Dapoli
Encyclopedia
Dapoli is a small town in the Ratnagiri district
Ratnagiri District
Ratnagiri district is one of the 35 districts of Maharashtra state in western India. Ratnagiri is the district headquarters of the district. The district is 11.33% urban. The district is bounded by the Arabian Sea to the west, Sindhudurg district to the south, Raigad district to the north and...

 of 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...

 in 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...

.

Geography

Dapoli is 215 KM away from Mumbai.It is also called the "Mini Mahabaleshwar" (Mahabaleshwar
Mahabaleshwar
Mahabaleshwar is a city and a municipal council in Satara district in the Indian state of Maharashtra. It is a hill station located in the Western Ghats range. With one of the few evergreen forests of the world, it served as the summer capital of Bombay province during the British Raj.-Geography...

 is a hill station in Maharashtra) because of its cool climate throughout the year.dapoli is also the city which gave birth to many historic idols like Lokmanya Tilak, Sane Guruji, Maharshi Dhondo Keshav Karve, Rangler Paranjape,etc. It is close to the Arabian Sea
Arabian Sea
The Arabian Sea is a region of the Indian Ocean bounded on the east by India, on the north by Pakistan and Iran, on the west by the Arabian Peninsula, on the south, approximately, by a line between Cape Guardafui in northeastern Somalia and Kanyakumari in India...

 (approx 8 km) and acts as the main town (Taluka Headquarters) for several other small surrounding villages such as Anjarle
Anjarle
Anjarle is a village in the Dapoli taluka of Ratnagiri district in the Maharashtra state of India. It is a small port located near the mouth of Jog river, about 4 miles south of Ade and 2 miles north of Suvarnadurga. The nearest railway station is Kolad, 110 miles to the south-east.Apart from the...

, Sarang, Bhopan, Harnai, Dabhol, Unhavare, Jaalgaon, Gimhavane, Asud, Vanand, Kherdi, Karde, Murud and Umberghar. Jaalgaon, a village in Dapoli, was awarded the 'sant gadgebaba gram swachatta' award for cleanest village by the Maharashtra government.
Dapoli is a place where Dr, B.S. Konkan krishi Vidyapeeth is situated. This is one of the finest Agricultural University in India. Dapoli is nowadays developing as a tourist destination due its climate, tourist places, sea-beaches, coconut plants, mangoes,etc.
Dapoli is separated from the Sayhadri range by the Khed taluka. Dapoli has a seaboard of 50 km which stretches from Burondi
Burondi
Burondi is a village near Dapoli in India's Maharashtra state near the coast. It is located almost 12 km from Dapoli. The local people are famous for fishing, among other activities. Marathi is the main language spoken in the village....

, Kelshi to Dabhol
Dabhol
Dabhol is a small seaport town in the Ratnagiri district of Maharashtra in India. •- History :Hardly a trace remains of the once-flourishing port of Dabhol , on the north bank of the mouth of the Vashishti River in the Konkan region of India.In the 15th and 16th C., Dabul was an opulent Muslim trade...

. The coastline differs little in its general characteristics from that of other parts of Kokan. It is densely covered by coconut farms. The principal rivers are Bharja in the north and Vashishthi in the south. There is also a small river called Jog which flows through Sarang, Tadil and into the Arabian sea.

Despite being about 7 km away from the coast of Arabian sea, the town is located at an altitude of around 800 feet.

Education

It has a very old school named after British citizen
British nationality law
British nationality law is the law of the United Kingdom that concerns citizenship and other categories of British nationality. The law is complex because of the United Kingdom's former status as an imperial power.-History:...

 Alfred Gadney. During the time of the English empire, Dapoli was a military camp
Military camp
A military camp or bivouac is a semi-permanent facility for the lodging of an army. Camps are erected when a military force travels away from a major installation or fort during training or operations, and often have the form of large campsites. In the Roman era the military camp had highly...

 for the British soldiers
British Army
The British Army is the land warfare branch of Her Majesty's Armed Forces in the United Kingdom. It came into being with the unification of the Kingdom of England and Scotland into the Kingdom of Great Britain in 1707. The new British Army incorporated Regiments that had already existed in England...

. Dapoli is also famous for being the home of one of the four Agricultural Universities in 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...

. It is named for Dr. Balasaheb Sawant Kokan Krishi Vidyapeeth.

Dapoli has a Centre for Krishna Consciousness
International Society for Krishna Consciousness
The International Society for Krishna Consciousness , known colloquially as the Hare Krishna movement, is a Gaudiya Vaishnava religious organization. It was founded in 1966 in New York City by A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada...

 movement, youth program
Youth program
Youth programs are particular activities designed to involve people between the ages of 10 and 25. Activities included are generally oriented towards youth development through recreation, social life, prevention, intervention, or education...

s for Agriculture, under-graduate homeopathic college (Dapoli Homeopathic Medical College) and Ramraje Engineering colleges.

Notable residents

Dapoli is considered the birthplace of Bharat Ratna
Bharat Ratna
Bharat Ratna is the Republic of India's highest civilian award, awarded for the highest degrees of national service. This service includes artistic, literary, and scientific achievements, as well as "recognition of public service of the highest order." Unlike knights, holders of the Bharat Ratna...

 Maharshi Annasaheb Karve(Murud), Sane Guruji, and Lokmanya Tilak(Chikhalgaon)
Bal Gangadhar Tilak
Lokmanya Tilak –, was an Indian nationalist, teacher, social reformer and independence fighter who was the first popular leader of the Indian Independence Movement. The British colonial authorities derogatorily called the great leader "Father of the Indian unrest"...

, his wife(Ladghar)and Bharat Ratna P.V. Kane. Bharat Ratna Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar
B. R. Ambedkar
Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar , popularly also known as Babasaheb, was an Indian jurist, political leader, philosopher, thinker, anthropologist, historian, orator, prolific writer, economist, scholar, editor, a revolutionary and one of the founding fathers of independent India. He was also the Chairman...

 has studied for few years in Alfred Gadney Highschool.

Suvarnadurg and Kanakdurg Forts - Harne

Located 17 km from Dapoli at Harnai, the Suvarnadurg
Suvarnadurg
Suvarnadurg is a fort that is located on a small island in the Arabian Sea, near Harnai in Konkan, along the West Coast of India, in the Indian state of Maharashtra...

 fort consists of two forts. Kanakdurga is the land fort and Suvarnadurga is the sea fort. The forts were originally built by the Adil Shahi dynasty and later captured and fortified by Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in 1660. Once there was a tunnel connecting both the forts but now the only way to get to Suvarnadurga is by boat. However, currently there is no regular boat service
Boat service
A boat service is regularly scheduled transport using one or more boats, typically on a river, at a set charge, normally depending on the length of the trip and the type of passenger. The service may only be available for foot passengers.-Examples:...

 to the fort and one has to arrange for a ferry from the local fishermen. There is a lighthouse inside the Kanakdurga fort.

Panhalekaji Caves

Located on the Dapoli-Dabhil Pangari road is a place called Panhalekaji and can also be accessed from Khed via Vakavali & Tetavali. The “Leni” or caves at Panhalekaji are a must-see. You can drive up to the caves. The place is situated deep in the valley near the confluence of the ‘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. 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, which is 35 km from Dapoli (Near Panhalekaji caves). Unhavare, 21 km from Vakavali & 17 km from Tetavali's is Dr. Deodhar farms (called keshav Baug) Dr Deodhar is a Expert In Algae from Bombay University, Has a guest house for tourists. The Hot springs are its only attraction. Lots of people from surrounding areas come here regularly to bath in the Hot Sulphur water springs. Separate shelters are made for men and women to take a dip in the rejuvenating hot water. The water is said to cure skin ailments. There are no charges for taking a bath here.
There is a small masjid as well as school opposite to hot water. There is also "Mahamai Gram Devata Mandir" as well as "Vidya Mandir High School,starwin cricket ground &Beautiful granad mosque farare"

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 1150AD. It was renovated during the period between 1768 and 1780. At one time, 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. This means that its trunk curves towards the right, ("Ujwya Sondecha Ganpati") which is very rare. Kadyawarcha Ganpati is 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
Coconut
The coconut palm, Cocos nucifera, is a member of the family Arecaceae . It is the only accepted species in the genus Cocos. The term coconut can refer to the entire coconut palm, the seed, or the fruit, which is not a botanical nut. The spelling cocoanut is an old-fashioned form of the word...

, betel nut
Betel nut
The Areca nut is the seed of the Areca palm , which grows in much of the tropical Pacific, Asia, and parts of east Africa. It is commonly referred to as "betel nut" as it is often chewed wrapped in betel leaves.-Description:...

 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.

Keshavraj

This location is between Dapoli and Asud Pul. It is said that this temple is "pandavkaleen" meaning that it has its origin more than 1000 years ago. The access is via Dabkewadi and after crossing the small river, the steep climb is refreshing. At this elevation, the fresh water is a marvel and is said to be originating from a tree trunk. this fresh water flows for 24/7 and throughout the year. The SHREE KESHAVRAJ "murti" is worth the darshan.

Murud Beach

Murud is a small town on the sea coast, about 12 kilometers from Dapoli. It boasts of one of the most beautiful and longest beach in Konkan
Konkan
The Konkan also called the Konkan Coast or Karavali is a rugged section of the western coastline of India from Raigad to Mangalore...

 region.

At the centre of the town is the Durga Devi Temple. This temple was built in the 18th century and has 28 exquisitely carved wooden pillars supporting the main porch. On the left of the entrance is a huge bell. This is supposed to have been captured by Chimji appa Peshwa
Peshwa
A Peshwa is the titular equivalent of a modern Prime Minister. Emporer Shivaji created the Peshwa designation in order to more effectively delegate administrative duties during the growth of the Maratha Empire. Prior to 1749, Peshwas held office for 8-9 years and controlled the Maratha army...

 from the Portugese in Vasai.

Dhondo Keshav Karve
Dhondo Keshav Karve
Maharshi Dr. Dhondo Keshav Karve was a social reformer in India in the field of women's welfare. In honour of Karve, Queen's Road in Mumbai was renamed to Maharishi Karve Road...

 was born in Murud. The town's main square has a bust of this great personality.

Dabhol

Dabhol is a port which is 28 km away from Dapoli. The famous Dabhol Power Station is erected near Dabhol by Enron
Enron
Enron Corporation was an American energy, commodities, and services company based in Houston, Texas. Before its bankruptcy on December 2, 2001, Enron employed approximately 22,000 staff and was one of the world's leading electricity, natural gas, communications, and pulp and paper companies, with...

, Which is now known as Ratnagiri Gas and Power private limited. Ratnagiri Gas and Power Private limited (RGPPL) was incorporated under the Companies Act, 1956 on 8 July 2005 and is promoted by NTPC Limited and GAIL (India) Limited. The company was set up to take over and revive the assets of Dabhol Power Company Project. RGPPL owns an Integrated Power generation and Re-gasified LNG facility. The power station is India's largest operating gas based combined cycle power station.

An ancient temple Chandika Devi temple is there in Dabhol.
From past few years a ship manufacturing company has been established in dabhol. Bharati Shipyard Ltd is the foremost privately operated shipyard in terms of building facilities in India. BSL has earned its reputation by constructing a large array of specialized sophisticated vessels for diverse offshore, coastal and the marine market sectors. BSL product range includes highly maneuverable and power packed offshore vessels including AHTS, PSV’s and MSV’s of varying bollard pulls, Tractor and ASD tugs, state of the art dredgers, deep sea fishing vessels, cargo and container ships, tankers and Ro- Ro Vessels.

The synergy of operating from six locations enables BSL to have a tremendous amount of flexibility and construct a large number of vessels in a limited time period. Shipyards are well equipped with requisite facilities such as slipways, large fabrication shop, outfit berths & basins, granty cranes and mobile cranes etc. BSL is currently expanding and modernizing its production facilities with plans to expand nationally, in order to build larger vessels over 200 meters in length and oil exploration rigs, the first of which is already being constructed now at our shipyard in Dabhol.

Accredited with ISO 9001 – 2000 BVQI France VSL holds its head level with International builders. BSL also has earned International Code for the security of ships and of Port facilities (ISPS Code) issued by the Directorate General of Shipping. Ministry of Shipping has also recently been obtained process is in for certification under ISO 14001 and OHSAS.
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