Karli Backwaters

A boat ride up the river starting from the creek is full of beautiful and surprising moments. 
The ride against the river nearing its journey is amazingly swift.

The waters however, hide the turmoil within and it’s only when some troubled dolphin jumps to the surface and zigzags back that one gets the true picture of the abyss.

The rivers banks are covered with verdant forests and one shouldn’t be faulted for comparing it to the ride across the Amazon.

Karli Backwaters

Shri Dev Vetoba Temple

Located about 3 km east of the unspoilt Shiroda-Velagar beach and 13 km from Vengurla in south Sindhudurg is the village of Aravali. One of the attractions of this nondescript yet charming village is the Shri Dev Vetoba Temple, an elaborate shrine dedicated to Vetoba the King of Ghosts and an avatar of Shiva. The deity’s 9 ft-tall statue, fashioned out of five metals, stands in the sanctum sanctorum, appropriately armed with weapons to fight evil and watch over the village.

Bananas and large Kolhapuri slippers are given as offerings for boons granted for it is believed that Lord Vetoba dons the slippers at night when he tours the village to ensure that all is well.

Shri Dev Vetoba Temple

Nestling in a mango grove nearby is the Sateri Devi Mandir, an appealing, pillared temple with a sloping-tiled roof. This exquisite temple is in keeping with local architecture and is cloaked in an aura of spirituality.

On the road to Shri Dev Vetoba Temple there is a little waterfront shrine surrounded by colourful flags. These offerings are made by local fishermen who come here with two flags; one they leave behind for the gods and the other they carry back with them and fly them on their boats for protection on the high seas.

Sindhudurg - Historical Traces

It is believed that during the 13th year of exile, the Pandavas passed through the entire Konkan region and also resided in Sindhudurg for some period of time. During their war with the Kauravas at Kurukshetra, the Pandavas were accompanied by Veerat Ray, who was the Raja of this region.

However, in the 2nd century AD, the Konkan coast was conquered by the Mauryas. During the mid of 6th century, Konkan was under the reign of both Maurya and Nala dynasties. In the 16th century, the west coast of India witnessed the advent of Portuguese power, to which Sindhudurg was no exception.

Later in 1675, the district was conquered by Shivaji and went under the control of the Marathas. The Marathas ruled the district till 1817, after which, a war broke out between the British and the Peshwas. As a result of this war, the entire Konkon region came under the rule of the British.

In 1819, a separate district was formed, which came to be known as South Konkan, with its headquarters initially located at Bankot. Later the headquarters was shifted to Ratnagiri from Bankot.

In 1832, Ratnagiri was made a full-fledged district and Sindhudurg was a part of it. Later on 1st May, 1981, Ratnagiri District was divided into Ratnagiri and Sindhudurg for administrative purposes and for agricultural and industrial developments.