Wai, Maharashtra

Infobox Indian Jurisdiction
native_name = Wai | type = city | latd = 17.93 | longd = 73.9
locator_position = right | state_name = Maharashtra
district = Satara
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altitude = 718
population_as_of = 2001
population_total = 31,090| population_density =
area_magnitude= sq. km
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Wāi (Devanāgari: वाई) is a town in Sātārā District in Mahārāshtra, India.

Wai has the epithetic name Dakshin Kāshi (Devanagari: दक्षिण काशी). In old times, it was known as Wirāt Nagari (Devanagari: विराटनगरी).

Wai is known in Maharashtra for its ghats on the banks of the Krishnā ((Devanagari: कृष्णा) river and its temples, including especially the "Dholyā Ganapati" (Devanagari: ढोल्या गणपती) temple on the "Ganapati Ghāt" (Devanagari: गणपती घाट).

Wai's STD code is 02167.

Geography

Wai is located at coord|17.93|N|73.9|E| [ [http://www.fallingrain.com/world/IN/16/Wai.html Falling Rain Genomics, Inc - Wai] ] , approximately 65 km south of the city of Pune (Devanagari: पुणे). It has an average elevation of 718 metres (2355 feet). It is surrounded by the mountainous region of the Sahyādris; ("Dhom Dam" has been constructed in the vicinity of Wai).

Demographics

According to 2001 census in India [GR|India] , Wai then had a population of 31,090. Males constituted 51% of the population, and females, 49%. Literacy in Wai was 77%, (which is higher than the national average of 59.5%), male and female literacy being 81% and 73%, respectively. As of 2001, 11% of the population was under 6 years of age.

Culture

Two cultural institutions of Wai, Prādnya Pāth Shālā (Devanagari: प्राज्ञ पाठशाला) and the Marāthi encyclopedia, Vishwakosh [http://vishwakosh.org.in/ The Encycloaepdia] (Devanagari: विश्वकोश), are well-known in Maharashtra.

Wai has recently been a favored film-shooting location, films "Omkār", "Swadesh", and "Gangājal" having been shot in Wai's vicinity.

"Krishnābai Utsawa" is the main festival in Wai. When Chhatrapati Shivāji went to meet Afzalkhān near Wai in 1659, according to a legend, one Shende Shāstri from Wai prayed to the Krishna river, which was personified as Goddess Krishnabai, for Shivaji's victory. Krishnabai Utsawa involving a variety of shows is said to mark this incident, and is celebrated on Wai's seven ghats for 4 to 8 days, each. (The same festival is also celebrated in the nearby town of Karād).

Temples

Temples built in the "Hemādpanti" style of architecture, including the following three, are located in and around Wai. (Use of huge stone slabs is the major characteristic of Hemādpanti architecture.)

* Mahā Ganapati Mandir (Dholyā Ganapati, in common parlance), Wai

* Vishnu Mandir, Dharmapuri
* Lakshmi Vishnu Mandir, Dharmapuri

Education

Besides Pradnya Path Shala, Wai has the following Institutes:

* Kisan Vir Mahavidyalaya (Janata Shikshan Samstha)
* Dravid High School (Deccan Education Society)
* Kanya Shala (Maharshi Karve Stree Shikshan Samstha)
* Maharshi Shinde VidyaMandir (Swami Vivekanand Samstha )
* TarkaTeertha LakshamanShastri Joshi Vidyalaya (Yashavant Shikshan Samstha)
* St.Thomas School
* Dyandeep High School
* Surabhi Institute of Information Technology and Research (An ISO 9001:2000 Certified)

A training center for weaving silk garments run by the state government is located between Wai and Pānchgani.

Tourist Spots In and Around Wai

*Dholya Ganpati Mandir
*Krishna Ghat
*Dhom Dam
*Balkawdi Dam
*Menawali
*Panchgani
*Mahabaleshwar
*Mandhardevi

Famous Personalities

*Savita Prabhune
*Tark Tirtha Laxman Shashtri Joshi
*Neilesh Taware

References

External links

* [http://www.mapsofindia.com/images/satara.gifMap of the area]
* [http://vishwakosh.org.in/ Marathi Encyclopaedia] ;News stories following the stampede
* [http://in.news.yahoo.com/050127/137/2j9ef.html Yahoo! India News]
* [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/4210169.stm BBC News]
* [http://www.hindu.com/2005/01/27/stories/2005012707961100.htm The Hindu]
* [http://www.hindu.com/2005/01/26/stories/2005012609100100.htm The Hindu]
* [http://www.deccanherald.com/deccanherald/jan262005/i1.asp Deccan Herald]
* [http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/1001165.cms The Times of India]
* [http://www.indianexpress.com/full_story.php?content_id=63453 The Indian Express]