Amalner

Infobox Indian Jurisdiction
native_name = Amalner | type = city | latd = 18.93 | longd = 75.33
locator_position = right | state_name = Maharashtra
district = Jalgaon
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altitude = 700
population_as_of = 2001
population_total = 91,456| population_density =
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Amalner is a city and a municipal council in Jalgaon district in the state of Maharashtra, India. Amalner is situated on the bank of Bori river.

Amalner is a Tehsil in Jalgaon district. Some of the prominent villages under Amalner administration are : Amalgaon,Mehergaon,Javkhede, Vavade, Patonde, Mangrul, Ardi etc.

History

It has historical importance in the fields of education, industrialisation and independence movement. It has one of the oldest philosophical centres in India the Pratap Tatwadnyan Mandir, formerly the Indian Institute of Philosophy.

Northern part of Amalner is called Pratapnagar, named after Srimant Pratap Shethji. Institutes named after him are Pratap College and Pratap Highschool.

Pandurang Sadashiv Sane, popularly known as Sane Guruji, was one of the famous teachers of Pratap Highschool. He fought for the independence of the country, India. He was a teacher, a poet and a writer. He has written the famous books like "Shyamchi Aai" and many more.

On the religious front, Amalner is regarded as Pandharpur of Khandesh. Centuries ago, Sant Muktabai’s stay in the district has made it a holy place. Shri Sant Sakharam Maharaj is from Amalner. There is myth (whoever noted this fact as "myth" on this page - please note this is Truth that Shri Sakharam Maharaj travels Pandharpur every year with a procession called Palakhi. This procession takes place in the month of Ashadh (Indian Calendar). The honour of first procession (dindi) to visit Lord Vitthal in Pandharpur goes to Amalner. In every Vaishakh month there is huge Fun-Fare in the bori river. It is rhe biggest fun fare in nearby towns. At that time there is a Rath-Yatra at Vaishakh Ekadashi as well as Palakhi at pornima in that month.

There are three main historic places of reference in the Eastern Khandesh region, now known as Jalgaon district. The oldest one, situated at the confluence of river Tapti and river Poorna, is known as Muktainagar. Famous Marathi poetess Saint Muktabai, sister of Saint Dnyaneshwar, resided here, to explain Bhaktimarga to yogi ascetic Changadeva. The other two are Amalner and Shendurni. Saint Shree Sakharam Maharaj of Amalner was a devotee of Lord Viththal. In his commemoration, the Ashadhi Ekadashi celebrations take place at Amalner parallel to the celebrations at the magnificent temple of Lord Viththal in Pandharpur. Amalner, Shendurni and Pimprala (Jalgaon) are known as Prati-Pandharpur meaning as holy as Pandharpur.

Geography

Amalner is located at coord|18.93|N|75.33|E| [ [http://www.fallingrain.com/world/IN/16/Amalner.html Falling Rain Genomics, Inc - Amalner] ] . It has an average elevation of 700 metres (2296 feet).

Demographics

As of 2001 India census [GR|India] , Amalner had a population of 91,456. Males constitute 52% of the population and females 48%. Amalner has an average literacy rate of 73%, higher than the national average of 59.5%; with 57% of the males and 43% of females literate. 12% of the population is under 6 years of age.

Industries

Amalner has seen its up and downs in industrial field. This little town had two famous factories, a cotton mill and first ever plant of WIPRO and a number of other small scale units and it was a strong market particular in the edible oil and cotton segment . The first oil mill setup by Wipro, was later acquired by Kalra family from Sargodha (Pak) and renamed Amalner Oil and General Mills (AOGM). Amalner also had a number of other striving oil mills in the past - even today this small town has at least 4 oil expellers in closed condition .Also it had at least 20 big cotton mills in the past all closed now. In last ten years WIPRO became world famous and this little town owns 1% of WIPRO shares. The story of WIPRO began here. Apart from this there is a tobacco processing factory . Now a days there are only 5 small industries are working at MIDC ( co- operative industrial estate) in village Mangrul Shivar and on dhule road like R.K.Patel food (P)Ltd. - Purchased Mohata Group, Jalgaon since 1991 his owner's named Shri. Shivshankar Mohata resi. Jalgaon,R.K.PATEL TOBACCO COMPANY, Maniyar plastic, Vishal Paper, Oil mill etc.

Amalner boasts a glorious past of industrial revolution. Once in the history this town was leaded in politics by the all time great Late Shri Sane Guruji . Many of the cotton mills in amalner were run by Bhandarkar's. Three big schools in Amalner are started by Bhandarkar families only.

References