Ugar
Encyclopedia
Ugar-Khurd is a developed town in the district of Belgaum
, state of Karnataka
, country India
.
It is the largest gram panchayat of Belgaum
district, which is also larger than few municipals in district.
.
The population is about 40,000, of whom almost 6,000 work in Ugar Sugar Works. The factory name is THE UGAR SUGAR WORK PVT. LTD. and owened by Shirgaonkar Brothers
Apart of Shri Hari Vidyalaya, the town of Ugar, now at approximately 40,000 people has a government run public school as well, called 'Kannada Gandu Makkala Shale' which means 'Kannada Boys School'. But the name is a misnomer as this is a co-ed. This is for kids in both Kannada and Marathi medium of instructions - but only from 1st grade to 7th, after which the students will move on to Shri Hari Vidyalaya.There is one more English medium school known as mahalakshmi school situated near railway station.S.H.V. has started science PU college. The I.T.I. college on main street is more famous.
Ugar Surar Works also operates a pre-school for much younger children ranging from 4 years to 6. The pre-school has many aminities for children including sea-saw, swing, ample space to play etc.
, Bijapur
, Bagalkot
, Miraj
, Athani
. By rail, it connects to two nearest towns Miraj
in the north, and Belgaum
in south. Since this Railroad connects Bangalore
and Bombay, Ugar is conveniently connected to most of India
.
Belgaum
, the district headquarter, about 100 KM from Ugar has the nearest operational airport.
is a beautiful water falls on river Ghataprabha
, again not too far at 50 km, accessible by Railroad. Chinchali
is a village about 20 km away in which a major yearly jatra
attracts more than a million visitors from both Karnataka
and Maharashtra
. Views of miles of bullock carts carrying millions of pilgrims to Chinchali
is a spectacular summer event in towns such as Ugar.And MaaSaheb dargah at Kudchi
is about 7 km only.
Ugar has several beautiful temples of its own such as Mahadev
temple on the river bank, Shri Raghavendra Matt, Lakshmi temple, Vittal temple for Hindu devotees. It has Mahadev
temple for Lingayat community, a Jain Mandir for Jains and five Mosque
for Muslims. Bank of river,pumping station,a small water baricade,ashram on the way of mangsuli,shime laxmi are favourite picnic spots of ugarians.
USW is the main reason why the township of Ugar came into existence.
In the early 40s, Ugar Khurd was a small hamlet in the erstwhile princely state of Sangli. However, it was blessed with a few distinct advantages; perennial river Krishna, fertile black soil, and a railway station that could be used to transport goods. Then, the ruler of Sangli
invited the late Dr.S.R.Shirgaokar - who had previous experience of setting up a sugar factory at Kolhapur, and then Ugar was born.
Soon after setting a sugar plant, the company diversified its activities and started its own distillery in the year 1962-63 and then added the liquor section in the year 1967-68. The company is producing high quality premium brands like Old Castle Whisky, Gokak Falls Whisky, US Rum, Doctors Brandy, Gagarin Vodka and the company's brands are well accepted by the market.
Thereafter, the company further diversified and set up a first-in-its-kind-in India Co-Generation Power Plant of 44 MW. This was based on the principle of bagasse
based renewable sources of energy used as fuel. Out of which 28 MW are being exported to the grid and the rest of the 16 MW are used for in-city consumption.
Ugar has become commercial center for many villages like Kudchi
, Ainapur
, Mangsuli, Shedbal
, Kusnal
, Kagwad, Shirguppi
, Chinchali
, etc...
Belgaum
Belgaum is a city and a municipal corporation in Belgaum district in the state of Karnataka, India. It is the fourth largest city of the state of Karnataka, the first three being Bangalore, Mysore, Hubli-Dharwad....
, state of Karnataka
Karnataka
Karnataka , the land of the Kannadigas, is a state in South West India. It was created on 1 November 1956, with the passing of the States Reorganisation Act and this day is annually celebrated as Karnataka Rajyotsava...
, country India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
.
It is the largest gram panchayat of Belgaum
Belgaum
Belgaum is a city and a municipal corporation in Belgaum district in the state of Karnataka, India. It is the fourth largest city of the state of Karnataka, the first three being Bangalore, Mysore, Hubli-Dharwad....
district, which is also larger than few municipals in district.
Industry
Ugar khurd is known for Ugar Sugar Works. It lies on the banks of the mighty Krishna RiverKrishna River
The Krishna River , is one of the longest rivers in central-southern India, about . It is also referred to as Krishnaveni in its original nomenclature...
.
The population is about 40,000, of whom almost 6,000 work in Ugar Sugar Works. The factory name is THE UGAR SUGAR WORK PVT. LTD. and owened by Shirgaonkar Brothers
Agriculture
The area surrounding Ugar has a very fertile black volcanic soil suited for Sugarcane, Cotton, Jawar, Sunflower and Soybeans. Due to proximity to Krishna river, the land is also fairly irrigated.Education
Ugar Sugar Works started production in early 40s, and it started a school for the families of workers, called 'Shri Hari Vidyalaya'. The city has grown since, and as has the school which has steadily expanded its origial reach of Marathi only mode of instruction to include both Kannada and English media. A few recent additions have expanded the school even further to include Bachelor's degrees in Arts and Commerce so the students will not have to move to nearby larger cities for their further education. The school now also has a series of vocational courses including Computer Sciences.Apart of Shri Hari Vidyalaya, the town of Ugar, now at approximately 40,000 people has a government run public school as well, called 'Kannada Gandu Makkala Shale' which means 'Kannada Boys School'. But the name is a misnomer as this is a co-ed. This is for kids in both Kannada and Marathi medium of instructions - but only from 1st grade to 7th, after which the students will move on to Shri Hari Vidyalaya.There is one more English medium school known as mahalakshmi school situated near railway station.S.H.V. has started science PU college. The I.T.I. college on main street is more famous.
Ugar Surar Works also operates a pre-school for much younger children ranging from 4 years to 6. The pre-school has many aminities for children including sea-saw, swing, ample space to play etc.
Transportation
The city is accessible by both road and railroad. By roads it connects to Kolhapur, BelgaumBelgaum
Belgaum is a city and a municipal corporation in Belgaum district in the state of Karnataka, India. It is the fourth largest city of the state of Karnataka, the first three being Bangalore, Mysore, Hubli-Dharwad....
, Bijapur
Bijapur, Karnataka
Bijapur Urdu:بیجاپور city is the district headquarters of Bijapur District of Karnataka state. Bijapur city is well known for its historical monuments of architectural importance built during the rule of Adil Shahi dynasty...
, Bagalkot
Bagalkot
Bagalkot or Bagalkote is a town in the Indian state of Karnataka. Bagalkot is the district headquarters of the Bagalkot district. It is one of the major towns in North Karnataka.-History:...
, Miraj
Miraj
Miraj , is an historic town in southern Maharashtra, India. The history of the town dates back to the early 10th century, and the town is known for its rich tradition of Hindustani classical music and for religious harmony. It served as a stronghold and a strategic bastion because of its location...
, Athani
Athani
Athani may refer to,* Athani , a village in Greece*In India** Athani , a town in Karnataka** Athani , a village in Kerala** Athani , a town in Tamil Nadu...
. By rail, it connects to two nearest towns Miraj
Miraj
Miraj , is an historic town in southern Maharashtra, India. The history of the town dates back to the early 10th century, and the town is known for its rich tradition of Hindustani classical music and for religious harmony. It served as a stronghold and a strategic bastion because of its location...
in the north, and Belgaum
Belgaum
Belgaum is a city and a municipal corporation in Belgaum district in the state of Karnataka, India. It is the fourth largest city of the state of Karnataka, the first three being Bangalore, Mysore, Hubli-Dharwad....
in south. Since this Railroad connects Bangalore
Bangalore
Bengaluru , formerly called Bengaluru is the capital of the Indian state of Karnataka. Bangalore is nicknamed the Garden City and was once called a pensioner's paradise. Located on the Deccan Plateau in the south-eastern part of Karnataka, Bangalore is India's third most populous city and...
and Bombay, Ugar is conveniently connected to most of India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
.
Belgaum
Belgaum
Belgaum is a city and a municipal corporation in Belgaum district in the state of Karnataka, India. It is the fourth largest city of the state of Karnataka, the first three being Bangalore, Mysore, Hubli-Dharwad....
, the district headquarter, about 100 KM from Ugar has the nearest operational airport.
Visiting places
As such, Ugar does not boast of any visiting places. But it is near a few. Khidrapur is approximately 15 km from Ugar. Narasoba Wadi too is not too far at 18 KM either. Gokak FallsGokak Falls
The Gokak Falls is a waterfall located on the Ghataprabha River in Belgaum district of Karnataka, India. The waterfall is six kilometers away from Gokak...
is a beautiful water falls on river Ghataprabha
Ghataprabha
Ghataprabha is a village in the southern state of Karnataka, India. It is located in the Gokak taluk of Belgaum district in Karnataka.-Demographics:As of the 2001 India census, Ghataprabha had a population of more than 20,000...
, again not too far at 50 km, accessible by Railroad. Chinchali
Chinchali
Chinchali is a village in the southern state of Karnataka, India. It is located in the Raybag taluk of Belgaum district in Karnataka.Chinchali is a place on which the blessings of goddess "MAYAKKADEVI" are always there. The people of Chinchali worship "Mayakkadevi". There are lakhs of devotees of...
is a village about 20 km away in which a major yearly jatra
Jatra
Jatra can mean:* Jatra street festival* Jatra street festival or Carnival* Jatra form of entertainment* Jatra...
attracts more than a million visitors from both Karnataka
Karnataka
Karnataka , the land of the Kannadigas, is a state in South West India. It was created on 1 November 1956, with the passing of the States Reorganisation Act and this day is annually celebrated as Karnataka Rajyotsava...
and Maharashtra
Maharashtra
Maharashtra is a state located in India. It is the second most populous after Uttar Pradesh and third largest state by area in India...
. Views of miles of bullock carts carrying millions of pilgrims to Chinchali
Chinchali
Chinchali is a village in the southern state of Karnataka, India. It is located in the Raybag taluk of Belgaum district in Karnataka.Chinchali is a place on which the blessings of goddess "MAYAKKADEVI" are always there. The people of Chinchali worship "Mayakkadevi". There are lakhs of devotees of...
is a spectacular summer event in towns such as Ugar.And MaaSaheb dargah at Kudchi
Kudchi
-Demographics: India census,Kudachi had a population of 19,852. Males constitute 52% of the population and females 48%. Kudchi has an average literacy rate of 53%, lower than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 60%, and female literacy is 46%. In Kudchi, 16% of the population is under 6...
is about 7 km only.
Ugar has several beautiful temples of its own such as Mahadev
Shiva
Shiva is a major Hindu deity, and is the destroyer god or transformer among the Trimurti, the Hindu Trinity of the primary aspects of the divine. God Shiva is a yogi who has notice of everything that happens in the world and is the main aspect of life. Yet one with great power lives a life of a...
temple on the river bank, Shri Raghavendra Matt, Lakshmi temple, Vittal temple for Hindu devotees. It has Mahadev
Shiva
Shiva is a major Hindu deity, and is the destroyer god or transformer among the Trimurti, the Hindu Trinity of the primary aspects of the divine. God Shiva is a yogi who has notice of everything that happens in the world and is the main aspect of life. Yet one with great power lives a life of a...
temple for Lingayat community, a Jain Mandir for Jains and five Mosque
Mosque
A mosque is a place of worship for followers of Islam. The word is likely to have entered the English language through French , from Portuguese , from Spanish , and from Berber , ultimately originating in — . The Arabic word masjid literally means a place of prostration...
for Muslims. Bank of river,pumping station,a small water baricade,ashram on the way of mangsuli,shime laxmi are favourite picnic spots of ugarians.
Weekly Farmers' Market
From the early 50's, Ugar has had a weekly Farmers' market, just behind Lakshmi temple on Thursdays. Usually, people buy their weekly fresh agricultural products there. However, Ugar has grown since, and has had a permanent open tent market near the bus stand and near the railway station.History, and The Ugar Sugar Works
The Ugar Sugar Works Ltd is the flagship organization of the Shirgaokar Group of Companies, and is by far the sole major employer. It employs approximately 6000 fulltime employees, and many more seasonal employees. The annual revenues exceed INR 600 crores. The company has been involved in the manufacture of white crystal sugar for over 65 years. The group also has plants in Jewargi and Bagalkot. The total sugar crushing capacity is approximately 19,000 tcd a day.USW is the main reason why the township of Ugar came into existence.
In the early 40s, Ugar Khurd was a small hamlet in the erstwhile princely state of Sangli. However, it was blessed with a few distinct advantages; perennial river Krishna, fertile black soil, and a railway station that could be used to transport goods. Then, the ruler of Sangli
Sangli
Sangli is a city in the state of Maharashtra of India. Sangli is known as the Turmeric city for its vast production of Turmeric. Sangli is situated on the banks of river Krishna and is the largest market place for Turmeric in Asia and houses many sugar factories, which it is also noted for...
invited the late Dr.S.R.Shirgaokar - who had previous experience of setting up a sugar factory at Kolhapur, and then Ugar was born.
Soon after setting a sugar plant, the company diversified its activities and started its own distillery in the year 1962-63 and then added the liquor section in the year 1967-68. The company is producing high quality premium brands like Old Castle Whisky, Gokak Falls Whisky, US Rum, Doctors Brandy, Gagarin Vodka and the company's brands are well accepted by the market.
Thereafter, the company further diversified and set up a first-in-its-kind-in India Co-Generation Power Plant of 44 MW. This was based on the principle of bagasse
Bagasse
Bagasse is the fibrous matter that remains after sugarcane or sorghum stalks are crushed to extract their juice. It is currently used as a biofuel and as a renewable resource in the manufacture of pulp and paper products and building materials....
based renewable sources of energy used as fuel. Out of which 28 MW are being exported to the grid and the rest of the 16 MW are used for in-city consumption.
Migration
Ugar is far more progressive town than any of nearby villages. And as a result, it has seen its own side of migration in the 90s and 2000s. Increased awareness among nearby villages to provide a quality education to their children and to provide a progressive city life has caused good deal of migration to Ugar.Many government and bank employees who works in nearby villages resides in Ugar.Ugar has become commercial center for many villages like Kudchi
Kudchi
-Demographics: India census,Kudachi had a population of 19,852. Males constitute 52% of the population and females 48%. Kudchi has an average literacy rate of 53%, lower than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 60%, and female literacy is 46%. In Kudchi, 16% of the population is under 6...
, Ainapur
Ainapur, Athni
Ainapur is a village in the southern state of Karnataka, India. It is located in the Athni taluk of Belgaum district in Karnataka.-Demographics:...
, Mangsuli, Shedbal
Shedbal
Shedbal is a village in the southern state of Karnataka, India. It is located in the Athni taluk of Belgaum district in Karnataka.-Demographics: India census, Shedbal had a population of 13515 with 6944 males and 6571 females....
, Kusnal
Kusnal
Kusnal is a village in Belgaum district in the southwestern state of Karnataka, India....
, Kagwad, Shirguppi
Shirguppi
Shirguppi is a village in Belgaum district in the southwestern state of Karnataka, India....
, Chinchali
Chinchali
Chinchali is a village in the southern state of Karnataka, India. It is located in the Raybag taluk of Belgaum district in Karnataka.Chinchali is a place on which the blessings of goddess "MAYAKKADEVI" are always there. The people of Chinchali worship "Mayakkadevi". There are lakhs of devotees of...
, etc...