Akkalkot
Encyclopedia
Akkalkot |ಅಕ್ಕಲಕೋಟೆ is a city and a municipal council
in Solapur district
in the India
n state
of Maharashtra
. It is situated 40 km southeast of Solapur
and very close to the border between Maharashtra and Karnataka
states. Akkalkot was the home to Shri Swami Samarth Maharaj
, a 19th century saint who is believed by his devotees to be an incarnation of God Dattatreya
.
state on all other sides. The district covers an area of 1,407 km² and contains 138 villages, apart from the town. The total population of the taluka is approximately 290,000 (2001 census), giving a population density of 209 per km². The soil is classified as 'medium to deep black' and is of rich quality. Jowar
, bajra
and pulses are the main crops grown in the district. Akkalkot is routinely hit by drought as it falls in a rain shadow
. No major river pass through this taluka.
Akkalkot is also famous for Gajanan Maharaj's Shivpuri, where Ancient Vedic Therapy Agnihotra is performed.
Akkalkot also has a huge population of Kannada speaking residents.
The major languages spoken in the taluka are Marathi
and Kannada. Marathi is the official language of the state. However, demands have been made for the Akkalkot taluka to be merged into neighbouring Karnataka
, based on the claim that Kannada speakers form the majority of the population of the area.
•Ballappa Math :- 1 km away from MSRTC bus station.
•Raje Rayan Math :-2 km away from MSRTC bus station.
•Joshi Buwa Math :- 1.5km away from MSRTC bus station.
•Khandoba Temple :- This temple is to the north direction of MSRTC bus station.
•Mallikarjun Temple :- This temple is located between shri. Swami samarth Samadhi math & MSRTC bus station.
•New Palace & Armory Museum :- Just near the MSRTC bus station.
•Shivpuri :- 2.5 km away from MSRTC bus station.
•Hatti Tank :- 1 km. away from MSRTC bus station.
•Jeur:- 12 km away from Akkalkot MSRTC bus station.
•Hydra:- 30 km away from Akkalkot MSRTC bus station.
•Burhanpur :-15 km away from Akkalkot MSRTC bus station.
•Kurnur :- 14 km away from Akkakot MSRTC bus station.
Municipal council
A municipal council is the local government of a municipality. Specifically the term can refer to the institutions of various countries that can be translated by this term...
in Solapur district
Solapur District
- Solapur District is a district in Maharashtra state of India. The city of Solapur is the district headquarters. It is located on the south east edge of the state and lies entirely in the Bhima and Seena basins. The entire district is drained by the Bhima River.Solapur district leads in beedi...
in the 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...
n state
States and territories of India
India is a federal union of states comprising twenty-eight states and seven union territories. The states and territories are further subdivided into districts and so on.-List of states and territories:...
of Maharashtra
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...
. It is situated 40 km southeast of Solapur
Solapur
Solapur is a city in South Western Maharashtra, India governed by municipal corporation.Solapur is one of the four districts that form the region of Western Maharashtra . It is the fourth largest district in Maharashtra in terms of land area and seventh largest in terms of population...
and very close to the border between Maharashtra and Karnataka
Karnataka
Karnataka , the land of the Kannadigas, is a state in South West India. It was created on 1 November 1956, with the passing of the States Reorganisation Act and this day is annually celebrated as Karnataka Rajyotsava...
states. Akkalkot was the home to Shri Swami Samarth Maharaj
Swami Samarth Maharaj
Akkalkot Niwasi Shri Swami Samartha also known as Swami Samartha Maharaj, Swami Maharaj is a household name in Maharashtra, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh....
, a 19th century saint who is believed by his devotees to be an incarnation of God Dattatreya
Dattatreya
Dattatreya or Datta is a Hindu deity encompassing the trinity of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva, collectively known as Trimurti. The name Dattatreya can be divided into two words - "Datta" and "Atreya" referring to the sage Atri, his physical father.Various Hindu sects worship him differently...
.
Geography
Akkalkot taluka is bordered by Solapur taluka to the west and by KarnatakaKarnataka
Karnataka , the land of the Kannadigas, is a state in South West India. It was created on 1 November 1956, with the passing of the States Reorganisation Act and this day is annually celebrated as Karnataka Rajyotsava...
state on all other sides. The district covers an area of 1,407 km² and contains 138 villages, apart from the town. The total population of the taluka is approximately 290,000 (2001 census), giving a population density of 209 per km². The soil is classified as 'medium to deep black' and is of rich quality. Jowar
Sorghum
Sorghum is a genus of numerous species of grasses, one of which is raised for grain and many of which are used as fodder plants either cultivated or as part of pasture. The plants are cultivated in warmer climates worldwide. Species are native to tropical and subtropical regions of all continents...
, bajra
Pearl millet
Pearl millet is the most widely grown type of millet. Grown in Africa and the Indian subcontinent since prehistoric times, it is generally accepted that pearl millet originated in Africa and was subsequently introduced into India. The center of diversity, and suggested area of domestication, for...
and pulses are the main crops grown in the district. Akkalkot is routinely hit by drought as it falls in a rain shadow
Rain shadow
A rain shadow is a dry area on the lee side of a mountainous area. The mountains block the passage of rain-producing weather systems, casting a "shadow" of dryness behind them. As shown by the diagram to the right, the warm moist air is "pulled" by the prevailing winds over a mountain...
. No major river pass through this taluka.
Religious significance
Akkalkot is widely known for its association with Shri Swami Samarth Maharaj, held by some to be a reincarnation of Lord Dattatreya. Swami Maharaj lived for over two decades at Akkalkot, mainly at the residence of his disciple Cholappa, where his samadhi and shrine are now located. The shrine complex, which is known the Vatavruksh Mandir since it encloses the banyan tree beneath which the swami would preach his message, is the hub of devotions for his followers.it is said that the tree speaks and some sound comes from the tree. Free accommodation and meals are provided to pilgrims by the Shri Swami Samarth Annachhatra Mandal. The other local shrine is the samadhi of Akkalkoth Swami located some distance from the main shrine, but still within the city limits.Akkalkot is also famous for Gajanan Maharaj's Shivpuri, where Ancient Vedic Therapy Agnihotra is performed.
Demographics
As of 2001 India census, GR India Akkalkot had a population of 38,218. Males constitute 51% of the population and females 49%. Akkalkot has an average literacy rate of 63%, higher than the national average of 59.5%; with 59% of the males and 41% of females literate. 14% of the population is under 6 years of age.Along with MarathiMarathi 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...
Akkalkot also has a huge population of Kannada speaking residents.
The major languages spoken in the taluka are Marathi
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...
and Kannada. Marathi is the official language of the state. However, demands have been made for the Akkalkot taluka to be merged into neighbouring Karnataka
Karnataka
Karnataka , the land of the Kannadigas, is a state in South West India. It was created on 1 November 1956, with the passing of the States Reorganisation Act and this day is annually celebrated as Karnataka Rajyotsava...
, based on the claim that Kannada speakers form the majority of the population of the area.
Princely Akkalkot
During the British Raj, Akkalkot was the seat of a princely state of the same name. The non-salute state came under the Deccan States Agency and was bordered by Hyderabad State and the presidency of Bombay Presidency. The area of the state was 498 sq. miles; its population in 1901 was 82,047, while the population of the town itself was 8,348 in that year. In 1911, the state enjoyed a revenue estimated at Rs.26,586/- and paid a tribute to the British Raj of Rs.1,000/-.Important Tourist Sites In and Around Akkalkot
•Shri Swami Samarth Maharaj Temple :- 1.5 km away from MSRTC bus station.•Ballappa Math :- 1 km away from MSRTC bus station.
•Raje Rayan Math :-2 km away from MSRTC bus station.
•Joshi Buwa Math :- 1.5km away from MSRTC bus station.
•Khandoba Temple :- This temple is to the north direction of MSRTC bus station.
•Mallikarjun Temple :- This temple is located between shri. Swami samarth Samadhi math & MSRTC bus station.
•New Palace & Armory Museum :- Just near the MSRTC bus station.
•Shivpuri :- 2.5 km away from MSRTC bus station.
•Hatti Tank :- 1 km. away from MSRTC bus station.
•Jeur:- 12 km away from Akkalkot MSRTC bus station.
•Hydra:- 30 km away from Akkalkot MSRTC bus station.
•Burhanpur :-15 km away from Akkalkot MSRTC bus station.
•Kurnur :- 14 km away from Akkakot MSRTC bus station.