Chiplun
Chiplun ( ]) is a city in Ratnagiri district in the state of Maharashtra, India. It is the financial and commercial Hub of Ratnagiri, and the headquarters of Chiplun taluka. It is about 320 km south of Mumbai in the Konkan region of Maharashtra, on the Mumbai–Goa highway (NH-66). It has a long history and a strong cultural background. Recent decades have seen much industrial development in it and its and surrounding areas. Geography. The city lies near the source of the Vashishti river. To the east of the city lie the Western Ghats and to the west lies Guhagar  taluka which was carved out of Chiplun taluka. The region has a tropical climate. The 'rainy season' — the monsoon lasts normally from June until October. The Koyna Hydroelectric Power Project Stages III and IV are situated near Chiplun. Parshuram legend. Chiplun was believed to have the first home of the "Konkanasth" or "Chitpavan" Brahmans.According to local folklore, after claiming Konkan region from the aggressive sea, people were supplied with sixty ponds and sixty gardens by "Parashuram", the sixth incarnation of Hindu god Vishnu. Parshuram is believed to be the founder and creator of the "Chitpavan" Brahman community. History. Chiplun  was initially ruled by the Satavahanas, Shakas, Kshatrapas, Kalachuris, Chalukya, and Rashtrakutas. Later it was ruled by the Kadambas & Traikutas followed by the Delhi Sultanate, Marathas and Peshwas majorly. Ancient history. Ancient texts mention Chiplun as a port. During the rule of the Chalukya in 8th century, the place was called Chiprarulana. An inscription called Chiplun stone which has a date of 1186 AD had the names of a Shilahara king and his ministers. Islamic era. In the seventeenth century it was a great village, very populous and plentifully stored with all provisions. The nearby Gowalkot was the trade center  being the major harbour over Vashishthi River. The "Paag" area in town was named so because it was mainly used for war horse stables. The central area in Chiplun, called Markandi, is believed to have taken name from the Yadnya performed there by "Maharshi Markandeya". Maratha empire. In the recent history, when Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj took over Konkan and established his reign, he won the Gowalkot fort in 1660 and renamed it as "Govindagad". During the times of Maratha Empire Chiplun was halting place when travelling towards upper ghat regions of Satara. Shivaji Maharaj came to Gowalkoat fort in Chiplun  to take an update of his Arm forces before going for his coronation at Raigad. Chiplun was taken over later on by means of fort battles including Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj, Tulaji Angre, Chimaji Appa, and Siddi Sat, before taken up by a body of Ramoshis in 1818, but abandoned on the approach of British forces. During this time Bajirao Peshwa, who for some years (1812-1815) came down the Kumbharli pass to visit his palace at Guhagar near Dabhol, built a rest house for himself which is now used as a Government office. British colonial rule. The British colonial rule  (1818-1947) saw large seasonal or permanent migration of people to the emerging Industrial city of Mumbai from Chiplun and other areas of Northern Konkan. Demographics. At the 2011 India census, Chiplun had a population of 55,139 of which 27,355 are males while 27,784 are females as per the report released by Census India 2011. Literacy rate of Chiplun city is 93.92%, higher than the state average of 82.34%. In Chiplun, male literacy is around 96.50%, while female literacy is at 91.42%. Attractions. The Lokamanya Tilak Smarak Vachan Mandir library and Museum. The 155-year-old library in Chiplun called  Lokmanya Tilak Smarak Vachan Mandir with a large collection of rare books added a museum in November 2018 to display its collection of ancient artifacts.This includes Stone Age tools, artifacts from harappan culture, pottery of ancient Jorwe and Malwa cultures from Inamgaon excavation near Pune, articles from Maratha empire era and ancient statues of many gods and goddess discovered in the area.The museum also has a collection of coins ranging from Roman era to that of Maratha states. Akkalkot Swami Math. This Hindu hermitage or "Math" dedicated to "Shri Swami Samartha" was established by "Shri" "Gopalbuva" "Kelkar alias  Shri Preetinand Swamikumar Maharaj" who authored a book about miracles done by "Shri Swami Samartha." The "Math" showcases "Swami Samartha"'s silver slippers and wooden dand (meditation arm-rest). Parshuram Temple. This is one of the few temples that exist that of Hindu Lord "Bhargavram" or "Parshuram." It dates back to 1700 AD when it was built by "Siddi Rasul Yakut Khan" through the initiative from "Swami Paramhans Brahmendra". This devotional place consists of a central shrine surrounded by two smaller buildings. The main temple has an idol of "Parashuram" in Middle, God "Brahma" at right and Lord "Shankar" on  the left. The structure of the temple is influenced by Hindu, Muslim and European architecture. The Banganga Talav is believed to be made by "Parashuram" by arching five arrows to the ground. Shree Kulswamini Bhawani Waghjai Mandir. This newly renovated temple, which dates back to 1860, has been identified as a Government of Maharashtra's official tourist spot. The temple houses idols of four goddesses viz. "Bhawani, Waghjai, Kalkai" & "Navdurga" along with Lord Shiv "Shankar." the temple also has "Navdurga," nine forms takesn by Goddess "Parvati." The temple is surrounded by seven gardens. Walavalkar Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Museum. The Walavalkar  Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj museum or Shivsrushti or Shiv-Samarth Mandir built by Shree sant Sitarambuva Walwalkar trust located at Dervan is one of the must-see locations when in Chiplun. The entire life history of Maratha king Shivaji is etched through sculptures and life sized statues with in detail expressions of characters including animals. The whole museum is formed as if a fort which brings the glory of Shivaji-era. In the temple premises, along with Shivaji, Sant Ramdas, Sant Tukaram and Sant Namdev are seen standing in their life-size forms. Bal Shivaji's naming Ceremony, his oath with  his companions-at Rohideshwar as a child; he praying before the goddess Jagadamba, an encounter with Afzal khan, Baji Prabhu Deshpande's sacrifice, the coronation Ceremony; the re-acceptance of Netaji Palkar to the Hinduism, fight with Shahistekhan to name a few. Shree Chandikai Kalkai Temple, Waghivare. "Shree Chandikai Kalkai" is local deity of village "Waghivare" . This is a Hindu temple situated in a jungle on the border of Villages Waghivare and Vadad. Devotees believe that goddess is protecting them being on the border. Though the temple is dedicated to goddess "Shree Chandikai Kalkai", there are idols of god " Khem ( खेम ), Kedar( केदार ), Som( सोम )" and goddess "Waghambari( वाघांबरी),Vardhan( वर्धान ), Manai(मानाई )" also in the temple. ‘'Aai’' suffix means mother, who gives birth and protects the child from all kinds of difficulties and fulfils all wishes of devotees. Many devotees come here on Monday, Day of Goddess, for discussing problems and getting solutions from their mother," Shree Chandikai Kalkai Devi". coordinates = Transportation. Road. Chiplun is connected to other parts of the country mainly by National Highway 66 (NH-66). Chiplun is connected by road to Mumbai, Pune, Thane, Ratnagiri, Mangalore, Karwar, Udupi and Cochin by National Highway Number 17 (NH-17). The  Konkan railway also connects to these places by train along with Delhi and Jaipur. Roads in Chiplun city as well as in many villages is at par above average compared to road conditions in Mumbai. It is also connected to Koynanagar, Patan, and Karad by SH 78. There are several district roads which connect villages to district headquarters and Chiplun town. There are two MSRTC bus stations. One is the main bus station frequently called "Khalcha" bus stand, and the other is just 2 km ahead of Main bus station called Shivaji Nagar Bus Stand. Although there are lots of  MSRTC intercity bus services, there are few private tourists buses such as Ghatge Patil, Sairatna, Ashwini etc. bus services which ply towards Mumbai & Pune. Even Volvo bus are available to come Chiplun from Mumbai.( Neeta, Purple) Railways. Chiplun railway station is one of the most important stations on the Konkan Railway. The nearest railway junctions are Panvel, Pune and Kolhapur on the central railway. The Chiplun railway station is situated at a distance of 4 km from Chiplun city on NH-17. Nearly every train running on Konkan Railway stops at Chiplun Station. Most frequently used trains to reach Chiplun from  Mumbai are 10111 – Mumbai Madgaon Konkankannya Express, 11003 – Dadar Sawantwadi Express, 10103 – Mumbai Madgaon Mandovi Express, 12051 – Mumbai Madgaon Janshatabdi Express, 16345 – Mumbai Trivandrum Netravati Express, 12619 – Mumbai Mangalore Matsyagandha Express & 12201 – Mumbai Kochuveli Garibrath Express. All the trains on this route runs have two time tables – a monsoon time table (usually running from 1 June to 31 October), where trains usually run at a reduced speed, and a regular timetable when trains usually run at normal speed 110 kmph for express and 130 kmph for Rajdhani. The fastest train on this route is 12431 – Hazrat Nizamuddin Trivandrum Rajdhani Express  and the second fastest train to ply Madgaon is 12051 – Mumbai CST Madgaon Kokankannya Express which takes hardly 8 hours to reach Goa with two classes of journey. One is 2S commonly known as Second Seating with a fare about Rs. 200/- whereas second is CC commonly known as AC Chair Car with a fare of around Rs. 800/-.