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Ambav-Ponkshe

The village of Ambav-Ponkshe is a hamlet of the village Sarand, Sangameshwar Taluka, Ratnagiri. Small, typical Konkani houses are found here because of the location. The village got its name from “Ponkshe”, a surname of the Chitpavan Brahmin community native to that region. Historical records suggest the inauguration of Shri Suryanarayan Mandir Ambav Ponkshe on the eve of Rathasaptami in 1920CE. The village also has a Devi Mandir constructed prior to the British rule, recently renovated in 2017. On the outskirts, sadly, where the “lower” castes used to reside, there is now a Buddha Vihar Aaravli Phata where there’s a Buddhist majority in recent times. Residences are mostly permanent but with Majority of the Brahmin community migrating to cities up north, there are severalt ancestral homes near the Suryanarayan Mandir.

The Kul Kayda has prominently affected the ownership of the village lands in 1948, decreasing the lands of the so-presumed landlords, and increasing the number of owner-farmers.

There are small water sources like wells scattered everywhere, along with seasonal streams of water.

Infrastructure:

The infrastructure is non-existent, roads bumpy and horrible. Recent reports of allegedly illegal red-soil mining are surfacing as of 2018. Education from the Makhjan English school (secondary) and the ambav primary school near the devi temple evident. Connected only by road to the nearest Makhjan and Sangameshwar towns. Sangameshwar has a railway station.

The Suryanarayan Mandir:

Built and inaugurated in 1920, it is the second oldest entity of worship. Every major Hindu festival being celebrated, with Rathasaptami, Gokulashtami and Holikadahan being celebrated the most.

Quirks and the Government:

The legislation falls under Ambav Gram Panchayat and the Sangameshwar Taluka Municipality Council. Alleged corruption while making a wall near a seasonal stream of water to regulate the flow, also called the “1 lakh rupee wall” has evidently occured.

Social tension:

Medieval era supposed casteism has resulted in an unofficial boycott by the lower caste communities in the participation of the celebrations undertaken at the majorly brahmin-owned Suryanarayana Mandir. The devi temple continues to be visited sincerely and regularly. Comically and ironically, every villager arrives at the Suryanarayan Mandir to get the Mahaprasad, a Rathasaptami special divine lunch partaken by contributions of the Mandir Trust, and the donations of Hindu devotees.

Weather:

Too much rain in the monsoon season, perfect for rice-farming. Adequately cold weather during the winters, and humid, hot, sweltering weather during the summer is the norm. Hilly region, so incidents of power cuts during extreme weather events is common.

Climate:

Deciduous, yellow. Red soil. High amount of insects during the winter and monsoon. Typical somewhat-hilly region in Konkan.