Amboli, Sindhudurg

About

Amboli is a small village in the southern Konkan Division, Sindhudurg district, Maharashtra state, India. Amboli Ghat lies at an altitude of approximately 700 metres (2, 300 feet) above sea level and is the last hill resort before ending in the coastal plains of Goa state. Amboli lies in the Western Ghats of peninsular India, one of the world's "Ecological Hotspots" and it abounds in unusual flora and fauna. However, as in the other parts of the Sahaydri Hills, denudation of the forest cover and unregulated government-assisted development are gradually ruining a once-pristine environment. Historically, Amboli village came into being as one of the staging posts along the road from Vengurla port to the city of Belgaum, which was extensively used by the British to supply their garrisons in south and central India. The source of the Hiranyakeshi river lies in the hills around Amboli village and farmers cultivate rice in it. An ancient Shiva temple (called Hiranyakeshwar) sits at the cave where the water emerges. The main attraction for tourists is the incredibly-high rainfall (7 m average, per year) and the numerous waterfalls and mist during the monsoons. Legend has it that there are 108 Shiva temples in and around Amboli, of which only a dozen have been uncovered, one as recently as 2005. Amboli is also known for sending large number of youngsters to serve Indian Army. In Amboli,

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