Akole

Akole is a city and Taluka in Akole tehsil, Ahmednagar district in the state of Maharashtra, India. Akole is surrounded by the Sahyadri Mountains of Western Ghats, India. Several historical sites in the city honor Akole's connection to the history and culture of Maharashtra.

This article is about the Akole city in Ahmednagar district, Maharashtra, India. For the tehsil in Ahmednagar district, see Akole tehsil.

Akole
City
Country India
StateMaharashtra
DistrictAhmednagar
Government
 • BodyNagarpanchaayat
Elevation
593 m (1,946 ft)
Population
 (2011)
 • Total18,278
Languages
 • OfficialMarathi
Time zoneUTC+5:30 (IST)
PIN
422 601
Telephone code02424
Vehicle registrationMH-17
Coastline0 kilometres (0 mi)
Nearest citySangamner
Lok Sabha constituencyShirdi
Civic agencyNagarpanchaayat
Websiteakole.in

Geography
  • Kalsubai is the highest peak in Maharashtra, standing at 1,646 m (5,400 ft).
  • Ghatghar – situated 22 kilometres (14 mi) from Bhandardara. Providing views of the Sahyadri range, Ghatghar is also home to the first project of Udanchan Hydro-power, which has a capacity of generating 250 MW.
  • Kokan Kada near Harishchandragad is a flat, sharp and deep edge mountainous region.
Konkan Kada

Harishchandragad Ratangad Bhandardara Dam Kalsubai Peak Sandhan Velley Agasti Maharaj Temple

Points of interest

The following are some tourist interests and local points of interest.

River and irrigational projects
  • Pravara River, which is one of the major tributaries of Godavari River, flows through the region. It has both historical and mythological significance.[1]
  • Mula : This river rises on the eastern slopes of the Sahayadris between Ratangad and Harichandragad. For the first twenty miles, it flows parallel to Pravara, draining the southernmost or Kotul valley of Akole taluka.
  • Bhandardara Dam, also known as Wilson Dam, was built in 1910, and it is located about 150 metres (490 ft) above sea level.[2]
  • Umbrella Falls, are a local waterfall, which are named for their visual similarity to an umbrella.
  • Randha Falls is a waterfall standing 45 m (148 ft) high. It is located about 11 kilometres (6.8 mi) from Wilson Dam. Randha Falls is a source of hydroelectricity and is a tourist spot at Bhandardara.[3] This location has also been featured in Bollywood films such as Maine Pyaar Kiya and Raju Chacha.
  • Nilwande Dam is a dam built on the Pravara River to provide hydroelectricity generation.[4]

Historical sites

Agasti Rishi Ashram is situated on the banks of the Pravara River. Mentioned in the Ramayana, it is believed that Lord Ram, Lakshman and Sita visited Sage Agastya here, where the Rishi then offered Lord Ram a miraculous arrow which he later used to kill Ravan.[5]

Amruteshwar Temple is located at the entrance of the Ratanwadi village. It is considered to be over 1,200 years old and is dedicated to Lord Shiva as the main deity.[6] The temple itself has been constructed in the Hemadpanthi architectural style, featuring rock carvings on the main shrine.

The Jagdamba Temple is situated at Tahakari village. Another Hemadpanthi temple, Jagdamba features a sculpture of the deity Apsaras. Similar in style to the Khajuraho temples, the main deity of Jagadmba is made of wood. It is one of the most famous temples in the Ahmednagar District of Maharashtra. The Temple is situated on the bank of river Aadhala. The festival of Jagdamba Mata is organized by local people and takes place two times a year: first as the Chaitra Pournima two-day Yatra festival and involves many people from nearby villages and districts who travel to Darshan of Jagdamba; second as the Navratri 9-night festival of Jagdamba Mata to focus on the continuous worship of Goddess Jagdamba. Detailed information about Jagdamba Temple Tahakari can be found at the website www.jagdambatahakari.com.

The Patta Fort is also known as Vishramgad. The Kalseshwar Temple in Kalas Bk near Akole is situated on a mountain surrounded by the Pravara River. Harishchandragad is a point to enjoy trekking.

Koltembhe, as a small village at the foothills of Ghanchakkar peak, and Deothan, located 12 km (7.5 mi) from Akole, are both located close to scenic locations and temples.

Shree Gangadhareshwar temple is built in 1782 and hemadpanti style. It was built by Sardar Potnis from Gwalior. Its unique architecture depicting ganga flowing down is must watch. It is built on 30 ft high platform is really a wonder. The flag man holding flag staff, four pillars combination in temple sanctum, elephant, monkey, nandi and the doorway are must see marvels. The temple is situated in Akole town and just 5Mins walking distance from ST stand.

Villages

There are several small and large villages present in the Akole taluka. To name a few: Mehenduri, Rumbhodi, Rajur, Kotul, Lingdev, Lahit Khurd, Dhamangaon Awari, Nawalewadi, Dhumalwadi, Virgaon, Samsherpur, Unchakhadak, Indori, Ambad, Dhamangaon P, Brahmanwada etc. are the big villages in Akole.

Dams

Bhandardara, Nilwande, Pimpalgaon, Devthan dams in Akole taluka.

Places of interest near Akole

Sandhan valley

Sandhan valley, "The Great Canyon" in the Sahyadri ranges which is a combination of a canyon and a valley. Located near Samrad village in the Akole tehsil of Ahmednagar district, Maharashtra, India, near the fort Ratangad. Sandhan valley is undoubtedly The Valley of Shadows. Surrounded by mighty and jaw-dropping mountains of Ratangad and Kalsubai, the valley stands at the height of 4255 ft high above sea level, which is the perfect spot for trekking and other adventure activities. The trek goes through 200 ft deep and 2 km long gorge carved by water between the narrow walls. In the ambitious film Tanhaji: The Unsung Warrior, of the Actor Ajay Devgn, the film’s director OmRaut recreated the Sandhan Valley, where a confrontation between the Mughal army and the Marathas is shown to have taken place.


Mount Kalsubai [7] is the highest peak of Maharashtra located in Akole Taluka. The altitude of Mount Kalsubai is 5400 feet. Kalsubai has placed in Sahyadri mountain lines in the western ghat. Mt Kalsubai also called as "Everest of Maharashtra". Goddess Kalsubai Temple is located at the peak of Mt.Kalsubai. Tourists& Mountaineers from across Maharashtra come for trekking.

References
  1. "Parivara River, Maharastra". Retrieved 4 May 2012.
  2. "Wilson Dam". Retrieved 4 May 2012.
  3. "Randha Falls | Akole". Must See India. Archived from the original on 11 July 2012. Retrieved 4 May 2012.
  4. "Nilwande Dam". Sahyadree blog. Retrieved 4 May 2012.
  5. "Agasti Rishi Ashram". Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 6 October 2018.
  6. "Amruteshwar Temple". Retrieved 4 May 2012.
  7. "Mount Kalsubai". Akole Taluka. Retrieved 23 January 2021.
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