: वाई) is a town in Sātārā District

Satara district

Satara District is a district of Maharashtra state in western India with an area of 10,480 km² and a population of 2,808,994 of which 14.17% were urban . Satara is the capital of the district and other major towns include Wai, Karad, Koregaon, Koyananagar, Rahimatpur, Phaltan, Mahabaleshwar...

 in Mahārāshtra

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...

, 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...

.

Wai has the epithetic name Dakshin Kāshi (Devanagari: दक्षिण काशी). In old times, it was known as Wirāt Nagari (Devanagari: विराटनगरी).

Wai is known in Maharashtra for its ghats

Ghats

As used in many parts of South Asia, the term ghat refers to a series of steps leading down to a water body, usually a holy river. In Bengali-speaking regions, this set of stairs can lead down to something as small as a pond or as large as a major river....

 on the banks of the Krishnā

Krishna 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...

 (Devanagari: कृष्णा) river and its temple

Temple

A temple is a structure reserved for religious or spiritual activities, such as prayer and sacrifice, or analogous rites. A templum constituted a sacred precinct as defined by a priest, or augur. It has the same root as the word "template," a plan in preparation of the building that was marked out...

s, including especially the "Dholyā Ganapati" (Devanagari: ढोल्या गणपती) temple on the "Ganapati Ghāt" (Devanagari: गणपती घाट).

Wai is also famous for film shootings (Hindi, Marathi, Bhojpuri, Tamil). Films like Gangajal, Omkara, Dabbang, Swadesh, Ishqiya, Singham and many others.

Geography

Wai is located at 17.94°N 73.88°E, approximately 95 km south of the city of Pune

Pune

Pune , is the eighth largest metropolis in India, the second largest in the state of Maharashtra after Mumbai, and the largest city in the Western Ghats. Once the centre of power of the Maratha Empire, it is situated 560 metres above sea level on the Deccan plateau at the confluence of the Mula ...

 (Devanagari: पुणे). It has an average elevation of 718 metres (2355 feet). It is surrounded by the mountainous region of the Sahyādris; ("Dhom Dam" has been constructed in the vicinity of Wai).The boundaries of the taluka (sub-district) called Wai are as follows- to the east of Wai are the talukas of Khandala and Koregaon, to the west lies the taluke of Mahabaleshwar, the northern border abuts the Pune district and the north-west border is shared with the district of Raigad. South of Wai are the taluka of Jawali Taluka and Satara. The headquarters of the taluke of Wai is the city by the same name, populated by about 25,000 people. Wai is 35 km. from Satara, 95 km. from Pune, 250 km. from Mumbai. Wai is situated on the Mahad-Pandharpur State Highway. Wai is a major city on the way to the hill stations like Mahabaleshwar and Panchgani.

Demography

According to 2001 census

Demographics of India

The demographics of India are inclusive of the second most populous country in the world, with over 1.21 billion people , more than a sixth of the world's population. Already containing 17.5% of the world's population, India is projected to be the world's most populous country by 2025, surpassing...

 in 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...

, Wai then had a population of 31,090. Males constituted 51% of the population, and females, 49%. Literacy in Wai was 77%, (which is higher than the national average of 59.5%), male and female literacy being 81% and 73%, respectively. As of 2001, 11% of the population was under 6 years of age.

History

Wai is an old town - the newer part of the town is 200 years old, and the older part, over 350 years.

Afzal Khan, the general who led the troops of the Bijapur Sultan, camped at Wai during his campaign against Shivaji. He forcibly took up residence in a mansion called Banawdikar Wada, and turned the wada into a 'Kutchery' or office. Banawdikar Wada was the scene of strategy sessions concerning how to capture or kill Chattrapathi Shivaji, until Afzal Khan met his death at the hands of Shivaji at Pratapgarh. The wada still exists in Raviwar Peth of Wai. The wada's main door is a solid wooden structure with beautiful carvings in the fashion of the olden times.

About 200 feet up the road from Banawdikar Wada stands a smaller mansion known as Deshpande Wada. It was built by a disciple of Samarth Ramdas

Samarth Ramdas

Ramdas was a prominent Marathi saint and religious poet in the Hindu tradition in Maharashtra, India. Samarth Ramdas was a devotee of Lord Hanuman and Lord Rama...

. Wai is also home to Nana Phadnavis. His beautiful wada stands on the banks of the Krishna. The house with its fading frescoes is worth a visit.
Across Banawdikar wada stands the large wada of the Kathavate family. It is almost 400 years old.

Culture

Pradnya Path Shala (Devanagari: प्राज्ञ पाठशाला) and the Marāthi

Marathi language

Marathi is an Indo-Aryan language spoken by the Marathi people of western and central India. It is the official language of the state of Maharashtra. There are over 68 million fluent speakers worldwide. Marathi has the fourth largest number of native speakers in India and is the fifteenth most...

 encyclopedia, Vishwakosh (Devanagari: विश्वकोश), the two well-known institutions in Maharashtra are based in Wai. Organisations include Prateek theater.

An 105 years old Govardhan Sanstha (GoshalaA) celebrates Shri Krishna Janma Ashtami (Gokul Ashtami)

There are 7 ghats on the bank of river Krishna: Gangapuri, Madhi Aali, Ganpati Aali, Dharmapuri, Brahmanshahi, Ramdoh Aali and Bhimkund Aali.

"Krishnabai Utsav" is the main festival in Wai. When Afzal Khan set out from Wai to kill Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, one Shende Shāstri from Wai had prayed to the Krishna river for Shivaji's victory. When Chhatrapati Shivaji killed Afzal Khan, the river Krishna was personified as Goddess Krishnabai, and the tradition of celebrating the festival of river began. Krishnabai festival is celebrated on each ghat for 4 to 8 days. The same festival is also celebrated in the nearby town of Karad.

Wai has been a film-shooting location. Films like 22 June 1897, Omkara, Mrutyudand, Swades, Gangājal and Dabangg are shot in Wai and the nearby villages. like Dhom, Bavdhan, Chikhli, Menvali, Bhuinj, Pachwad & the sorruoudings of Dhom, Balakwadi, Jambhali & Nagewadi dams.The annual fairs, Yatras /Jatras are started with the Yatra of Mahalaxmi of Bhuinj, Jamb, Kikli & Belmachi on Dassraa. There are two famous Yatras in the Wai taluka that is Mandhardevi & Bagad of Bavdhan & Kavathe.

The west Wai taluka is surrounded by the Water of Dhom & Balakwadi dams, so the villages of this area are very small because this villages are transferred to another places due to the building of Dams. Dhom, Tasgaon, Aasgaon, Wyahli, Khawli, Dahyat, Jor, Golewadi, Golegaon, Ulumb are the major villages which are transferred due flooding from the dam.

Temples

Due to the large number of temples and its architecture, Wai is also called as 'a town of temples'and also known as 'DAKSHIN KAASHI'. Temples built in the "Hemādpanti

Hemadpant

Hemādri Pandit, also known as Hemādpant, was a prime minister from 1259 to 1274 C.E. in the regimes of King Mahādev and King Rāmchandra of Seuna Yādav Dynasty of Devagiri, which ruled in the southwestern part of India.- Origin :...

" style of architecture, including the following three, are located in and around Wai. Use of huge stone slabs is the major characteristic of Hemādpanti architecture.

There are four temples Chakreshwar, Chimneshwar,Kaunteshwar/Harihareshwar and Kaleshwar near Brahmanshahi ghat. At Govardhan Sanstha there is Krishna Mandir. Near Brhmanshahi there are Vitthal and Ganpati temples. Ramdoh ghat has Rameshwar temple, Ramkund and Chilavali Devi temple. On Gangapuri ghat there is Lord Shiva, Dwarka, Bahiroba, Dattatray Temple. On Ganpati Aali that there is Ganpati temple and Kashi Vishveshvar temple. In Dharma Puri there are Lord Vishnu temple and Mahalaxmi temple. Rokdoba temple (maruti) is built by Ramdas Swami. Dholya Ganpati temple is one of the prime temples in Maharashtra. The idol of Lord Ganesh is extremely big and is situated on the beautiful ghats of river Krishna.

Education

Besides Pradnya Path Shala, Wai has the following institutes:

• Govt. Industrial Training Institute (under public private partnership)
• Kisan Vir Mahavidyalaya (Janata Shikshan Sanstha)
• Dravid High School (Deccan Education Society)
• Kanya Shala (Maharshi Karve Stree Shikshan Sanstha)
• Maharshi Shinde VidyaMandir (Swami Vivekanand Sanstha)
• Tarkateertha LakshamanShastri Joshi Vidyalaya (Yashavant Shikshan Sanstha)
• St.Thomas School
• Dyandeep High School
• Sanjivani Computer Academy
• Surabhi College of Advanced Technology (ISO 9001:2008 Certified)
• Gurukul Computer Institute
• Prime Computers
• Wai Akshar Institute
• Kamandlu Panchakrushi Madhyamik Vidhyalay (Asare)
• Govt ITI wai is running under PPP scheme of central govt. Producing skilled worker of different trade for industry is main aim of ITI. At ITI Wai different schemes of Govt. are running successfully like craftsman training scheme. Training, career & Placement cell TCPC is main salient feature of this institute.

A training center for weaving silk

Silk

Silk is a natural protein fiber, some forms of which can be woven into textiles. The best-known type of silk is obtained from the cocoons of the larvae of the mulberry silkworm Bombyx mori reared in captivity...

 garments run by the state government is located between Wai and Pānchgani

Panchgani

Pānchgani is a town and municipal council in Sātārā district in Mahārāshtra, India .-History:Scenic Panchgani was discovered by the British during the British Raj as a summer resort, and a superintendent named John Chesson was placed in charge of the hill station in the 1860s...

.

• New English School, Borgaon.
• Shree Shivaji Vidhyalaya and Jr. college Surur

Tourist spots

• Dholya Ganpati Mandir- This temple is built by Raste in 18th Century on the bank of River Krishna, Wai is the first holy place of The pilgrims on Krishna, the people are known Wai as "Dakshin Kashi".also there are 7 Ghats on the Krishna's bank.

• Govardhan Sanstha (Goshala)-This is about 110 years old Goshala where lots of cows are kept.The institute has launched a pioneer model project of electricity generation from cowdung.The motto of institute is not only cow is sacred, she is useful in all aspects.

• Kashi Vishweshwar Mandir- This is very old temple of Lord Shiva, the main feature of this temple is the nandi made by the same stone from which the idol of Mahaganapati was made, & this Nandi was decorated by the garlands & other jwellery, also there is a pendol made by stone & on which design is very beautiful.

• Krishna Ghat- Threre are lots of temples on Ghat.

• Dhom & Dhom Balakwadi dam:- Dhom dam is situated on the Krishna & Kamandalu river with capacity of 14 T.M.C,& The Balakwadi dam is 19 km from Wai also built on Krishna capacity is 4.08 TMC.have very great natural climate.

• Wakeshwar- This is the "Hemadpanthi" type Temple of lord shiva situated in the village Bavdhan on the bank of krishna river having very good natural surroundings.

• Bhadreshwar-The temple of Mahadev Bhadreshwar in the Krishana river on the Wai-Surur road.

• Sonjai- This is the temple of Goddess Sonjai & Kaleshwari on the hills of Sonjai in the Village Bavdhan. This hill are the main stream of the Sahyadries,the height of this hills are at about 2000 ft.

• Menawali- The birth place of Nana Phadanvis, the administrator of the Peshwai,The famous palace of Nana is in the menawali.

• Panchgani-Famous hillstation.
• Mahabaleshwar-Famous hillstation.

• Mandhardevi- The temple of Goddess Kalubai, the plateau of Mandhardevi is as high as Tableland of Pachgani.

• Pandavgad- north side of Wai via Shelarwadi, known for pandava-caves, pandava's foot print of Bhim,

• Lohare Palpeshwar Caves
• Kamalgad- It is ten miles (16 km) west of Wai and 32 km from Satara, this fort is situated in the middle of Dhom dam.
• DhundiVinayak Ganpati Mandir- This is the temple of Ganpati of the 11th century. this is very old temple of the region.

• Bhravnath Mandir Kikali via Bhuinj and Chandan Vandan Fort-This temple is treamandous example of the anacient VASTUSHASTRA. situated in the village KIKLI, near Bhuinj at about 15 km from Wai.

• Raste Wada in Motibag is an ancient wada to visit.

• Laxmibai Wada in Bavdhan- This is the birth place of the Queen of Jhansi Rani Laxmibai's mother.Very big palace in the Villlage Bavdhan. also there are a caves in the hill of PachiDeval, dug by the Pandavas during there Vanvaas.
• Wind Power Mill in Surur- This is a new planted project in Shambhu Mahadev mountain range.

Hospitals
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• Mission Hospital is the oldest Hospital in Wai.
• Krishnai Hospital
• Geetanjali Hospital and I.C.U, includes a diagnostic and CT Scan Center(First CT Scan Center in and around Wai; an ISO:9001-2000 certified hospital)
• Ankur Clinic & Maternity Hospital (Dr.Swati Deshpande-Gynaecologist & Obstetrician)
• Patange Hospital
• Patil Hospital
• Babar Hospital and I.C.U
• Datar Hospital

Notable personalities

• late. Tark Teertha Laxman Shashtri Joshi
• late. Narayanshastri Marathe
• Savita Prabhune
• late. BhauShastri Lele.( Sampadak- "Dharm" )
• Shahir Sable : a Shahir from a village named Pasarni, near Wai. His famous "Jaya Jaya Maharashtra Maaza" is sung with Pride, by every Maharashtrian.
• Late .Shri Balakrishna Martand Chounde. In 1905 he became the founder of Shri Govardhan Sanstha, the trust works to save cows.
• Late Shri Dada Patwardhan Sir : A mathematics and English teacher from Dravid High School, Wai.
• late B.G. Shirke : A well known name in the construction industry.
• Yamunabai Waikar
• Rambhau Merukar, late Sathe Sakharam M (Gangapuri) - a Gandhian freedom fighter
• Shri Madhukar(mahadeo) Shripati Sanas (freedom fighter)
• Mr.Govind Shrikhande (M.D.-Shoppers Stop)
• Mr.Pratap Shinde (First Judge From Wai)
• Nilesh Wadkar (Quantity Surveyor of Shapporji Palloonji)
• Dr. Suresh Pilaji Ashtaputre - doctorate in paintings.
• Prashant Damle
• Kisan Veer - Founder of Kisan Veer Mahavidhylay(Wai) and Kisan Veer sugar factory (Bhuinj)
• late Lt Col Madhav S Kathavate
• Dr.Jayant Bapat:Educationist in Australia; received "ORDER OF AUSTRALIA" by Queen Of England.(2011).
• Da.Vi.Keskar : Poet :wrote "GHARAT HASRE TARE ASTA"-song later on sung by Lata Mangeshkar.
• Tejpal Wagh : a young artist who is seen Z Marathi TV programmes occasionally.

External links

• Map of the area
• Marathi Encyclopaedia

News stories following the stampede

• Yahoo! India News
• BBC News
• The Hindu
• The Hindu
• Deccan Herald
• The Times of India
• The Indian Express