Sangli

This article is about the municipality in Maharashtra, India. For its namesake district, see Sangli district. For places in Iran, see Sangli, Iran.

Sangli (सांगली) सांगली
Urban Agglomeration
Nickname(s): Turmeric City, City of Six Lanes
Sangli (सांगली)
Coordinates:
Country	India India
State	Maharashtra
District	Sangli
Founded by	Harbhat Patwardhan
Government
• Type	Municipal Corporation
• Body	Sangli-Miraj And Kupwad City Municipal Corporation (SMKMC)smkc.gov.in
• Mayor	Mr. Vivek Kamble
• Municipal Commissioner	Mr. A. Y. Karche
• Member of Parliament	Sanjaykaka Patil (Lok Sabha)
Area
• Total	118.18 km2 (45.63 sq mi)
Elevation	549 m (1,801 ft)
Population (2011)
• Total	513,862
• Rank	91
• Density	4,300/km2 (11,000/sq mi)
Demonym(s)	Sanglikar
Languages
• Official	Marathi (मराठी)
• Second Language	Hindi (हिंदी)
• Third Language	English
Time zone	IST (UTC+5:30)
PIN	416416
Telephone code	+91-233
Vehicle registration	MH-10
Literacy	81.48%
Lok Sabha constituency	Sangli, Maharashtra
Climate	Dry and Arid (Köppen)
Website	sangli.nic.in

File:Sangli-ganpati-02.jpg

Ganpati Temple, Heart of Sangli City

Sangli (सांगली : Marathi) (City) <phonos file="Sangli.ogg">pronunciation</phonos> is a city and the district headquarters of Sangli District in the state of Maharashtra, in western India. It is known as the Turmeric City of Maharashtra due to its production and trade of the spice. Sangli is situated on the banks of river Krishna and houses many sugar factories. The Ganesha Temple of Sangli is a historical landmark of the city and is visited by thousands of pilgrims.

Geography

Sangli district is situated in between the Warna and Krishna rivers. The valley of the River Krishna and its tributaries offer many irrigation and agricultural advantages which drives the economy of the district and the city. Other small rivers, such as the Warana and the Panchganga, flow into the River Krishna.

History

See also: Sangli State

The region, known as Kundal (now a small village near Sangli city) in medieval India, was the capital of the Chalukya Empire in 12th century AD. During the time of Shivaji, Sangli, Miraj and surrounding areas were captured from the Mughal Empire. Until 1801, Sangli was included in Miraj Jahagir. Sangli separated from Miraj in 1801, following a family quarrel between Chintamanrao Patwardhan, and his paternal uncle, Gangadharrao Patwardhan, who had succeeded his childless elder brother as the sixth chief of Miraj in 1782. Chintamanrao, a born soldier, commanded the Miraj cavalry in the Maratha armies that served with the British against the Nizam, Tipu Sultan and Dhondia Waugh. When he returned to Miraj in 1800, after his many campaigns, and having reached his majority, he found his uncle unwilling to yield control to him. Disgusted with this state of affairs, the young nephew seized the family idol and left the palace in a huff. In 1801 he established himself at a new capital at Sangli and set about taking control over as much of his patrimony as he was able to. Continuing quarrels and disagreements threatened to cause fighting, until the British Resident at the Peshwa's court decided to settle matter by effecting an agreement in 1812. This Treaty of Pandharpur was formally recognized by the British authorities in 1817, and further augmented by separate treaties with the HEIC in 1819.

Chintamanrao reigned for fifty years, during which he maintained very close relations with the British. His participation in the southern campaigns included a close association with the Duke of Wellington, with whom he maintained a lifelong friendship. He served in several other campaigns, even offering to lead contingents to Persia and Afghanistan to fight the company's enemies. However, his interests ranged more widely than mere soldering. He encouraged industry and agriculture, took an interest in religious affairs, and promoted inter-communal and inter-faith understanding, more than a century before it became the norm. He died in 1851, aged seventy five, full of honours and respect.

Dhundirajrao succeeded his father not merely as ruler, but also in continuing the good work begun by his father. However, he took a keener interest in education, building schools, colleges and vocational institutions. This interest extended to the fields of female education and the so-called backward classes, for whom he built special schools. He even promoted education amongst his Muslim subjects, a community who until then were suspicious of modern innovations. Thanks to his efforts in promoting various agricultural enterprises, Sangli is today the centre of the world turmeric trade, has the largest sugar refinery in Asia, and is the most important centre for grape production in India. Alas, despite seven marriages, he only sired two daughters. The succession was left to a distant relative, chosen by the British authorities and adopted by his senior widow.

Vinayakrao Chintamanrao, who succeeded as Chintamanrao Dhundirajrao on adoption, was no less distinguished than his two predecessors. He also reigned for a long period of sixty-four years. During this time he vastly improved the material, educational, spiritual and political development of his people. He promoted industrial and agricultural development on an unprecedented scale, making his little state something of a powerhouse in the area. Educational facilities were expanded in many areas with the establishment of arts, science, engineering and medical collages. Access to capital improved with the foundation of a state bank, which helped poor farmers and fledgling industrialists to raise funds. Representative institutions at local and state level encouraged the growth of democracy. He took an active part in supporting the war effort, in the activities of the Chamber of Princes, the Indian Round Table Conferences in London, and on the committee established to create a federal structure for India. A friend of the British and Gandhi alike, he enthusiastically supported independence and acceded to the Dominion India in 1947, then merged his state with Bombay. Raja Vijaysinhrao Patwardhan succeeded his grandfather in 1965. (In 1842 the first Marathi Drama act play had staged in the Patwardhan Wada Rajwada names Sita Swayamvar and it was country's first play)

Etymology

The city’s original name was Sahagalli — from the Marathi terms saha (“six”) and galli (“lanes”) describing the early street plan — which was later was shortened to Sangli.

Sangli at present

The twin cities of Sangli and Miraj have merged to form an urban agglomeration. The cities have important education centers offering graduate and post graduate quality education in the areas of arts, science, management, medicine, and engineering. The twin cities offer infrastructure that includes railway junction, hotels, housing, public transport, telephone, high speed internet, a multiplex, shopping mall and a state-of-art sports complex.

Sangli is now emerging as one of the largest power generation hubs of India. Reliance Wind Energy (RWE), is setting up 150-MW wind power project worth Rs 900 crore with Suzlon Energy. Suzlon Energy will set up the wind farm in Sangli, one of the known wind zones in the state. Sangli has the largest trading centre for turmeric in Asia. The green city is inside what is called 'Sugar Belt' of Maharashtra. The district has more than thirteen sugar factories, which makes it among the highest sugar-producing districts of India. It also has oil seeds, commodities and fruit market. Sangli is also known for high quality grapes and houses many state and privately owned cold storage facilities. A grape wine park spread over 1.42 km² (350 acres) has been established at Palus, 30 km from Sangli city. A brand new Sangli Food Park, spread across 1.2 km² (300 acres) is under construction at Alkud ManeRajuri.

Sangli is also one of the largest Grape growing regions in Maharashtra. Government has established Krishna Valley Wine Park 30;km away from Sangli to promote wine industry also Pomegranates are cultivated in the north east region of district. Recently, Sangli has come up as a major wind power generation locations in India. Suzlon has set up large wind farms around Sangli city with a capacity to generate over 900 MW of power. Sangli has number of renowned education institutes which includes Walchand College of Engineering (established in 1947), Willingdon College (estaiblished in 1919), City High School (established in 1914) and Sangli High School (established in 1907). Still Sangli City expanding by its area and population though it signs many top companies have to be in the domestic industry causes needs and new employment. The state government also has proposed a large phase of land for occupation of new Sangli Airport near the suburb Kavalapur which could beneficial in the growth of the City Business Development. The work is in the progress of the National Highway which is from Shirval to Chikkodi (Karnataka) via Lonand, Phaltan, Atpadi, Vita, Tasgaon, Sangli and ahead via Miraj, Belgum to Chikkodi which would be a standard transportation service from City to another place.

Princely State of Sangli

Main article: Sangli State

The Principality of Sangli covered an area of 1112 square miles (2942 square kilometers), and had a population of 226,128 in 1901, while the population of the town itself was 16,829 in that year. In 1911, the state had a revenue estimated at £10,000. Sangli joined the dominion of India on March 8, 1948 and is currently a part of the state of Maharashtra.

Sangli was one of the 11-gun salute princely states of British India, under the Kolhapur-Dekkan Residency in the Bombay Presidency, and later the Deccan States Agency. It was one of the southern Maratha Jagirs. Its territory was widely scattered among other native states and British districts.

Current governance

The Sangli-Miraj & Kupwad City Municipal Corporation (S.M.K.M.C.)is the local self-government body which looks after the development of the Sangli-Miraj twin cities,serving 0.5 million citizens. The corporation is continuously working in following aspects of development: Roads and Highways- construction, repair, widening, street lighting, drainage, slum eradication and waste management However, regarding Irrigation and Water Supply, the city is ill-famed for poor water quality from many years.

Civic officials and government body

• Mayor - Mrs. Vivek Kamble
• Commissioner - Mr. A. Y. Karche
• Collector - Mr. Shekhar Gaikwad
• Deputy Mayor - Mr. Prashant Patil (Majalekar)Municipal Corporation
• Deputy Superintendent of Police - Mr.Sunil B. Phulari since May 2015

Turmeric Production and trade

Turmeric production and trade in nearby areas of Sangli city follows a centuries-old practice — storing turmeric in pits. These pits stretch far out in the open fields of the villages of Haripur and Sangalwadi. It is possibly the most unusual agricultural commodity-storage system in the country.

After clearing the loose soil covering the pit, it is left open for about two to three hours. One cannot enter the pit until one finds out if there is any oxygen within. To ascertain this, a lantern is lowered into the pit. If the lantern does not go out, it is safe to enter the pit.

It was this ingenious storage system, devised over 200 years ago, that turned Sangli into a major trading centre for turmeric. Raw turmeric sold by farmers is stored in these pits, eighteen to twenty feet (five to six metres) deep, for three to four years. The pits provide the best storage facility for turmeric, as the quality of the commodity remains unchanged. The turmeric hardens and matures while in storage. Today, more than 80% of the turmeric trade in India takes place in Sangli.

Educational institutes in Sangli

High schools

• Mahaveer State Academy English Medium school sangli
• City High School ,sangli
• Emmanuel English School
• H.H. Raja Chintamanrao Patwardhan Highschool
• LGR Purohit Kanya Prashala
• Martin's English School
• Mount Sinai English School
• Mount Sinai Marathi School
• Rani Saraswati Kanyashala
• Sangli High School
• Shantiniketan Junior College of Arts & Science
• Chintamanrao Collage of Commerce
• Shri Ram Ramdayal Malu High School
• Vasantdada Patil Institute of Research and Management
• Sangli Shikshan Sanstha
• Modern English School
• Santhome school ICSE Sangli.
• Svatantravir Savarkar Prathisthan's Pradnya Prabodhini Prashala

The world record for largest lezim dance was achieved by Sangli Shikshan Sanstha in 2014 as a part of centenary year celebrations of the educational institute. A total 3066 girls and 4272 boys from 19 different schools situated across 14 towns and 5 villages participated. The attempt took place on 26 January 2014 the 65th Republic Day of India at Shivaji stadium.

Tertiary education

Sangli is home to many colleges, most of which are affiliated to Shivaji University, Kolhapur.

Engineering colleges

• Annasaheb Dange College of Engineering & Technology
• Appasaheb Birnale College of Architecture, South Shivaji Nagar
• Bharati Vidyapeeth Institute of Technology, Palus, Sangli
• Government Polytechnic, Miraj, Sangli
• Latthe Education Society Polytechnic, MIDC, Kupwad, Sangli
• Nanasaheb Mahadik College of Engineering, Peth Naka
• Padmabhushan Vasantraodada Patil Institute of Technology, Budhgaon
• Rajarambapu Institute of Technology, Rajaramnagar
• Shree Jaywantrao Bhosale Polytechnic, Killemachindragad.
• Walchand College of Engineering, Vishrambag, Sangli

Medical colleges

• Bharati Vidyapeeth Dental College, Wanlesswadi, Miraj
• Bharati Vidyapeeth Medical College, Wanlesswadi,Miraj
• Government Medical College, Miraj
• Gulabrao Patil Homeopathy Medical College, Miraj

Management institutes

• Abasaheb Garware Institute of Management Studies, ST Stand Road
• Bharati Vidyapeeth Institute of Management and Rural Development Administration, Rajawada Chowk
• CSM Institute of Management
• Deccan Education Society Institute of Management, Vishrambaug
• V.P.Institute of Management Studies & Research, Wanlesswadi, Miraj

Pharmacy colleges

• Appasaheb Birnale College of Pharmacy

Other colleges

• Appasaheb Birnale College of Architecture
• Garware Women's College
• G.A. College of Commerce, Sangli
• Gulabrao Patil B.Ed & D.Ed College
• Smt. Kasturbai Walchand College Arts, Science, & Commerce
• Patangrao Kadam College, Sangliwadi (formerly known as Bhatrati Vidyapeeth's A.S.C. College, Sangli)
• Sangli highscool & junior college, Sangli
• Shantiniketan College, Sangli
• SNDT Women's College
• Willingdon College of Arts & Science, Vishrambaug

Notable people

Sangli is the birthplace of many people notable for their contributions as social, cultural as well as political reformers.

• Yashwantrao Chavan (1st chief minister of MAHARASHTRA State)
• Gopal Ganesh Agarkar, Village Thembu
• Ramdas Athawale, Agalagaon
• Balgandharva, Village Nagthane
• Vishnudas Bhave
• Asha Bhosale
• Govind Ballal Deval, born in Konkan, brought up to Sangli (workplace)
• Vijay Hazare
• V. S. Khandekar
• G. D. Madgulkar
• Vasantdada Patil
• R. R. Patil (Aaba), Village Anjani, Tasgaon
• Bhagyashree Patwardhan
• Annabhau Sathe, Walwa
• Sai Tamhankar
• Dadasaheb Velankar
• Krantisinha Nana Patil
• Jayant Patil

Sagareshwar Wildlife Sanctuary

The sanctuary is forested, but with grassy hill slopes. The forests are southern dry mixed deciduous and southern thorn forest. Protection from grazing and forest fire has resulted in good regeneration of dry deciduous species. The forest department introduced many plants in the area, including Tamarind, Neem, Nilgiri, Acacia, Agave, and Khair.

Flora and fauna: Large animals found in the sanctuary include several types of deer (Sambar Deer, Blackbucks, Muntjac, Chital) as well as wild boar and peacocks. Small carnivores like hyena, fox and porcupines are also found in the area. A large number of insects, birds and reptiles such as pythons and other snakes are also present.

Tourism: The sanctuary is a popular tourist destination, with the peak tourism season being from August to February. The most popular tourist activity is hiking to the top of a hill in the sanctuary, from which one can see the Krishna River flowing through fields of sugarcane and grapevines. Also in the area are numerous shrines to Shiva which were built during the Chalukya dynasty, and the Krishna Valley Wine Park in Palus.

About Sagareshwar: The Sagareshwar sanctuary has much religious, cultural and archaeological significance. The sanctuary derives its name from an ancient famous Shiva temple that attracts a large number of devotees. It actually consists of one large temple and a complex of 51 small temples, all from the Satvahana period. You will find the Kamal Bhairao temple, partially hewn from hard Basalt rock perched on the edge of a steep cliff. The entrance to the temple is through a narrow tunnel.

Ganapati Temple

Ganesh temple is the greatest religious attraction in Sangli, drawing thousands of devotees every day. It is the Kuldaivat of not only the Patwardhans but of at least more than half the population of Sangli. Besides the main temple of Ganes there are four more, but smaller ones, of Suryanarayan, Cintamanesvar, Laksmi-Narayan and Chinta−manesvari, which together with the chief deity forms the Ganapati panchayatan.

The construction work was started by the late Sri Appasaheb Patwardhan and was actually completed in about 1844. The blocks of stone employed in the construction were brought from the Jyotiba hills near Kolhapur, a distance of nearly 64.37 to 72.42 km (40 to 45 miles). Those had to be brought on huge platforms which required about fifteen bullocks to pull.

The whole, including the former residence of the Chief, stands in a fairly large quadrangular court. The Chief’s residence is close by and facing the river, on which side there is a wall flanked by two bastions and loopholed for musketry. Sri Chintamanrav Appahaheb Patvardhan built the mandap at a later date. The stone used is of the same type as that employed for the construction of the original temple and the sculptural work and the designs are also befitting the original shrine. It was completed in 1952 and was inaugurated at the hands of Dr. Sarvapalli Radhakrishnan, the then Vice−President of India.

A huge and massive gate of red sand−stone, recently constructed, leads into the spacious courtyard planted with coconut palms and very many other trees and plants, in the midst of which stands the sacred temple of Ganapati. The gate has grandeur of its own and is the work of skilled architects and artisans of great repute. It is composed of three arch−shaped entrances, each crowned with a gumbos. The central arch is loftier and bigger than the side ones and has superb stone jali lattice work. They are also decorated with many other patterns and carvings. From the threshold of the gate one can have a complete view of the inside of the temple.

A finely decorated lofty door leads into the extensive mandap hall supported on eight highly polished and ornamented pillars. It has. Galleries on two sides having a number of arches formed in between very many pillars, also of polished black stout. Even the ceiling of the mandap bears lovely creeper designs, with a huge chandelier, with innumerable prism, hanging from the centre of the ceiling. In addition to the main entrance there are four more doors, two on either side. On the wall are reproduced sacred hymns from the Bhagvadgita.

The original edifice built by Sri Appasaheb Patvardhan is on a dais of about 15.24x9.14 meters (50’x 30’) having about 14 pillars also of polished black stone. These pillars form ten arches and arc ornamented suitably. Of the same colour are the tiles thai pave the floor. In the gabhara is placed the white marble idol of Lord Ganapati with Riddhi and Siddhi to the right and left, respectively. All these idols are housed in a small domelike structure also of white marble, which in turn is, installed on a 1.16 meters (3 1/2 ft.) pedestal of black stone. In the background is a mirror which besides reflecting the idols gives an excellent view of the front side of the temple. This part is approached by steps fixed at both the extreme ends. On the sanv platform but outside the gabhara,to the right of the visitor, is a casket of glass containing the chariot of Arjuna. While the chariot is of sandal wood, the images of Arjuna and Krushna are of ivory. It delineates Krishna preaching Bhagvadgita to Arjuna when he refused to right ihe Kauravas on the historic battle−field of Kuruksetra. The gabhara is crowned by a shikhar with a brass spire plated with gold. It bears various designs and carvings and figure−filled niches, In the corners there are smaller replicas of the main shikhar. There is a fine terrace above the mandap,

The shrine is an excellent specimen of stone carvings and especially the glass−like polished stone−work evokes admiration. Unrivalled in its finish and magnificence, it has become an object of keen interest for the people visiting Sangli. Though over a century has elapsed since the construction of the original shrine it has not lost its beauty in the slightest degree. In the courtyard on either side there are two fountains, shaped like lotus flowers.

Of the remaining four temples of the panchayatan, two, viz., Chintamanesvar and Suryanarayan are on the right side, arranged one behind the other, placing one of the fountains mentioned above in the middle. The other two, viz., Lakshmi−Narayan and Chintamanesvari are on the left also arranged in the same manner. They are more or less identical replicas of the original edifice of the Ganapati temple and contain white marble idols of the respective gods and goddesses. Behind the temple of Suryanarayan there is the figure of a baby elephant shown to be Trampling a tiger under its feet. It is of black stone.

Ganesh Chaturthi festival is the most important of all and attracts thousands of persons. The temple enjoys inam grants made by the Patvardhans which continue till the present day. To look after the maintenance of the temple a Ganapati Panchayatan Trust has been created. In the backyard of the Ganesh temple court there is a small black stone idol of Kuranesvari. It is housed in a small arch of stone. The goddess is said to fulfill the wishes of her devotees and hence people attach much religious significance to it. People visiting the Ganesh temple generally take darshan of this goddess too.

Nearby Religious Places

Hindu Religion

• Bhuvneshwari Temple

• Brahmanand Swami Math

• Narsobawadi

• Dandoba- The place of lord shiva near miraj at the top of mountain surrounding by forest.

Cultural and Spiritual Heritage Ganesh Chaturthi The festival spares Happines to Everyone, Sangli is often visited by many saints, Yogis, tapaswis like Swami Vivekananda for their tapa, sādhanā and satsang. There are many places, known for their calm, soothing environment near Krishna river which attract devotees and Sadhus. Some of the saints belonging to this area are-

Sant shree Tatya Saheb Kotnis Maharaj, Mama Maharaj Kelkar, Dasram Maharaj Kelkar Shree Hanumandasji Maharaj etc.

Food

Sangli has many local delicacies. Bhadang is a spicy puffed rice snack seasoned with garlic and peanuts, and it is very popular. Sangli also has grapes, pomegranates, and sugarcane fields. Sanglikar's are foodie about Bhel which is famous as well as Misal Paav .

Architecture and places of interest

• Sangli is home to the famous Ganapati Temple. Located on the banks of river Krishna, the view of the riverfront is very scenic. Many elements of the British era can still be found.

• The Irwin Bridge of Sangli built by the British still stands strong.

• The Rajwada (Royal Palace), now home to the court premises, reminds one of the early days.

Climate

Sangli
Climate chart (explanation)
J F M A M J J A S O N D     3.8     31 12     0.5     33 15     5.3     36 18     22     38 21     48     37 22     71     31 22     109     28 21     80     28 21     100     30 20     89     32 19     34     30 16     6.9     30 13 Average max. and min. temperatures in °C Precipitation totals in mm Source: Government of Maharashtra
Imperial conversion J F M A M J J A S O N D     0.1     88 54     0     91 59     0.2     97 64     0.9     100 70     1.9     99 72     2.8     88 72     4.3     82 70     3.1     82 70     3.9     86 68     3.5     90 66     1.3     86 61     0.3     86 55 Average max. and min. temperatures in °F Precipitation totals in inches

Sangli has a semi-arid climate with three seasons, a hot, dry summer from the middle of February to the middle of June, a monsoon from the middle of June to late October and a mild cool season from early November to early February. The total rainfall is about 22 inches (580 mm). sangli has a chill climate all around winter.summers are dry but not so much dry like in the big metropolitan cities.rain is within its limits.

Climate data for Sangli
Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec	Year
Average high °C (°F)	31 (88)	33 (91)	36 (97)	38 (100)	37 (99)	31 (88)	28 (82)	28 (82)	30 (86)	32 (90)	30 (86)	30 (86)	32 (89.6)
Average low °C (°F)	12 (54)	15 (59)	18 (64)	21 (70)	22 (72)	22 (72)	21 (70)	21 (70)	20 (68)	19 (66)	16 (61)	13 (55)	18.3 (65.1)
Average precipitation mm (inches)	3.8 (0.15)	0.5 (0.02)	5.3 (0.209)	22.1 (0.87)	48.3 (1.902)	71.1 (2.799)	108.7 (4.28)	79.8 (3.142)	99.6 (3.921)	88.9 (3.5)	33.5 (1.319)	6.9 (0.272)	568.5 (22.384)
Source: Government of Maharashtra