Ajara

Ajara lies in the hills near the meeting of the Hiranyakeshi and Chitri rivers. The wet slopes of the Western Ghats support rice cultivation around the town, while forested ground rises towards the coast. On the Hiranyakeshi nearby is Ramtirth, a sacred place with shrines to Rama and Shiva. Local tradition holds that Rama stayed here during his exile. Ajara also formed part of the country associated with the Ghorpade chiefs and the Maratha rulers of Satara.