Nigdi

Nigdi (Marathi: निगडी) is a suburb of Pune, India. It is about 18 km from Pune Station on the old Mumbai- Pune Highway. Nigdi is towards the northern tip of Pune. It is poised for future growth as it is surrounded by many IT parks and Auto industries making it a strategic place for investment and business. One of the biggest companies like Bajaj Auto is in Nigdi.

Kalbhor

Kalbhor is the surname of the local people belonging to 96 Kuli Hindu Maratha caste. Their ancestors originated in Rajasthan and had the surname of "Chauhan". They migrated after a war between Rajpoot and Mugal and settled in various parts of the country.

In the 14th century, the Chauhans settled in Maharashtra. Their profession was farming. They reside in Pal- Satara, Loni-Kalbhor, Nigdi, Akurdi etc. In the 15th century, a farmer in Nigdi found a statue of the goddess, Khanderaya alais Khandhoba, which was assumed to be a blessing from the goddess and the people started using a new surname, "Kalbhor".

In Ranjeet Desai's book on Shivaji Maharaj, the reference to Pandits from Pali is mentioned, which provides proof of the existence of Kalbhors in Pali in the 17th century.

Places of Interest

• Appu Ghar
• Shree khandoba Mandir - (Pal) - NIGDI
• Indira Gandhi Udyan (adjacent to Durga Tekdi)
• Bhakti Shakti
• Bhel Chowk

Entertainment

• Big Cinemas
• Fame Jai Ganesh
• Mc'donalds
• Dominos

Shopping centers

• Big Bajaar
• DMART
• Star Mall

Schools and Colleges

• Jnana Prabodhini High School
• Kamalnayan Bajaj High School
• St Ursula High School
• Judson School
• Christeria High School
• Modern High School & College
• Mhalsakant Vidyalaya & College
• Guru Ganesh Vidyalaya
• Kirti Vidyalaya
• Saraswati Vidyalaya
• Shrimati Kamladevi Govindseth Sable High School
• Amrita Vidyalayam School & College
• City pride High School
• CMS High School
• Vidyanand Bhavan High School
• Dr. D.Y. Patil Center for Learning
• Camp Education Society's School & College
• Pimpri Chinchwad College of Engineering
• College of Ayurved and Research Center
• Smt. S. D. Ganage Prashala, Triveninagar

Temples

Shree khandoba Mandir - Pal, Hanuman Mandir- Nigdi Gaothan, Shree Mahakaleshwar Mandir, Vitthal Rukmini Mandir, Nilkantheshwar Mandir, Chintamani Mandir, Hanuman Mandir.

Transport facilities to and from Nigdi

Akurdi Railway Station of Pune Suburban Railway is in Nigdi Pradhikaran. Nigdi is well connected to Pune City by buses leaving from Nigdi Bus terminal of Pune Mahanagar Parivahan Mahamandal Limited. There are PMPML buses available to Swargate, Kothrud, Hinjawadi, Katraj, Bhosari, Pune Station, Yerwada, Hadapsar etc. Mumbai Pune highway goes through Nigdi. Chinchwad Railway Station of Pune Suburban Railway is in Chinchwad near Nigdi.

Bhakti Shakti

The great Saint Tukaram Maharaj was born at village Dehu which is situated in vicinity of Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation. The great saint had taken heavenly abode 350 years ago."Dharkari and Warkari" The meeting of two great architects of Maharashtra indicates he unique presentation of strength, unity and spiritualism and such this project is named "Bhakti Shakti" project which is unique in India. The entire complex is situated high hill rock just near Mumbai Pune National Highway in sector no. 23 of Nigdi, P.C.N.T.D.A. On this auspicious occasion. PCMC has Taken a great opportunity to install the group statue of Shivaji Maharaj, the great emperor of Maharashtra and the saint Tukaram Maharaj along with. The entire complex of sculpture on the hill rock is planned with proposed beautiful landscaping and the same has become the most acknowledged landmark for Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation.^[1]

References

1. ^ http://www.pcmcindia.in/tourism.asp?MID=0&PID=0&MenuID=36&Title=Tourism