Sindhudurg district

Sindhudurg (सिंधुदूर्ग in Marathi) is an administrative district in the state of Maharashtra in India, which was carved out of the erstwhile Ratnagiri district. The district headquarters are located at Oros (ओरोस). The district occupies an area of 5207 km² and has a population of 861,672 (as of 2001). The district is named for the fort of Sindhudurg (which means "fort in the sea"), which lies on a rocky island just off the coast of Malvan (मालवण). This district has the distinction of being the second fully literate district of India after Ernakulam.

Location

Sindhudurg is bordered on the north by Ratnagiri District, on the south by the state of Goa, on the west by the Arabian Sea, and to the east across the crest of the Western Ghats or Sayadhris is Kolhapur District. Sindhudurg is part of Konkan (coastal) region, a narrow coastal plain in western Maharashtra which lies between the Western Ghats and the Arabian Sea.

Climate

Sindhudurg has a semi-tropical climate and remains warm and humid in most of the year. It has three clear seasons : Rainy (June - Septemeber), winter(October-January) and Summer(February-May). Temperatures vary between Max. 32°C and Min. 21°C. South-west monsoon winds bring heavy rains (average rainfall 2482.10 mm.

Major crops are : Rice, Mango, Cashew, Coconut, Vari, Nachani, Groundnut, Jackfruit, Beetlenut and spices.

People

The people of Sindhudurg District mostly speak Malvani, though Marathi and English are also spoken. Cities in the district include Sawantvadi, Kudal, Oros, Kankavli, Devgad, Vengurla and Malvan. Smaller towns include Nerur, Katta, Kalse, Banda and the hill resort of Amboli.

Cuisine

The cuisine of the district is popularly known as Malvani cuisine. Coconut, Rice and fish assume prime significance in the Malavani cuisine. Sea-food containing fish (especially Bangada, Paplet), prawns, Bombil (shells) and crab is very popular food of the people here. "Kombdi Vade", a chicken savoury, is the most popular dish here. Others include Ukadya Tandulachi Pej (उकड्या तांदुळाची पेज - a semi-fluid boiled preparation made of brown-red rice variety) and Sol Kadhi (सोल कढी - A preparation made of Aamsul आमसुल and coconut milk).

Mango आंबा assumes a major factor to the life of Sindhudurg, in fact whole of Konkan. Varieties of Alphonso Mango (हापुस आंबा ) from Devgad are particularly popular. Other varieties of mango: Mankur(मानकुर), Pāyari (पायरी) and Karel (करेल - used for preparing Mango Pickle) are also popular for their distinct taste.

Personalities

• Sant Sohiroba Ambiye
• Vamanrao (Nath) Pai