Rajapur, Maharashtra

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?Rajapur Maharashtra • India
Rajapur
Coordinates: 16°40′N 73°31′E / 16.67, 73.52
Time zone	IST (UTC+5:30)
Area • Elevation	• 72 m (236 ft)
District(s)	Ratnagiri
Population	10,499 (2001)
Codes • Pincode • Telephone • Vehicle	• 416702 • +2353 • MH 08

Coordinates: 16°40′N 73°31′E / 16.67, 73.52 Rajapur is a city and a municipal council in Ratnagiri district in the Indian state of Maharashtra.

1 Geography
2 Demographics
3 History
4 References

[edit] Geography

Rajapur is located at 16.67° N 73.52° E^[1]. It has an average elevation of 72 metres (236 feet).

[edit] Demographics

Rajapur Central Depot

As of 2001 India census^[2], Rajapur had a population of 10,499. Males constitute 50% of the population and females 50%. Rajapur has an average literacy rate of 78%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 82%, and female literacy is 74%. In Rajapur, 12% of the population is under 6 years of age.

[edit] History

Rajapur has been an important centre in maritime trade for all times in the history of the subcontinent. The town has a creek which was navigable. In colonial times the English and French East India Companies had factories which were located near the creek. It is known that these factories were abandoned in the early 1700s and appear to be used later for offices (kacheris).

Rajapur is surrounded by many small villages. People from these villages visit to Rajapur for shopping. Rajapur is famous for mangoes called Alphanso or locally called "Hapus".

Rajapur High School is old multi purpose High School is situated in the heart of town. It extends education in various subjects like drawing, carpentry, music, tailoring, commerce, typing, agriculture. Dadasaheb Mawlankar, first Speaker, was a student of Rajapur High School.

'RAJAPURCHI GANGA': At Distance of 1.5 kilometre from Rajapur, a holy place called "Rajapurchi Ganga" i.e. Holy Ganges of Rajapur is wonder of nature. It is situated at height 15 Metre above Height of Rajapur. This place is usually dry. However all of sudden water start flowing in Ponds. Barring exceptions, usually it happens once in 3 years. Small tanks are built for storing water & facilitating bathing. Surprisingly Water temperature in these tanks is different from each other, though those are at distance of 1 metre from each other. Approximately after three month water disappears or stops streaming. There is story telling how & why Holy Ganges appeared at this place. Scientifically it could be long siphon from Sahyadri range. Milions of people visit Ganga for bathing. One of the bigger tank delivers clean water like glass and people believe that bathing in this water will relive them from sins in past.

HOT WATER SPRING: 0.5 Km distance towards Rajapur, there is Hot Spring, It is ruch of Sulphur & famous for curing skin diseases.

DHOOTPAPESHAWAR: LORD SHIVA TEMPLE, DHOOT PAPESHWAR, old Lord Shiva Temple is situated at 1.5 kilometer Rajapur. There is picturesque waterfall close to Dhootpapeshwar --- Padhye R. K.

'MAHANKALI TEMPLE": Goddess Mahankali, very old temple is close to Rajapur that can be reached by motor.