Topography and village structure

Parshuram Mandir,Chiplun

                     Geography of the place plays important role in formation of the human settlement .Village structure of the konkan can be better understood,  if  we are aware of  formation of this region.

                     There is interesting  mythological story related with formation of konkan. Konkan is land of lord Parshuram, sixth avatar of Ram. He fought with advancing sea  and preserved  Konkan and Malabar region.There are several temples of Pershuram along west cost line out of which temple at ‘Peth Parshuram’ is famous because of belief that, he stayed at this place.

                    Geographically, Konkan region is formed by tectonic uplift of due to collision of Indian and Eurasian plates. Due to collision it has formed  variation in topography ranging from open beaches to area surrounded by hills.  western extension of the uplifted was submerged under waters of the Arabian Sea has evolved as Konkan. This narrow coastal belt is arranged in step like terraces, pointing to the recent oscillations in the sea level and of submergence as evident from the drowned valleys, lagoons and sand bars. Wavecut cliffs and platforms are also common along the coastline indicating changes in the sea level

                    (Reference :Thesis report on Coastal Areas – Problems and Conservation in Maharashtra with special reference to Mangroves)

                   Journey  through  this region is interesting  because of  variation in land. After descending some miles from zig zag mountain road  one come across part of paddy field, small settlement  generally  known as Wadi/Wada. Some of the villages are hidden in folds of hills. Often the name of wadi or village indicates  it  geographical position ,such as Khalchi wadi (Khalchi means it is placed  on lower plateau ) ,varchi wadi  (Upper plateau ).

                      So,What is the name of your  wadi ? and what does it stand for?