Amboli, Sindhudurg district
Encyclopedia
Amboliis a hill station
in south Maharashtra
, India
. At an altitude of 690 meters it is the last hill station before the coastal highlands of Goa
and a relatively unexplored one.
Amboli lies in the Sahayadri Hills of Western India, one of the world's "Eco Hot-Spots" and it therefore abounds in a variety of fairly unique flora and fauna. However, as in the other parts of the Sahaydri Hills, denudation of the forest cover and unregulated government assisted "development" (read "hotels, resorts & highways") are gradually ruining a once pristine environment.
Historically, Amboli village came into being as one of the staging posts along the road from Vengurla port to the city of Belgaum, which was extensively used by the British to supply their garrisons in south and central India.
The hills of Amboli village provide one of the sources of the Krishna river (The "Ganges" of south India) and an ancient Shiva temple (called Hiranyakeshi) exists at the cave where the water emerges. The main attraction for tourists is the incredibly high rainfall (7 meters average per year!)and the numerous waterfalls and mist during the monsoons. Legend has it that there are 108 Shiva temples in and around Amboli of which only a dozen have been uncovered, one as recently as 2005. There aren't too many places to see or things to do but its quiet, unpolluted and the local residents are good natured and helpful.
Tourists coming from Mumbai, Goa, Delhi and various trains of Konkan railway can reach Amboli from Sawantwadi railway station. There are buses both from Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation
and Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation that ply frequently between Belgaum and Sawantwadi Via Amboli and charge Rs.51. Private Cars are available from Sawantwadi railway station to Amboli. You can also reach Amboli from Sangli and Kolhapur stations by taking private cars. This allows you to visit famous tourist spots like Ganesh temple of Sangli and Mahalaxmi temple of Kolhapur along with visiting Amboli.Belgaum is a useful railhead for the tourists coming from the karnataka and other southern parts.
Tourists coming from Pune, Bangalore, Mysore, Hubli, Chennai, Hyderabad, Tirupathi, etc. can reach Amboli from Miraj junction. Private Cars are available from Miraj railway station to Amboli.
Hill station
A hill station is a town located at a higher elevation than the nearby plain or valley. The term was used mostly in colonial Asia , but also in Africa , for towns founded by European colonial rulers as refuges from the summer heat, up where temperatures are cooler...
in south Maharashtra
Maharashtra
Maharashtra is a state located in India. It is the second most populous after Uttar Pradesh and third largest state by area in India...
, India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
. At an altitude of 690 meters it is the last hill station before the coastal highlands of Goa
Goa
Goa , a former Portuguese colony, is India's smallest state by area and the fourth smallest by population. Located in South West India in the region known as the Konkan, it is bounded by the state of Maharashtra to the north, and by Karnataka to the east and south, while the Arabian Sea forms its...
and a relatively unexplored one.
Amboli lies in the Sahayadri Hills of Western India, one of the world's "Eco Hot-Spots" and it therefore abounds in a variety of fairly unique flora and fauna. However, as in the other parts of the Sahaydri Hills, denudation of the forest cover and unregulated government assisted "development" (read "hotels, resorts & highways") are gradually ruining a once pristine environment.
Historically, Amboli village came into being as one of the staging posts along the road from Vengurla port to the city of Belgaum, which was extensively used by the British to supply their garrisons in south and central India.
The hills of Amboli village provide one of the sources of the Krishna river (The "Ganges" of south India) and an ancient Shiva temple (called Hiranyakeshi) exists at the cave where the water emerges. The main attraction for tourists is the incredibly high rainfall (7 meters average per year!)and the numerous waterfalls and mist during the monsoons. Legend has it that there are 108 Shiva temples in and around Amboli of which only a dozen have been uncovered, one as recently as 2005. There aren't too many places to see or things to do but its quiet, unpolluted and the local residents are good natured and helpful.
Transport
Amboli is well connected by road to all the surrounding cities (Kolhapur 110 km, Belgaum 70 km, Panjim (Goa) 90 km) by road and the nearest airport is at Belgaum, about 1.5 hours drive away. All the roads are good and a new airport is expected to come up in north Goa shortly, reducing the travelling time to just over an hour.Accomdation
There are a few decent (and relatively cheap) hotels at Amboli. A few of them being, Hotel Sailee, Whistling Woods, Silent Valley Resort and Hotel Shiv malhar. Most of them provide hot water baths and have facilities like Restaurant, Room Service & Cab Services.Local Transport
The only local transport are motorised 3 wheeler rickshaws and a couple of private taxis. You can find them parked near the main bus stand and are available without much bargaining.Tourist Attractions
There are in total 8 places that are listed by MTDC. If you do not have your transportation, you can pick one of the 3 wheeler rickshwas. You'll need them only for a day to check out the touristy places and can then depend upon your legs to take you the ones that interest you most.Nearest Cities
- Sawantwadi - 28 km
- Kolhapur - 110 km
- SangliSangliSangli is a city in the state of Maharashtra of India. Sangli is known as the Turmeric city for its vast production of Turmeric. Sangli is situated on the banks of river Krishna and is the largest market place for Turmeric in Asia and houses many sugar factories, which it is also noted for...
- 148 km - BelgaumBelgaumBelgaum is a city and a municipal corporation in Belgaum district in the state of Karnataka, India. It is the fourth largest city of the state of Karnataka, the first three being Bangalore, Mysore, Hubli-Dharwad....
- 70 km - PernemPernemPernem is a northmost administrative region or Taluka in North Goa. It is also the name of the town of Pernem, which is its headquarters. It has a Municipal Council...
- 58 km - Ajara- 32 km
- ChandgadChandgadChandgad is a town and tehsil headquarters in Gadhinglaj subdivision of Kolhapur district in the Indian state of Maharashtra. Jagrut Devastan Sri Ravalnath temple is located here.Chandgad is the southernmost taluka for Kolhapur district but for the...
- 29 km
Nearest Railway Stations
- Sawantwadi Railway Station Road - 28 km
- Kolhapur Railway Station - 110 km
- Pernem Railway Station - 58 km
- Belgaum Railway Station - 70 km
- Miraj Railway Station -140 km
Tourists coming from Mumbai, Goa, Delhi and various trains of Konkan railway can reach Amboli from Sawantwadi railway station. There are buses both from Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation
Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation
Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation or KSRTC is the state owned road transportation company in Karnataka.-About:KSRTC was set up in the year 1961 under the provisions of Road Transport Corporation Act, 1950. It is wholly owned by the Government of Karnataka. The Government of India is also...
and Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation that ply frequently between Belgaum and Sawantwadi Via Amboli and charge Rs.51. Private Cars are available from Sawantwadi railway station to Amboli. You can also reach Amboli from Sangli and Kolhapur stations by taking private cars. This allows you to visit famous tourist spots like Ganesh temple of Sangli and Mahalaxmi temple of Kolhapur along with visiting Amboli.Belgaum is a useful railhead for the tourists coming from the karnataka and other southern parts.
Nearest Railway Junction
- MirajMirajMiraj , is an historic town in southern Maharashtra, India. The history of the town dates back to the early 10th century, and the town is known for its rich tradition of Hindustani classical music and for religious harmony. It served as a stronghold and a strategic bastion because of its location...
- 140 km
Tourists coming from Pune, Bangalore, Mysore, Hubli, Chennai, Hyderabad, Tirupathi, etc. can reach Amboli from Miraj junction. Private Cars are available from Miraj railway station to Amboli.
External links
- More Information - Attractions
- More Information on Amboli Hill station
- Amboli Map--Shlok 14:06, 25 August 2010 (UTC)