Ratnagiri is a small city situated in the
Ratnagiri district , on the beautiful western coast of
Maharashtra, Konkan. It is the administrative capital and the important port of the Muslim kingdom of Bijapur upto the 17th century. This agricultural area has fishing and iron ore and bauxite mining as the main economy of the land. A fort was also built there during the 17th century which stands overlooking the harbor. Ratnagiri is also the birthplace of the great freedom fighter Bal Gangadhar Tilak. Tilak Smarak, the house of Bal Gangadhar Tilak, is a popular landmark in the land which is a museum today. Patit Pawan Mandir, the first temple built for non-
Brahmins, is of great importance.
Some of the other attractions include Thaba Palace which today houses a Government Polytechnic, Bhatya Beach, Shri Bhageshwar Mandir, Rajiwada Bunder and Vali waterfalls. Ratnagiri is 25 km from Ganapatipule and is 340 km from Mumbai. It also has its own airport and railway station.
