Mahad, a town nestled in the Konkan region (History of Mahad) of Maharashtra, India, holds a significant historical and cultural legacy. With a rich past that dates back to ancient times, Ma-had has witnessed the rise and fall of empires, played a vital role in the Indian independence movement, and now stands as a thriving modern town.
Chavdaar Tale Satyagraha
It is known for the Chavdaar Tale's satyagraha of Bhimrao Ambedkar at Chavdar Tale, which is a large public water tank in Mahad town.[1] Ambedkar with his followers of over 2,500 Dalits marched to the tank. In the March some upper caste people also participated, who used to admired Bhimrao's ideology. Ambedkar was the first to take his hand and sip water from the tank, followed by the rest. This was a revolutionary step for the time and broke the taboo of caste discrimination. This came to be known as the Mahad Satyagraha.[2] Many disciples of the Buddha and followers of B.R. Ambedkar visit Chavdaar Tale every year on Kranti Din (Day of Revolution).
However, this was not the end of the struggle. There was tremendous backlash from the rest of the community and some even performed a purification ritual to counter the act of revolution.[citation needed][3] Ambedkar made another statement by burning the Hindu book Manusmriti at the very same spot on 25 December 1927.[2]
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and Raigad fort
Mahad has a glorious history during the rule of the Maratha king Shivaji. The capital of Hindavi Swarajya and Samadhi of Chhatrapati Shivaji is at Raigad fort. which is around 24km (15mi) from the city. It was part of Birwadi Subha (Tehsil) and was ruled by Birwadi Subhedar's Kadams (Mahamunkars).[citation needed] The village Umarath of Tanaji Malusare & Kinjaloli of Murarbaji are also in the vicinity of Mahad.
Mahad was a flourishing port in the past. The Gul (Jaggery) of Shahupuri Kolhapur and Satara was exported to Gujarat via Mahad. Since the banks of Savitri river changed during the course of time, only creek water fishing is carried out and Mahad is no longer a port.
In 2016, a major flood hit Mahad because of the collapse of the British era bridge on Mumbai-Goa highway and caused great losses. The incident resulted in the loss of 42 lives.[5]
Several disasters like floods and landslides have continuously devastated markets and old houses, specifically classic Konkani-styled architecture, causing great loss of life. This is primarily due to lower elevation of the city compared to surrounding areas and being surrounded by rivers on all sides, making the city like a triangular island. Also, Konkan, receives predominantly very heavy rainfall in comparison to rest of Maharashtra.[6][7]
Mahad has a tropical climate and witnesses heavy rainfall during monsoon. Summers are very hot and winters are cold with a thick fog lay over city during morning hours. Mahad receives the highest rainfall in Raigad district because of the rain catcher forest of Raigad Fort Natural Reserve and famous hill station Mahabaleshwar. Mahad receives an average annual rainfall above 4,000mm (160in). Mahad has a favorable climate for the growth of alphonso mango and coconut trees.
Demographic
As of 2011 India Census, Mahad has a population of 1,80,191.
Tourist attractions nearby
Raigad, popularly known as "Gateway of Konkan", is among the city's tourist destinations. Other attractions include:
The word "Mahad" is derived from Konkani-marathi words "महा" (Mahā) and "हाट" (Market)."महा" meaning "Great or big" and "हाट" meaning "market", collectively meaning "a big market".
The oldest reference of Mahad is found in historical documents in 225 BC. Around 130 AD, Mahad was under rule of Buddhist king Vishnu Pulit of Kambhoja dynasty. He built the Gandharpale caves opposite to Mahad port. Under his rule, Mahad was a port and business center which continued until British Raj. The development of Mahad as a business center continued under the rule of Yadavas of Deogiri in the 13th century. Yadavas were the first make Marathi the official language of Maharashtra. Mahad was taken by British in 1818 and was a place of administrative work when Raigad fort was made the capital of Shivaji.
Festivals
Mahad is one of the well-known holiday destinations in Konkan region. The festivals most celebrated by local people are Holi (which falls in summer around the month of March) and Ganpati festival (which falls during the monsoon, around the month of September).[citation needed], EID is well celebrated in this region, mahad has diversity in it's population.
Shimga Festival
The most important festival among whole Konkani community spreading from Thane, Raigad to Goa and Karawar coast is "Shimga". It is speciality of "Konkan and Goa". Every City, every town or village has its own way of celebrating it. Almost every Konkani working day and night, sleeplessly in metropolis like Mumbai, Pune, Delhi or in foreign countries rush to their homeland during Shimga. People worship their local deities, fun-fairs are organized; the Palkhis of local deities are main attraction and is considered prestigious among locals. Each town represents its own religious culture and traditions.
Shimgotsav in Mahad
Vireshwar is the most-worshipped local deity of Mahad. The temple of Vireshwar was believed to be constructed during or before Shivaji's reign. A local fair is organised during shimga called "Mahad chi Jatra", uniquely known as "Chabina Utsav of Mahad". The "Palkhis" of seven sisters of Vireshwar who are Gram-devi (goddess) of nearby villages and towns like Mangaon, Poladpur and Khed are brought at Vireshwar Temple in Mahad. Goddess Zolai Devi is considered the most favorite sister of Vireshwar. The people are so devoted that they bring Palkhis from many miles far villages by walking, sometimes bare-footed, they consider this holy and sacred and feel lucky to be part of it.
Eid
Economy
Central Market
Mahad was the central market for people of Poladpur, the Raigad villages and the hill station Mahabaleshwar. The city is surrounded by the Sahyadri mountain ranges and the Savitri, Kal and Gandhari rivers originating through Mahabaleswar, hills in Mulshi and Raigad fort respectively. Mahad was a flourishing port in the past.[citation needed] "Mahadi Gul"[clarification needed] was well known in Gujarat, which is made in Satara, Pune district and exported to other locations through Mahad's port.[citation needed]
Many people from Mahad commute to cities like Surat, Vapi and Valsad in Gujarat from even before the Independence. For inter-state public transport, Gujarat State Road Transport Corporation started buses from Mahad and Poladpur bus stand which are under operations of Mahad MSRTC Bus Depot to Surat and other cities of Gujarat.
Mahabaleshwar is a small town and a municipal council in Satara district, Maharashtra, India. It is a place of pilgrimage for Hindus because the Krishna River has its origin here. The British colonial rulers developed the town as a hill station, and it served as the summer capital of the Bombay Presidency during the British Raj.
Lonavala-Khandala is a hill station and a Municipal Council in the Pune district, Maharashtra, India. It is about 64 km west of Pune and 96 km to the east of Mumbai. It is known for its production of the hard candy chikki and is also a major stop on the railway line connecting Mumbai and Pune. From the Pune suburbs, local trains are available from Pune Junction. The Mumbai-Pune Expressway and the Mumbai-Bengaluru highway both pass through Lonavala.
Navi Mumbai is a planned city next to Mumbai, located in the Konkan division of the western Indian state of Maharashtra, on the mainland of India. Navi Mumbai is situated across two districts, Thane (Taana) & Raigad. It is a part of the Mumbai Metropolitan Area.
Alibag, also known as Alibaug, is a coastal city and a municipal council in Raigad district of Maharashtra, India. It is the headquarters of the Raigad district and is south of the city of Mumbai. Alibag is part of the Mumbai Metropolitan Region and is situated at a distance of about 96 km from Mumbai and 143 km from Pune. Alibag is a holy place for Goddess Shree Padmakshi Renuka. She is also known as goddess of Konkan.
New Panvel is a residential, commercial and educational node of Navi Mumbai, Raigad District, Maharashtra and comes under the Konkan division. New Panvel was developed on marshy land and was previously a Mango cultivated area. New Panvel is divided into two parts: New Panvel (E), on the eastern side of Panvel railway station and Khanda Colony or New Panvel (W) on the western side of it. Both parts of New Panvel are connected by a flyover bridge also known as Khanda Colony Flyover. New Panvel (W) is also popularly called Khanda Colony by the local villagers, as the city is adjacent to two small villages Dhakta Khanda and Motha Khanda.
Roha is a town and taluka in the Raigad district of the Maharashtra state of India. It is located 120 km southeast of Mumbai. It is the starting point of Konkan railways and end point of central railways (Mumbai). Many chemical industries have opened up their manufacturing bases in Roha. Roha is located between the banks of the Kundalika River and the hills of Kalasgiri. It has a population of over 20,849. Roha is connected to Mumbai by Panvel-Roha railway line. Roha is also the northern end of the Konkan Railway. Roha is off of the Mumbai Goa Highway, via the Kolad road.
Panvel is a city and taluka in Raigad district of Maharashtra, India. It is highly populated due to its closeness to Mumbai. Panvel is also governed for development purpose by the body of Mumbai Metropolitan Region. Panvel Municipal Corporation is the first Municipal Corporation in Raigad and the 27th Municipal corporation of Maharashtra State.
Pratapgad is a mountain fort located in Satara district, in the Western Indian state of Maharashtra. The fort is situated 24 kilometres from the Mahabaleshwar hill station. The fort is now a popular tourist destination.
Raigad district, previously Colaba district, is a district in the Konkan division of Maharashtra, India. The headquarters of the district is Alibag. Other major cities in the district are Panvel, Karjat, Navi Mumbai, Khopoli, Shrivardhan and Mahad.
Chiplun ( [t͡ʃipɭuːɳ]) is a city in Ratnagiri district in the state of Maharashtra, India. It is one of the financial and commercial hubs of Ratnagiri district, and the headquarters of Chiplun taluka. It is about 250 km south of Mumbai and 90 km North of Ratnagiri 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.
Nagothane is a census town in Roha Taluka, in the Raigad district of the Indian state of Maharashtra. The Kanyakumari-Panvel National Highway, famously known as Mumbai-Goa Highway (NH66) goes through this town.
Poladpur is a census town in Raigad district in the Indian state of Maharashtra.
Shrivardhan is a taluka, city, and local governing body in the Raigad district of the Indian state of Maharashtra. It is renowned as the birthplace of Balaji Vishwanath, the first Peshwa (1713–1720) and father of Bajirao I, who held the position of Deshmukh in the town. It has developed into a seaside resort, along with the nearby town of Harihareshwar, which also has a Shiva temple. Located on a peninsula, the town itself boasts many beaches, in addition to proximity to numerous other beach destinations such as Diveagar Beach and Kondivali Beach. People from across Maharashtra come to Shrivardhan and the nearby beaches all year round.
Mandangad is the headquarters of Mandangad taluka the northmost taluka in Ratnagiri district of Maharashtra, India.
The Marathi—Konkani languages are the mainland Southern Indo-Aryan languages, spoken in Maharashtra and the Konkan region of India. The other branch of Southern Indo-Aryan languages is called Insular Indic languages, which are spoken in Insular South Asia.
Savitri River is one of the five rivers which originate from Mahabaleshwar in Maharashtra state in India. It originates at Savitri point near Mahabaleshwar and flows through the bankot village and directly goes to Arabian sea Raigad district and eventually meets Arabian Sea at Harehareshwar. It passes through rocky and hilly terrain of western ghats till Poladpur and further through the towns of Mahad, Mangaon and Shrivardhan Tehsil (taluka). There are a number of Shiva temples along the banks of river Savitri. Many other small rivers get merged into it at Kapade, Poladpur and Birwadi. Its major tributary is the Kal River which enters from the right (north) near Dasgaon.
Ambenali Ghat is a mountain road in Maharashtra, India cutting across the Northern Western Ghats or the Sahyadri mountain range. It connects the coastal Raigad District Konkan region of Maharashtra with the Satara District Desh region on the Deccan plateau. It is one of few link roads between the Konkan and Ghatmaatha in Maharashtra. The road, state highway 72, is at an average elevation of 625 m (2,051 ft). The ghat, or mountain road, is about 40 km long. Its characteristic feature is that it takes many turns without gaining/losing much height. It links the cities of Poladpur and Mahabaleshwar. It ends in Poladpur. The road ascends/descends around 1300m from Mahabaleshwar to Poladpur. It is the longest ghat in Maharashtra.This ghat travels through the Javali forest area. Many animals like leopards are seen here. This 40 km long ghat is known for its deadly road, where many accidents take place. It is very scenic and its picturesque landscape makes it an ideal location for tourists who flock around the ghat in crowds but it's known for being closed during the monsoon season sometimes due to "safety-issues".
Panvel taluka is a taluka in Raigad district of the Indian state of Maharashtra.
Poladpur taluka is a taluka in Raigad district of Maharashtra an Indian state.
Konkandiva Fort (transliteration: Konkandiva Qilа̄) is a fort located 70 km from Pune in Maharashtra. This fort is on the boundary of Raigad and Pune district. The fort was important as a surveillance fort to keep watch on the possible attack on the Raigad fort through Ghol Village side along the Mutha river.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply. Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.
India 
