Languages Spoken:
Marathi, Konkani and Malwani
Best Time To Visit:
September To March
Long Distance Code:
+91-2352
About 330 km from Mumbai along the western coast in the Konkan region is the sleepy town of Maharashtra, Ratnagiri. Konkan is a narrow coastal belt covering about 720km from north to south and about 50km wide. The strip is sandwiched between the Arabian Sea in the west and the Sayhadri or the Western Ghats range to the east. In the Konkan region of Maharashtra, Ratnagiri district assumes great importance; it is famous for Alphanso mangoes, cashew nuts, fisheries, rice and mineral bauxite.
The Konkani people like to trace their history back to 4000 BC. The movement of these tribes to the region of present-day Goa is sometimes traced back to the 11th century AD. 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 the king of this region Veeravat Ray had accompanied them for the Kurukshetra war. More recently 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. In 1731 it came under the control of Satara kings and in 1818 it was surrendered to the British.
Konkan Division, rich in verdant natural beauty, is endowed with a beautiful coastline and exotic agricultural produce including mango, cashew and beetelnut. Konkan's beautiful beaches, greenery, Warli art and sea forts attract a steady stream of visitors. Apart from mangoes the other major trade is fish. Fishing is prominent occupation along the Konkan coast.
