The
Solapur District was ruled by various dynesties such as
Andhrabhratyas, Chalukyas, Rashtrkutas, Yadavas and Bahamanis. 'SOLAPUR' is
believed to be derived from two words 'SOLA' meaning sixteen and 'PUR' meaning
village. The present city of Solapur was considered tp be spread over sixteen
villages viz. Aadilpur, Ahmedpur, Chapaldev, Fatehpur, Jamdarwadi, Kalajapur,
Khadarpur, Khandervkiwadi, Muhammadpur, Ranapur, Sandalpur, Shaikpur, Solapur,
Sonalagi, Sonapur and Vaidakwadi.
Recent
research work however shows that the name SOLAPUR is derived not from the
congregation of sixteen villages. It is evident from the inscriptions of Shivayogi
Shri.Siddheshwar of the time of the Kalachuristis of Kalyani,
that the town was called 'Sonnalage' which came to be pronounced as
'Sonnalagi'. The town was known as Sonnalagi even upto the times of Yadavas. A
Sanskrit inscription dated Shake 1238, after the downfall of the Yadavas found
at Kamati in Mohol shows that the town was known as Sonalipur. One of the
inscriptions found in Solapur fort shows that the town was called Sonalpur
while another inscription on the well in the fort shows that it was known as
Sandalpur.
During
the Muslim period, the town was known as Sandalpur. It is therefore most
probably that that during the course of time the name-dropping ‘na’ from the
name Sonalpur evolved Solapur. Subsequently the British rulers pronounced
Solapur as Sholapur and hence the name of the district.
The
present Solapur district was previously part of Ahmednagar, Pune and Satara
districts. In 1838 it became the Sub-district of Ahmednagar. It included
Barshi, Mohol, Madha, Karmala, Indi, Hippargi and Muddebihal Sub-divisions. In
1864 this Sub-district was abolished. In 1871 this district was reformed
joining the Sub-divisions viz. Solapur, Barshi, Mohol, Madha and Karmala and
two Sub-divisions of Satara district viz. Pandharpur, Sangola and in 1875
Malshiras Sub-division was also attached. After the State reorganisation in
1956 Solapur was included in Mumbai State and it became a full-fledged district
of Maharashtra State in 1960.
The
importance of Solapur is unique in the history of India in the sense that this
district enjoyed the freedom even before independence. The citizens of
Solapur enjoyed the Independence for three days from 9th to 11th May 1930. The
brief history runs like this. After the arrest of Mahatma Gandhi in May
1930, protests and demonstrations against the British Rule were held throughout
the India. Large scale rallies and protests were done at Solapur also.
Many citizens lost their lives in the Police firings. Due to this the irate mob
attacked the Police Stations. Out of fear the Police and other officers ran out
of Solapur. During this period the responsibility of law, order and
security of citizens was on the shoulders of congress party leaders. Then city
congress President Shri.Ramkrishna Jaju, with his other congressmen maintained
the law and order for a period of three days from 9th to 11th May 1930.
Secondly,
the Solapur Municipal Council was the first Municipal Council of India to host
the National Flag on the Municipal Council
building (Now Municipal Corporation) Solapur in 1930. The brief history runs like this. Taking
the spirit of Dandi March from Mahatma Gandhi, the freedom fighters of Solapur
decided to host the National Flag on the Solapur Municipal Council.
Accordingly, senior freedom fighter from Pune Shri.Annasaheb Bhopatkar hosted
the National Flag on 6th April 1930 on Municipal Council. This was the first
and the unique incidence of such kind throughout the country. The British
rulers, due to irritation declared the Marshall Law at Solapur and arrested
many leaders and innocent citizens on false charges. The freedom fighters Shri.Mallappa Dhanshetti, Shri.Kurban
Hussain, Shri.Jagnnath Shinde and Shri.Kisan Sarda were arrested on
charges of killing two Policemen of Mangalwar Police Station. The lower
court sentenced the punishment of hanging till death for these freedom
fighters. The High Court also confirmed the same decision and these four
freedom fighters were hanged till death on 12th January 1931. As a mark of
respect to these freedom fighters, the Statues of these freedom fighters have
been installed in the heart of the City and the location has been named as
Hutatma Chowk.
Shri.Siddheshwar
is the Gramdaivat of Solapur city. A Siddheshwar Temple is located at
the heart of the city. It is surrounded by a large water tank which resembles
as view of an island. The brief history of Shri.Siddheshwar runs like this.
There was a great saint Shri.Siddaram, who preached the teachings of
Shri.Basaweshwara. A young girl, inspired by the teachings of this saint wished
to marry the saint. Shri.Siddaram being a brahamachari denied to marry her
and gave permission to marry with his Yogadanda. The same marriage
function is celebrated every year on the Makar Sankranti for three days on
Bhogi, Sankrant and Kinkrant. The Nandi Dhwajas are presumed as Bride and Groom
for the marriage. This festival falls around 14th Jan. every year. A fare
popularly known as Gadda Jatra is arranged for fifteen days during this period.
PANDHARPUR
Pandharpur is a holy place of
Shri.Vitthal and Shri.Rukmini. It is also known as the Southern Kashi of India
and Kuldaivat of Maharashtra State. It is located at a distance of 72 kms by road.
from Solapur District headquarters. The Pandharpur Railway Station falls on the
Miraj-Kurduwadi-Latur railway track.
The ancient temple of Shri.Vitthal was renovated in 1195 A.D.
There are many other temples of Indian Dieties and Mathas (Dharmshalas) of many
Saints. The Chandrabhaga (Bhima) river flows through the City. Large number of
devotees from all over Maharashtra and surrounding States gather at
Pandharpur mainly to celebrate the Aashadhi and Kartiki Ekadashis every
year in addition to the regular rush of devotees everyday. The Palaquins (Palakhi)
of various Saints originating from various locations gather at Wakhari, five
kms. from Pandharpur for the Waari festival.
AKKALKOT
Akkalkot is a
Holy place of Shri.Swami Samarth Maharaj. It is located at a distance of 38
kms. by road from Solapur District headquarters. This Saint is believed to be
the reincarnation of Lord Dattatraya. The devotees worship the Samadhi of this
Saint. The Death Anniversary is celebrated on Chaitra Shuddha Trayodashi every
year. Large number of devotees visits the place everyday.
The present
temple is built around famous banyan tree. This is the same banyan tree sitting
under which Shri. Swami Maharaj used to meditate and preach the followers. The
temple consists of main temple, sabha mandap and accommodation. Annacchatra
(free meals to devotees) is organized daily (two times in day) by temple
authorities.
The Swami Samarth
Maharaj came to Akkalkot at the beginning of Shake 1779. The total period of
reincarnation of Swamiji as the fourth Avataar of Shri. Datta is forty years of
which he spent 21 years in Akkalkot.
From the historic
point of view Shri.Swami Maharaj brought to an end his avatar in Shake 1800.
But after three months, he resurrected and appeared before the faithful in Kashi (Varanasi).
The holy Samadhi
of Shri. Swamiji is loacated in the house of shri. Cholappa in the place
already reserved for it before his bodily demise. This is known as Samadhimath.
The spiritual
fearless slogan in marathi ‘BHIU NAKOS MI TUJHYA PATHISHI AAHE’ (Don’t
fear, I am with you) is given by Shri.
Samarth Swami Maharaj himself.
KARMALA
Karmala is famous
for the temple of Shri. Kamaladevi.
There is a
significance of no. 96 for the temple.
The Kamala
Bhavani Temple is built by Rao Raje Nimbalkar in 1727. It is considered to be
the second seat of Tulajapur Tulaja Bhavani. Built in Hemdpanthi style, the
temple has entry doors in East South and North directions. The uniqueness of
this temple architecture is, the temple is having well of 96 steps. The temple
is constructed with 96 pillars. The temple top consists of 96 pictures and 96
‘overyas’..
Navaratra
festival is celebrated with great devotion. The annual festival (yatra) is held during Kartik porrnima to
Chaturthi.
BARSHI
Barshi
is famous for the BHAGWANT MANDIR.
Bhagwant
temple is dedicated to Shri
Vishnu. The uniqueness of this temple
is that, this is the only one temple of Shri Vishnu all over India having Shri
Vishnu’s name as BHAGAWNT. The temple is build in Hemadpanthi style in the year
1245 A.D. There are four entries to
the temple from all the four
directions, but the main entry is east-facing. There is one GARUDKHAMB in front
of Garbhagraha. The idol of main diety Shri Bhagwant is in black stone having
SHANKH, CHAKRA and GADA in the hands and picture of devotee king Ambrish below
the right hand. Shri Laxmi is on the back of Bhagwant idol. Shivlinga is there
on the forehead and marks of Footsteps
of Bhrigu Rishi on the chest of the diety.
There
are old records showing the grants released by Shri Nanasaheb Peshve in the
year 1760, by East India company in 1823 and by British Government in
1784. The temple management is looked
after by a Panch Committee. Badves carry out the work of daily rituals of the
temple. The daily rituals include Kakada Arti, Nitya Puja, Mahapuja in the
morning, Dhuparti in the evening and Shejarti in the night.
Large
no. of devotees visit during the Chaitri, Maghi, Aashadi & kartiki (Hindu
Months) Ekadashi. During the Aashadi & Kartiki Ekadashi a large procession
is taken out covering the town with Bhagwant riding on Garuda. A CHABINA is
taken out on every full moon day.
MANGALWEDHA
Mangalwedha is famous for Sant Damaji. A
temple by the name of Shri.Sant Damaji is located in the heart of the city.
