Chiplun

Chiplun
Village
Visava
Chiplun
Location in Maharashtra, India
Coordinates: 17°32′N 73°31′E / 17.53°N 73.52°E / 17.53; 73.52Coordinates: 17°32′N 73°31′E / 17.53°N 73.52°E / 17.53; 73.52
Country  India
State Maharashtra
District Ratnagiri
Government
 • Type Municipal Council
 • Body Chiplun Nagar Parishad
Area
 • Total 24.73 km2 (9.55 sq mi)
Elevation 7 m (23 ft)
Population (2017)
 • Total 159,284
 • Density 6,400/km2 (17,000/sq mi)
Demonym(s) Chiplunkar
Languages
 • Marathi Konkani Marathi Konkani
Time zone UTC+5:30 (IST)
PIN 415605
Telephone code 02355
Vehicle registration MH-08
Chiplun scenery from Parshuram Ghat.
Bahadursheikh Naka in Chiplun
Chiplun is situated on the banks of the Vashisti River

Chiplun  pronunciation  is a city and a tehsil in Ratnagiri district in the state of Maharashtra, India. It is the headquarter of Chiplun taluka and located on the Mumbai–Goa highway (NH-66) (it was earlier numbered as NH-17) in western India. The city is about 320 km south of Mumbai in the Konkan region of Maharashtra. It is a fast developing city in Konkan with a strong cultural background. The name Chiplun means "The abode of Lord Parshuram."

Geography

The city lies near the source of the River Vashishti. 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.

History

Chiplun was believed to have the first home of the Konkanasth or Chitpavan Brahmans. According to local folklore, after claiming Konkan region from aggressive sea, people were supplied with sixty ponds and sixty gardens by Parashuram.

Chiplun was initially ruled by the Satavahanas, Shakas, Kshatrapas, Kalachuris and Rashtrakutas. Later it was invaded by the Kadambas & Traikutas followed by the Delhi Sultanate, Marathas and Peshwas majorly.

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.

In the recent history, when Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj took over Konkan and established his rein, 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 Sambhaji Maharaj, Tulaj 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.

Demographics

At the 2011 India census,[1] Chiplun had a population of 55,139 of which 27,355 are males while 27,784 are females as per report released by Census India 2011. Literacy rate of Chiplun city is 93.92% higher than state average of 82.34%. In Chiplun, male literacy is around 96.50% while female literacy rate is 91.42%.[2]

The City

Chiplun city is the economical and commercial centre of the Ratnagiri District. The town is well flourished being connected to the National Highway 66 and the State Highway 78. It plays an important role as a place on the National Highway. It is well connected to Mumbai, Pune, Panaji, etc. A municipal council looks after the civic needs of the city.

Christ Jyoti Convent High School, Chiplun, United English School, Paranjape Motiwale High School, Maharashtra High School Chiplun, Haji Dawood Ameen High School-Kaluste and D.B.J. College are the some of oldest educational institutes in the town catering the need for the taluka. The town has its own cinema theatre named Pooja Theatre. The city is close to MIDC, Lote which was the Asia's biggest chemical zone in the last decade.

Since the city is on a busy National Highway, it also caters to travellers en route to Goa and Mumbai. It is also a junction for those travelling to the Dabhol (a shipyard near Chiplun), where a project, 'Sangla Buggla' failed. This led to a rise in local unemployment and created a vacuum among young people during that time. The place is unaffected as the people are self-motivated culturally. The town links the western coast to the interior parts of Maharashtra.

Chiplun was severely devastated in the 2005 Maharashtra floods, when 300 mm rain fell on 25 July 2005.

It is a land of traders; it trades in groceries, kokams (red colour fruit, Garcinia indica) and kokam juices. It also has a great crop of mangoes as it falls in Ratnagiri district which is very well known for King of Mangoes, Alphonso. The city has its own ‘TAJ’ Hotel developed first in Maharashtra near riverview and it is now known as "Quality Resort The Riverview". Chiplun is famous for its hotels and known as tourist place. The waterfall known as Savatsada, attracts the eyes of tourists in months of June and July.

Education

Educational institutions include:

  • Ali Public School, Chiplun
  • Apex The School of Arts, Animation & Technology, Chiplun
  • Christ Jyoti Convent High School, Chiplun
  • D.B.J. College of Commerce, Science and Arts,Chiplun
  • Gharda Institute of Technology, Lavel
  • Gurukul Institute of Management and Technology, Chiplun
  • Govindrao Nikam College of Pharmacy, Sawarde
  • Iqra English Medium School, Gowalkot Road, Chiplun
  • Khadeeja English Medium School and Khatun Abdullah Secondary School, Gowalkot
  • Konkan Film & Television Institute, Chiplun
  • Laxmibai Marutiroa Bandal High School, Chiplun
  • Mary Matha School, Kherdi
  • Maharashtra High School, Chiplun
  • Shri Rajaram Raghojirao Shinde Madhyamik Vidhayala, Ovali-Nandivase
  • Mohan Vidhayala & Junior College, Akale
  • Paranjape Motiwale High School, Chiplun
  • Rajaram Shinde College of Engineering
  • S.P. College of Commerce, Bhogale
  • Sahyadri - Hon.Shrachandragi Pawar Agiri, Food Technology College Kharwate, Dahiwali, Sawarde
  • Sahyadri Institute of Business Management and Research, Sawarde
  • Sahyadri Institute of Hotel Management, Sawarde
  • Samarth Kokan Career Academy
  • Sanjeevani Prashikshan Sanstha, Sanjeevani DMLT Nursing College, Chiplun
  • S.P.M English Medium School, Parshuram
  • Suresh Damodar Gadre English Medium School
  • United English School, Chiplun

Attractions

Akkalkot Swami Muth

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 magnificent 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 beautiful gardens.

Walavalkar Shivaji Museum

The Walavalkar Shivaji 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 warrior Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj is etched through amazing 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 Maharaj, Sant Ramdas, Sant Tukaram and Sant Namdev are seen standing in their life-size forms. Numerous memorable scenes from Shivaji Maharaj's life history are etched on the walls. 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.

Others

  • Ramvardayani Temple, Dadar
  • Sawatsada Water Falls, Farshi Titha (Pedhe)
  • Sharda Devi Temple - Turumbhav
  • Shree Dev Kal-Bhairav and Jogeshwari Temple (Old And New), Chiplun
  • Shree Devi Mahalaxmi Temple
  • Shree Kshetra Dattadham near Koynanagar
  • Shree Sukai Devi Mandir, Owali
  • Chiveli Vagheshwari Temple, Chiveli
  • Gandhareshwar and Vireshwar Temples Of Shiv, Chiplun
  • Kalwande Dam
  • Karanjeshwari Temple, Govalkot
  • Muthappan Madappura, Chiplun
  • Nageshvar Temple, Choravane
  • Narayan Lake, Chiplun
  • Nehru Smriti Udayan, Koynanagar
  • Pandavaas Caves, Chiplun
  • Vashisthi Darshan (Visava Point), Parshuram
  • Vindhyavasini Temple, Raotale, Chiplun
  • Vitthalaai Temple, Dhamanavane
  • Kalika Mata Temple, Sakhargaon, 25km from Chiplun

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, Mangalooru, 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/-.

Chiplun (CHI)
Next 'Small' station towards Mumbai:
Anjani		 Konkan Railway : Railway (India) Next 'Small' station from Mumbai:
Kamathe
Distance from Mumbai(CST) = 292 km
Next 'Main' station towards Mumbai:
Khed		 Konkan Railway : Railway (India) Next 'Main' station from Mumbai:
Ratnagiri

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Census of India 2001: Data from the 2001 Census, including cities, villages and towns (Provisional)". Census Commission of India. Archived from the original on 2004-06-16. Retrieved 2008-11-01.
  2. ↑ http://www.census2011.co.in/data/town/802874-chiplun-maharashtra.html
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