imported>Niceguyedc at 19:09, 21 August 2021

2021-08-21T19:09:12Z

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{{short description|Village in Maharashtra}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2017}}
{{Use Indian English|date=June 2017}}
{{more citations needed|date=March 2015}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name = Kihim
| other_name =
| settlement_type = Village
| image_skyline =
| image_alt =
| image_caption =
| nickname =
| map_alt =
| map_caption =
| pushpin_map = Maharashtra
| pushpin_label_position = right
| pushpin_map_alt =
| pushpin_map_caption =
| coordinates = {{coord|18.7286|N|72.8676|E|display=inline,title}}
| subdivision_type = Country
| subdivision_name = India
| subdivision_type1 = [[States and Territories of India|State]]
| subdivision_name1 = [[Maharashtra]]
| subdivision_type2 = [[List of districts of India|District]]
| subdivision_name2 = [[Raigad district|Raigad]]
| subdivision_type3 = [[Talukas of Maharashtra|Taluka]]
| subdivision_name3 = [[Alibag]]
| established_title = 
| established_date =
| founder =
| named_for =
| government_type =
| governing_body =
| unit_pref = Metric
| area_footnotes =
| area_rank =
| area_total_km2 =
| elevation_footnotes =
| elevation_m =
| population_total = 2582
| population_as_of = 2011
| population_rank =
| population_density_km2 = auto
| population_demonym =
| population_footnotes =
| demographics_type1 = Languages
| demographics1_title1 = Official
| demographics1_info1 = [[Marathi Language|Marathi]]
| timezone1 = [[Indian Standard Time|IST]]
| utc_offset1 = +5:30
| postal_code_type = [[Postal Index Number|PIN CODE]]
| postal_code = 402 201
| area_code_type = Telephone code
| area_code = 02141
| registration_plate =
| footnotes =
}}

'''Kihim''' (किहीम) is a small village located to the north of [[Alibag]]. Commonly known to people in [[Mumbai]] as a weekend getaway, it is accessible via Road and Water. It forms part of the string of beach hamlets along the coast of Alibag taluka collectively called as Hamptons of Mumbai<ref>{{Cite news|title=Why Rashesh Shah loves Alibaug, the Mumbai version of Hamptons|work=The Economic Times|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/magazines/panache/why-rashesh-shah-loves-alibaug-the-mumbai-version-of-hamptons/articleshow/65792059.cms|access-date=2021-05-24}}</ref> mainly due to the elite property owners, including businessmen and [[Bollywood]] personalities, in the area.

==History==

Kihim evolved as a village in the 17th century during the era of [[Kanhoji Angre|Sarkhel Kanhoji Aangre]], the [[Koli People|Koli]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://theprint.in/opinion/as-nda-cadet-i-was-witness-to-vice-admiral-awatis-kindness/145378/|title=As NDA cadet, I was witness to Vice Admiral Awati's kindness|last=LT GEN K. J.|first=SINGH|website=ThePrint.In|access-date=7 November 2018}}</ref> naval chief of King [[Shivaji]]'s Kingdom. It formed part of the then known as "Ashtagare" (or Eight Villages).

==Climate==

Kihim has a typical sub-tropical climate found across the western coast of India with heavy rainfall during [[Monsoon]]. Winters are moderate and Summers are hot and humid.

==Demographics==

Population of Kihim stood at 2,582<ref>{{cite web|title=Census|url=http://www.censusindia.gov.in/pca/SearchDetails.aspx?Id=588998|website=Census of India|access-date=30 March 2015}}</ref> according to the [[2011 Census of India|2011 Census]], with [[Male]] population at 1,285 (49.76%) and [[Female]] at 1,297 (50.23%). Literacy is 78% (Male: 81.17%, Female: 74.48%).

Almost everyone in this village follow Hinduism and speak Marathi as their mother tongue. The language has a limited influence of Agri and Koli dialects and hence may not be fully understandable at few times to visitors who are either used to clearer Marathi or are non-Marathi speakers.

==Economy==

Kihim mostly thrives on [[Tourism]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Maharashtra Tourism|url=http://www.maharashtratourism.gov.in/mtdc/HTML/MaharashtraTourism/TouristDelight/Beaches/Beaches.aspx?strpage=MandwaKihim_beaches.html|access-date=31 March 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150425171721/http://www.maharashtratourism.gov.in/mtdc/HTML/MaharashtraTourism/TouristDelight/Beaches/Beaches.aspx?strpage=MandwaKihim_beaches.html|archive-date=25 April 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Kihim|url=http://www.holidayiq.com/destinations/kihim/|website=Holiday IQ}}</ref> throughout the year with November to May being peak months. Farming is another major occupation found here. Rice is the main produce of the area like majority of the [[Konkan]] region. [[Coconut]] and [[Areca nut|Betel nut]] is also produced on a large scale.

[[Chondhi, Alibag|Chondhi]] is the nearest marketplace which is dotted with a few restaurants, departmental stores and banks.

==Tourism==

Major attraction in Kihim is its sandy beach. Though Kihim was once known as a "Bird Watchers' Paradise", very few exotic species can be still found in the areas having dense cover of trees. Variety of butterflies are also found here. Most common bird sightings include, Red-vented Bulbul, Oriental Magpie Robin, Orange-headed Thrush, Baya Weaver, Green bee-eaters, Common Myna and Asian Koel. Less common sightings include Greater Coucal, Black-rumped Flameback Woodpecker, Plum and Grey Headed Parakeets and Black-hooded Oriole. If you are near a water source, you might see a White-throated Kingfisher or an Egret.[[File:Mumbai skyline from Kihim Beach.JPG|thumb|On a clear day Colaba area of Mumbai is visible from Kihim Beach on the north western side.|281x281px]][[File:People enjoying on Kihim Beach.JPG|thumb|Tourists enjoying in the waves on a sunny day on Kihim Beach|281x281px]]Tourist facilities here mainly consist of "Bed and Breakfast Schemes" run by the locals under the regulations of [[Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation]], which acts as a governing body for [[Tourism]] throughout the State of [[Maharashtra]]. One can easily find average quality lodging and boarding facilities throughout the village, except for the month of December when advance bookings may be required. For restaurants and marketplaces, one has to go to a nearby locality known as [[Chondhi, Alibag|Chondhi]].

Food is substantially dominated by rice and fish preparations.

Other nearby attractions for visitors include the Kihim Pond, Kankeshwar Temple near Mapgaon and Karmarkar Museum in Sasawane. Kihim is also a home to various temples which are dotted throughout the village. These include a rare Kalbhairav temple, recently rebuilt Gaodevi (Chamunda) temple and the Bhileshwar temple overlooking the Kihim pond.

The beach is spread across the western fringe of the village. There are benches lined up for peace loving visitors. The more adventurous can enjoy water sports on the main beach.

[[Alibag]] town is located approximately 11 km south of Kihim.

==Administration==

Kihim acts as a [[Gram Panchayat|Group Gram Panchayat]] for few small villages like Kamath, [[Chondhi, Alibag|Chondhi]] and Bamansure. The village is locally divided into various neighborhoods; namely, Khore, Angshe Ali, Brahmin Ali, Bazar Peth, Bhandar Ali, Mhatre Ali, Bhombad, Sri Nagar and Sai Nagar (also known as Navedar Kihim).

==Education==

"Sadashiv Mahadev Wadke Vidyalaya" is a major educational institution in the area which provides facilities right from [[Kindergarten]] to [[Graduation]]. Not only from Kihim, but children from surrounding villages and towns also attend here. Kihim also has a [[District Councils of India|Zilla Parishad]] run Primary school.

==Transport==

* '''Road''': Kihim is well connected to [[Alibag]] by road. [[Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation|MSRTC]] buses run to and from [[Alibag]] few times a day. It can also be accessed from Mumbai via [[National Highway 17 (India)(old numbering)|NH-17]] and then a state route connecting from Wadkhal. The distance is approximately 94 km from [[Mumbai]]. From [[Pune]], Kihim is accessible forking out from [[Khopoli]] onto the state route leading towards [[Alibag]] after taking [[National Highway 4 (India)(old numbering)|NH-4]]. Distance is approximately 144 km. Passenger ferry terminals like [[Mandwa, Maharashtra|Mandwa]] (11 km) and [[Rewas]] (15 km) are also connected to Kihim via road. [[Auto rickshaws|Auto Rickshaws]] are readily available everywhere for local travel, but the fares are not regulated. It's a common practice to decide the fare before hand to avoid bargaining later. One can also travel to [[Chondhi, Alibag|Chondhi]] (1.5 km) as more frequent buses and autos are available from here for Alibag, Mandwa and Rewas.
* '''Railways''': The nearest [[railway station]] is at [[Pen, India|Pen]], which is approximately 30 km away.
* '''Ferry''': Passenger boat services are available from [[Mandwa, Maharashtra|Mandwa]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Boat timings|url=http://raigad.nic.in/htmldocs/transportation.htm|website=Raigad.nic.in|access-date=1 April 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141009122502/http://raigad.nic.in/htmldocs/transportation.htm|archive-date=9 October 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref> [[Jetty]] to [[Gateway of India]] and from [[Rewas]] to [[Ferry Wharf|Bhaucha Dhakka]] in [[Mumbai]] throughout the year, except for [[Monsoon]]. Around mid 2020, a Ro-Pax<ref>{{Cite news|others=PTI|date=2020-03-16|title=‘Ropax’ can go from Mumbai to Mandwa in one hour|language=en-IN|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/mumbai/ropax-can-go-from-mumbai-to-mandwa-in-one-hour/article31079492.ece|access-date=2021-05-24|issn=0971-751X}}</ref> ferry service was started between the new terminal adjoining the existing Ferry Wharf and Mandwa. This allows the larger vehicles including cars and vans to cross over the bay within an hour.

==References==
{{reflist}}
{{Raigad district}}

[[Category:Villages in Raigad district]]
[[Category:Beaches of Maharashtra]]
[[Category:Tourist attractions in Raigad district]]
[[Category:Konkan]]

Kihim - Revision history

imported>Niceguyedc at 19:09, 21 August 2021