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{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2019}} | {{Use dmy dates|date=October 2019}} | ||
{{Use Indian English|date=June 2018}} | {{Use Indian English|date=June 2018}} | ||
{{ | {{travel guide|date=December 2025}} | ||
{{Infobox settlement | {{Infobox settlement | ||
| name = Karad | | name = Karad | ||
| Line 49: | Line 49: | ||
| area_code = 2164 | | area_code = 2164 | ||
| registration_plate = MH-50 | | registration_plate = MH-50 | ||
| blank_name_sec1 = [[Indian road network|Major Highways]] | |||
| blank_info_sec1 = [[National Highway 48 (India)|NH-48]], [[National Highway 166E (India)|NH-166E]], [[National Highway 266 (India)|NH-266]] | |||
| website = | | website = | ||
| footnotes = | | footnotes = | ||
| official_name = | | official_name = | ||
| leader_party = | | leader_party = Bhartiya Janata Party | ||
| leader_title = MP | | leader_title = MP | ||
| leader_name = | | leader_name = [[Udayanraje Bhosale]] | ||
}} | }} | ||
'''Karad''' is a city in [[Satara district]] of [[India]]n [[States and territories of India|state]] of [[Maharashtra]] | '''Karad''' is a city in [[Satara district]] of [[India]]n [[States and territories of India|state]] of [[Maharashtra]]. It is located 302 km (180.19 miles) from [[Mumbai]], 74 km from [[Sangli]] and 162 km from [[Pune]]. It lies at the confluence of the [[Koyna River]] and the [[Krishna River]] known as the "[[Pritisangam]]". The two rivers originate at [[Mahabaleshwar]], which is around 100 km from Karad. Karad is well known for [[sugar]] production and is known as the sugar bowl of Maharashtra owing to the presence of many sugar factories in and around Karad. It is considered an important educational hub in [[Western Maharashtra]] due to the presence of many prestigious educational institutes.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Swachh Survekshan-2019 |url=http://www.swachhbharaturban.gov.in/writereaddata/SS2019%20Final%20Report.pdf?id=1e4odkeypauppd12 |access-date=2024-02-20 |website=[[Swachh Survekshan]]}}</ref> Karad is resting place of the first chief minister of Maharashtra [[Yashwantrao Chavan]] situated at the confluence of the Krishna and Koyana rivers. It is ranked as the cleanest town in [[Swachh Survekshan]] 2020 in the category of population with less than 1 lakh.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-08-20 |title=Karad tops Swachh ranking among smaller towns; Saswad, Lonavla are second and third |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/karad-tops-swachh-ranking-among-smaller-towns-saswad-lonavla-are-second-and-third/story-eYP5cRqpHYUitg5ZBIF8wN.html |access-date=2024-02-20 |website=Hindustan Times |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=President of India Announces Results of Swachh Survekshan 2022 |url=https://pib.gov.in/pib.gov.in/Pressreleaseshare.aspx?PRID=1864209 |access-date=2024-02-20 |website=pib.gov.in |language=en}}</ref> There is demand for formation of karad district along with neighbouring [[Walwa, Sangli|Walva]], [[Shirala]], [[Patan, Maharashtra|Patan]], [[Palus sangli|Palus]] and [[Kadegaon Maharashtra|Kadegaon]] talukas. | ||
Karad has an adjoining small town named [[Malkapur, Karad]] which has its own municipal council and a population of 86,671. Karad | Karad has an adjoining small town named [[Malkapur, Karad]] which has its own municipal council and a population of 86,671. Karad was awarded a prize under "Sant Gadagebaba Gramswachhata Abhiyan" started by [[Indian Government]]. | ||
==History== | ==History== | ||
It was originally known as "'''Karhatak'''", meaning "'''Elephant Market'''". Karad is also a city of historical importance. According to [[Mahabharata]], [[Sahadeva]] one of the [[Pandavas]] lived in the city also known to be pious as [[Lord Rama]] stepped his feet on this land.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.mygola.com/karad-d1011495/hindu-temple|title=Hindu Temple in Karad, India|website=Mygola.com|language=en-US|access-date=2017-10-10}}</ref> Located to the south west of Karad is [[Karad Caves]], also known as Aghashiv Caves.<ref>{{cite book|last=Ahir|first=D. C.|title=Buddhist sites and shrines in India : history, art, and architecture|year=2003|publisher=Sri Satguru Publ.|location=Delhi|isbn=8170307740|page=197|edition=1.}}</ref> | It was originally known as "'''Karhatak'''", meaning "'''Elephant Market'''". Karad is also a city of historical importance. According to [[Mahabharata]], [[Sahadeva]] one of the [[Pandavas]] lived in the city also known to be pious as [[Lord Rama]] stepped his feet on this land.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.mygola.com/karad-d1011495/hindu-temple|title=Hindu Temple in Karad, India|website=Mygola.com|language=en-US|access-date=2017-10-10|archive-date=26 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180826074331/http://www.mygola.com/karad-d1011495/hindu-temple|url-status=dead}}</ref> Located to the south west of Karad is [[Karad Caves]], also known as Aghashiv Caves.<ref>{{cite book|last=Ahir|first=D. C.|title=Buddhist sites and shrines in India : history, art, and architecture|year=2003|publisher=Sri Satguru Publ.|location=Delhi|isbn=8170307740|page=197|edition=1.}}</ref> | ||
The first capital of the [[Shilahara#Shilaharas of Southern Maharashtra .28Kolhapur Branch.29|Shilaharas]] was probably at Karad during the reign of Jatiga | The first capital of the [[Shilahara#Shilaharas of Southern Maharashtra .28Kolhapur Branch.29|Shilaharas]] was probably at Karad during the reign of [[Jatiga II]] as known from their copper plate grant of [[Miraj]] and Vikramankadevacharita of Bilhana. Hence sometimes they are referred as 'Shilaharas of Karad'. The capital was later shifted to [[Kolhapur]]. Among the Shilaharas of Kolhapur who ruled over [[Satara (city)|Satara]] and [[Belgaum|Belagavi]] districts from 1000 to 1215 A. D., [[Gonka]] deserves mention here, as he is described as the Lord of Karhad (Karad), Mairifvja (Miraj) and [[Konkan]].<ref>[Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society, Vol. IV, p. 281, Sanskrit Transcript.]</ref> | ||
==Geography== | ==Geography== | ||
[[File:Krishna Ghat.jpg|thumb|Krishna Ghat]] | [[File:Krishna Ghat.jpg|thumb|Krishna Ghat]]Karad is located at {{Coord|17.28|N|74.2|E|region:IN_type:city}}.<ref>[http://www.fallingrain.com/world/IN/16/Karad.html Falling Rain Genomics, Inc – Karad]</ref> It has an average elevation of 566 metres (1857 feet). | ||
Five kilometres southwest of Karad are the [[Karad Caves]], which contain early Buddhist symbols.<ref name=AHIR>{{cite book|last=Ahir|first=D. C.|title=Buddhist sites and shrines in India: history, art, and architecture|year=2003|publisher=Sri Satguru Publ.|location=Delhi|isbn=8170307740|page=197|edition=1.}}</ref> | |||
Karad is located at {{Coord|17.28|N|74.2|E|region:IN_type:city}}.<ref>[http://www.fallingrain.com/world/IN/16/Karad.html Falling Rain Genomics, Inc – Karad]</ref> It has an average elevation of 566 metres (1857 | |||
feet). Karad | |||
==Nearest Cities== | ==Nearest Cities== | ||
* [[Satara (city)|Satara]]: | * [[Satara (city)|Satara]]: 51 km | ||
* [[ | * [[Pune]]: 162 km | ||
* [[ | * [[Sangli district|Sangli]] : 74 km | ||
* [[Kolhapur]] : | * [[Mumbai]] : 302 km | ||
* [[Kolhapur]] : 64 km | |||
==Tourism== | ==Tourism== | ||
Tourist places in and around Karad are: (Distance in [[Kilometre|Km]]) | |||
*[[Pritisangam|Preeti Sangam]] (Krishna-Koyna Confluence) | *[[Pritisangam|Preeti Sangam]] (Krishna-Koyna Confluence) – 2 km | ||
* Krishnamai Temple | * Krishnamai Temple – 2 km | ||
* [[Pritisangam|Pritisangam Udyan]] | * [[Pritisangam|Pritisangam Udyan]] – 2 km | ||
* Late Yashwantrao Chavan's Samadhi | * Late Yashwantrao Chavan's Samadhi – 2 km | ||
* Historical Monument 'Manore' (2 Minars) | * Historical Monument 'Manore' (2 Minars) – 2 km | ||
* Naktya Ravlyachi Vihir (Ancient Well) | * Naktya Ravlyachi Vihir (Ancient Well) – 2 km [[File:Naktya Rawalchi Vihir.jpg |thumb|Naktya Rawalchi Vihir (Ancient Step Well)]] | ||
* Masjid Built by Sultan Ali Adilshah (1557- 1580) | * Masjid Built by Sultan Ali Adilshah (1557- 1580) – 2 km | ||
* Sadashivgad | * Sadashivgad – 5 km | ||
* | * Khodashi Dam – 5 km | ||
* [[Karad Caves|Agashiv Caves]] | * [[Karad Caves|Agashiv Caves]] – 5 km | ||
* Vasantgad | * Vasantgad – 15 km | ||
* | * Talbeed (Ram Mandir) – 15 km | ||
* Sar-Senapati Hambirrao Mohite Samadhi | * Sar-Senapati [[Hambirrao Mohite]] Samadhi – 15 km | ||
* Chauranginath Temple, Sonsal | * Chauranginath Temple, Sonsal – 20 km | ||
* Ramling Bet, Bahe | * Ramling Bet, Bahe – 30 km | ||
* Shri Khandoba Devsthan, Pal | * Shri [[Khandoba]] Devsthan, Pal – 30 km | ||
* Ram Mandir Chaphal | * Ram Mandir Chaphal – 30 km | ||
* Yamai Mandir, Aundh | * Yamai Mandir, [[Aundh, Satara|Aundh]] – 35 km | ||
* Uttarmand Dam | * Uttarmand Dam – 35 km | ||
* [[Sagareshwar Wildlife Sanctuary]] [[Palus, Maharashtra|Palus]] | * [[Sagareshwar Wildlife Sanctuary]] [[Palus, Maharashtra|Palus]] – 30 km | ||
* Valmiki Temple | * [[Valmiki]] Temple – 45 km | ||
* [[Chandoli National Park | * [[Chandoli National Park]] [[Shirala]] – 49 km | ||
* Chandoli Dam | * Chandoli Dam Shirala – 50 km | ||
*[[Koyna Dam]] | *[[Koyna Dam]] – 60 km | ||
* Nawja Waterfall | * Nawja Waterfall – 65 km | ||
==Cityscape== | |||
The city has many important government offices and other institutions of significance. With the vision of great leader [[P. D. Patil]] the city was one of the few in India to have a well- planned underground [[Sewerage|drainage system]] well before in the 1960s. By end-2010, [[Malkapur, Karad]], on the outskirts of the city of Karad, is delivering water 24x7 to all its residents as a result of concrete steps taken by the Malkapur Nagar Panchayat (MNP) with support from the Maharashtra Jeevan Pradhikaran (MJP), a state government entity. This is the first of its kind by a public body in India. Major offices and institutions in Karad are as follows: | |||
* Karad Court, Karad | * Karad Court, Karad | ||
| Line 160: | Line 143: | ||
===National Highways=== | ===National Highways=== | ||
The [[National Highway 48 (India)|National Highway 48]] (formerly National Highway 4) goes through the Karad city. National Highway 48 (NH 48) is a major National Highway in Western and Southern India. NH 48 links four of the 10 most populous Indian cities - [[Mumbai]], [[Bengaluru]], [[Chennai]] and [[Pune]]. NH 48 also connects Karad to [[Uran Islampur]], [[Kolhapur]]. [[Pune]] is the largest metropolis near Karad and [[Kolhapur]], [[Sangli]] is an important trade centre and | The [[National Highway 48 (India)|National Highway 48]] (formerly National Highway 4) goes through the Karad city. National Highway 48 (NH 48) is a major National Highway in Western and Southern India. NH 48 links four of the 10 most populous Indian cities - [[Mumbai]], [[Bengaluru]], [[Chennai]] and [[Pune]]. NH 48 also connects Karad to [[Uran Islampur]], [[Kolhapur]]. [[Pune]] is the largest metropolis near Karad and [[Kolhapur]], [[Sangli]] is an important trade centre and Karad is educational hub for [[Indian Institutes of Technology|IIT]] training and a tourist destination. | ||
===Airport=== | ===Airport=== | ||
| Line 166: | Line 149: | ||
An [[Airstrip]] was constructed in the 1955 by the [[Public Works Department]] to facilitate the [[Koyna dam]] project. It is currently being used for [[General aviation]] and pilot training. The airport is spread on 65 acres and the acquisition of more than 100 acres has been proposed. Runway 10/28 is 1280 meters long and 30 meters wide with a 60 meter by 60 meter apron. No navigational aids nor night landing facilities are available on the airstrip. | An [[Airstrip]] was constructed in the 1955 by the [[Public Works Department]] to facilitate the [[Koyna dam]] project. It is currently being used for [[General aviation]] and pilot training. The airport is spread on 65 acres and the acquisition of more than 100 acres has been proposed. Runway 10/28 is 1280 meters long and 30 meters wide with a 60 meter by 60 meter apron. No navigational aids nor night landing facilities are available on the airstrip. | ||
The State run [[Maharashtra Airport Development Company]] (MADC) plans to extend the 1,250 meters airstrip by another 1,500 m and widen it by 150 m. | The State run [[Maharashtra Airport Development Company]] (MADC) plans to extend the 1,250 meters airstrip by another 1,500 m and widen it by 150 m. | ||
Besides this nearest airports are [[Pune Airport]] | Besides this the nearest airports are [[Pune Airport]] and [[Kolhapur Airport]]. | ||
===Railways=== | ===Railways=== | ||
* Karad – 4 km from city | * Karad – 4 km from city | ||
Karad has [[Karad railway station|railway station]] situated near ogalewadi about 04 km distance on the Karad Vita road from Karad Bus stand. Karad is | Karad has [[Karad railway station|railway station]] situated near ogalewadi about 04 km distance on the Karad Vita road from Karad Bus stand. Karad is on route from [[Mumbai]] to [[Miraj]], [[Sangli district|Sangli]], [[Kolhapur district|Kolhapur]], and [[Bengaluru|Benguluru]] (some trains). | ||
You can reach Karad from Mumbai or Pune easily by road or rail (''[[Mahalaxmi Express]]'', ''[[Koyna Express]]'',"[[Goa Express]]", ''[[Sahyadri Express]]'' or ''[[Chalukya Express]]''). | You can reach Karad from Mumbai or Pune easily by road or rail (''[[Mahalaxmi Express]]'', ''[[Koyna Express]]'',"[[Goa Express]]", ''[[Sahyadri Express]]'', ''[[Sharavati Express]]'', ''[[Dadar–Puducherry Chalukya Express]]'' or ''[[Dadar–Tirunelveli Chalukya Express]]''). | ||
Railway Minister [[Suresh Prabhu]] has allocated funds for a plan to build a new 112 km railway line between Karad and [[Chiplun]]. | Railway Minister [[Suresh Prabhu]] has allocated funds for a plan to build a new 112 km railway line between Karad and [[Chiplun]]. | ||
| Line 185: | Line 163: | ||
* [[Miraj]] – 72 km | * [[Miraj]] – 72 km | ||
All super-fast trains like the ''Karnataka Sampark Kranti'', ''Deekshaboomi Express'', ''Rani Chenama Express'', ''Haripriya Express'' and ''Miraj Hubli Express'' stop at Miraj Junction. You can take private cars or [[MSRTC]] buses from Miraj to Karad. Travel time from Miraj to Karad is | All super-fast trains like the ''Karnataka Sampark Kranti'', ''Deekshaboomi Express'', ''Rani Chenama Express'', ''Haripriya Express'' and ''Miraj Hubli Express'' stop at Miraj Junction. You can take private cars or [[MSRTC]] buses from Miraj to Karad. Travel time from Miraj to Karad is approxroximately 1 hour 15 minutes. | ||
[[File:Karadrailway.jpg|thumb|centre|850px|Karad Railway Station]] | [[File:Karadrailway.jpg|thumb|centre|850px|Karad Railway Station]] | ||
;; Railway Time Table Karad | ;; Railway Time Table Karad | ||
;Towards Miraj | ;Towards Miraj - Kolhapur - Hubli | ||
{| class="wikitable sortable" | {| class="wikitable sortable" | ||
| Line 201: | Line 178: | ||
|- | |- | ||
| | | 01 || 01023|| Pune – Kolhapur|| Pune - Kolhapur Special || Daily ||01.37 Am | ||
|- | |- | ||
| | |02 || 11097|| Pune – Ernakulam || Poorna Express || Sun ||02.25 Am | ||
|- | |- | ||
|03|| 17318 || Dadar - Hubli || Hubballi Express|| Daily ||03.35 Am | |||
|- | |||
|04|| 17411 ||Mumbai - Kolhapur || Mahalaxmi Express || Daily ||04.05 Am | |||
|- | |||
|05|| 11021 ||Dadar - Tirunelveli || Tirunelveli Express || Sun, Wed, Thu ||04.45 Am | |||
|- | |||
|06|| 11035 || Dadar – Mysore || Sharavati Express || Fri ||04.45 Am | |||
|- | |- | ||
| | |07|| 11005 || Dadar - Puducherry || Puducherry Express || Mon, Tue, Sat ||04.45 Am | ||
|- | |- | ||
| | |08|| 16209 ||Ajmer – Mysore || All Mysore Express|| Mon, Sat ||05.40 Am | ||
|- | |- | ||
| | |09 || 16505 || Gandhidham – Bangalore || GIMB SBC Bangalore Express||Wed ||05.40 Am | ||
|- | |- | ||
| | |10 || 16507 || Jodhpur – Bangalore || JU SBC Bangalore Express||Sun, Fri||05.40 Am | ||
|- | |- | ||
| | |11|| 16531 || Ajmer – Bangalore || SBC Garib Nawaz Express || Tue ||05.40 Am | ||
|- | |- | ||
| | |12|| 71441 ||Satara – Kolhapur || Demu || Daily ||06.25 Am | ||
|- | |- | ||
| | |13|| 11040|| Gondia – Kolhapur|| Maharashtra Express || Daily||07.50 Am | ||
|- | |- | ||
| | |14|| 12148 ||Nizamuddin – Kolhapur || Nizamuddin Express || Fri||10.15 Am | ||
|- | |- | ||
| | |15|| 12782 ||Nizamuddin – Mysore ||Swarnajayani Express ||Tue||10.15 Am | ||
|- | |- | ||
| | |16|| 20475 ||Bikaner – Miraj || Bikaner Express || Tue ||11.15 Am | ||
|- | |- | ||
| | |17|| 51409 || Pune – Kolhapur || Demu || Daily ||03.56 Pm | ||
|- | |- | ||
| | |18|| 11028 || Satara – Dadar ||Dadar Express (Pandharpur)|| Mon,Tue,Sat ||04.25 Pm | ||
|- | |- | ||
| | |19|| 11029 || Mumbai – Kolhapur ||Koyna Express|| Daily ||05.10 Pm | ||
|- | |- | ||
| | |20|| 20674 || Pune – Kolhapur ||Vande Bharat Express || Sun, Wed ,Fri ||05.20 Pm | ||
|- | |- | ||
| | |21|| 12780 || Nizamuddin – Vasco||Goa Express || Daily ||08.45 Pm | ||
|- | |- | ||
| | |22|| 12494 || Nizamuddin –Miraj ||Darshan Express || Sat ||10.40 Pm | ||
|- | |- | ||
| || || || Sahyadri Express >> Discontinued || || | |||
| || || || 11023 Sahyadri Express >> Discontinued || || | |||
|- | |- | ||
| || || || Information by ( Basargi) : updated In August | | || || || Information by ( Basargi) : updated In August 2025 || || | ||
|} | |} | ||
;Towards Pune | ;Towards Satara - Pune - Mumbai | ||
{| class="wikitable sortable" | {| class="wikitable sortable" | ||
| Line 254: | Line 237: | ||
|- | |- | ||
| | | 01|| 01024|| Kolhapur – Pune|| Pune - Kolhapur Special || Daily ||02.10 Am | ||
|- | |||
|02|| 12493 || Miraj - Nizamuddin ||Darshan Express || Sun ||06.40 Am | |||
|- | |||
|03|| 11426 || Kolhapur – Pune || Demu || Daily ||07.52 Am | |||
|- | |||
| 04|| 20673|| Kolhapur – Pune|| Vande Bharat || Mon ,Thu ,Sat ||10.05 Am | |||
|- | |- | ||
| | |05|| 11027 || Dadar - Satara || Satara Express ||Mon ,Tue, Sat|| 12.35 Pm | ||
|- | |||
|- | |||
|06|| 11030 || Kolhapur – Mumbai||Koyna Express|| Daily ||10.50 Am | |||
|- | |- | ||
| | |07|| 12147 ||Kolhapur – [[Hazrat Nizamuddin railway station|Nizamuddin]] || Nizamuddin Express || Tue ||11.40 Am | ||
|- | |- | ||
| | |08|| 12781 ||Mysore – Nizamuddin ||Swarnajayani Express ||Sat||11.40 Am | ||
|- | |- | ||
| | |09 || 16210 ||Mysore – Ajmer || Ajmer Express|| Wed, Fri ||02.10 Pm | ||
|- | |- | ||
| | |10|| 16506 || [[Bangalore]] – Gandhidham || Gandhidham Express|| Sun ||02.10 Pm | ||
|- | |- | ||
| | |11|| 16508 || Bangalore - Jodhpur|| Jodhpur Express||Tue, Thu||02.10 Pm | ||
|- | |- | ||
| | |12 || 16532 || Bangalore – Ajmer || Garib Nawaz Express || Sat ||02.10 Pm | ||
|- | |- | ||
| | |13|| 20476 || Miraj -Bikaner || Bikaner Express || Tue ||03.50 Pm | ||
|- | |- | ||
| | |14|| 11039|| Kolhapur - Gondia || Maharashtra Express || Daily||05.35 Pm | ||
|- | |- | ||
| | |15|| 11098|| Ernakulam – Pune || Poorna Express || Tue ||06.50 Pm | ||
|- | |- | ||
| | |16|| 51442 ||Kolhapur – Satara || Demu Special || Daily ||08.16 Pm | ||
|- | |- | ||
| | |17 || 11006 || Puducherry - Dadar || Puducherry-Chalukya Express|| Mon, Wed, Thu ||10.00 Pm | ||
|- | |- | ||
| | |18 || 11022 || Tirunelveli - Dadar || Tirunelveli Express|| Tue, Fri, Sat ||10.00 Pm | ||
|- | |- | ||
| | |19 || 11036 || Mysore – Dadar|| Sharavati Express || Sun ||10.00 Pm | ||
|- | |- | ||
| | |20|| 17317 || Hubli - Dadar || Hubli Express|| Daily ||10.45 Pm | ||
|- | |- | ||
| | |21|| 11012 || Kolhapur - Mumbai || Mahalaxmi Express || Daily ||11.15 Pm | ||
|- | |- | ||
| | |22|| 12779 || [[Vasco da Gama, Goa|Vasco]] – Nizamuddin|| Goa Express || Daily ||11.58 Pm | ||
|- | |- | ||
|- | |- | ||
| || || || Sahyadri Express >> Discontinued || || | | || || || 11024 Sahyadri Express >> Discontinued || || | ||
|- | |- | ||
| || || || Information by( Basargi): Updated In August | | || || || Information by ( Basargi): Updated In August 2025 || || | ||
|} | |} | ||
==Culture== | ==Culture== | ||
| Line 307: | Line 300: | ||
===Literature=== | ===Literature=== | ||
Karad has a tradition of literature lovers. The prestigious 76th [[Akhil Bharatiya Marathi Sahitya Sammelan]] was held at banks of Krishna river in Karad in 2003.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://divyamarathi.bhaskar.com/news/MAG-bhushan-deshmukh-artical-on-akhil-bhatiya-marathi-sahitya-sammelan-elaction-4487032-NOR.html|title=मुथा यांचे 'मराठी साहित्य संमेलनाची निवडणूक : एक दस्तऐवज' लवकरच|website=Divya Marathi|language=mr|access-date=2019-10-10}}</ref> | Karad has a tradition of literature lovers. The prestigious 76th [[Akhil Bharatiya Marathi Sahitya Sammelan]] was held at banks of Krishna river in Karad in 2003.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://divyamarathi.bhaskar.com/news/MAG-bhushan-deshmukh-artical-on-akhil-bhatiya-marathi-sahitya-sammelan-elaction-4487032-NOR.html|title=मुथा यांचे 'मराठी साहित्य संमेलनाची निवडणूक : एक दस्तऐवज' लवकरच|website=Divya Marathi|language=mr|access-date=2019-10-10}}</ref> | ||
== Education == | |||
The [[Government College of Engineering, Karad]] (est. 1960) is one of India's oldest post-independence institutions awarding engineering graduate and post-graduate degrees.<ref>{{Cite web |title=History and journey, About, Government College of Engineering, Karad |url=https://gcekarad.ac.in/about/History-and-journey |access-date=2025-12-12 |website=gcekarad.ac.in}}</ref> | |||
==Notable people== | ==Notable people== | ||
| Line 319: | Line 315: | ||
==External links== | ==External links== | ||
{{Commons category}} | |||
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20140516190446/http://satara.nic.in/ Satara district website] | |||
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20140516190446/http://satara.nic.in/ Satara district website] | |||
{{Satara district topics}} | {{Satara district topics}} | ||
Latest revision as of 01:04, 19 February 2026
Karad
Yashwantnagari | |
|---|---|
City | |
 Karad | |
  Karad Location in Maharashtra, India | |
| Coordinates: 17°17′06″N 74°11′02″E / 17.285°N 74.184°E | |
| Country |  India |
| State | Maharashtra |
| District | Satara |
| Government | |
| • Type | Municipal Council |
| • Body | Karad Municipal Council |
| • MP | Udayanraje Bhosale (Bhartiya Janata Party) |
| Elevation | 670 m (2,200 ft) |
| Population (2017) | |
| • Total | 855 00(town + surrounding areas) 117,221 (including Malkapur) |
| Demonym | Karadkar |
| Time zone | UTC+5:30 (IST) |
| PIN | 415110 |
| Telephone code | 2164 |
| Vehicle registration | MH-50 |
| Major Highways | NH-48, NH-166E, NH-266 |
Karad is a city in Satara district of Indian state of Maharashtra. It is located 302 km (180.19 miles) from Mumbai, 74 km from Sangli and 162 km from Pune. It lies at the confluence of the Koyna River and the Krishna River known as the "Pritisangam". The two rivers originate at Mahabaleshwar, which is around 100 km from Karad. Karad is well known for sugar production and is known as the sugar bowl of Maharashtra owing to the presence of many sugar factories in and around Karad. It is considered an important educational hub in Western Maharashtra due to the presence of many prestigious educational institutes.[1] Karad is resting place of the first chief minister of Maharashtra Yashwantrao Chavan situated at the confluence of the Krishna and Koyana rivers. It is ranked as the cleanest town in Swachh Survekshan 2020 in the category of population with less than 1 lakh.[2][3] There is demand for formation of karad district along with neighbouring Walva, Shirala, Patan, Palus and Kadegaon talukas.
Karad has an adjoining small town named Malkapur, Karad which has its own municipal council and a population of 86,671. Karad was awarded a prize under "Sant Gadagebaba Gramswachhata Abhiyan" started by Indian Government.
History[edit | edit source]
It was originally known as "Karhatak", meaning "Elephant Market". Karad is also a city of historical importance. According to Mahabharata, Sahadeva one of the Pandavas lived in the city also known to be pious as Lord Rama stepped his feet on this land.[4] Located to the south west of Karad is Karad Caves, also known as Aghashiv Caves.[5]
The first capital of the Shilaharas was probably at Karad during the reign of Jatiga II as known from their copper plate grant of Miraj and Vikramankadevacharita of Bilhana. Hence sometimes they are referred as 'Shilaharas of Karad'. The capital was later shifted to Kolhapur. Among the Shilaharas of Kolhapur who ruled over Satara and Belagavi districts from 1000 to 1215 A. D., Gonka deserves mention here, as he is described as the Lord of Karhad (Karad), Mairifvja (Miraj) and Konkan.[6]
Geography[edit | edit source]
Karad is located at 17°17′N 74°12′E / 17.28°N 74.2°E.[7] It has an average elevation of 566 metres (1857 feet).
Five kilometres southwest of Karad are the Karad Caves, which contain early Buddhist symbols.[8]
Nearest Cities[edit | edit source]
Tourism[edit | edit source]
Tourist places in and around Karad are: (Distance in Km)
- Preeti Sangam (Krishna-Koyna Confluence) – 2 km
- Krishnamai Temple – 2 km
- Pritisangam Udyan – 2 km
- Late Yashwantrao Chavan's Samadhi – 2 km
- Historical Monument 'Manore' (2 Minars) – 2 km
- Naktya Ravlyachi Vihir (Ancient Well) – 2 km
Naktya Rawalchi Vihir (Ancient Step Well) - Masjid Built by Sultan Ali Adilshah (1557- 1580) – 2 km
- Sadashivgad – 5 km
- Khodashi Dam – 5 km
- Agashiv Caves – 5 km
- Vasantgad – 15 km
- Talbeed (Ram Mandir) – 15 km
- Sar-Senapati Hambirrao Mohite Samadhi – 15 km
- Chauranginath Temple, Sonsal – 20 km
- Ramling Bet, Bahe – 30 km
- Shri Khandoba Devsthan, Pal – 30 km
- Ram Mandir Chaphal – 30 km
- Yamai Mandir, Aundh – 35 km
- Uttarmand Dam – 35 km
- Sagareshwar Wildlife Sanctuary Palus – 30 km
- Valmiki Temple – 45 km
- Chandoli National Park Shirala – 49 km
- Chandoli Dam Shirala – 50 km
- Koyna Dam – 60 km
- Nawja Waterfall – 65 km
Cityscape[edit | edit source]
The city has many important government offices and other institutions of significance. With the vision of great leader P. D. Patil the city was one of the few in India to have a well- planned underground drainage system well before in the 1960s. By end-2010, Malkapur, Karad, on the outskirts of the city of Karad, is delivering water 24x7 to all its residents as a result of concrete steps taken by the Malkapur Nagar Panchayat (MNP) with support from the Maharashtra Jeevan Pradhikaran (MJP), a state government entity. This is the first of its kind by a public body in India. Major offices and institutions in Karad are as follows:
- Karad Court, Karad
- Diwani -Foujdari Court, Karad
- Doordarshan Kendra, Karad
- Fire- Brigade, Karad
- Division Office, Karad
- Tehsil Office, Karad
- Khashaba Chounk
- Panchayat Samiti, Karad
- Government Rest House, Karad
- City Police Station, Karad
- Taluka Police Station, Karad
- Head Post Office, Karad
- Railway Station, Karad
- Airport, Karad
- MSRTC Depot, Karad
- Cottage Hospital, Karad
- RTO Office, Karad
- Taswade MIDC, Karad
- Nagarpalika, Karad
- Town Hall, Karad
Demographics[edit | edit source]
As of 2011[update] India census,[9] Karad town and surrounding villages had total population of 74,355. Males constitute 52% of the population and females 48%. Karad has an average literacy rate of 76%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 80%, and female literacy is 72%. In Karad, 11% of the population is under 6 years of age. Vast majority of people belong to Hinduism and Speak Marathi language.
Transportation[edit | edit source]
National Highways[edit | edit source]
The National Highway 48 (formerly National Highway 4) goes through the Karad city. National Highway 48 (NH 48) is a major National Highway in Western and Southern India. NH 48 links four of the 10 most populous Indian cities - Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai and Pune. NH 48 also connects Karad to Uran Islampur, Kolhapur. Pune is the largest metropolis near Karad and Kolhapur, Sangli is an important trade centre and Karad is educational hub for IIT training and a tourist destination.
Airport[edit | edit source]
An Airstrip was constructed in the 1955 by the Public Works Department to facilitate the Koyna dam project. It is currently being used for General aviation and pilot training. The airport is spread on 65 acres and the acquisition of more than 100 acres has been proposed. Runway 10/28 is 1280 meters long and 30 meters wide with a 60 meter by 60 meter apron. No navigational aids nor night landing facilities are available on the airstrip. The State run Maharashtra Airport Development Company (MADC) plans to extend the 1,250 meters airstrip by another 1,500 m and widen it by 150 m. Besides this the nearest airports are Pune Airport and Kolhapur Airport.
Railways[edit | edit source]
- Karad – 4 km from city
Karad has railway station situated near ogalewadi about 04 km distance on the Karad Vita road from Karad Bus stand. Karad is on route from Mumbai to Miraj, Sangli, Kolhapur, and Benguluru (some trains). You can reach Karad from Mumbai or Pune easily by road or rail (Mahalaxmi Express, Koyna Express,"Goa Express", Sahyadri Express, Sharavati Express, Dadar–Puducherry Chalukya Express or Dadar–Tirunelveli Chalukya Express).
Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu has allocated funds for a plan to build a new 112 km railway line between Karad and Chiplun.
- Nearest railway junction
- Miraj – 72 km
All super-fast trains like the Karnataka Sampark Kranti, Deekshaboomi Express, Rani Chenama Express, Haripriya Express and Miraj Hubli Express stop at Miraj Junction. You can take private cars or MSRTC buses from Miraj to Karad. Travel time from Miraj to Karad is approxroximately 1 hour 15 minutes.
- Railway Time Table Karad
- Towards Miraj - Kolhapur - Hubli
| No. | Train No. | Train Name | Train Type | Day | Departure time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | 01023 | Pune – Kolhapur | Pune - Kolhapur Special | Daily | 01.37 Am |
| 02 | 11097 | Pune – Ernakulam | Poorna Express | Sun | 02.25 Am |
| 03 | 17318 | Dadar - Hubli | Hubballi Express | Daily | 03.35 Am |
| 04 | 17411 | Mumbai - Kolhapur | Mahalaxmi Express | Daily | 04.05 Am |
| 05 | 11021 | Dadar - Tirunelveli | Tirunelveli Express | Sun, Wed, Thu | 04.45 Am |
| 06 | 11035 | Dadar – Mysore | Sharavati Express | Fri | 04.45 Am |
| 07 | 11005 | Dadar - Puducherry | Puducherry Express | Mon, Tue, Sat | 04.45 Am |
| 08 | 16209 | Ajmer – Mysore | All Mysore Express | Mon, Sat | 05.40 Am |
| 09 | 16505 | Gandhidham – Bangalore | GIMB SBC Bangalore Express | Wed | 05.40 Am |
| 10 | 16507 | Jodhpur – Bangalore | JU SBC Bangalore Express | Sun, Fri | 05.40 Am |
| 11 | 16531 | Ajmer – Bangalore | SBC Garib Nawaz Express | Tue | 05.40 Am |
| 12 | 71441 | Satara – Kolhapur | Demu | Daily | 06.25 Am |
| 13 | 11040 | Gondia – Kolhapur | Maharashtra Express | Daily | 07.50 Am |
| 14 | 12148 | Nizamuddin – Kolhapur | Nizamuddin Express | Fri | 10.15 Am |
| 15 | 12782 | Nizamuddin – Mysore | Swarnajayani Express | Tue | 10.15 Am |
| 16 | 20475 | Bikaner – Miraj | Bikaner Express | Tue | 11.15 Am |
| 17 | 51409 | Pune – Kolhapur | Demu | Daily | 03.56 Pm |
| 18 | 11028 | Satara – Dadar | Dadar Express (Pandharpur) | Mon,Tue,Sat | 04.25 Pm |
| 19 | 11029 | Mumbai – Kolhapur | Koyna Express | Daily | 05.10 Pm |
| 20 | 20674 | Pune – Kolhapur | Vande Bharat Express | Sun, Wed ,Fri | 05.20 Pm |
| 21 | 12780 | Nizamuddin – Vasco | Goa Express | Daily | 08.45 Pm |
| 22 | 12494 | Nizamuddin –Miraj | Darshan Express | Sat | 10.40 Pm |
| 11023 Sahyadri Express >> Discontinued | |||||
| Information by ( Basargi) : updated In August 2025 |
- Towards Satara - Pune - Mumbai
| No. | Train No. | Train Name | Train Type | Day | Departure time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | 01024 | Kolhapur – Pune | Pune - Kolhapur Special | Daily | 02.10 Am |
| 02 | 12493 | Miraj - Nizamuddin | Darshan Express | Sun | 06.40 Am |
| 03 | 11426 | Kolhapur – Pune | Demu | Daily | 07.52 Am |
| 04 | 20673 | Kolhapur – Pune | Vande Bharat | Mon ,Thu ,Sat | 10.05 Am |
| 05 | 11027 | Dadar - Satara | Satara Express | Mon ,Tue, Sat | 12.35 Pm |
| 06 | 11030 | Kolhapur – Mumbai | Koyna Express | Daily | 10.50 Am |
| 07 | 12147 | Kolhapur – Nizamuddin | Nizamuddin Express | Tue | 11.40 Am |
| 08 | 12781 | Mysore – Nizamuddin | Swarnajayani Express | Sat | 11.40 Am |
| 09 | 16210 | Mysore – Ajmer | Ajmer Express | Wed, Fri | 02.10 Pm |
| 10 | 16506 | Bangalore – Gandhidham | Gandhidham Express | Sun | 02.10 Pm |
| 11 | 16508 | Bangalore - Jodhpur | Jodhpur Express | Tue, Thu | 02.10 Pm |
| 12 | 16532 | Bangalore – Ajmer | Garib Nawaz Express | Sat | 02.10 Pm |
| 13 | 20476 | Miraj -Bikaner | Bikaner Express | Tue | 03.50 Pm |
| 14 | 11039 | Kolhapur - Gondia | Maharashtra Express | Daily | 05.35 Pm |
| 15 | 11098 | Ernakulam – Pune | Poorna Express | Tue | 06.50 Pm |
| 16 | 51442 | Kolhapur – Satara | Demu Special | Daily | 08.16 Pm |
| 17 | 11006 | Puducherry - Dadar | Puducherry-Chalukya Express | Mon, Wed, Thu | 10.00 Pm |
| 18 | 11022 | Tirunelveli - Dadar | Tirunelveli Express | Tue, Fri, Sat | 10.00 Pm |
| 19 | 11036 | Mysore – Dadar | Sharavati Express | Sun | 10.00 Pm |
| 20 | 17317 | Hubli - Dadar | Hubli Express | Daily | 10.45 Pm |
| 21 | 11012 | Kolhapur - Mumbai | Mahalaxmi Express | Daily | 11.15 Pm |
| 22 | 12779 | Vasco – Nizamuddin | Goa Express | Daily | 11.58 Pm |
| 11024 Sahyadri Express >> Discontinued | |||||
| Information by ( Basargi): Updated In August 2025 |
Culture[edit | edit source]
Performing arts[edit | edit source]
The city has a major hall for cultural activities and exhibitions: Yashwantrao Chavan Memorial - Town Hall. Cultural events of various organizations and gatherings of schools are also held here. The "Venutai Chavan Hall" is used for classical concerts, conducting national and international seminars on topics like science, space, traditions, culture, spirituality, etc.
Literature[edit | edit source]
Karad has a tradition of literature lovers. The prestigious 76th Akhil Bharatiya Marathi Sahitya Sammelan was held at banks of Krishna river in Karad in 2003.[10]
Education[edit | edit source]
The Government College of Engineering, Karad (est. 1960) is one of India's oldest post-independence institutions awarding engineering graduate and post-graduate degrees.[11]
Notable people[edit | edit source]
- Gopal Ganesh Agarkar (1856–1895), social reformer and newspaper editor born in Tembhu.
- Khashaba Jadhav (15 January 1926 – 14 August 1984) Born in a very poor farming family at Goleshwar Tal. Karad, the only individual Olympic Medal Winner for India until 2000. He won India's first individual Olympic medal by winning the Bronze medal on 23 July 1952, in the 1952 Helsinki Olympic Games for wrestling in bantamweight, which is the unbeaten record for India in wrestling until today. In 1993, Maharashtra State awarded him the Shiv Chhattrapati Award posthumously. In 2001, the Central Government also awarded him the Arjuna Award posthumously.[12]
- Yashwantrao Chavan (12 March 1913 – 25 November 1984), an eminent Congress party politician, hailed from Karad. He was the first Chief Minister of Maharashtra and also served as the defence minister, finance minister, home minister, foreign affairs minister, and as the Deputy Prime Minister of India and became the first and only person from Maharashtra to hold this political post.
- Prithviraj Chavan: He was the 17th Chief Minister of Maharashtra. Chavan served as the Minister of State in the Prime Minister's Office in the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs and Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances, and Pensions. Chavan was also General Secretary of the All-India Congress Committee (AICC), in-charge of many states, including Jammu and Kashmir, Karnataka, Haryana, Gujarat, Tripura, and Arunachal Pradesh.
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ "Swachh Survekshan-2019" (PDF). Swachh Survekshan. Retrieved 20 February 2024.
- ↑ "Karad tops Swachh ranking among smaller towns; Saswad, Lonavla are second and third". Hindustan Times. 20 August 2020. Retrieved 20 February 2024.
- ↑ "President of India Announces Results of Swachh Survekshan 2022". pib.gov.in. Retrieved 20 February 2024.
- ↑ "Hindu Temple in Karad, India". Mygola.com. Archived from the original on 26 August 2018. Retrieved 10 October 2017.
- ↑ Ahir, D. C. (2003). Buddhist sites and shrines in India : history, art, and architecture (1. ed.). Delhi: Sri Satguru Publ. p. 197. ISBN 8170307740.
- ↑ [Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society, Vol. IV, p. 281, Sanskrit Transcript.]
- ↑ Falling Rain Genomics, Inc – Karad
- ↑ Ahir, D. C. (2003). Buddhist sites and shrines in India: history, art, and architecture (1. ed.). Delhi: Sri Satguru Publ. p. 197. ISBN 8170307740.
- ↑ "Census of India 2001: Data from the 2001 Census, including cities, villages and towns (Provisional)". Census Commission of India. Archived from the original on 16 June 2004. Retrieved 1 November 2008.
- ↑ "मुथा यांचे 'मराठी साहित्य संमेलनाची निवडणूक : एक दस्तऐवज' लवकरच". Divya Marathi (in मराठी). Retrieved 10 October 2019.
- ↑ "History and journey, About, Government College of Engineering, Karad". gcekarad.ac.in. Retrieved 12 December 2025.
- ↑ "Prominent Personalities" District Satara.Web
External links[edit | edit source]
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