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Solapur

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Template:Infobox Indian urban area


Solapur (Marathi:सोलापूर) is a city in south eastern Maharashtra, India near the Karnataka border and is the administrative headquarters of Solapur District. It is an important junction on the North-South railway line. Solapur is a town with an array of small and medium scale industries. Solapur is a leading center for cotton mills and power looms. Solapur bed-sheets ('chaddars') have earned fame and reputation for their novel designs and durability[citation needed]. The chief deity of the city is Shri Siddeshwar. The "Nandidhwaj" procession on Makar Sankranti fair is attended by millions of devotees.

Solapur District leads Maharashtra in beedi production [citation needed]. So much so that the Martyrs’ Memorial here is saluted daily by thousands of visitors. Kundalsangam, Karmala and Barshi have adopted the path of development through industry and education. Akkalkot is the site of Mallikarjun Temple where many Lingayat devotees workship daily.

History

File:Siddheshwar.jpg
Siddheshwar Lake .
File:Vithoba idol.jpg
Vitthal Idol .
File:Solapur four statues.jpg
Solapur Four Statues (Chaar Hutatma)

Solapur is one of the biggest cities in Maharashtra, situated near the borders with Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. It is an ancient historical and religious place with Shri Siddharameshwar as its "Gramadaiwata". Shri Siddharameshwar was a historical figure of the 12th Century whose "Karmayoga" on his own native land-Solapur, turned him into a God-figure over the course of time. Siddharama was a great conributor to Lingayata Religion and he is considered as one of the six prophets of Lingayat Religion. He had gained the "Siddhi". As Solapur was a drought prone area, Shri Siddharameshwar dug a lake with the help of 4000 "Sharanas" to solve the problem of portable water. He entombed himself alive (Shivyogsamadhi) at Solapur. During the Indian independence movement, the people of Solapur enjoyed full freedom on 9th, 10th and 11th May 1930.However, this resulted in the executions of Shri Mallappa Dhanshetti, Shri Kurban Hussein, Shri Jagannath Shinde and Shri Kisan Sarda who were hanged on 12th Jan 1931, in the prison at Pune. This resulted in the city becoming recognized as "The City of Hutatmas".

Solapur is 433 km away from Mumbai and 244 km from Pune. By rail, it is 456 km from Mumbai. Solapur is well-connected with metro-cities like Delhi, Hyderabad, and Bangalorewith rail and roads.

Pandharpur, the holiest place in Maharashtra for Hindus, with its Vitthal-Rakhumai temple on the banks of the Chandrabhaga river, is only 70 km from Solapur. Akkalkot, just 38 km from Solapur is a holy place due to the shrine of Akkalkot Swami. Tuljapur in Osmanabad District, 40 km from Solapur has goddess Tulja Bhavani, well known as the family deity of Maharashtra and especially Shivaji, the founder of the Maratha Empire.[1]. The slogan of the Maratha warriors is "Jai Bhavani, Jai Shivaji". Across the border in Gulbarga District of Karnataka, is Ganagapur, another place of pilgrimage. The city of Bijapur in Karnataka, 109 km from Solapur, is widely known for its 'Gol-Gumbaj', a highly regarded piece of architecture.

Society and Culture

Entertainment & Leisure

Theatres

  • Bhagwat Theatre
  • Prabhat Talkies
  • Kalpana Talkies
  • Hutatma Smruti Mandir- Drama Theatre

Places of interest

  • Temple of Lord Siddharameshwar
  • Hipparga Lake - a scenic nature area
  • Kambar Lake, newly named as Sambhaji lake
  • IndraBhavan - Solapur Corporation building
  • The presiding deity of Lord Vitthal, is located in Pandharpur nearby.
  • Bhui-Kot Castle -castle of 15th century and under the Bahamani period
  • Hutatma Garden
  • Pandharpur Vithoba Temple (70 kms away)
  • Akkalkot - Swami Samarth (35 kms away)
  • Nannaj- Bird Sanctury (25 Kms away)
  • Tuljapur - Tuljabhavani Temple (45 kms away)
  • Naldurg Fort (approx. 45km towards Hyadrabad)

Educational Institutions

Media

Solapur is served by numerous newspaper publications, television stations and radio. The Times of India,Economic Times, the Indian Express are the major English language newspapers sold in the city. Popular Marathi newspapers include Dainik Lokmat, Sakal, Loksatta, Maharashtra Times, Nava Kaal, and Saamana. Some local newspapers are dialy Tarun Bharat and Sanchar.

There is a local All India Radio Solapur station broadcasting in the AM band which operates at 1602 kHz or at 187.2 meters. Local Marathi digital TV channel 'Vrutta-Darshan' has gained immense importance as it covers local news.Zee Marathi,DD-Sahyadri and ETV Marathi also very popular.

Famous Personalities


  1. ^ Marathyanchya Shah Nav Kuli
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