TRADE

FAIRS.

Almost all the fairs held in the district are associated with important deities and religious festivals. In the 19th century they were important occasions of commercial activity, although they are now losing their importance.

The following table shows the taluka-wise distribution of fairs held in the district, in 1957.

In 1957, the largest number of fairs (118) were held in Sawantwadi taluka. It was followed by Kudal. The fair held at Kankeshwar in Deogad taluka had the largest turnover estimated at Rs. 8,000.

Fairs of commercial importance were held at Savans in Khed taluka, Mhapral in Mandangad taluka, Pophali in Chiplun taluka, Ganpati Pule and Ratnagiri in Ratnagiri taluka, Digas in Kudal mahal, Vaghaleshwar, Prabhanvalli, Kondhya in Lanje mahal, Dharampur Kulse, Wayangaon, Tondiwadi, Angune wadi and Chinder in Malvan taluka; Khanoli, Ubhadanda, Arvali, Shiroda in Vengurla mahal, Kunkeshwar and Jamsande in Deogad taluka.

These fairs are usually attended by pedlars, itinerant merchants and petty shopkeepers from neighbouring villages. Among them are sweetmeat makers, grocers, tassel-makers, coppersmiths, vendors of parched grains, ready-made cloth dealers, etc. Transactions at these fairs take place on cash basis.

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