Wai, Maharashtra

2021-05-09T22:32:35Z

31.200.18.29:

{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2018}}
{{Use Indian English|date=August 2018}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name = Wai
| native_name =
| native_name_lang =
| other_name =
| settlement_type = city
| image_skyline =
| image_alt =
| image_caption =
| nickname =
| pushpin_map = India Maharashtra
| pushpin_label_position = right
| pushpin_map_alt =
| pushpin_map_caption = Location in Maharashtra, India
| coordinates = {{coord|17.95|N|73.89|E|display=inline,title}}
| subdivision_type = Country
| subdivision_name = {{flag|India}}
| subdivision_type1 = [[States and territories of India|State]]
| subdivision_type2 = [[List of districts of India|District]]
| subdivision_name1 = [[Maharashtra]]
| subdivision_name2 = [[Satara district|Satara]]
| established_title = 
| established_date =
| founder =
| named_for =
| government_type =
| governing_body =
| unit_pref = Metric
| area_footnotes =
| area_total_km2 =
| area_rank =
| elevation_footnotes =
| elevation_m = 718
| population_total = 36,030
| population_as_of = 2011
| population_footnotes = <ref>[http://www.censusindia.gov.in/pca/SearchDetails.aspx?Id=586605 India Office of the Registrar Census data]</ref>
| population_density_km2 = auto
| population_rank =
| population_demonym =
| demographics_type1 = Languages
| demographics1_title1 = Official
| timezone1 = [[Indian Standard Time|IST]]
| utc_offset1 = +5:30
| postal_code_type = 
| postal_code =
| area_code = 02167
| area_code_type = Telephone code
| iso_code = [[ISO 3166-2:IN|IN-MH]]
| registration_plate =
| website = {{URL|maharashtra.gov.in}}
| footnotes =
| demographics1_info1 = [[Marathi language|Marathi]]
}}
'''Wai''' ({{audio|Wai.ogg|listen|(|help=no}}) is a town in [[Satara district]] of [[Maharashtra]] state in [[India]]. Located on the [[Krishna River]], Wai was a prominent town during the [[Peshwa]] era. Two important [[Maratha]] [[Brahmin]] from ruling families had their origins here: [[Rani Lakshmibai]] of [[Jhansi]] ([[Tambe]] family) and [[Gopikabai]], wife of [[Nanasaheb Peshwa]] (Raste family).

Locally prominent families such as the Raste, Ranade, Phadnavis etc. built several architecturally significant temples in Wai. 400 years old [[Mandhradevi|Mandhradevi Kalubai]] temple is about 12 kilometers from Wai on a hill 718 metres above sea level.<ref>{{cite book|title=Encyclopaedia Indica: India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Volume 100|page=54|author=S.S. Shashi|publisher=Anmol Publications|year=1996}}</ref> In recent decades, Wai has become a popular location for filming [[Bollywood]] and [[Marathi movies]], with over 300 films have been shot in and near Wai.<ref>{{cite news|title=Meena Iyer tells us about Bollywood’s favourite location, Wai. And why Wai locals love Bollywood|url=http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Repository/ml.asp?Ref=TU1JUi8yMDA5LzAzLzAxI0FyMDI2MDA=&Mode=HTML&Locale=english-skin-custom|access-date=24 February 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=योगींना सांगा, "तुमचं युपी,बिहार दाखवायचं झालं तरी वाईतच यावं लागतं" |url=https://bolbhidu.com/wai-film-distination/ |access-date=8 November 2020 |work=Bol Bhidu |date=1 November 2020 |language=mr}}</ref>

==History==
Wai has the epithetic name "Dakshin Kashi" (Kashi or Varanasi of the South) because of the city's more than 100 temples. Wai is known in Maharashtra for its [[ghats]] on the banks of the Krishna River and its [[temple]]s, especially the Dholya Ganapati temple on [[Ganapati Ghat]].

The 17th century warlord [[Afzal Khan (general)|Afzal Khan]], representing [[Ali Adil Shah II]] of the [[Bijapur Sultanate]], is said to have made his first halt here on his way to the fort " Kille Pratapgad" of the Maratha ruler [[Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj]]. A cache of 105 guns, swords and other weapons were found in Wai around 2005.

==Geography==
Wai is located at {{Coord|17.94|N|73.88|E|}},<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fallingrain.com/world/IN/16/Wai.html|title=Maps, Weather, and Airports for Wai, India|work=fallingrain.com|access-date=28 August 2015}}</ref> approximately 35 km north of the city of [[Satara (city)|Satara]]. It has an average elevation of 718 metres (2355 feet). It is surrounded by the mountainous region of the [[Sahyadris|Sahyādris]].

[[Dhom Dam]], west of Wai, was completed in 1982. Waters held by ''Dhom'' and ''Balakwadi'' dams, west of Wai taluka, surround the region's remaining small villages. Most residents of small villages moved elsewhere when dams were built. Dhom, Daswadi, Chikhali, Tasgaon, Aasgaon, Wyahli, Dhawli, [[Dahyat]], Jor, Golewadi, Golegaon and Ulumb are major villages which were moved partly and they still exist partly. Nearly 16 km from Wai is the village of Borgoan, in middle of Dhom dam and Balkawdi dam, with four waterfalls. Borgoan's residents drink water from the falls year round.

Boundaries of Wai taluka: East of Wai are talukas of [[Khandala, Satara|Khandala]] and [[Koregaon Taluka|Koregaon]]. To the west lies the taluka of Mahabaleshwar. The northern border abuts the [[Pune district]]. The north-west border is shared with the [[Raigad district]]. South of Wai are talukas of [[Jawali, Maharashtra|Jawali]] and Satara. A taluka is an Indian sub-district—smaller than a district and larger than a village.

Headquarters of Wai taluka is the city of Wai, populated by about 25,000 people. Wai is 35 km. from Satara, 95 km. from Pune, 250 km. from [[Mumbai]]. Situated on the Mahad-Pandharpur State Highway, Wai is a major city on the way to the hill stations of Mahabaleshwar and Panchgani.

Wai taluka has seven ghats on the Krishna's banks: Gangapuri, Madhi Aali, Ganpati Aali, Dharmapuri, Brahmanshahi, Ramdoh Aali and Bhimkund Aali.

==Demography==
According to a 2001 [[Demographics of India|census]] in [[India]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.censusindia.net/results/town.php?stad=A&state5=999|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040616075334/http://www.censusindia.net/results/town.php?stad=A&state5=999|archive-date=2004-06-16|title= Census of India 2001: Data from the 2001 Census, including cities, villages and towns (Provisional)|access-date=2008-11-01|publisher= Census Commission of India}}</ref> Wai had a population of 31,090. Males were 51% of the population; females, 49%.
Literacy in Wai was 77%, (higher than India's national average of 59.5%). Male literacy was 81%; female literacy, 73%. As of 2001, 11% of Wai's population was under age 6.

==Culture==
[[File:mahaganapati1.jpg|thumb|right|300px|Mahaganapati temple]]
The prominent ''Pradnya Path Shala'' educational institution is based in Wai.

Wai is well known for ''Tarkateertha'' [[Lakshman Shastri Joshi]], founder of [[Marathi language|Marāthi]] [[Marathi Vishwakosh|Vishwakosh]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://vishwakosh.org.in/ |title=महाराष्ट्र राज्य मराठी विश्वकोश निर्मिती मंडळ |publisher=Vishwakosh.org.in |date=2014-11-11 |access-date=2015-08-28}}</ref>

Krishnamai Utsav is the main festival in Wai. When warlord Afzal Khan set out from Wai to attempt to defeat Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, Shendye Shāstri of Wai prayed to the Krishna River for Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's victory, sparking the Krishnamai festival. It is celebrated on each ghat for four to eight days. The festival is also celebrated in the nearby town of [[Karad]].

A 105-year-old Govardhan Sanstha (Goshala) celebrates Shri Krishna Janma Ashtami (Gokul Ashtami). The two-day Jatra festival attracts people from all over Maharashtra. The annual fairs, Yatras/Jatras, began with the Yatra of Mahalaxmi of Bhuinj, Jamb, Kikli and Belmachi on Dassraa. Yatras in the Wai taluka include Mandhardevi, Bagad of Bavdhan, Kavathe, Kalambhe and Surur.

A number of movies have been filmed in Wai, including [[Jis Desh Mein Ganga Rehta Hain]], [[Gangaajal]], [[Omkara (2006 film)]], [[Dabangg|Dabangg 1, Dabangg 2]], [[Swades]], [[Ishqiya]], [[Singham]], [[Deool]], [[Bol Bachchan]], [[Zila Ghaziabad]], [[Gulaab Gang|Gulaab Gang, R Rajkumar]], and [[Chennai Express]], [[Bajirao Mastani (film)|Bajirao Mastani]]. Others are Ardhasatya, [[22 June 1897 (movie)|22 June 1897]], [[Omkara (2006 film)]], ''Mrutyudand'', [[Swades]], [[Gangaajal]], [[Dabangg]] and [[Gulaab Gang]] Sargam were shot in Wai and the nearby villages of Dhom, Bavdhan, Chikhli, Menvali, Bhuinj, Pachwad and the surroundings of Dhom, Balakwadi, Jambhali and Nagewadi dams.

==Temples==
[[File:wai ghat1.jpg|thumb|200px|Krishna ghat]]
[[File:mahaganapati2.jpg|thumb|200px|Mahaganapati temple]]
Temples built in the Wai area tend to be built in [[Hemadpant|Hemādpanti]]-style architecture. Use of huge stone slabs is the major characteristic of Hemādpanti architecture.

Four temples are near Brahmanshahi ghat: Chakreshwar, Chimneshwar, Kaunteshwar/Harihareshwar and Kaleshwar. Govardhan Sanstha ghat has Krishna Mandir. Near Brhmanshahi there are Vitthal and Ganpati temples. Ramdoh ghat has Rameshwar temple, Ramkund and Chilavali Devi temple. Gangapuri ghat has Lord Shiva, Dwarka, Bahiroba, Dattatray Temple. Ganpati Aali ghat has Ganpati and Kashi Vishveshvar temples. In Dharma Puri are Lord Vishnu temple and Mahalaxmi temple. Rokdoba temple (maruti) is built by Ramdas Swami. Dholya Ganpati temple is one of Maharashtra's prime temples. The large idol of Lord Ganesh is on Krishna River's ghats.

Hanuman Mandir is near Mahaganpati ghat. Bhavani Mata Mandir Asale is near by Wai on Satara Road.{{citation needed|date=August 2020}}

==Education==

{{Unreferenced section|date=November 2017}}

As well as Pradnya Path Shala, Wai has the following institutes:
*Dravid High School (Deccan Education Society)
*Disha public school, wai.
*Surabhi College of Advance Technology, Wai
*Surabhi Computers, Wai Since 1995 Certificate to Degree pogranms in Information Technology
*Government Industrial Training Institute (under public-private partnership)
*Kisan Veer Mahavidyalaya (Janata Shikshan Sanstha)
*Kanya Shala (Maharshi Karve Stree Shikshan Sanstha)
*Maharshi Shinde VidyaMandir, Kanya shala and junior college Wai (Swami Vivekanand Sanstha)
*Girl's High School, Brahmo Samaj, Chavadi Chowk, Raviwar Peth, Wai.(Swami Vivekanand Sanstha)
*Tarkateertha Lakshaman Shastri Joshi Vidyalaya (Yashavant Shikshan Sanstha)
*Saint Thomas School
*Sanjivani Computers established training institute in Wai in 1997, with certificate-to-degree programs.
*Kamandlu Panchakrushi Madhyamik Vidhyalaya (Asare)
*ITI Wai - The state government operates a training center for weaving [[silk]] garments, located between Wai and [[Panchgani|Pānchgani]]
*New English School, [[Borgaon]]
* Dhom High school., Dhom
*Shree Shivaji Vidhyalaya and Surur junior college
*Karmaveer Bhaurao Patil Vidyalaya & Junior College Bhuinj
*Mahatma Gandhi Vidyalaya & Jr College Pachwad
*Shri Vinayak Education Society's Dnyanshalaka Junior College, Wai.
*Mumkaidevi Madhyamik Vidhyalaya (Washivali Rameshwar Wadi), Wai.
*Blossom Children's Academy, Wai.
*Joy Children's Academy, Wai.* Disha public school, wai.* Disha academy and study center, wai.

==Tourist spots==
[[File:kamalgad.jpg|thumb|200px|Kamalgad near Wai]]

* [[Wai Caves]]: nine Buddhist caves, situated at Lohare, 7 km north of Wai. The Chaitya hall contains stupa artifacts and has been converted into a Shiva temple.
*Dholya Ganpati Mandir: This temple was built by Raste in the 18th century beside the Krishna River. Wai is the first holy place of pilgrims on Krishna.
*Kashi Vishweshwar Mandir: Ancient 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 garlands and other jewelry. There is also a stone pendol.{{citation needed|date=August 2020}}
*Krishna Ghat: Site of many Hindu temples.
*Dhundi Vinayak Ganpati Mandir: 11th century temple of [[Ganpati]].
*Bhiravnath Mandir Kikali: via Bhuinj and Chandan Vandan Fort. This temple is tremendous example of the ancient Vastushastra. Situated in the village Kikali, near Bhuinj at about 15 km from Wai.
*Wakeshwar: This is the "Hemadpanthi" type temple of Lord Shiva, in Bavdhan village on the Krishna River.
*Bhadreshwar: The temple of Mahadev Bhadreshwar in the Krishna River on Wai-Surur Road.
*Sonjai: Temple of Goddess Sonjai and Kaleshwari on the hills of Sonjai in the village of Bavdhan. Hills on the main stream of the Sahyadries are about 2,000 feet tall.
*Mandhardevi: Temple of Goddess Kalubai on the plateau of Mandhardevi, which is as high as Tableland of Pachgani.
*[[Pandavgad]]: North side of Wai via Shelarwadi, known for pandava-caves, pandava's footprint of Bhim.
*Lohare Palpeshwar Caves: It is 5 km north of Wai and 39 km from Satara. Known for its art. This is cave of God Shiv. This cave is an example of the anacient Vastushastra. Situated in the village Lohare, near Wai.
*[[Kamalgad]]: It is 10 miles (16 km) west of Wai and 32 km from Satara. This fort sits in the middle of Dhom Dam.*Paga Talim: Afzal Khan kept his horses here when came to Wai. Locals also gave him key information about the Mahabaleshwar forest and surroundings.
*[[Menawali]]: Birthplace of Nana Phadanvis, Peshwai administrator. The palace of Nana is in the menawali.
*Palpeshwar: Known for its historical caves.
*[[Panchgani]]: hill station.
*Mahabaleshwar: hill station. With one of the few [[evergreen forest]]s of India, it served as the summer capital of [[Bombay Province|Bombay province]] during the [[British Raj]].
*Raste Wada in Motibag: ancient wada to visit.
*Laxmibai Wada in Bavdhan: Birthplace of the Queen of Jhansi Rani Laxmibai's mother. Large palace in the Village Bavdhan. Also there are caves in the hill of PachiDeval, dug by the Pandavas during their Vanvaas.
*Govardhan Sanstha (Goshala): This research institute, some 110 years old, launched a pioneer model project of electricity generation from cow dung. Institute's motto: not only is cow is sacred, she is useful in all aspects.
*Dhom and Dhom Balakwadi dams: [[Dhom Dam]] is situated on the Krishna and Kamandalu rivers, with capacity of 14 T.M.C. Balakwadi Dam on the Krishna is 19 km from Wai. Capacity is 4.08 TMC.
*Wind-power mill in [[Surur]]: Recent project in Shambhu Mahadev mountain range.
* Boat riding at Dhom Dam in Boriv Village

==Notable residents==
*[[Vaman Pandit]](1608–1695) - A great Marathi poet from 17th century.
*[[Nana Phadnavis]] (1742 – 1800) - Influential statesman of the [[Maratha empire]].
*[[Baburao Govindrao Shirke|B.G. Shirke]] (1918 -2010) - Founder of BG Shirke Construction Technology Private Limited
*[[Laxman Shashtri Joshi]] ( 1901 – 1994) - [[Sanskrit]]ist, Vedic scholar, thinker and Marathi writer. Established an encyclopedia in Marathi language known as [[Marathi Vishwakosh]].
*[[Shahir Krishnarao Sable|Shahir Sable]] (1923 – 2015) - Marathi folk singer.

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{EB1911 poster|Wai}}
*

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Maharashtra]]
[[Category:Cities and towns in Satara district]]
[[Category:Talukas in Maharashtra]]

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Wai, Maharashtra