Ratnagiri is a city located at located in the southwestern part of Maharashtra State on the Arabian Sea coast, in the Ratnagiri district. It forms a part of the greater tract known as Konkan. This tract is historically famous for it long coastline and convenient harbours.

The surrounding area is bordered by the Sahyadri Hills on the West; the heavy rainfall results into highly eroded landscape in the coastal region. Fertile alluvial valleys produce rice and coconut as the main crops; fruit and cashew nut cultivation is being promoted.

Ratnagiri is noted for the delicious golden Haapus (Alphonso) mangoes that are produced here.

It is here that the great freedom fighter Bal Gangadhar Tilak was born.

General information

• Latitude: 15°
  
  
  
  36' and 18°05'N
• Longitude: 73° 05' and 74° 36'E
• Population: 1696482 (2001 census)
• Climate: Tropical
• Clothing: Cotton Clothes
• Food: Rice, fish and wheat are the staple diet of the people.
• Language:The principal language is Marathi
• STD code: 02352

History

In 1731 it came under the control of Satara kings; in 1818 it was surrendered to the British. A fort was built during the Bijapur dynasty and strengthened in 1670 by the Maratha king Shivaji, which is located on a headland near the harbour. It is one of the ports of the Konkan coast. It has a palace where the last king of Burma, Thibaw, and later Veer Savarkar, were confined.

It is also believed that the Pandavas having performed their pilgrimage on the 13th year had settled in the adjoining territory of the Ratnagiri district and when the Pandavas and the Kauravas had the famous war at Kuruskshetra, the king of this region Veeravat Ray had accompanied then there.

Prime attractions

Parashuram Temple near

Talukas

There is Total 7 Talukas under Ratnagiri Distics,

• Mandangad
• Dapoli
• Khed
• Guhagar
• Chiplun
• Ratnagiri
• Sangameshwar
• Lanja
• Rajapur

Tourist Attractions

• Tilak Smarak - Bal Gangadhar Tilak's house which has become a landmark now.
• Patit Pawan Mandir - It was the first temple built for the non-Brahmins by revolutionary leader, Swatantryaveer Savarkar.
• Thibaw Palace - which was built for the exiled King & Queen of Burma (now Myanmar) in 1910-11. They lived here till their death. It now houses the Ratnagiri Sub-centre of the University of Mumbai.
• Nature's Miracle - When we visit the seashore of Ratnagiri, we witness a miracle of nature. The coastline area surrounded by Mandavi Port in the city has black sand & the nearby located area of Bhagvati fort has white sand so the sea here is named as Black & White Sea.
• Ratnadurg Fort& Bhagwati Mandir - The fort "Ratnadurg" is at sea shore of Ratnagiri. Area is about 120 acre. The fort is surrounded by sea. It was won by Shri Shivaji Maharaj in 1670 from Adilshah. There is temple called Bhagwati Mandir inside fort. the ancient temple is very famous
• Lighthouse - One of the oldest and beautiful lighthouse which is open to public for a limited time everyday. You can buy a ticket of Rs.2.00 and go to the top. Photography is prohibited.
• Other attractions - Bhatye beach,the Ganpati temple on the beach, Coconut Research Centre Bhatye, Bhagwati Bunder (Sea-port) and the Seafood Processing Centre at Mirya.