Solapur: Encyclopedia II - Solapur - History

Solapur - History

Solapur is one of the biggest city in Maharashtra, situated on the borders of the Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. It's an ancient historical and religious place with Shri Siddharameshwar as its "Gramadaiwata". Shri Siddharameshwar was a historical personality of the 12th Century whose "Karmayoga" on his own native land-Solapur, turned him into a God-figure in course of time. His religious, social, metaphysical contribution was no doubt great. He composed more than 65,000 "Vachanas" and consecrated 68 "Lingas" in Solapur. He had gained the "Siddhi". As Solapur was a draught prone area, Shri Siddharameshwar dug a lake with the help of 4000 "Sharanas" to solve the problem of potable water. The fact that this lake was open to the people of all cast, sects and religions proves the secular, progressive attitude of Shri Siddharameshwar who was far ahead of his time. This revolutionary saint entombed himself alive (Shivyogsamadhi) at Solapur. On the tourist map of Maharashtra, Solapur is recognized by the beautiful temple of Lord Siddharameshwar, situated at the heart of city.

During the Indian independence movement, the people of Solapur enjoyed full freedom on 9th, 10th and 11th May 1930. This acquired name and fame for Solapur in the history of India. But it had to pay a grate price of that freedom in the form of the martyrdom of Shri Mallappa Dhanshetti, Shri Kurban Hussein, Shri Jagannath Shinde and Shri Kisan Sarda who were hanged on 12th Jan 1931, in the prison at Pune. Thus the city came to be recognized as "The City of Hutatmas".

Being an important industrial city, Solapur is a leading center for cotton mills and power-looms. Solapur bed-sheets, terry-towels and chaddars have earned international fame and reputation due to their novel designs and durability.

Solapur is 433 km away from Mumbai and 244 km from Pune. By rail, it is 456 km from Mumbai. Solapur is well-connected with metro-cities like Delhi, Hyderabad, and Bangalore.

Pandharpur, with its Vitthal-Rakhumai temple on the banks of the Chandrabhaga river, that has carved a niche in the hearts of Marathi speaking people, is only 70 km from Solapur. Akkalkot, just 38 km from Solapur is known to be a holy place on account of the shrine of Akkalkot Swami and is visited by his followers. Tuljapur in Osmanabad district, 40 km from Solapur, has the seat of the goddess Tulja-Bhawani, well known as the family deity of Maharashtra State. Across the border in Gulbarga district of Karnataka State, is Ganagapur, another place of pilgrimage. Bijapur, a district in Karnataka, 109 km from Solapur is widely known for its 'Gol-Gumbaj', a marvel in architecture and Badami in the same district for its mind boggling temples carved inside the rocks.

Adapted from the Wikipedia article "History", under the G.N U Free Docmentation License. Please also see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki