Saswad | |
---|---|
city | |
Coordinates:18°33′N74°00′E / 18.55°N 74.00°E /18.55; 74.00 | |
Country | ![]() |
State | Maharashtra |
District | PUNE |
Elevation | 767 m (2,516 ft) |
Population (2019) | |
• Total | 78,521 |
Languages | |
• Official | Marathi |
Time zone | UTC+5:30 (IST) |
Vehicle registration | MH-12 |
Saswadpronunciationⓘ is a municipal council located on South-Eastern corridor ofPune district of the Indian state ofMaharashtra. Saswad is situated on the banks of theKarha River. Saswad is about 31 km from Pune-Central Station.
Saswad is a place with a long history. It is situated on the ancient trade route connecting the coastalKonkan ports to theDeccan interiors. Being on a trade route made it a center forBuddhist monasteries.[2] Thesamadhi or the resting place of the 13th centuryVarkari SantSopan is located in the town. Theannual Alandi to Pandharpur Wari of DnyaneshwarPalkhi stops in the town. Later it was known as the town at the foot of the historicPurandar fort. The firstPeshwa from the Bhat family,Balaji Vishwanath had his base in the town. His son,Bajirao I moved his base in 1720 toPune and turned that place into a large city.[3] Bajirao's family built the Sangameshwar temple in the 1720s.[4] During the 18th century, Saswad was the seat of thePurandare family, hereditary knights of the Peshwa. The family's now crumbling palatial mansion was an imposing sight during the late Peshwa era.[5]
In the 20th century, socialist leader Marathi writer and filmmakerAacharya Atre was born there. He was one of the leaders of theSamyukta Maharashtra Movement. His series of books on the movement. viz. Karheche Pani कऱ्हेचे पाणी created an undisputed place in the history ofMarathi language.
Maharashtra Bhushan, Padmavibhushan ShivshahirBabasaheb Purandare was also from Saswad.
Saswas is land of Brave and Intellectual People. Saswad gets legacy fromChatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, Founder of Maratha Empire.
Birth Place ofChatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj which isPurandar Fort located nearby Saswad.
Some prominent Pandav era's Temples are located in Saswad. Some of them are Vateshwar Temple, Sangameshwar Temple and Siddheshwar Temple.
Karhabai Temple is also located on karha River.
First Peshwa Balaji Vishwanath has Samadhi located nearby Karhabai Temple.
Mastani wada was constructed for Mastani who was wife ofBajirao I is located in saswad. Mastani lake is also nearby.
First Battle for Hindavi Swarajy was fought nearby Saswad. First Sarsenapati of Hindavi Swarajy was VeerBaji Pasalkar. Who's Samadhi is also located in Saswad.
Famous personalities from saswad in recent times arePralhad Keshav Atre alias Achary Atre,Babasaheb PurandareVijay Shivtare,Sanjay Jagtap, and famous actorNilesh Sable.
Diwali Pahat event gets arranged inAchary Atre Sanskrutik Bhavan, Saswad during Diwali festival.
87th Akhil Bhartiy Marathi Sahitya Sammelan was conducted in Saswad in 2014.
Many movies shooting was conducted atSardar Purandare Wada and vateshwar Temple. Eg.Tumbad,fatteshikast etc.
As of 2019, Saswad had a population of 78,521. Males constitute 52% of the population and females 48%. Saswad has an average literacy rate of 85%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy was 90%, and female literacy was 80%. In Saswad, 12% of the population was under 6.
Given its proximity to Pune, Saswad may become part ofPune metropolitan area. The town is just 25 km away fromPune city and 20 minutes fromHadapsar. The Eotte (Royal Purandar) city that is under construction is 10 km from Saswad andMagarpatta City, Amannora Tower City are 25 km from Saswad. Saswad offers many apartments and shopping complexes. Saswad is the base for visitors to nearbyKhandoba temple atJejuri, the ek-mukhi Datta temple atNarayanpur and the historicPurandar fort. It is mentioned as the residence of Peshwa Bajirao in the TV soapPeshwa Bajirao.
Saswad city recently received Cleanest city in India award from Urband Development Ministry of India.[citation needed]
Pune city buses (PMPML) run services to Saswad fromHadapsar,Swargate andPune Train Station. The town has its ownST depot to long-distance destinations.
Saswad is close toJejuri railway station with services to Pune and to destinations south such asMiraj.
Pune airport is 50-60 min(viaKharadi bypass) away.
New Pune International Airport (Sambhaji Maharaj International Airport, Purandar) is getting constructed nearby Saswad area.
Saswad has educational institutions that cater for the needs of different ages and sections of the society. Eight schools are run by the municipal council, many privately run primary and secondary schools that offering instruction in Marathi and English, and Christian mission run schools offering instruction in English. The town hosts colleges offering degree level courses. An ITI offers vocational training.
Due to improvement in transport, manyMaharashtra Industrial Development Corporation industrial parks are around Pune (Pimpri-Chinchwad) MIDC,Chakan MIDC,Ranjangaon MIDC andJejuri MIDC are close enough for commuting from Saswad.
Kirloskar pneumatics industry is located in Saswad.
An engraving of the painting by William Purser (taken from drawings by Grindlay) is the subject of a poetical illustration byLetitia Elizabeth Landon in Fisher's Drawing Room Scrap Book, 1835.[8] Landon records the temple as being dedicated to Mahadeo.