Dapoli

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Dapoli is a small town in the Ratnagiri district of Maharashtra in India.

Harnai fishermen

Suwarnadurg fort near Harnai

River Jog meeting the Arabian sea

It is also called the "Mini Mahabaleshwar" (Mahabaleshwar is a hill station in Maharashtra) because of its cool climate throughout the year. The climate there is hot and humid.It is close to the Arabian Sea (approx 15 km) and forms the main town (Taluka Headquarters) to several other small villages such as Anjarle, Sarang, Harnai, Dabhol (infamous for the Enron Power plant in India), Jaalgaon, Gimhavane, Asud, Vanand, Kherdi, Karde, Murud etc. It has a very old school named after British citizen Alfred Gadney. During English empire, Dapoli was a military camp for the British soldiers. Dapoli is also famous for one of the four Agricultural Universities in Maharashtra named Dr. Balasaheb Sawant Konkan Krishi Vidyapeeth. Jaalgaon,a village in Dapoli was awarded sant gadgebaba gram swachatta award for cleanest village by the maharashtra government.

[edit] Overview

Dapoli is separated from Sayhadri range by the Khed taluka. Dapoli has a sea board of 50 km stretching from Burondi, Kelshi to Dabhol. The coast line differs little in its general charades from that of other parts of Konkan. It is densely covered by coconut farms. The principal rivers are Bharja in north and Vashishthi in the south. There is also a small river called Jog flowing through Sarang, Tadil into the Arabian sea.

Dapoli is considered the birthplace of Bharat Ratna Maharshi Annasaheb Karve, Sane Guruji & Wife of Lokamanya Tilak. Bharat Ratna P.V. Kane,Bharat Ratna Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar is also considered from around the place.

Despite being about 10 miles away from the coast of Arabian sea, the town is located at an altitude of around 800 feets.

 Dapoli has a centre for Krishna consciousness movement and youth programs for Agriculture,and Ramraje Engineering colleges.

[edit] Places of Interest

Suvarnadurg and kanakdurg Forts - Harne

Located at 17 km from Dapoli at Harne, the Suvarnadurg fort consists of two forts, Kanakdurga the land fort and Suvarnadurga the sea fort. The forts were built by Adilshah and later captured and fortified by Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in 1660. Earlier there was a tunnel connecting both the forts but now only way to go to Suvarnadurga is through a boat. However currently there is no regular boat service to the fort and one has to arrange for the ferry from the local fishermen. There is a lighthouse inside the Kanakdurga fort.

Panhalekaji Caves

Located on Dapoli - Dabhol road is a place called Panhalekaji. The “Leni” or caves at Panhalekaji are a must see site. You can drive up to the caves and the place is situated deep in the valley near the confluence of ‘Kotjai’ and ‘Dhakti’ rivers. You can watch many birds and reptiles in the surrounding jungle and river. There are 29 caves and many sculptures around the area and the whole area is very beautiful. The carvings in these caves are from many periods from the 3rd century to the 14th century.

Unhavare - Hot Water Springs

There are natural hot water springs at Unhavare Village, 20 km from Dapoli (Near Panhalekaji caves). It is a small village with the springs as its only attraction and lots of people from surrounding areas come here regularly to bathe in the Hot Sulphur water springs. Separate shelters are made for men and women to take a dip in the rejuvenating hot water. A bath in the water is said to cure skin ailments. There are no charges for taking a bath here. Even there is a factory of AGOM medicines nearby . The DABHOL ENRON PLANTis also near Dapoli.

Kadyavarcha Ganpati

This ganesh temple is at Anjarle village which comes under Dapoli taluka. Anjarle is famous for the ‘Kadyawarcha Ganpati’ (Ganesh temple situated on a cliff). This ancient and magnificent Ganesh temple was originally constructed using wooden pillars in around 1150. Later it was renovated during 1768 to 1780. Earlier people used to cross Anjarle creek (Jog River) in a boat and then climb the hill using steps that go through the Anjarle village. Recently a bridge has been constructed and you can take your car right up to the entrance of the temple. The Ganesh idol is right-sided (its trunk curved towards the right, ("Ujwya Sondecha Ganpati") which is very rare. Kadyawarcha Ganpati is also considered as the live deity (a jagrut daiwat) who responds to distress calls of common people (nawsala pavnara Ganpati). The temple has a stone staircase on the right hand side to reach to the top of the temple (Kalas). You can get a magnificent view of the thick plantation of coconut trees, betel nut trees, Suvarnadurg Fort, blue sea and surrounding hills from the top. There is a pond in front of the temple where you can feed big fish and turtles. Beside the Ganesh temple there is a small but beautiful temple of Lord Shiva.

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