PLACES

KHOPOLI

Khopoli (Khalapur Peta, 18°45' N, 73°20' E; RS. p. 1,693) formerly known as Campoli, lies on the south-east border of the district on the Bombay-Bangalore National Highway five miles south-east of Khalapur. Khopoli is at the foot of the Bor pass incline, about 1,600 feet below Khandala on the crest of the Sahyadris. In 1779, the Bombay expedition, which was to have set Raghoba in power in Poona but ended in the failure by the treaty of Vadganv, had, on their way to Poona, several skirmishes with the Marathas at Khopoli, in which two English officers were killed. [Bombay in 1781, 176.] In 1804 Lord Valentia described it as close to the foot of the pass, surrounded by forest covered hills with a very fine reservoir and a neat temple. [Travels. II. 111.] In 1825 Bishop Heber called it a pretty village with a fine reservoir and a temple of Mahadev, [Narrative, II. 200.] and in 1831 Mrs. Wilson described it as finely situated commanding a picturesque view of the Poona road. [Mrs. Wilson's Life, 324.]

Khopoli has a fine oval shaped reservoir and a temple of Mahadev built by the Pesva's celebrated minister, Nana Phadnis (1790- 1800). A Fair is held in honour of God Mahadev on the Mahasivaratri day (Mg, Vad. 13) every year. The Central Railway has a branch from Karjat to Khopoli which is open for traffic throughout the year.

Government of late, has declared Khopoli as an industrial area. With plentiful of tail race water available from the Tata Hydro-electric Power Generation Centre a number of factories have sprung up. Apart from the small cottage industries like brick-laying, etc., there is the Paper and Pulp Conversion Mill and a few renowned chemical industries have contributed to the growing importance of this place. A central place for the motorists running between Bombay and Poona, it serves as a station for servicing and minor repairs for vehicles and a resting place for the passengers. Number of small shops along with a couple of small hotels have lined up near the S. T. Stand. There is also a primary health centre at Khopoli.

The importance of Khopoli as a junction of many road-routes cannot be disputed. The construction of the Tata power house and the recent fillip to the industrial development given by the cheap power available in the area has added to the importance of Khopoll as an economic centre. It can well be hoped that in the not distant future Khopoli will be the measure of economic advance of the Kolaba district in particular and of the Konkan in general. The Ghats overlooking the place offer a very panoramic view of Khopoli which stills the eye and tickles the imagination. The tailwater released by the power house passes through the heart of Khopoli and from above the Ghats it gives an appearance of a river traversing the region. The majestic industrial constructions taking place roundabout Khopoli also add a strength to the back-ground on which Khopoli is set. It has no longer remained a village it was in the past but has become an hubbub of economic and commercial activity today with the bazar spread on both sides of the Bombay-Poona national highway. Khopoli is fortunate in hiving a link with Bombay by rail also. A railway route about 10 miles in length runs the plain between Karjat and Khopoli carrying passengers and workers to and fro. The gradual expansion of Khopoli as an industrial centre would add to the significance of this route.

Of the places, the reservoir built by Nana Phadnis the celebrated minister of the Pesvas is an object worth a visit. It is built of solid and strong black rock and is oval shaped. The circumference of the reservoir is about 3/4 of a mile. The reservoir holds excellent water throughout the year. The reservoir has surrounding walls also built in stone and are of a width of about 5' to 6'. The reservoir has stone steps leading to the water. Adjacent to the tank is the temple of Viresvar built in plain style with a Nandi in front of the temple. The temple is of a height of about 75' from the base to the top and the foundation measures 40'x20'. Inside is the image of Siva. The Sabha mandap measures about 20' x 10'. A visitor gets a glamorous view of the upghats from the temple. The refreshing and breezy atmosphere that encompasses the temple provides a beautiful picnic spot. At the entrance of the temple is a samadhi.

TOP