Raigad is major district of Kokan due to its central situation with vicinity to both South Kokan (Talkokan) and Mumbai and

Thane (North Kokan). Its name original was Kulaba (from Kulaba fort in Alibaug) and was later changed to Raigad.

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Demography

It spreads 7152 Sqkm with 15 Talukas, 15 Panchayat Samitis, 1919 villages, 821 Gramanchayats, 4 Administrative areas. 

Its population is 26,35,394. Male: 13,48,089 Female: 12,87,305. Literacy: 83.89% Gender Ratio: 976.

 

It has hot and humid climate with good rainfall 300-350 cm. Soil of Besalt is fertile due to good rain and river system. The environment is best for high water cereal like Rice (65% area) other crops like Nachni, Wal, Tur. Horticulture is also famous here specially Kokan spices, Kokum, Supari, Coconut etc. Cashew, Jackfruit, Kalingad are other famous fruits of the region.     

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Raigad as like Sindhudurg and Ratnagiri district is located within Sahyadri range on one side and Arabian sea at the other.

This natural structure gives some astonishing locations to explore. District has good forest cover as like the entire Kokan with diversity, eye-pleasing greenery all around in rainy seasons with waterfalls, filled up lakes and dams. Most of its Talukas are hilly areas at one side and sea shore to the vicinity, thus give a bunch of good tour destinations with lot to enjoy.

 

Ulhas, Patalganga both starting from thane, Bhogavati which starts at Boghat and ends in Pen (Dharamtar creek), Amba River which begins in Sudhagad near Pali and also ends in Dharmtar Creek, Kundlini begins in Sudhagad and meets Roha creek, Savitri a major river begins in Poladpur which marks boundry line for Raigad and Ratnagiri district meets Bankot Creek are some major rivers. Ghod and Kal are sub-rivers of Savitri.  Bhira in Mangon, Bhivpuri in Karjat, Rajanala in karkjat, Khopoli in Khalapur and Kolad in Mangon are some dams.  

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Besides farming Raigad has good mine reserves of Bauxite, Iron ore and Crude oil. Fisheries is obviously major occupation here which has 122 km of Sea shore. Besides marine fisheries, Sweet water fish farming is also being started at many places in the district. Fertiliser is major heavy industry with Rashtriya Chemicals has project in Thal-Wayshet, Ehenal oil project, Paper industries in Mahad, Roha and Khopoli and Steel and Bronze Grossary is famous at Mahad Pali. Ganpati Idols made of 'Shadu' of Pen are world famous. 

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Mumbai-Goa NH17 is major National Highway passing from Panvel, Pen, to Mahad Poladpur, Mumbai-Chennai NH4, Navhasheva-Palaspe NH4B are NH passing from Raigad. Mahad- Mahabaleshwar and Mahad-Shrivardhan are State Highways. Mumbai- Goa Railways passes through Raigad District with stations at Panvel, Roha, Kolad, Dasgaon, Veer (Mahad). Mumabi-Chennai Railways also passes from Raigad. 

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Intenal waterways are available from Murud to Agardanda. 

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Forts

Raigad Fort is the first capital of Maratha Dynasty started by the great king Shivaji Maharaj located at Mahad in Raigad District. This is the fort which witnessed the coronation of Shivaji Maharaj in 1674.  

Sudhagad near Pali

Janzira Fort, Murud

Avchitgad

Ghosalgad

Shivtharghal is the beautiful place in the sahyadri region surrounded with hills and waterfall, where great Hindu saint Samarth Ramdas resided for 10 years and wrote his famous book Dasbodh. 

Kulaba fort is another fort within sea near Alibaug Sea shore.

Khanderi sea fort at Panvel

Karnala, Panvel also Bird sanctuary

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Other Places to Explore

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Alibaug is hot weekend destination with seashore and some other places to visit nearby like Sclupture Exhibition of Karmarkar in Saswad. There is ancient Rockscript found in Akshi near Alibaug. 

Pali and Mahad are famous for Ganpati Temples and one of the great Ashtvinayak places. 

Shrivardhan is place of birth of Peshwas. Harihareshwar is nearby holy and beautiful place to visit. 

There are hot water reservoir at Unhere. 

Mahad is also known for Equality movement of Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar (Chavdar Tale)

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