 |
PLACES
|
 |
NAGAON
Naganv (T. Alibag; 18° 35' N, 72° 50' E; p. 4,585;. RS.
Khopoli; 40 m.) is a large and rich coastal village three miles south-east of Alibag. It occupies the middle of the thickly inhabited strip of palm plantations and orchards, which stretches eight miles between Alibag and Revdanda creeks, the former of which runs on the north-east side of the village. The houses of the village are generally some distance apart in palm plantations. Here and there by the roadside is a temple with a masonry pond, some large trees surrounded by masonry plinths, grain and
miscelloneous shops. At these places the villagers meet on market
days and holidays. The land near Naganv seems to have considerably changed during the last 400 years. In 1538 De Castro described the island of Naganv as lying a league from Ceul and a gunshot from the mainland, between which and the island row boats could pass [Primeirc Roteiro da Costa da India, 55-56. The tidal channel which formed the island of Nagaon can still be traced on the latest maps.]. Naganv has a large temple of Vankhanath repaired by Ahalyabai Holkar (1790). Facing the temple is an old lake having considerable extent. Another temple is dedicated to Bhimesvar. Near it stood an inscribed stone, which, when the temple was repaired in the time of the Pesva was built into the steps. The stone is 2' 4" long by 1'6" broad and bears a Sanskrt inscription in twenty-eight lines dated Hijri 767 and Sak 1288. About a mile east of Bhimesvar's temple is the garden of Yesu Bal Mhatre and an inscribed stone 4' 3" long by 1' broad. Near the top of the stone are carved the sun and the moon and below is a much worn Devnagari inscription. The stone is worshipped by the people.
|
