Shrigonda

Infobox Indian Jurisdiction
native_name = Shrigonda | type = city | latd = 18.616 | longd = 74.698
locator_position = right | state_name = Maharashtra
district = Ahmadnagar
leader_title =
leader_name =kalyan Gadekar
altitude = 561
population_as_of = 2001
population_total = 26,331| population_density =
area_magnitude= sq. km
area_total =
area_telephone =
postal_code =
vehicle_code_range =
sex_ratio =
unlocode =
website =
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Shrigonda is an old city and a municipal council in Ahmednagar district in the Indian state of Maharashtra. The place is described as "Santanchi Punyabhumi" (Holy Land of Saints).

Historical monuments

The place consists of:
* Twelve Shivlingas, i.e. 12 temples of Lord Shiva,
* A famous 16th Century temple of Surya (Sun), Shriram, Shrikrishna, Datta, Vitthal and Rakhumai, Ganesh, Vishnu, Shiva , Kalikamata, Ambikamata
* Famous Shani Mandir
* Jodhpurcha Maruti Temples
* Bhairoba
* Khandoba
* Salvandevi

All these temples are of historical importance and are worshipped by Shrigodekars (people of Shrigonda).

Mythology

aints

Five saints are called as Five Jewels of this holy land. They are:-
* Shri Sant Rohidas Maharaj
* Sadguru Pralhad Maharaj Mahapurush
* Shri Sant Godhadebuva Maharaj
* Shri Sant Raulbuva Maharaj
*Shri Shaikh Mohammad Maharaj

Shri Pralhad Maharaj and Shri Shaikh Mohammad Maharaj existed in the same time between 1658 to 1710. A tale of their meeting is very interesting. Both wanted to meet each other and the venue was decided to be ‘Lake Padmavati’ (now a part of city). It is believed that Shri Shaikh Mohammad sat one feet under the water in the center of Lake Padmavati. Then came Shri Pralhad Maharaj and sat one feet above the water in the center of the lake. Thus they showed each other the Yogic powers.

Shri Sadguru Pralhad Maharaj was awarded “Mahapurush” upadhi (title) by Shrigondekars. He was a priest at Alamgir Badshah’s Darbar (palace). When Badshah ordered him to carry a dead body, he carried it without touching it, the body floated a feet above his head. After the incident Shri Pralhad Maharaj left the Darbar and returned to his ancestral home in Shrigonda. Since then his ancensters are not supposed work under any authority. Hence, none of his descendants who form the native population in this place work as an employee.

History

This place has a long history tracing back to the 13th Century.Fact|date=March 2007. In the ancient time Shrigonda was known by the "Chambargonda". In 17th Century, during the regime of Peshwa's about 208 acres of land was donated to Shri Hari Mahapurush, the 7th generation descendent of Shri Pralhad Maharaj Mahapurush. Shri Hari had only one son, Narayan. Narayan had three sons – Vishnu, Dattatraya and Gopal. Of the three, Dattatraya has spent his life in Kirtan and Pravachan and enlightenment of Bhagwat Dharma. He was instrumental a big religious movement among the illiterate class and especially farmers of Shrigonda Taluka. There were over a lack of his followers all over Maharashtra. After his nirvana in 1992, his followers contributed and built his Samadhi, near Samadhi of Shri Pralhad Raj and other ancestors.The sons of Dattatraya and Gopal devoted their time in Bhajans and Kirtans.

Shri Raulbuva and Shri Godhadebuva lived in the following period. Their temples are equally worshipped by Shrigondekars. However, recent influx of immigrants (without much knowledge about them) has decreased the value of these saints.

Rituals

Shaikh Maharaj had a great respect for Shri Pralhad Maharaj. As a result, Shri Shaikh Mohammad Maharaj Samadhi is worshipped by people of all the religions in the region. Hindus worship Mohamad Maharaj with Haldi and Kumkum. It is an example of Hindu-Muslim brotherhood. Muslims, however, do not bow to samadhi of Pralhad Maharaj.Fact|date=October 2007

Mohamad Maharaj Yatra

The Mohamad Maharaj Yatra is held for two day in the month of March when all the worshippers and believers visit the temple-mosque. During the ceremony of applying Chandan (Sandalwood) paste to the Samadhi, the descendants of Mahapurush Shri Sadguru Pralhad Maharaj are invited as the rightful prists to perform the Pooja.

The famous Shani and Jodhpurcha Maruti are quite old and are looked after by the Guravs who traditionally do the Pooja in here. Khandoba temple is outside the city on the bank of river Saraswati. Khandoba Yatra and Bhairoba Yatra are the big events in the city after Mohammad Maharaj Yatra.welcome to all of you

alvandevi Yatra

Salvandevi Yatra is celebrated in Navratra. In these 9 days before Dashami, a huge number of people visit the Salvandevi Temple located about 3 km. south of city. According to mythology, a Devi-Bhakta (worshipper) asked Bhavani Mata to come to his house in Shrigonda. Mata agreed and came along, walking behind him. But he was not supposed to turn back. However just before reaching the city, he turned back to check on her and the Mata disappeared for the lack of his faith on her. The temple is believed to have been built on the place where she disappeared.

Geography

Shrigonda is located at coord|18.616|N|74.698|E|. [ [http://www.fallingrain.com/world/IN/16/Shrigonda.html Falling Rain Genomics, Inc - Shrigonda] ] It has an average elevation of 561 metres (1840 feet).

Demographics

As of 2001 India census, [GR|India] Shrigonda had a population of 26,331. Males constitute 52% of the population and females 48%. Shrigonda has an average literacy rate of 71%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 77%, and female literacy is 64%. In Shrigonda, 12% of the population is under 6 years of age.

People

The people of Shrigonda are called shrigondekar. The inhabitants of Shrigonda are divided in two. The first category consist of people who have been residing there for generations. They run small businesses or shops or do farming. The second category consist of people who migrated and settled in Shrigonda. They are mostly working or retired government employees, professionals or new generation guys from nearby villages. In various district government offices at Ahmednagar, Pune and Nasik, Shrigondekars are found employed. On an average, one person from every Shrigondekar family is living in Pune city.Fact|date=October 2007

Transportation

Despite its quietness, there is now much life on the muddy roads of Shrigonda. The transport facilities are increased recently and the mobility is increased. The new big ST stand with regular buses plying to Daund, Pune and Ahmednagar make people convenient to go anywhere easily. With Railway connectivity to south and north side, goods transport is also easy. The nearest big railway station is Ahmednagar and Daund and Manmad are the nearest rail junctions.

Education

Being the nearest and low cost education provider, the city has two senior colleges : Maharaja Jivajirao Shinde College and Shivaji College. The primary and secondary schools are run quite well with good quality teachers. Mahadaji Shinde Vidyalaya is well known for its quality education. The old school building was constructed in 17th century. This Shinde Wada was said to be seven stories high, now it is only two stories comprises. This consists of two big Chowks (courtyards), stony floor and wooden carved entrances. Shrigonda also has a Polytechnic (Diploma Engineering College) at Belwandi, about 10 km. away from Shrigonda city.

Politics

Shrigonda’s political atmosphere has always been very active. Babanrao Pachpute, Minister of Forests is a proud resident of Kashti about 15 km. from Shrigonda. However, he has shown little interest in uplifting of poor from Kshatriya, Brahmin and Vaishya castes.

Industry and business

Shrigonda Sahakari Sakhar Karkhana can be said to be the only big industry in Shrigonda. Lack of industrial growth has made educated class to migrate to nearby cities like Pune. Business is operated on the level of small workshops and businesses, bazaars, shops, and retail market.

See also

* Maharastra
* India
* http://www.shrigonda.in

References