Akkalkot

Akkalkot
अक्कलकोट
ಅಕ್ಕಲಕೊಟ
city
Akkalkot

Location in Maharashtra, India

Coordinates: 17°31′30″N 76°12′20″E / 17.52500°N 76.20556°E / 17.52500; 76.20556Coordinates: 17°31′30″N 76°12′20″E / 17.52500°N 76.20556°E / 17.52500; 76.20556
Country  India
State Maharashtra
District Solapur
Population (2011)
 • Total 40,103 [1]
Demonym(s) Akkalkotiga
Language
 • Administrative Marathi
 • Regional Kannada
Time zone IST (UTC+5:30)
PIN CODE 413216
Vehicle registration MH-13

Akkalkot  pronunciation  is a city and a municipal council in Solapur district in the Indian state of Maharashtra. It is situated 40 km southeast of Solapur and very close to the border between Maharashtra and Karnataka states.

Akkalkot was the home to Shri Swami Samarth Maharaj, a 19th-century saint who is believed by his devotees to be an incarnation of Lord Dattatreya.[2] Akkalkot State during the British Raj, was a princely state ruled by the royal Bhonsale dynasty.

Geography

Akkalkot taluka is bordered by Solapur District to the west and by Karnataka state on all other sides. The district covers an area of 1,407 km² and contains 138 villages, apart from the town. The total population of the taluka is approximately 290,000 (2001 census), giving a population density of 209 per km².Jowar, bajra and pulses are the main crops grown in the district. Akkalkot is routinely hit by drought as it falls in a rain shadow. No major river pass through this taluka. The soil is classified as 'medium to deep black' and is of rich quality.

Religious significance

Akkalkot is widely known for its association with Shri Swami Samarth Maharaj, held by his devotees to be a reincarnation of Lord Dattatreya. Swami Maharaj lived for over two decades at Akkalkot, mainly at the residence of his disciple Cholappa, where his samadhi (tomb) and shrine are now located. The shrine complex, which is known the Vatavruksh Mandir since it encloses the banyan tree beneath which the swami would preach his message, is the hub of devotions for his followers.

The other local shrine is the samadhi of Akkalkoth Swami located some distance from the main shrine, but still within the city limits.Free accommodation and meals are provided to pilgrims by the Shri Swami Samarth Annachhatra Mandal.

The taluka is dominated by Kannada speaking lingayat community.

Akkalkot is also famous for Gajanan Maharaj's Shivpuri, where Ancient Vedic Therapy Agnihotra is performed.

Demographics

As of 2011 India census, GR India Akkalkot had a population of 40,103 out of which 20051 were male and 20052 were female.[3] Akkalkot has an average literacy rate of 63%, higher than the national average of 59.5%; with 59% of the males and 41% of females literate. 14% of the population is under 6 years of age. Along with Marathi, Kannada is widely spoken in Akkalkot.

Languages

Marathi and Kannada are the official languages but however Kannada is widely spoken in the taluka with over 93% People speaking Kannada.

Princely Akkalkot

Flag of Akkalkot.
Main article: Akkalkot State

During the British Raj, Akkalkot was a princely state of ruled by the royal Bhonsale dynasty. The non-salute state came under the Deccan States Agency and was bordered by Hyderabad State and the presidency of Bombay Presidency. The area of the state was 498 sq. miles. In 1911, the state enjoyed a revenue estimated at Rs.26,586/- and paid a tribute to the British Raj of Rs.1,000/-.Its population in 1901 was 82,047, while the population of the town itself was 8,348 in that year.

Education Institutions

Shri Shahaji High School (125 years old institute),Karnataka Lingayat Education Society(KLE)-KLE Society's Mangrule high school, Akkalkot C.B.Khedgi's Basaveshwar Science Raja Vijaysinh Commerce & Raja Jaysinh Arts College, Shri Vatavriksha Swami Maharaj Devashtan’s Polytechnic.[4] in akkalakota taluka has large numbers of Kannada schools.

Transport

It is served by Akkalkot Road Railway Station 7 km away. Chennai Mail and Udyan Express for Mumbai, Chennai Mail for Chennai, Tirupati, Mantralayam, Raichur, Gulbarga, Udyan express for Bangalore, Hyderabad Passenger for Hyderabad. Please also visit the Akkaklot road railway station site listed at end in external references It is also served by Tadawal railway station on Solapur -Hubli line around 20 km away and you can take trains for Bijapur, Hubli, Bagalkot, Gadag. It is more convenient to board trains from these stations than Solapur station which is 40 km away as this saves time as well as heavily crowded Solapur railway station. There is a great demand to stop trains such as Hussainsagar Express, Dadar Chennai Egmore Express, Konark Express, Shatabdi Express, Rajkot Express, Karnataka Express.

The nearest airport to Akkalkot Swami Samarth Maharaj Temple is Solapur Airport which is 31 km away from Akkalkot Swami Samarth Maharaj Temple. However there is no scheduled commercial air service available at this time. [5]

Important Tourist Sites In and Around Akkalkot

The main tourist attraction in Akkalkot is Shri Swami Samarth Maharaj temple. Other attraction includes The Royal Armory Museum in New Palace which is a collection by Fattehsing Bhosle who was the ruler at Akkalkot from 1894 A.D. to 1923 A.D.[6]

See also

References

  1. ↑ http://solapur.gov.in/census/cen2011-akk.pdf
  2. ↑ || SHREE SWAMI SAMARTH OF AKKALKOT || Shri Swami Samarth of Akkalkot, Sri Swami Samarth of Akkalkot
  3. ↑ http://solapur.gov.in/census/cen2011-akk.pdf
  4. ↑ http://www.swamipolytechnic.com/contact-us.html
  5. ↑ http://www.amazingmaharashtra.com/2012/05/akkalkot.html
  6. ↑ http://cultural.maharashtra.gov.in/english/gazetteer/Solapur/places_Akkalkot.html

External links

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