Wednesday, September 1, 2010

  • LATUR

This city has a historical background. King 'Amoghvarsha' of Rashtrakutas developed this city, originally the native place of the Rashtrakutas. Latur city has the famous 'Ganjgolai' as the central place of the city. The town planner Shri Faiyajuddin prepared the plan for the 'Ganjgolai Chowk'. The main building of the Golai is a huge two-storeyed structure which was constructed around the year 1917. In the middle of the circular structure is the temple of Goddess Ambabai. There are 16 roads connecting to this Golai and along these roads are separate markets selling all kinds of traditional localware such as gold ornaments to footwears and food items from chilli to jaggery.. Thus, the 'Ganjgolai' has become the main commercial and trade centre of this city. The Latur city has the beautiful Siddheswar temple built by King Tamradwaj. The temples of Ramlingeswar, Bhuteswar, Keshavraj, Ram, Dutta add to the ancient cultural heritage of the city. The Darga of Surat Shahvalli and temples of Astavinayak and Parshavanath also deserve mention as the beautiful monuments of the city.

Ganj Golai at the heart of Latur City

Lord Siddheshwara

In the year 1881 Lokmanya Tilak started a ginning and pressing factory at Latur. The development of Latur city received a boost after 1982 when it was declared as the district Headquarters. The growth of industries through the medium of Maharashtra Industries Development Corporation has been a boon for Latur. As a part of the infra-structure development, an air strip is also constructed and maintained by the MIDC at Latur.

Latur is an important centre of trade and commerce as it is well connected by railway and road network. Latur city is connected to Kurduwadi Junction through narrow gauge railway track. A broad gauge railway track connecting Manmad-Secundrabad stations is situated at Latur road, 32 kms. away from Latur city. An air strip is also constructed 12 kms from Latur along the Latur- Barshi road, which is maintained by the MIDC at Latur.

The Ashram of Namanand Maharaj at Mahapur just 8 km away from Latur city. Every year thousand of pilgirms are visiting for darshana of the Samadhi of maharaj. The Manjara river is flowing near by the Ashram or Math. An island is inside the river srrounding the river water and on this island the Temple of Datta is situated. The river and the green surrounding makes the area pleasent and attracts pilgirms to visit again.

Outside view of Namanand Ashram