Alibag Knowledge Guide

History

Alibag is a coastal town and municipal council in Raigad district of Maharashtra, India. It is the headquarters of the Raigad district. Revdanda, Chaul, Nagaon, Akshi, Varsoli, Thal, Navgaon, Kihim and Aawas villages were known as "Ashtagare". Alibag and its surrounding villages are the historic hinterland of Bene Israeli Jews. There is a synagogue in the "Israel Ali" (Marathi इस्राएल आळी meaning Israel lane) area of the town. A Bene Israelite named Ali used to live there at that time. He was a rich man and owned many plantations of mangoes and coconuts in his gardens. Hence the locals used to call the place "Alichi Bagh"(Marathi for "Ali's Garden"), or simply "Alibag", and the name stuck.Alibag houses a magnetic observatory which was set up in 1904. It serves as one of the significant observatories forming part of a global network now run by Indian Institute of Geomagnetism. The observatory has two buildings; the first building has magnetometers that record changes occurring in the geomagnetic fields. The second building consists of precision recording instruments, which give data about geomagnetic storms caused by solar storms which is shared with other countries.

Tourism

Gallery

Other attractions

Kolaba (or Kulaba) fort (not to be confused with Colaba in Mumbai) is in the sea 1–2 km from the Alibag shores. During low tide one can walk to the fort. The fort used to have a sweet water well. Kanakeshwar temple is on a hill near Mapgaon village, about 12 km from Alibag and falls on the way to Mandawa. The temple also has a foot-way through the village Ziradpada. Tower of St. Barbara (Satkhani Buruj) Chaul is a historic town about 15 km from Alibag. It is famous for its Portuguese ruins, an old church, a synagogue, Buddhist caves, the Hamam Khana and a temple. More than 365 old temples are present in Chaul Town. The famous fair at Chaul-Bhovale is celebrated in December month it starts from "Datta Jayanti" and lasts for 5 to 7 days. The peoples from various places comes for this fair. Shitaladevi Temple , Chaul is about 18 kmfrom Alibag. It is historic and famous temple in chaul. Vikram Vinayak Temple or Birla Temple, Salav is situated about 20 km away from Alibag. Sagargad Karmarkar Museum: A museum of exquisite sculptures from the renowned sculptor Padmashri V.P. Karmarkar in Sasavne, about 18 km from Alibag Bus Depot. Kanhoji Angre Samadhi Uma-Maheshwar Shiva Temple Balaji temple Murud-Janjira: Janjira is a fort situated not very far from Alibag. It was built by Siddi traders. Shivaji failed to capture the fort from the Siddis. One can find fresh water pounds inside the fort even today. Datta Mandir: situated at bhowale,2 km from Chaul. Datta Tekdi (Veshvi): A Datta Mandir situated on a small hill near Veshvi. It is about 6–7 km from Alibag. Hingulja Mandir: Situated near datta mandir, historic temple built by pandwas. Magnetic Observatory: Established in 1904 by the Indian Institute of Geomagnetism. Although after 26/11, the security has been tightened and access to the Observatory has been restricted. A written permission from the Panvel office of Indian Institute of Geomagnetism needs to be presented when entering the premises of the Observatory in Alibag. Korlai Fort and Korlai Creole Portuguese of Korlai village: Situated between Chaul and Kashid, a village of Indians born of Indo-Portuguese ancestors, speaking a unique creole of Portuguese and a fort lost in the sands of history. Hirakot Lake: Nearly 500 metres from the Magnetic Observatory. Bhuvaneshwar Temple: It is situated at Narangi Village, 20 km from Alibag. It is a very famous and historical temple. Every year, there is a fair on Mahashivratri in Hindu calendar. On this hill, a variety of herbs are found. 15 Village are taking Care of management. They have established in management committee. SATVIRA Temple: It is situated at Shirawali village, 16 km far from Alibag. It is a very famous and historical temple. Every year, Navratri days many people visited this temple. On this hill, a variety of herbs are found. They have established in Shirawali village peoples.