Latur
This city has a historical background. King 'Amoghvarsha' of Rashtrakutas developed this city, originally the native place of the Rashtrakutas. Latur city has the famous 'Ganjgolai' as the central place of the city. The town planner Shri Faiyajuddin prepared the plan for the 'Ganjgolai Chowk'. The main building of the Golai is a huge two-storeyed structure which was constructed around the year 1917. In the middle of the circular structure is the temple of Goddess Ambabai. There are 16 roads connecting to this Golai and along these roads are separate markets selling all kinds of traditional localware such as gold ornaments to footwears and food items from chili to jaggery.. Thus, the 'Ganjgolai' has become the main commercial and trade center of this city. The Latur city has the beautiful Siddheswar temple built by King Tamradwaj. The temples of Ramlingeswar, Bhuteswar, Keshavraj, Ram, Dutta add to the ancient cultural heritage of the city. The Darga of Surat Shahvalli and temples of Astavinayak and Parshavanath also deserve mention as the beautiful monuments of the city.
In the year 1881 Lokmanya Tilak started a ginning and pressing factory at Latur. The development of Latur city received a boost after 1982 when it was declared as the district Headquarters. The growth of industries through the medium of Maharashtra Industries Development Corporation has been a boon for Latur. As a part of the infra-structure development, an air strip is also constructed and maintained by the MIDC at Latur.
Latur is an important center of trade and commerce as it is well connected by railway and road network. Latur city is connected to Kurduwadi Junction through narrow gauge railway track. A broad gauge railway track connecting Manmad-Secundrabad stations is situated at Latur road, 32 km. away from Latur city. An air strip is also constructed 12 km from Latur along the Latur- Barshi road, which is maintained by the MIDC at Latur.
The Ashram of Namanand Maharaj at Mahapur just 8 km away from Latur city. Every year thousand of pilgrims are visiting for darshana of the Samadhi of maharaj. The Manjara river is flowing near by the Ashram or Math. An island is inside the river surrounding the river water and on this island the Temple of Datta is situated. The river and the green surrounding makes the area pleasant and attracts pilgrims to visit again.
Sidheshwar Temple
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The Virat Hanuman Temple at Latur
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Ganj Golai at the heart of Latur City
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Outside view of Namanand Ashram |
Inside view of Namanand Ashram, Mahapur |
Udgir
Udgir is one of the most important towns of Latur district. Udgir has a great historical significance. It has witnessed the war between the Marathas and the Nizam of Hyderabad which took place in 1761. The Marathas led by Sadashivrao Bhau defeated the Nizam and the treaty of Udgir was signed. Udgir is one of the most important towns of Latur district. Udgir has a great historical significance.The fort of Udgir stands in all its glory speaking volumes about the Indian history and Indian culture. The fort is bounded by a 40 feet deep trench as the fort is built at the ground level. In the fort are several palaces Durbar halls and most importantly the Samadhi of Udaygir Maharaj which is 60 feet under the normal ground level. This is a place of great reverence to the people of the region. The fort has some rare inscriptions written in Arabic and Persian. Today the town is an important commercial center. It is a taluka and also the subdivisional Headquarters
Fort of Udgir |
Hatti Bet Devarjan |
Hattibet-Devarjan this is a beautiful place near Udgir. On a small hill is the Samadhi of Gangaram Maharaj. The place is also famous for cave carvings. The place has given birth to several freedom fighters who lost their lives in the Hyderabad freedom struggle. |
Yearly holi fair at Hatti Bet Devarjan |
Ausa
This is a taluka headquarter, just 20 km away from Latur. Ausa also has a old historical fort which today is in ruins. The pace has a huge temple of Virnath Maharaj, built by his son Mallinath Maharaj about 300 years ago..
Kharosa is a small village 45 kilometers from Latur city. The place is well known for its caves. The beautiful sculptures of Narsinha, Shiv Parvati, Kartikeya, Ravan are the example of the cultural heritage of this land. According to the historians these caves were built in the 6th century during the Gupta period.
Kasarshirshi is a small town with historical significance. Ancient inscriptions dated around 696-697 A.D. have been found here.
Kharosa caves
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Kharosa caves
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Renuka Devi Temple - Kharosa caves
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Hajrat Pir Pasha Dargah - Kharosa caves
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Nilanga
This is a taluka headquarter well-known for the magnificently sculpted temple of Nilkantheswar. Nilanga got its name from the name of Nilkantheshwar, Gramdaivat of this place.
Temple of Nilkantheswar
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Shirur Anantpal
This is a newly formed taluka place well know for the Temple of Lord Shiva. The another well known and famous Temple of Lord Shiva is situated at Hippalgaon village 12 km away from Tahsil place and 26 Km from Latur city. The temple is built in the 11th century. The linga of Lord Shiva and the statue of Devi Mahishasur is finely sculputred in the black stone. The sides and corners are full of carved statues of different gods and goddesses . Approximately 2.5 Lakh pilgrims are visiting this place for Darshana every year and a big ustava or holi retual is performed on every Chaitra Ekadash and Dwadashi (Marathi Ca lender).
The place is having basic amnesties such as STD,PCO phone facility, some restaurants for refreshments, post office and a branch of a Bank, well road connectivity.
Chakur
The chakur is Taluka place and on the state highway of Latru-Nanded. It is 35 Km far from Latur city. A temple of Loard Shiva with amusement park is situated near by the Chakur city.
The Wadwal Nagnath Bet (Hill) is very famous for its unique feature of producing a very rare species of Ayurvedic bushes and plants. It is 16.5 km away from Chakur and 39 Km from Latur city.
The hill is of 600- 700 feet height from the ground and is 3 km near the Wadwal-Nagnath village. The rare species of Ayurvedic plants grows in the Uttara Nakshatra and hence the well known ayurvedic practitioners from nearest states are visiting this hill in the same period.
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View of Wadwal Nagnath Hill, Wadwal-Nagnath, Tq. Chakur |
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View of Wadwal Nagnath Hill, Wadwal-Nagnath, Tq. Chakur |