General Information of Roha:
Holy men & Saints of Maharashtra have described it as
"Sunder Desha Pavitra Desha Maharashtra Desha...". Roha is a part of this beautiful Maharashtra state.
This small town is situated on the bank of the river Kundalika under the blessings of Shri
Dhavir Maharaj and made famous by people such as Shri Pandurang Shastri Athavle & Dr.CD.Deshmukh. Located in Raigad district in
the state of Maharashtra(INDIA), Roha has been made famous on the world map by these two personalities. People of different comunities like Maratha, Dhangar, Shimpi, Brahman, Kayasta, Muslim etc.stay here.
There are different housing lanes for each community, but till date there has been no problems among this people. Even if there are different lanes people live with a sense of unity,which reflects during
various festivals. The main attraction of Roha is the Dhavir temple, constructed by Balwantrao Vithoji More in 1849. In veiw of this temple Roha has
been declared a religious destination by the Government of Maharashtra. Since the British regime there was a practice of giving 'Salami' to this temple and it is still carried out every year on the next day of 'Dusshera'.
Roha was the buisness centre from olden days and the start of railway service in April 1985 gave it an added industrial importance.
Many big companies have their manufacturing plants here like Pepsi, Clariant, Sudarshan Chemicals, Excel,
Unichem Laboratories etc. Late Shri Pandurang Shastri Athavle-rewarded by the coveted Magasaysay Award was born in Roha. Former Late Finance Minister of India Dr.CD Deshmukh was brought up as a child in Roha itself.
Roha has also successfully hosted the
"82nd Akhil Bhartiya Marathi Natya Sammelan."
Roha is located just three hours from Mumbai. You can reach there by bus or train. For people who love adventure Roha
is a great place. "Avchitgad", "Ghosale"
(Photo available in the Photos section of the website) forts are nearby and are very good sites for trecking and rapling. Other sites
include
Vardhayani waterfall, place called Lander and Talaghar waterfall, where you can expereince nature very closely, are
spectacular sites. Not many people know about Vardhayani, but it is a great place for a one day trip just 30 minutes from Roha,
you can also enjoy night stay there provided the required things are carried, for eg.tent, food, utensils etc.
Other then this sites the famous temple of Shri Ballaleshwar, one of the eight gods in Ashtavinayak is also very near.
It is situated on the foot hills of "Sarasgad", another site where you can have a good rapling expereince.
If you are planning for a one day trip then after enjoying one of the waterfalls you can proceed to
Murud which is
famous for its beaches. State transport service is available for Murud.
Raigad:
The famous Raigad fort is two hours from Roha. This was the capital of Shivaji’s Kingdom. The fort was called the Gibraltar of the east. The fort is built on a hill spilt off from the Western Ghats and inaccessible from three sides. It was here that Shivaji crowned himself Chatrapati in 1674. The fort, though in ruins today, has an aura of grandeur.Rope-way is available from foot-hills to the top of the fort (seasonal). On foot, about 1450 steps from foot-hill to top of the Fort.
Raigad was the capital of the Marathas under Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. Britishers named it 'Gibralter of the East' as the well-fortified structure atop a hill that had repeatedly defied attackers. Shivaji built the fort in the 14th century. Chit Darwaja, also known as Jit Darwaja is at the foothills near village Pachad.
Khoob Ladha Buruj is a strategically located tower, from where any attacker from both the side could be defended. Maha Darwaja is at a distance of nearly a mile ahead after a difficult climb. This 350 years-old main entrance to the fort stands so majestically. Mena Darwaja is a special entrance for the royal ladies and the queens.
Rani Vasa or Queens' Chambers is to the left of Mena Darwaja. The royal ladies were using these six rooms. In front of the Rani Vasa is the Palkhi Darwaja, special entrance for the convoy of Shivaji Maharaj. There is a row of three dark chambers to the right of Palkhi Darwaja. There is the palace of Shivaji Maharaj to the right of the granaries.
Mahabaleshwar, Harihareshwar, Ganpatipule, Shivthar Ghal, Gandhar Pale, Torana: Nijampur - Fort Mangad - Raigad Trek, Birwadi - Raigad Trek are the other attractions.
Getting To Roha:
Bus: State transport service is available.Roha is 150 kms. from Mumbai.
Rail:On the Konkan Railway it is three hours from Mumbai.
- 06.20 from Diva Jn.( Diva-Madgaon which passes through Roha )
- 09.10 from Diva Jn.( Diva-Roha )
-
11.40 Netravati Express from Lokmanya Tilak Terminus ( passes through Roha )
- 15.35 Dadar- Ratnagiri.( which passes through Roha )
- 20.00 from Diva Jn.( Diva-Roha )
Nearby attractions:
- Ghosala Fort
- Kuda Caves
- Tala Fort
- Avchitgad Fort
- Bhira Dam
