Shirgaon, Maharashtra

Shirgaon (in Marathi-Shirgaav) is a small village in Walwa Tahsil of Sangli District, Maharastra state, India. The population as per 2001 census is 2100. The village is surrounded by the river Krishna on three sides. Only a way from north side is open during floods. There is a high school up to 10th standard in the village.There is an ancient temple of Lord Shiva in the village on the banks of the river Krishna. Every year there are Mahashivrati celebrations (YATRA) in the temple by considerable numbers of devotees.Agriculture is one of the main sources of income to the inmates of village. Mainly sugar cane is the prime crop cultivated followed by groundnut and soybeen. Most of the land is irrigated.

People

Main residents of the village are artisans. The village consists in mainly imnates of Hindu religion. Prime caste is Maratha. The surnames in Maratha consist Pawar, Shinde, Hawaldar, Nikam Jadhav etc. Other people are Lingayat having surnames Ambi. One of the ancestral business of Ambis' is to drive small boat (in Marathi HODI or NAAV) in river. Ambi are vegetarians. Other class of people in this village consists of Guravs (i.e. worshipers or pujaries). Also some families of Scheduled Caste live in the village.

Pragati Wachanalaya Shirgaon Library

A public Library in Shirgaon Taluka Walwa especially meant for school going children is Pragati Wachanalaya Shirgaon (Library) started in 2002 by Pragati Group Shirgaon. More than 2000 books useful for children for preparation of competitive examinations. Celebrated 5th Anniversary on 14 November 2007.