The Great Maharashtra: Akola

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">RECENTLY BIFURCATED INTO AKOLA AND WASHIM DISTRICTS, THE
REGION IS KNOWN FOR ITS FOLK ARTS. THE FAMOUS MAHABEEJ FACTORY PRODUCING
SUPER-QUALITY SEEDS AND VIDARBHA’S ONLY AGRICULTURAL UNIVERSITY ARE LOCATED
HERE. AKOLA TOWN IS THE DISTRICT’S HEADQUARTERS.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixdfKSl9_PEK51-P-BorNtKDAheTLOhitnGJuj7hXMP7FymyypUNIkydxEqtNUnt25AWstJYT7o4n3ihZ7OKEt7j1QvKdlTdzkaCfGwr6KcgmMIffQUNzVFxSPrmaMAG45dOaLtxnW5ZqW/s1600/akola-maharashtra-all-info.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="akola-district-maharashtra-region-for-folk-art" border="0" height="435" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixdfKSl9_PEK51-P-BorNtKDAheTLOhitnGJuj7hXMP7FymyypUNIkydxEqtNUnt25AWstJYT7o4n3ihZ7OKEt7j1QvKdlTdzkaCfGwr6KcgmMIffQUNzVFxSPrmaMAG45dOaLtxnW5ZqW/s1600/akola-maharashtra-all-info.png" title="Akola: The Region For Folk's Arts" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<h2 style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Places of Interest:</span></h2>
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">RAJ RAJESHWAR TEMPLE:</span></h3>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The famous pilgrim centre for worshippers of Lord Shiva has
a great historical heritage. During the Marathi calendar month of ‘Shravan’,
there is a huge rush of devotees to worship Lord Shiva especially on every
Monday of the month. The month of Shravan is very sacred according to Hindu
religion and worshippers from long distances travel to temples to worship Lord
Shiva.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">ANTARIKSH TEERTH (72 KM):</span></h3>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A Jain temple situated outside Shirpur village, this temple
is dedicated to the Jain god Parshwanath. The idol of the deity is believed to
be very ancient. The deity is believed to have the power to remove the diseases
and suffering of the devotees. The temple was constructed under the patronage
of the saint Acharya Abhaydev surishvarji. The temple has been renovated
several times in the course of its history. A temple dedicated to the Jain god
Vighnahara Parshwanath, the remover of all obstacles, is situated nearby.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">AMBASI: </span></h3>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Located on the Patur-Alegaon Road, it hosts a 1,500 years
old banyan. Spread over an acre of land, it is considered as one of the rare
wonders of the world. The tree is a marvellous sight for visitors as it appears
like a long wall of vegetation.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">BORI (42 KM): </span></h3>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Located on the Pune-Nashik Road, this village has vast deposits
of silver collared volcanic ash. This volcanic ash, which was naturally flown
by wind for about 3,000 km from the Sumatra Islands, was deposited here 7 lakh
years ago. This silver collared ash deposit is spread over 10 km in the river
basin of the Kukdi river and has thickness varying from 1 to 2 m.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">BALAPUR: </span></h3>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A historic town named after goddess Baladevi. Positioned
between the two rivers Mana and Mhais, the place is an important pilgrimage and
tourist spot. There is a fort at the confluence of Mana and Mhais rivers, and a
stone made canopy of Raja Jai Singh is located here. A haveli built by Sayed
Amjad (a local saint), and mosque in Kasarpura are also worth visiting in the
area.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">KAZIMAHAL: </span></h3>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Located at Barshi Takli, it functioned as the seat of administration
of the area during reign of Alamgir under a kazi. The structure is in a
dilapidated condition but still exudes the glory of Mughal architecture.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">KHOLESHWAR TEMPLE: </span></h3>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A highly revered shrine in Barsi Takli, it is built of black
stones and is one of the two Hemadpanti temples erected during the 12th
century. The ramparts of the temple resemble Rajput forts and palaces. The
presiding deity is Goddess Bhavani, whose idol is kept in such a way that the
first rays of the sun fall directly on the head of the goddess through two tiny
windows, each in the form of a cross. Other idols found here are of Lord
Ganesh, Goddess Mahakali and Mahishasuramardini. The temple has a star-shaped
shrine and a rectangular mandap (hall), both exquisitely decorated with moulding’s
and figures. It also carries a long Sanskrit inscription, dating back to the
Shaka year 1098.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">KATEPURNA SANCTUARY (40 KM): </span></h3>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It is the catchment area of Katepurna reservoir, which
attracts water birds. The vegetation is of southern tropical dry deciduous
forest. Noted for the four horned antelope and barking deer, the sanctuary is
inhabited by other animals such as black buck, wolf, leopard, hyena, wild boar,
nilgai, hare, jungle cat and monkey. Peafowl can also be spotted. The best time
to visit is from October to June.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">NARNALA WILDLIFE SANCTUARY (40KM): </span></h3>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It spreads over 12 sq. km and is the extension of the
Melghat Tiger<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Reserve in Amravati District. Sambhar deer, Leopard, wild boar, serpents, porcupines and birds inhabit the sanctuary.  Time to visit is  October to June.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">NARNALA FORT: </span></h3>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Also known as Shahanur Fort, it is of considerable antiquity
and is the largest fort on the hills of Satpuda. Narnala comprises of three small
forts: Zafrabad in the east, Narnala at the centre and Teliagarh in the west. The
fort was modified by Badshah Shahbudeen Ahmadhaha Wall during the 15th century.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">SHRI RUDRAYANI TEMPLE (43 KM):</span></h3>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Also known as Rudrayani Chincholi Temple, the shrine is
situated on a hill, and is ideal for trekking. Goddess Durga is the presiding
deity here. A large number of devotees flock here on the occasion of Navratri,
when the whole area is illuminated.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</div>

Akola: The Region For Folk's Arts

RECENTLY BIFURCATED INTO AKOLA AND WASHIM DISTRICTS, THE REGION IS KNOWN FOR ITS FOLK ARTS. THE FAMOUS MAHABEEJ FACTORY PRODUCING SUPER-...