Aamchi Ratnagiri (रत्नागिरी)
**Ratnagiri**
Ratnāgiri (Marathi: रत्नागिरी) is a port city on the Arabian Sea coast in Ratnagiri district in the southwestern part of Maharashtra, India. The district is a part of Konkan.
The Sahyadri mountains border Ratnagiri to the east. 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, "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 Keshav Karve, a social reformer and educationist; and Wrangler Raghunath Purushottam Paranjpe, a mathematician and educationist, were born in Ratnagiri or its vicinity.
Ratnagiri has also been featured in Amitav Ghosh's novel, 'The Glass Palace.' The Jaitapur Nuclear Power Project is located in the district.
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**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 (0.69 m) 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.
Marleswar: It is holy place for Hindus where the temple of lord Shiva is located 70 km away from Ratnagiri. The temple is actually inside a cave. A waterfall also located nearby cave. Hindus believes that lord Shiva moved from Maral village to Marleswar when the Mughal emperor attacked the Konkan region and was going to destroy Hindu temples.
Thiba Palace: The Thiba 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 Thiba palace, for a few years, it has subsequently shifted to its own premises.
Mandavi and Bhatye Beach: Mandavi Beach is also known as the Gate Way of Ratnagiri. Bhatye Beach is famous for its Suru Ban. The Kohinoor Hotel is situated just above the Bhatye Beach.
Mirkarwada Beach: It is the coastal station for marine professionals; all the fishing boats and trawlers land here. It is the major trading spot in Ratnagiri for marine industry. Most of the fishes from here are exported to other city markets such as Mumbai, Pune, Goa, Bangaluru, and Mangalore.
Mālgund: The 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.
Jaigad: This 17th century fort is located on a cliff at the entrance of the Sangameshwar river, and it offers a view of the sea. Jay Gad's sea fort is situated at a sheltered bay.
Pawas: Pawas achieved prominence after Swami Swaroopānand, a recent influential religious leader in Maharashtra, settled in this town. His residence has now been converted into an "āshram".
Atulit Bal Dham: Atulit Bal Dham is a holy place. This sacred Dham is managed by Sadguru Shree Aniruddha Upasana Trust, Mumbai. It is located at TRP, near petrol pump, just 1 km off the main road in Ratnagiri city. Panchamukhi Hanuman is the deity in this Dham. Devotees believe they get incredible Bal (physical, mental and spiritual power) after visiting this Dham. The total area is of around 2 acres (8,100 m2).
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 Durg: 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 temple of Goddess Bhagwati is located inside the fort.
Ganapatipule: Ganapatipule is 21 kilometres from Ratnagiri on the way to "Purna Gad". It has a well-known Ganesha 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.
**Education institutes**
* GGPS (Gangadhar Govind Patwardhan English Medium School)
* Phatak High School
* R. B. Shirke High School
* Patwardhan High School
* Sacred Heart Convent High School (Udyamnagar)
* Sacred Heart Convent High School (Dhanjinaka)
* Mistry High School.
* B. A. D. Naik High School.
* Naik High School.
* Gogte Joglekar College.
* Nav Nirmaan College.
* Fisheries College, Shirgaon.
* Computer Application College For Girls, Shirgaon.
* Finolex Academy of Management and Technology (An engineering college affiliated to 'University of Mumbai')
* Government Polytechnic, Ratnagiri.
* Industrial Training Institute (ITI), Ratnagiri.
** Industries in and around Ratnagiri**
* Bharati Shipyard Limited.
* Finolex Industries.
* JSW Energy Limited.
* JSW Jaigarh Port Limited.
* Gadre Marine Export Private Limited.
* J K Files & Tools Limited.
* Narmada Cement Limited.
* UltraTech Cement.
* There are two MIDCs in the close proximity of Ratnagiri, one at Mirjole and the other at Zadgaon.
* The Bharat Aluminium company Ltd. (Balco)
* Raymond
