Introduction
Amravati district is situated in the state of Maharashtra, in the Deccan plateau. It has followed a long history of dynastic rule as well as conquest and annexation by different rulers at different points in time. It finally became a part of the state of Maharashtra in the year 1960. Chikhaldhara, located in the district, is the only coffee-growing area in the state of Maharashtra. It is also a much-visited tourist spot well-known for being the place where Bhima killed the villain Keechaka. According to the census of 2001 the population of the Amravati district 2,607,160. Mentioned below are further details regarding the district of Amravati.
Location of Amravati District
The district is located between 21 degrees 46 minutes North to 20 degrees 32 minutes North and 78 degrees 27 minutes East to 76 degrees 37 minutes East, which essentially indicates that Amravati District is located in the Deccan plateau. Amravati district covers a total area of 12626 sq.kms.The districts adjacent to Amravati are Nagpur, Akola, Wardha, Yavatmal, and the state of Madhya Pradesh. The district is divided into 14 Talukas and six sub-divisions.
History of Amravati District
The ancient name of Amravati is `Udumbravati`, and the prakrut form of this is `Umbravati`. The name was simplified as Amravati and it is now known as the same. The name is said to have emerged from the ancient Ambadevi temple situated here. The proof of the existence of Amravati in ancient times can be acquired from a stone carved inscription on the base of a marble statue of God Adinath (Jain God) Rhishabhnath. This shows that, these statues were set up here in 1097.
It has been seen from historical evidence that in the 14th century, there was famine (drought) in Amravati and the people abandoned Amravati and left for Gujarat and Malwa. The local people returned back after several years at Amravati, and the result of this was scanty population in the district. In 16th century, Mager Aurangpura (today`s, `Sabanpura`) was presented for building the Jumma Masjid by Badashah Aurangzeb. This reveals that Muslims and Hindus lived together here. In 1722, Chhatrapati Shahoo Maharaj presented Amravati and Badnera to Shri Ranoji Bhosle. By this time Amravati was known as Bhosle ki Amravati. The city was reconstructed and prospered under the rule of Ranoji Bhosle after the treaty of Devgaon and Anjangaon Surji and the consequent victory over Gavilgad (Fort of Chikhaldara).
The city of Amravati came into existence at the end of the 18th century. Union state of Nizam and the Bhosles was in existence here. They appointed a revenue officer as well. However the defences of the district were in a bad state. Gavilgad fort was conquered by the British on 15th December 1803.
Under British rule, a number of constructions took place in the district and it was modernised. From 1859 to 1871, many government buildings came into existence, which were built by them. Railway station was constructed in 1859, Commissioner`s Bungalow in 1860, Small cases court in 1886, (today`s S.D.O. Office), the Tehsil office and the Main post office were built in 1871. During this time, the central jail, collector`s office, Rest house and the cotton market was also built. During 1896, Shri Dadasaheb Khaparde, Shri Ranganath Pant Mudhodker, Sir Moropant Joshi, Shri Pralhad Pant Jog were the leaders in Amravati. The 13th Congress Conference was held at Amravati on 27-29 December 1897 due to the efforts of these leaders. Shri Lokmanya Tilak and Shri Mahatma Gandhi visited Amravati in 1928.
In 1853, the present day territory of Amravati district as a part of Berar Province was assigned to the British East India Company, following a treaty with the Nizam of Hyderabad. After the Company took over the administration of the province, it was divided into two districts. The present day territory of the district became part of North Berar district, with headquarters at Buldana. Later, the province was reconstituted and the territory of the present district became part of East Berar district, with headquarters at Amraoti. In 1864, Yavatmal District (initially known as Southeast Berar district and later Wun district) was separated. In 1867, Ellichpur District was separated but in August, 1905, when the whole province was reorganized into six districts, it was again merged into the district. In 1903, it became part of the newly constituted province of Central Provinces and Berar. In 1956, Amravati district became part of Mumbai state and after its bifurcation in 1960; it became part of the state of Maharashtra.
Geography of Amravati District
Amravati faces extreme variations in temperature with very hot summers and very cold winters. Amravati district receives rainfall from south westerly monsoons mainly in the months of June, July, August and September. July and August are the months during which the maximum rainfall as well as maximum continuous rainfall is received by the region. Among the major crops grown in the district are wheat, gram, moong, toor, soyabean, sunflower, groundnut, sesamum, jowar, orange, chilli and banana. The main rivers in this district are Tapi River, Purna River, River Pedhi, Chandrabhaga River Wardha River, Shahanoor River, Burshi River, and Tigria River. The dams in Amravati district include Upper Wardha Project, Lower Wardha Project, Bembala Project, Chandrabhaga Project, Purna Project, and Sapan Project.
Education in Amravati district
Amravati district is well known for its educational facilities. The district gets inspiration from its two great leaders Shri GadageBaba, Saint Tukadoji Maharaj, and Dr. Panjabrao Deshmukh who brought about a revolution in the field of education. Established on the 1st of May 1983, Amravati University has the lion`s share in its contribution to the educational development of Vidarbha. Amravati University covers five major districts in Vidarbha viz. Amravati, Akola, Yavatmal, Buldhana, and Washim. There are affiliated 180 colleges, 22 postgraduate departments and one College of Education run by the University. The district is also reputed for technical education. There are three Engineering colleges viz.
1) Government College of Engineering, Amravati.
2) V.Y.W.S. College of Engineering, Badnera (Rly), Amravati.
3) Sipana College of Engineering, Amravati and four polytechnic colleges.
In Amravati, there are four medical colleges of which two run Ayurvedic courses, one each for Allopathy, Homeopathy, and one Dental College.
1)Panjabrao Deshmukh Memorial Medical College, Amravati
2)Vidarbha Ayurved Mahavidyalaya, Amravati
3)V.Y.W.S. Dental College, Amravati
4)Shri Vallabh Takhatmal College of Homeopathy, Amravati
5)Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Memorial Institute of Homeopathic Medical Science, Amravati
The only law college in Amravati is Panjabrao Deshmukh Law College. Amravati has gained a place of honour in the field of physical education because of Shri Hanuman Vyayam Prasarak Mandal. Situated in the heart of the city, it is enriched with modern facilities, H.V.P.M. also runs the Degree College of Physical Education.
Tourism in Amravati district
Tourism in Amravati district comprises visiting the various religious sites and places of worship. There are a number of places of religious significance found in the district, such as the Shri Ambadevi temple from which the district gets its name and the Shri Ekviradevi Temple, Bhakti Dham Temple etc. Most of these are places of Hindu worship. Apart from the many temples, there is also found located in the district the famous site of Chikaldara. It has been mentioned even in the Mahasbharata as the place where Bhim had killed the villain Keechaka. The various places of tourist interest located in the district of Amravati are mentioned below.
Chikhaldara has been mentioned in the Mahabharata as the place where Bheema killed the villainous Keechaka in a Herculean bout and threw him into a valley. It came to be known as "Keechakadhara". The name Chikhaldara is later a corruption. But there is more to Chikhaldara. It has the added distinction of being the only coffee growing area in Maharashtra. It abounds in wildlife - panthers, sloth bears, sambars, wild boar, even the rarely seen wild dogs. Located close by is the famous Melghat Tiger Reserve which has more than 100 tigers. The scenic beauty of Chikhaldara can be enjoyed from Hurricane point, Prospect point and Devi point. Other interesting excursions include Gavilgad and Narnala Fort, the Pundit Nehru Botanical Garden, the tribal museum and the Semadoh Lake.
Shri Ambadevi Temple is situated in the heart of the city of Amravati at Gandhi Square. It is a very old temple and even finds mention in the old gazetteers. The legend of the temple goes like this. Rukmini, the daughter of King Bhishmak of Vidarbha, hears tales of Lord Krishna's courage and falls in love with him. Her brother Rukmiya, arranges Rukmini`s marriage to his friend, King Shishupal of Chedi. Rukmini secretly sends a message to Krishna, and together they plan to elope. The day before her marriage to Shishupal, Rukmini visits the temple of Goddess Ekvira. (This is in Amravati, Maharashtra) Krishna kidnaps Rukmini here. With help from other Yadavs, Krishna defeats Rukmini`s brother Rukmiya. King Bhishmak, later arranges the marriage ceremony. People from all walks of life and from different parts of India visit this temple. The Navaratri festival, which falls just before Dussehra festival, is celebrated by the people and the temple authorities with great gaiety and pomp.
Shri Ekvira Devi Temple is situated in the vicinity of the Amba Devi Temple and it is just a few steps away from the Amba Devi Temple. This is a very old Temple. It was built around the year 1660 by the great leader of Amravati, Paramhans Shri Janardan Swami. Devi (Godess) is an incarnation of Shakti. During the Navaratri festival the celebrations are held jointly with the Amba Devi temple and everybody who visits Shri Amba Devi also visits Shri Ekvira devi Temple.
Bhakti Dham Temple is located on Amravati Badnera road, where beautiful idols of Lord Krishna and Radha are placed. Also found here is the statue of Shri Sant Bappa. Behind this temple a small park is also maintained for children.
Satidham Temple is situated in the heart of the city of Amravati at Rallies Plot. There are beautiful idols of Lord Krishna-Radha, Lord Rama and Goddess Sita, Lord Ganesha, Lord Shiva and Rani Satiji placed within the temple. Every year a fair is arranged on the occasion of Janmashtami, which is attended by a large number of devotees.
Amravati district has a number of historical temples. Famous among them are Shri Ambadevi Temple and Bhatkuli Jain Temple. With Lord Krishna dovetailed to its legendary background, Shri Ambadevi Temple is a seat of ancient faith. Bhatkuli Jain Temple is one of the few principal seats of Jainism in Maharashtra. Bhatkuli Jain Temple is also considered a place of miracles.
