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| Satara District, Maharashtra | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
History Historical inscriptions of 200 B.C reveal that probably Karad is the oldest place in Satara district.It is also believed that the Pandavas stayed in Wai, then known as `Viratnagari`, in the 13th year of exile. The empire of Chandragupta II, known as Mahendraditya Kumargupta I, extended as far as Satara district in Deccan when he ruled between 451 AD to 455 AD. The Mauryan empire in the Deccan was followed by the rules of "Satvahans" for about two centuries between 550 A.D. to 750 AD. The first Muslim invasion of the Deccan took place in the year 1296 and their rule extended until 1707. In 1636 the Nijam Shahi dynasty came to an end. In 1663 Shivaji conquered Parali & Satara fort. After the death of Shivaji, Aurangzeb conquered Satara fort later won by Parshuram Pratinidhi in 1706. In 1708 Shahumaharaj crowned on the Satara fort. The direct descendents of The Great Maratha King Chh, Shivaji Maharaj continue to live in Satara. The current king of Satara, Chh.Udayanraje Bhonsale is the 13th descendent of Shivaji Maharaj. After their victory in the Third Anglo-Maratha War in 1818, the British Empire annexed most of the Maratha territory to Bombay Presidency, but restored the titular Raja Pratap Singh, and assigned to him the principality of Satara, an area much larger than the present district. As a result of political intrigues, he was deposed in 1839, and his brother Shahji Raja was placed on the throne. This prince, dying without male heirs in 1848, Satara was annexed by the British government, and added to Bombay Presidency. During the independence struggle Satara was known for Prati Sarkar (Parallel Government). During Quit India Movement this parallel government replaced British in rural areas for 4 years from August 1943 to May 1946. Geography Satara district is located in the western part of Maharashtra. It is bounded by Pune district to the north, Solapur district to the east, Sangli district to the south and Ratnagiri district to the west. Raigad district lies to its northwest. Satara district covers the total area of 10484 sq. kms. It is located at 17°5` to 18°11` North latitudes and 73°33` to 74°54` East longitudes. The maximum temperature of the district is 37.5°C and the minimum temperature is 11.6°C. Annual rainfall of the district is 1426 mm. Koyana and Krishna are the major rivers of Satara district. Economy Satara is mainly an agricultural district. The major crops of the district are Bajra, Jowar, wheat, Rice, Ghewada, Gram, Sugarcane, Groundnut, Potato, and Soybean. Fish cultivation is also another source of income in this district. There are total 14000 Hector land used for fish cultivation. There are 10 Major, 13 Medium and 80 minor irrigated projects are currently running. Among several industries, sugar industries and spinning mills are becoming the major source of employment in Satara district. Government District Magistrate, who is an IAS officer, is the head of the Satara district. He is assisted by the several other officers of district level.Superintendent of Police, an IPS officer is chief of the police division of Satara District. He maintains the law and order in the society. Transport By Air: Mumbai airport is the closest airport to Satara district. Rail: Indian Railway is very well connected to Satara district with its neighbouring cities. By Road: Satara district is very well linked with in the city and with its boundary districts. Division At present Satara district has 4 Sub-Divisions namely Satara, Wai, Karad and Phaltan, 11 Talukas namely Satara, Jaoli, Koregaon, Wai, Mahabaleshwar, Khandala, Phaltan, Man, Khatav, Karad, Patan and 1727 villages. Demographics As per 2001 Census of India, Satara district had a population of 27,96,906. Male consists of 14,02,301 and female consists 13,94,605 of the total population. Average literacy rate is 78.52% of the total population: male literacy rate is 88.45% and female literacy rate is 68.71%. Culture There are several Pilgrimages in Satara district. They are- Kuraneshwar (Khinditil Ganapati) : This place is famous for two temples.Temple of Lord Ganesh and Lord Shiva situated on Old Satara-Kolhapur road, 1 km away from Satara City. It is a famous historical temple of `Swyambhu Ganesh`, the `Gram daivat` of Satara. Yevateshwar Temple:This is a very ancient temple of Lord Shiva temple with historical references. On the day of `Mahashivratri` and in `Shravana` people visit this temple with great holy spirit. The ghat starts just from the Satara City and temple is situated 5 kms away & is at the height above 2500 feet above sea level. The lush green area from this temple to Kas is fastly growing up as a Tourist Place. Wai Ganpati Temple:Wai is called the Dakshin Kashi of India. It is situated just 33 kms away from Satara. It is famous for its temples & ghats. "Maha Ganpati Temple" is here which is worshipped by many holy men & women all over the state. It is the important Pilgrim & Cultural Centre of Maharashtra. The office of Marathi Encyclopedia (Vishwa Kosha) is here. There is a Dam across the Krishna River at Dhom just 9 KM away from Wai. Sikhar Singanapur Temple:It is a very ancient temple of lord `Shiva` on the hill called Shikhar Shingnapur is about 89 Km from Satara on Satara-Akluj road. Every year on Mahashivratri, a huge number of devotees are gathered here. It has many historical references about visit of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. Siddhanath Temple at Mhaswad :Temple of Lord `Siddhanath` built in 12th Century. Idols of Siddhanath and Jogubai in the form of Shiva/Parvati are here. Mhaswad is 80 Km from Satara on Satara-Solapur road. Annual `Rath yatra` is the main function is being celebrated with Lacks of devotees here. Chapal:Chaphal is situated just 35 kms from Satara 15 kms away from Umbraj (Pune-Bangalore national highway). Samarth Ramdas found idols of Shri Ram in the river near Angapur and built the temple at Chaphal. The temple is built in marble and is good example of architecture. Anudh:It is 30 kms away from Satara. Previously, it was the Capital of Princely State of Aundh. The Yamai Devi Temple and the Museum here are famous. Museum is having over 8000 precious articles in its collection. Masjid and Minars of Karad:Famous Masjid of Karad built by Ibrahim Khan, Sultan Ali Adil Shah of Bijapur before 1580. Minars of height 32.3 meter can be viewed from several miles. Bhavani Temple on Pratapgad: This holy temple of Bhavani Mata built by Shivaji Maharaj on fort Pratapgad, which is 27 Km from Mahabaleshwar. Pali: Khandoba Temple of Pali is 33 Kms from Satara off the Pune-Bangalore National Highway. Gondawale Bk:Temple of lord Rama and Samadhi of Bramhachaitanya Gondawalekar Maharaj (1845-1918) situated at Gondawale Bk. Tal.Man, 72 Km from Satara on Satara-Solapur road. Death anniversary of Maharaj on 10th Moon (Margashirsh Dashami) celebrated by thousands of devotees. Sevagiri Maharaj Samadhi Mandir:This temple at Pusegaon is a very beautifull place to visit. It is 35 Kms away from Satara on Satara-Solapur road. Visiting Places Koyana Dam:One of the largest Dam in the state built on Koyna river, completed in 1963 with capacity 98.78 TMC. Hydroelectric Project of 1920 MW. 98 Kms from Satara, 20 Kms from Patan is a Very beautiful picnic spot. Nehru garden near the Dam is also good place to visit. Kanher Dam:Built in 1986 on Venna river, 10.10 TMC Kanher Dam is very beautiful spot to visit. Hydroelectric Project of 4 Mw. 8 Km from Satara City on Satara-Medha road. One can enjoy very scenic view of this dam from Yevteshwar Hill. Dhom Dam:Built in 1978 on Krishna river, 13.50 TMC Dhom Dam is very beautiful spot to visit. Hydroelectric Project of 2 Mw. 44 Km from Satara City ( 9 Km from Wai ). Boat Club facility available here, which can be viewed from Table Land of Panchgani. Aqua culture activities are being taken up in this dam. Ajinkyatara Fort:Satara city itself is spread over the slope of fort Ajinkyatara. It is the historical fort situated in the district. Char Bhinti Hutatma Smarak: This Smarak is built in the memory of Martyr`s of 1857 freedom movement. Recently it is renewed and it was built in the heart of city. Sajjangad This has been said that during Chhatrapati Shivaji`s Period Raigad was the capital of Shivshahi while Sajjangad was the spiritual Capital of it. Sajjangad (Fort) is situated just 9 kms away from Satara city where Samarth Ramdas took `Samadhi`. There are 750 steps to enter into this Fort. Sajjangad is 3000 feet above sea level. There are 2 lakes onto the fort. Samarth Ramdas inspired Chhatrapati Shivaji in his fight for Swaraj. He was the spiritual teacher (guru) of Chhatrapati Shivaji. On the day of Das Navami people gather here and take part in festival. Thoseghar water Fall:This waterfall is situated 36 kms away from Satara. It is a pleasant sight to watch in Rainy season. Many people from different walks of like gather here to enjoy it. Chalkewadi Wind Energy Project:Chalkewadi, the plateau is about 100 sq. kms and average height is more than 3000 feet from sea level, is the ideal location for Wind Energy Projects. More than 500 towers have been erected for generation of electricity. Kas Lake:Kas Plateau is at height of above 3500 feet & built in 1844. Kas Talav is the main drinking water supply source for Satara City. It is 22 kms far from Satara. It is one of the attracting points and young generation loves very much and visits this area for picnic. Mayani: Mayani Bird Sanctuary is located in the Satara district of Maharashtra state near Vaduj, in India. Lots of migratory birds come here during winter. Flamingoes from Siberia come here in large numbers. Around 400 of them were reported in 2005. Other birds like the Northern Shoveller, Stork and Kingfisher are also found here. Other resident and migratory Bird species also noted during the winter season November -end of February. They are- Koot, Brahminy Ducks, Black Ibis, Painted storks, Common Spoon bills etc. The nestings of storks are also observed near lake. The greater and lesser flamingoes are the regular winter visitors to this place. The Flamingo species are observed feeding in shallow water. They mainly feed on insects, small fishes, crabs and the important one is there is growth of aquatic plant species Otolisa species in shallow water. The flamingoes are observed to feed these as a food. Mayani Bird Sanctuary is studied as a typical wetland ecosystem which is rich in flora and fauna. Some efforts have been taken for conservation of natural forest near lake. This region is mainly under draught condition. Some plots have been alloted to local farmers; in dam during summer when all of water dries off. Some medicinal plants, cactus are also planted nearby the lake. Mahabaleshwar:Mahabaleshwar is a hill station located in the Satara District in the Western Ghats range of Maharashtra, India. Located about 120 km from Pune and 285 km from Mumbai, Mahabaleshwar is a vast plateau measuring 150 sq km, bound by valleys on all sides. It reaches a height of 1438 m (4710 ft) at its highest peak above sea level, known as Wilson/Sunrise Point. Mahabaleshwar, "The Queen of Hill Stations", served as the summer capital of Bombay province during the British Raj, and today is a popular holiday resort and honeymoon spot. The area is also an important pilgrimage site for Hindus, and is the site of the Mahabaleshwar Temple. Mahabaleshwar comprises three villages, Malcolm Peth, Old "Kshetra" Mahabaleshwar and part of the Shindola village. The first historical mention of Mahabaleshwar dates back to year 1215 when the King Singhan of Deogiri visited Old Mahabaleshwar. Present Mahabaleshwar came into existence in the year 1829-30 and from old records is mentioned as Malcolm Peth, but in practise today it is known as Mahabaleshwar. Panchgani:Panchgani, often referred to as the Mecca of Maharashtra, is a small hill-station in the state of Maharashtra, India. It is located amidst five small hills, from which it derives its name (panch in marathi means five). All these 5 hills are topped by a volcanic plateauwhich is the second highest in Asia after the Tibetan plateau. These plateaus are known in the local term as "Table Land". Education The important institutiond of Satara district are as follows: Annasaheb Kalyani Vidyalaya Abasaheb Chirmule School Anant Eglish School Bhimabai Ambedkar Kanya Vidyamandir Dr. J. W. Airan Academy ( formerly known as Narmada Education Academy) Kanyashala KSD Shanbhag Vidhyalaya Maharaja Sayajirao Vidyalaya Mona School New English School Nirmala Convent High School Sainik School, Satara Satara English Medium School Saint Paul`s School Shri Bhavani Vidya Mandir Satara is also home to the first Sainik School of India. It was inaugurated on 23 June1961 and today serves as a famous landmark in the town. It has sent hundreds of students to the National Defence Academy. Lal Bahaddur Shastri College SataraAzad College Of Education Chhatrapati Shivaji Arts College Dhananjay Gadgil Vanijya Mahavidyalay Ismailsaheb Mulla Law College Karmaveer Bhaurao Patil College of EngineeringSatara Yashawantrao Chavan Institute of Science Satara Satara Politechnic Satara College Of PharmacyDegoan, Satara Satara Polytechnic, College. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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