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PLACES
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PETH
Peth, 17° 3' north latitude and 74° 17' east
longitude, with 8,613 inhabitants in 1961 is a village in Valva taluka about 4.82 km (3 miles) west of Islampur and 72.42 km (45 miles) south-east of Satara, It is situated at the junction of the Poona-Bangalore and the Sangli-Peth road. As its very name suggests it is one of the local trade centres. Its chief products are tobacco, betel-leaves, chilli and sugarcane. However, much of its importance has declined in recent years owing to the shifting of the sub-divisional headquarters from Peth to Islam pur. The chief traders are Gujars who deal chiefly in raw sugar which they buy from the local, cultivators and then send to places like Ciplun and Ratnagiri. There are three primary schools, a high school and live co-operative societies. There are the usual dispensaries and a post office also. There are temples dedicated to Khan-doba and Mankesvara. A yearly fair in honour of Khandoba is held in the month of Phalgun. It lasts for three days. It is intended by over 10,000 persons. The fair is chiefly noteworthy in the eyes of the people for the yearly occurrence of a miracle, when an aged Mang breaks an iron chain when the spirit of the deiry is supposed to enter his body after much loud supplication. A fair in honour of Mankoba is also held.
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