![VashishtiRiver1](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/6b/VashishtiRiver1.jpg)
Chiplun (
">͡ʃipɭuːɳ is a city in
Ratnagiri district in the state of
Maharashtra
Maharashtra (; , abbr. MH or Maha) is a states and union territories of India, state in the western India, western peninsular region of India occupying a substantial portion of the Deccan Plateau. Maharashtra is the List of states and union te ...
,
India
India, officially the Republic of India (Hindi: ), is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by area, the second-most populous country, and the most populous democracy in the world. Bounded by the Indian Ocean on the so ...
. It is the financial and commercial Hub of Ratnagiri, and the headquarters of
Chiplun taluka
Chiplun taluka is a taluka in Ratnagiri district of Maharashtra, India. As per Census 2011, there are 2 towns and 165 villages within Chiplun Taluka.
Ratnagiri district
The taluka is one of nine talukas in Ratnagiri district, the others being ...
. It is about 320 km south of
Mumbai
Mumbai (, ; also known as Bombay — the official name until 1995) is the capital city of the Indian state of Maharashtra and the ''de facto'' financial centre of India. According to the United Nations, as of 2018, Mumbai is the second- ...
in the Konkan region of Maharashtra, on the
Mumbai
Mumbai (, ; also known as Bombay — the official name until 1995) is the capital city of the Indian state of Maharashtra and the ''de facto'' financial centre of India. According to the United Nations, as of 2018, Mumbai is the second- ...
–
Goa
Goa () is a state on the southwestern coast of India within the Konkan region, geographically separated from the Deccan highlands by the Western Ghats. It is located between the Indian states of Maharashtra to the north and Karnataka to the ...
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
Guhagar (Marathi pronunciation: uɦaːɡəɾ is a census town in Ratnagiri district in the Indian state of Maharashtra. Guhagar is known for its virgin beach, coir items, coconuts, betel nuts and mainly Alphonso mangoes. The nearest city ...
taluka which was carved out of Chiplun taluka. The region has a tropical climate. The 'rainy season' — the
monsoon
A monsoon () is traditionally a seasonal reversing wind accompanied by corresponding changes in precipitation but is now used to describe seasonal changes in atmospheric circulation and precipitation associated with annual latitudinal oscil ...
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
Parashurama (), also referred to as Rama Jamadagnya, Rama Bhargava and Veerarama, is the sixth avatar among the Dashavatara of the preserver god Vishnu in Hinduism. He is believed to be one of the ''Chiranjivi, Chiranjeevis'' (Immortals), who ...
'', 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
Chhatrapati is a royal title from Sanskrit language.The word ‘Chhatrapati’ is a Sanskrit language compound word (tatpurusha in Sanskrit) of ''Chatra (umbrella), chhatra'' (''parasol'' or ''umbrella'') and ''pati'' (''master/lord/ruler''). Th ...
Shivaji
Shivaji Bhonsale I (; 19 February 1630 – 3 April 1680), also referred to as Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, was an Indian ruler and a member of the Bhonsle Maratha clan. Shivaji carved out his own independent kingdom from the declining Adil ...
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
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring, recording and calculating information about the members of a given population. This term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common censuses incl ...
, 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
Jorwe (also spelled Jorve) is a village and an archaeological site located on the Pravara, a tributary of the Godavari River in Sangamner taluka of Ahmednagar district of Maharashtra state in India. This site was excavated in 1950-51 under the ...
and
Malwa
Malwa is a historical region of west-central India occupying a plateau of volcanic origin. Geologically, the Malwa Plateau generally refers to the volcanic upland north of the Vindhya Range. Politically and administratively, it is also syno ...
cultures from
Inamgaon Inamgaon, in Maharashtra, is one of the largest Chalcolithic settlements in India. It has been estimated that at one time, about 1,000 people may have lived here. The settlement lasted for over 900 years (1500-600 BCE).
Inamgaon is a post- Harap ...
excavation near Pune, articles from
Maratha empire
The Maratha Empire, also referred to as the Maratha Confederacy, was an early modern Indian confederation that came to dominate much of the Indian subcontinent in the 18th century. Maratha rule formally began in 1674 with the coronation of Sh ...
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.
CHIPLUN MUSEM
/ref>
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
![Shivsrushti Dervan - panoramio (1)](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/a9/Shivsrushti_Dervan_-_panoramio_%281%29.jpg)
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
A Hindu temple, or ''mandir'' or ''koil'' in Indian languages, is a house, seat and body of divinity for Hindus. It is a structure designed to bring human beings and gods together through worship, sacrifice, and devotion.; Quote: "The Hind ...
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 =
Shree Hitvardhak Ganesh Temple, Madhaliwadi, Waghivare
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
Thane (; also known as Thana, the official name until 1996) is a metropolitan city in Maharashtra, India. It is situated in the north-eastern portion of the Salsette Island. Thane city is entirely within Thane taluka, one of the seven taluk ...
, Ratnagiri, Mangalore
Mangalore (), officially known as Mangaluru, is a major port city of the Indian state of Karnataka. It is located between the Arabian Sea and the Western Ghats about west of Bangalore, the state capital, 20 km north of Karnataka–Ker ...
, Karwar, Udupi
Udupi (alternate spelling Udipi; also known as Odipu) is a city in the Indian state of Karnataka. Udupi is situated about north of the educational, commercial and industrial hub of Mangalore and about west of state capital Bangalore by road.
...
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" (juna) 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
Chiplun railway station is a train station on Konkan Railways. It is located just off NH 66 in the Konkan town of Chiplun. The preceding station on the line is Anjani railway station and the next station is Kamathe railway station.
Trains
*10 ...
is one of the most important stations on the Konkan Railway
The Konkan Railway (abbreviated KR) is one of the 19 railway zones in India with its headquarters at CBD Belapur in Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra, India. The first passenger train ran on Konkan railway tracks on 20 March 1993, between Udupi and ...
. 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/-.
See also
* Pedhambe
*Pophali
Pophali is a panchayat town in Chiplun taluka of Ratnagiri district in Maharashtra, India. The town is known for its power plant, which is a part of the Koyna Hydroelectric Project. It is also the last town in the Konkan side on the state hig ...
* Ratnagiri
*Guhagar
Guhagar (Marathi pronunciation: uɦaːɡəɾ is a census town in Ratnagiri district in the Indian state of Maharashtra. Guhagar is known for its virgin beach, coir items, coconuts, betel nuts and mainly Alphonso mangoes. The nearest city ...
References
External links
Chiplun Instagram Account
Maharashtra Pakshimitra
Eye Donation in Kokan
{{Authority control
Talukas in Maharashtra
Cities and towns in Ratnagiri district