरात शिवशंकर विराजमान आहेत. पायथ्यापासून वाहणाऱ्या बाव नदीचा उगम २०० फुटांवरून खाली कोसळणाऱ्या ‘धारेश्वर’ धबधब्यातून होतो. पावसाळ्यात तर मोठय़ा प्रमाणात कोसळणारा धबधबा पर्यटकांना नेहमीच खुणावत आला आहे. चिपळूण येथील विस्तीर्ण डोंगरात विष्णूचा सहावा अवतार आणि सप्तचिरंजीवापैकी एक म्हणून ओळखल्या जाणाऱ्या भगवान परशुरामाचे प्रश्नचीन मंदिर आहे. एका बाजूला काळ, तर दुसऱ्या बाजूला काम आणि मध्ये भगवान परशुराम अशा त्रिमूर्ती मंदिरात विराजमान आहेत. काळ्या पाषाणातील या मूर्ती अत्यंत सुंदर आहेत. अलीकडेच उदयास आलेले पर्यटनस्थळ म्हणजे डेरवण. डेरवणची शिवसृष्टी छत्रपती शिवरायाच्या जीवनाची चित्रमय ओळख करून देणारी आहे. समुद्रसपाटीपासून सुमारे ७०० मीटर उंचीवरील पर्वतरांगेतील आंबोली हे थंड हवेचे ठिकाण. आंबोली घाटातून दिसणारी सह्याद्री पर्वताची विविध रूपे, उंचावरून आवेगाने खाली झेपावणारे शेकडो धबधबे, धुक्यात हरवलेले तळ कोकण ही सारी विलोभनीय दृश्ये पाहण्यासाठी पर्यटकांची नेहमीच या ठिकाणी गर्दी असते. त्याचप्रमाणे विजयदुर्ग, देवगड यासारखे ऐतिहासिक महत्त्व असलेले किल्ले, मंदिरे आणि अनेक निसर्गरम्य ठिकाणे कोकणात पाहावयास मिळतात. कोकणातील या सृष्टीसौंदर्याचा व ऐतिहासिक पर्यटनस्थळांचा आनंद लुटण्यासाठी या दिवसांत थंडगार वातावरणात कुटुंबियांसह कोकणच्या भेटीवर जाण्यास काय हरकत आहे!ा आला आहे. चिपळूण येथील विस्तीर्ण डोंगरात विष्णूचा सहावा अवतार आणि सप्तचिरंजीवापैकी एक म्हणून ओळखल्या जाणाऱ्या भगवान परशुरामाचे प्रश्नचीन मंदिर आहे. एका बाजूला काळ, तर दुसऱ्या बाजूला काम आणि मध्ये भगवान परशुराम अशा त्रिमूर्ती मंदिरात विराजमान आहेत. काळ्या पाषाणातील या मूर्ती अत्यंत सुंदर आहेत. अलीकडेच उदयास आलेले पर्यटनस्थळ म्हणजे डेरवण. डेरवणची शिवसृष्टी छत्रपती शिवरायाच्या जीवनाची चित्रमय ओळख करून देणारी आहे. समुद्रसपाटीपासून सुमारे ७०० मीटर उंचीवरील पर्वतरांगेतील आंबोली हे थंड हवेचे ठिकाण.

आंबोली घाटातून दिसणारी सह्याद्री पर्वताची विविध रूपे, उंचावरून आवेगाने खाली झेपावणारे शेकडो धबधबे, धुक्यात हरवलेले तळ कोकण ही सारी विलोभनीय दृश्ये पाहण्यासाठी पर्यटकांची नेहमीच या ठिकाणी गर्दी असते. त्याचप्रमाणे विजयदुर्ग, देवगड यासारखे ऐतिहासिक महत्त्व असलेले किल्ले, मंदिरे आणि अनेक निसर्गरम्य ठिकाणे कोकणात पाहावयास मिळतात. कोकणातील या सृष्टीसौंदर्याचा व ऐतिहासिक पर्यटनस्थळांचा आनंद लुटण्यासाठी या दिवसांत थंडगार वातावरणात कुटुंबियांसह कोकणच्या भेटीवर जाण्यास काय हरकत आहे!


मधुकर ठाकूर
रविवार, २८ जून २००९

Photos by : Chanchal47

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RELAXING VACATIONS IN KONKAN

People vacation for a variety of reasons: Some for excitement, some for romance, some just to explore new places. Some folks are just seeking the serenity that everyday life doesn't always provide. If you're one of the latter, Purna Travels will arrange a perfect relaxed vacations in Konkan – Upcoming Tourist Destination.

So, it is important to make time for vacations where you can really relax and find new strength and energy. The good thing is that it can be done with Purna Travels.
It’s a simple 3-step process:
1. You contact us with your inquiry, give us a vague sketch of activities you’d like to do, food you’d like to pig out on and a whole list of other such details.


2. We get back to you by giving you a trip outline, interaction is fostered and quotations are thrown onto the table for negotiation.


3. Lastly, all we need is confirmation and once that’s over and done with, we’re all set to roll. Your tour is all about what you’re looking out for and what your idea of an adventure is. We try our best to fit in all that you’ll look forward to in search of the ultimate tour.

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SINDHUDURG DISTRICT

General Information :

Sindhudurg district is the Southern part of the ‘Konkan’ which is historically famous for its long coast line and safe harbors. The district is named after the fort of Sindhudurg (which means “fort in the sea”), which lies on a rocky island just off the coast of Malvan.

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 district comprises of 8 talukas : Sawantwadi, Kudal, Vengurla, Malvan, Devgad, Kankavli, Vaibhavwadi and Dodamarg. Smaller towns include Talere, Vaibhavwadi, Shirgaon, Kharepatan, Achara, Banda and the hill resort of Amboli.

The modern township of Sindhudurgnagari is the headquarters of Sindhudurg district.

The main rivers in the district are Devgad, Gad, Shuk, Achra, Terekhol, Sahyadri, Kurla, Kalna and Tilari.

Sindhudurg being a coastal district, the climate is generally moist and humid and the temperature variations during the day and throughout the seasons are not large.

Mango is a major factor to the life of Sindhudurg. Varieties of Alphonso Mango from Devgad are particularly popular. Other varieties of mango are Mankur, Pāyari and Karel (used for preparing Mango Pickle) are also popular for their distinct taste.

Most of the district area covered by dense rain forest, Amboli hill station area is most suitable habitat for wild animals like leopard, wild cats, rabbits, wild hen and some times wild buffalo also appears in winter season.

National Highway 17 passes through this area. With 7 railway stations, a 103 km stretch of Konkan Railway line passes through this district. It has good road and rail links with Goa and Bombay

Places of attraction :

• Forts : Sindhudurg Fort , Vijaydurg Fort , Nivti Fort

• Holyplaces : Redi Ganesh, Navadurga Temple, Dev Kaleshwar Temple, Kunkeshwar Temple, Lakshminarayan Temple, Shri Bramhanand Swami Math, Shri Sai Baba Temple (oldest in India), Bharadi Devi Temple, Shree Dev Rameshwar Temple, Bhalchandra Maharaj Ashram ………….many more

• Others : Tilari Dam, Amboli Hill Station, Napapne Waterfall …….many more


• Beaches : Redi, Shiroda, Tarkarli, Malvan, Vijaydurg, Velagar, Bhogve, Nivti, Khavne, Devbaug, Wayaangani, Achara, Mochemad, Mithbaon, Sagaareshwar (Ubhadanda), Chivla, Baagayat

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RAIGAD - DISTRICT

General Information 

Raigad district is located in south western side of Maharashtra state. The district head quarter is Alibag. Alibag is situated on the western coast of India and on shore of Arabian Sea.

Raigad district consist of 15 Talukas : Alibag, Pen, Murud, Mangaon, Tala, Roha, Sudhagad (Pali), Mahad, Mhasla, Poladpur, Shrivardhan, Panvel, Khalapur, Karjat and Uran.

The main rivers in Raigad district are Kalu, Patalganga, Amsa, Kundalika, Ghod, Ulhas, Bhogawati, Savitri and Gandhar.

The district includes towns/cities of Panvel, Pen, Khopoli, Khalapur, Uran, Patalganga, Rasayani, Nagothana, Poladpur, Alibag, Karjat and Mahad. The biggest city both in area and population is Panvel. The district also includes the isle of Gharapuri or Elephanta, located in Uran tehasil which has ancient Hindu and Buddhist caves.

Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Technological University is a unitary, autonomous university located at Lonere in Raigad district, Maharashtra, India.

Prime attraction in district are as follows :

• Forts : Raigad and Murud-Janjira fort.

• Holyplaces : Ballaleshwar Ganpati – Pali, Varad Vinayak Gapati – Mahad, Birla Ganesh Temple – Alibag, Kanakeshwar – Alibag and Elephanta Caves, Suvarna Ganesh.

• Beaches : Alibag, Murud – Janjira and Hari-Harihareshwar, Diveagar.

• Hill Station : Matheran.

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