Districts of Maharashtra, Satara

Satara District, Maharashtra

Area - 10,480 sq.km

Population - 3,003,741 as per 2011 Census

Population rank in India - 122 out of 640

Capital - Satara

Administrative Division - Pune

Talukas - 11

Villages - 205

Languages Spoken - Marathi, Hindi, English

Geographical Borders -

North - Pune 

South - Sangli

East - Solapur

West - Ratnagiri

North - West - Ratnagiri

Sahyadri Ranges - Running North to the South along the districts Western Edge.

Water Sources - River Bhima, River Krishna, River Nira, River Krishna and its tributaries

Forest - Timber and Firewood

How to Reach -

Nearest Airport - 

Lohegaon Airport, Pune about 123 km away.

Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Airport, Mumbai, at a distance of 264 km.

Railways - Satara lies on the Pune - Miraj line and is well connected to many of the major cities in India

Roadways - Pune - Satara, Mumbai - Satara buses run daily; both Private and Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation ( MSRTC ). It is connected by roadways to major towns and cities in the State. 

USP - First ever Residential Military School for boys was established here.

Historical Significance - The Pandava princes spent a part of their exile in Wai, that was then called Viratnagari. 

The district of Satara has a few of the most popular tourist attractions in the state of Maharashtra. Ranging from the most popular hill station of Mahabaleshwar that attracts thousands of tourists all year round to the town of Satara which definitely doesn't lack in its own unique charm and places that are sure to please the tourists.

Nestled in the Sahyadri ranges, with some of the most beautiful landscape ranging from high mountains, elevated plateaus to river banks of the mighty Krishna, Koyna, Bhima along with their many tributaries, Satara district is blessed with pleasing weather, quaint towns and villages in its many mountains and valleys, lush green fields, the massive Koyna dam, rich flora and fauna and many well known and loved tourist towns and hill stations. Its picturesque locales are a sight to behold. This makes Satara district very high up on the tourism itinerary.

The most popular places here being -

Mahabaleshwar, Panchgani, Koregaon, Tapola, Karad, Pratapgad, Wai. 

Here is a list of some of the Must-Visit places for the tourists. 

1. Koyna Dam, Koynanagar

2. Sangam Manali Temple

3. Baramatichi Vihir,Satara city

4. Char Bhinti

5. Yamai Devi Sakhargadnivasini Temple, Kinhai Village

6. Ajinkyatara Fort, Satara city

7. Jarandeshwar

8. Sajjangarh Fort,Satara city 

9. Mayani Bird Sanctuary

10. Sri Uttara Chidambaram Nataraja Mandir, Satara 

11. Yawateshwar Temple, Yawateshwar Village

12. Dholya Ganpati Temple, Wai

13. Siddhanth Temple, Mhaswad

14. Shri Shivaji Maharaj Museum, Satara city

15. Thoseghar Waterfall

16. Kaas Valley

17. Shri Bhavani Museum, Aundh

18. Janki Agro Tourism, Bargaon

19. Koteshwar Mandir

20. Karad hills, Karad

21. Vasota Fort, Jawli

22. Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Cricket Stadium, Karad

23. Lord Kartikeya Temple

24. Solashi Shani Dev Temple

25. Nandgiri Ancient Shri Parshwanath Digambar Jain Temple, Nandgiri Fort, Satara

26. Chalkewadi Windmill Farms

27. Shri Bhrahma Chaitanya Gondavalekar Maharaj, Pandharpur Road, Satara

*Trivia - Satara name is derived from Marathi word for the number 17 ( सत्रा ) due to the district having a total of seventeen towers, gates and walls

The River Krishna is one of the three most sacred rivers in the Southern part of India with its origin near the high mountains of Mahabaleshwar.  

Picture source - mapsofindia

Washim District, Maharashtra

The district of Washim lies in the western region of Vidarbha in the state of Maharashtra.

The following is its detailed information:-

Area - 5,150 sq.km / 1990 sq.mi

Average Elevation - 406 meters

Population - 12,97,160 as per 2011 Census

Population rank in India - 398 out of 640

District Headquarters - Washim city

Administrative Division - Amravati

Tehsils - 6

Tehsils - Risod, Washim, Manora, Mangralipur, Karanja, Malegaon

Villages - 656

Languages Spoken - Marathi, Hindi, Urdu, Lambadi

Geographical Borders -

North -  Akola district

Northeast - Amravati district

South - Hingoli district

East - Yavatmal district

West - Buldhana district

Primary Crops - Cotton, Tur, Jawar, Gram Lobia, Chickpeas, Urad

Oilseeds - Sunflower, Soyabean, Safflower, Mustard, Ground nut, Castor seeds

Horticulture - Onion, Tomato, Okra, Brinjal, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Citrus fruits, Banana, Papaya, Mango, Guava, Grapes, Mandarin

Water Sources - 

• Rivers Penganga, Katepurna, Arunavati, Kas

• Dams Wathod, Adol, Sonal, Adan, Ekburji

Distance from State Capital Mumbai - 525 km

How to reach :-

Via Airports -

• Nanded Airport, 106 km

• Aurangabad Airport, 200 km

• Latur Airport, 224 km

• Sonegaon Airport, 255 km

Via Railways - The two main stations are Washim Junction and Kanara Junction. The district is well - connected via the railways to most major cities in the state and the country.

Via Roadways - MSRTC ( Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation ) runs various buses connecting the district internally along with the other major towns and cities in the state. 

Many State Highways pass through, thus making it easier to connect the Washim City with cities like Mumbai, Akola, Pusad, Nanded, Nagpur, Amravati etc.

Best time to visit - September and October

 

The district of Washim was formed on 1st of July, 1998 dividing Akola district for the purpose of administrative ease and economic development.

The district is full of cultural, historical heritage, rich in spirituality and traditions. There are many places of religious significance, numerous temples and mosques. It is a pilgrimage center for both Hindus and Jains, with the tehsil of Karanja referred to as Kashi of Jainism. It is the birthplace of Shri Narasimha Saraswati Swami Maharaj.  In fact, the tehsil is home to numerous Muslim places of worship also, with more than 60 mosques. 

While the district headquarters, the city of Washim is well known for its educational institutions, Hospitals and Banks and its Balaji Temple.

Topographically, the district is a mix of both hilly regions and plains. The economy is agriculture and tourism based.

Recommended reading - Washim District, Tourism

Images - wikipedia and mapsofindia