Solapur

Solapur is a city in Maharashtra in India.

Understand
The name Solapur is believed to be derived from sola meaning "16" in the local language (Marathi), and pur meaning village. Those 16 villages were Aadilpur, Ahmedpur, Chapaldev, Fatehpur, Jamdarwadi, Kalajapur, Khadarpur, Khandervkiwadi, Muhammadpur, Ranapur, Sandalpur, Shaikpur, Solapur, Sonalagi, Sonapur and Vaidakwadi which are now united in Municipal Corporation of Solapur.

Solapur is famous for its chadder, handloom, powerloom and beedi industries, covering an area of, is one of the important districts in Maharashtra State of India.

It is influenced by its geography and the area is largely consists of plains. The river Bhima flows from northwest to the southeast and Sina River also flows from it. The southwest and northeast parts of the district are arid areas. Solapur is meeting ground for Maharashtra and Karnataka and from very old times the trade routes passed across Solapur district.

There are 8 famous Digamabar Jain temples at Solapur two are at Shukravar Peth, one in Kasagi, one at Shravikashram, one at Bhusari and Seth Sakharamji temple. The chief deity (Gramdevata) of the city are Shri Siddeshwar & Shri Rupabhavani

Solapur developed as a commercial center for cotton and other agricultural produce. Solapur bed-sheets have earned fame and reputation for their novel designs and durability.

History As per the mythological literary sources the region south of Godavari was covered with thick forest and was inhabited by the aboriginal. Agastya was the first Aryan who crossed the Vindhya Mountains and settled on the banks of Godavari followed by other sages who established their hermitages in the different regions of the south. In early centuries the city belonged to the Hindu Chalukyas and Devagiri Yadavas, but later became a part of the Bahamani and Bijapur kingdoms. Vairag village in Barshi tehsil situated at a distance of 23 km (14 miles) to the south east of Barshi and 50 km (30 miles) to the north of Solapur is a meeting place of saints of Nath Sect who have enunciated worldly life for meditation. Because of this particular aspect the village seems to have been named as 'Vairag'.

Road
Solapur is transport hub connecting Maharashtra, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. It is well connected by Road and Rail to major districts and cities.The national highways 9, 13 and 211 pass through Solapur city. Solapur is located on Pune-Hyderabad NH9, approximately 275 km away from Pune. Regularly buses ply from Pune. Buses from Mumbai, Kolhapur, Aurangabad, Nasik and other important cities of wester Maharashtra are available too.

Solapur is also very close to Hyderabad (305 km) in Andhra Pradesh and Vijapur (100 km) in Karnataka.

Railway
The city is located on major road and rail routes between Mumbai and Hyderabad, with a branch line to Bijapur and Gadag. It is 456 km away from Mumbai and 264 km away from Pune by rail.



By plane
No air service is available for solapur city. The nearest airports are in Pune (260 km), Mumbai (450 km) and Hyderabad (305 km)

Get around
Public transport in Solapur is primarily provided by buses operated by Solapur Municipal Transport (SMT) and auto rickshaws. Solapur is the only place in India other than Mumbai where double decker buses are in use.

See
Highlights for tourists include:


 * Temple of Lord Siddharameshwar
 * Temple of Markandeya Mahamuni
 * Hipparga Lake - a scenic nature area
 * Kambar Lake, newly named as Sambhaji lake
 * IndraBhavan - Solapur Corporation building
 * Bhui-Kot Castle - castle of 15th century and under the Bahamani period
 * Hutatma Garden
 * Mahatma Gandhi National Zoo
 * Chetana Park
 * Navi Peth - For shopping

Destinations that are further away (but great for day/weekend trips)


 * Pandharpur Vithoba Temple (70 km away)
 * Akkalkot - Swami Samarth temple (35 km away)
 * Hydra - Saifan mulk chishti dargah (near about 20 km from Akkalkot)
 * Nannaj - Bird Sanctaury for 'The Great Indian Busterd' (25 km away)
 * Tuljapur - Tuljabhavani Temple (45 km away)
 * Naldurg Fort (approx. 45 km towards Hyderabad)
 * Barshi "Bhagvant" Temple (approx. 70 km away)
 * Ramling - Beautiful natural place (90 km away)
 * Kudal Sangam - Shiva Temple (approx. 30 km away)
 * Akluj - Fort, Gardens, Sayaji Raje Park, Temples. (approx. 100 km away)

Buy

 * The most famous item is Solapuri chadar. Cotton bedsheets and handmade textile are very popular.

Eat

 * Try Nasle Shenga Chutney.

Supraja Pav-Bhaji

Pani Puri at Madhla Maruti.



Sleep
Solapur is home for some good serving hotels ranging from different budgets. Hotel Tripursundari, Hotel city park and Hotel Pratham are some well known three star hotels in the city.

Connect
PIN Code for Solapur is 41300x. STD Code is 0217 and the RTO Vehicle Registration code is MH-13.

Stay safe
You should be extra cautious while parking vehicles. Traffic Police are very strict in the city.

You need to have PUC for your vehicles or else you will be ₹50 short each time you cross the signals.

Go next

 * Bijapur
 * Badami
 * Pattadkal
 * Aihole
 * Dharwad
 * Hampi
 * Raichur
 * Ballari
 * Bidar
 * Mantralayam