Atpadi


Atpadi is an administrative town of the Atpadi Taluka of Sangli District in the Indian state of Maharashtra. Atpadi is located north-east of Sangli District and shares borders with the adjacent Solapur and Satara Districts. The town has a taluka administrative office, a courthouse, a police station, a government-run primary hospital, various schools and colleges and a theater. Atpadi's economy is based on the cultivation and sale of agricultural products, with pomegranates and cotton constituting the core of the industry. The town is also home to the Manganga Sahakari Sugar factory, a Pomegranate auction center and various small scale industries in fields such as manufacturing, processing, servicing and repairs.
The town can also lay claim to a literary connection, with four prominent Marathi authors originating from Atpadi.

History

The history of Atpadi before the 15th/16th century is not documented. Some editions of the Stahala Purana mention the town Atpade, but the date of the writing is undocumented. In historic times, Atpadi was part of the Manank yadav kingdom of Mandesh, ruled from the nearby village of Devapur. In the 16th century Atapdi was part of the Adilshahi kingdom of Bijapur. Later in the 19th century it became part of the princely state of Aundh as well as a palace city, hence it was called Atpadi Mahal. After Indian independence and the merging of Aundh into the Republic of India, Atpadi was in Khanapur Taluka in the Satara district till the new district Sangli was formed. After the formation of the new district, Atpadi was separated from Khanapur Taluka and made an administrative division. Prominent Marathi writers like the late G.D.Madgulkar, the late Vyankatesh Madgulkar, the late Shankar Rao Kharat, the late N.S. Inamdar, the late Arun Kamble and the former petroleum minister of India, Ram Naik were from Atpadi.

Geography

Town

Atpadi is located at Latitude: 17° 25' 0 N, Longitude: 74° 57' 0 E with a population of approximately 25000. The only language used in the town is Marathi. The northern area of Atpadi has government administration office, a Government Hospital, Courthouse, Police station, Electricity Board office, colleges and newly formed colonies. Major developments of the new Atpadi area is on the north side of town while the south side of town is old and more populated. the southern part serves as a commercial center and as the downtown area of Atpadi. It has the MSRTC bus stand, and the old government hospital. The old Atpadi town has a market place for the weekly bazaar, a designated road for shops known as Peth. The residential areas in old town is dominated by families from the caste/with the surname Galli.
Atpadi is surrounded by small farming hamlets from all directions of town known as 'Waadi'. These places hold houses of farmers further grouped into communities. They lack commercial markets or higher education schools. The surrounding areas depend on the Atpadi town for trading agricultural produce and for education. Their proximity to the town area, the expansion of the town with a growing population, infrastructural needs and well connected roads are making surrounding areas become part of the town.
Summer, monsoon rain and winter are the main three seasons year-round. The region falls under the rain-shadow area resulting in less rain.

Water resources

The only source for drinking water in Atpadi is a lake which is located 3 km away from town.
The Shuk Odha and Manganga River are near to Atpadi. Generally both of them are active only during the monsoon season. Various water canals were projected into the Atpadi Taluka under Khrishna Khore Vikas Mahamandal's scheme named Tembhu.

Forest area

Atpadi has a forest office near Swatantrapur. Dubai Kuran is a reserved forest area. It has a plantation of Babool trees. Initially this area was created as grazing ground for cattle in summer time. Cattle grazing is no longer allowed as it is a reserved forest area. Wild animals like wolf, jackal, porcupine, fox, Asian palm civet and wild hares can be seen here.

Political and judiciary system

The Atpadi town has a gram panchayat for the administration of the town. In election which was held in May 2018 Vrushali Patil was elected by people as a sarpanch for next five years who is wife of famous personality of Atpadi taluka ADV. Dhananjay Patil. She is owner of Sharadha medicals. while the Panchayat Samiti is to administer the entire Taluka.
Atpadi is part of the Atpadi-Khanapur constituency of Vidhan Sabha and the Maharashtra State Sangli constituency of Loksabha. The Atpadi Magistrate's Court oversees criminal proceedings while the Civil Court is presided over by the Junior Division of the court. The Atpadi Police station maintains law and order.
The old building of Atpadi Grampanchayat was renovated though the original design of the building remained unchanged.

Industry

Atpadi's industry is based on agriculture and dairy products as well as secondary industries. Industries are located around the Atpadi town. Industries have created jobs and business for people living around Atpadi. The sugar factory is the largest of all industries in Atpadi. A program called Khadi gramodyog was started by the Government of India to promote rural employment for woman.
Atpadi is connected by road and falls on the state highway between Solapur and Karad. It can be accessed from Solapur, Sangli, Kolhapur, Karad, Pune and Mumbai and adjacent towns through state transport buses as well as private buses. Atpadi has a MSRTC bus stand and depot. The MSRTC bus is a preferred mode of transport by most people. Atpadi has a few lodges and a number of hotels and road-side joints. Siddhanath Chitrmandir is the only functioning cinema/theater, offering Marathi and Hindi movies. Shreeram Talkies, a pavilion based cinema screen became defunct in the 1990s.

What to see

Atpadi has schools and colleges. Bachelor's degrees are offered in Science, Arts, Commerce, Education and Engineering.
  1. ,
  2. Kala Vidnyan Mahavidyalaya affiliated to Shivaji University, Kolhapur.
  3. Abasaheb Khebudkar Junior college of science, Atpadi
  1. Shree Bhavani High School, Atpadi
  2. S.V.D.D. Girl's High School, Atpadi
  3. Rajaram Bapu Highschool, Atpadi. All high schools are affiliated to the SSC/HSC board, Kolhapur.
Professional courses:
  1. Industrial Training Institute, Atpadi ; Various D.Ed. Colleges and Agriculture Diploma College, Bhingewadi.
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A.k.jr college of science, atpadi

Banks and financial institutions

Atpadi has various nationalized, co-op and private banks and ATM facilities.
  1. Bank of India
  2. Bank of Baroda
  3. Bank of Maharashtra
  4. Sangli District Co. Bank
  5. Jayant Patil Rural Co-op Credit Society
  6. The Babasaheb Deshmukh Sah. Bank
  7. Vita Merchants Co. Bank
  8. Choundeshwari Pat Sanstha
  9. Virshaiv Patpedhi
  10. Youth Development Co. Bank
  11. Manmandir Co. Bank
  12. Bhskararao Deshpande Co OP Society
  13. Mahatma Fule Pat Sanstha
  14. State Bank Of India
  15. ICICI Bank
  16. Rajmata Ahilya Devi Mahila Gramin co. op Sociey
  17. Shri Siddhivinayak Pat Sanstha
ATM Facilities
Government Primary Hospital is major medical facility in Atpadi, supported by various private clinics, hospitals and laboratories.

Art and culture

Literature

Atpadi has produced four presidents of Marathi Sahitya Sammelan. The author and poet, Adhunik Walmiki, popularly known as GaDiMa and G. D. Madgulkar are from the nearby village, Madgule. His younger brother, Venkatesh Madgulkar as well as Shankar Rao Kharat and N. S. Inamdar are three other authors from Atpadi. The late Prof. Arun Kamble, a prominent Marathi writer, was born in Atpadi Taluka. The Marathi book, 'Mandeshi Manase', written by Venkatesh Madgulkar, is based on characters in Atpadi and is set in Atpadi and its surrounding areas. The autobiography of Shankar Rao Kharat Taral-Antaral has a detailed chapter on Atpadi before the independence of India.
Folk dance and songs, known as 'Gaji' and 'Dhangari Owi' respectively, are hallmarks of the Maandesh culture. Rural sports like soil wrestling and Kabaddi are held annually at various annual fairs. Modern sports like cricket and volleyball are other popular sports.
Namdev Wadare, a Shivchhatrapati State award-winning wrestler started a wrestling institute in Atpadi where the western style of wrestling is taught.

Agriculture and cattle

The Atpadi town as well as the Atpadi Taluka has various temples. Uttareshwar is a patron god of the Atpadi town and a 15‑day fair is held in Atpadi for Uttareshwar. The pulling of a wooden chariot by men is one of the rituals of the fair. Kharsundi, a place in the Atpadi Taluka, is the highest seat of Lord Siddhanath. Apart from the Hindu temples, Atpadi has a Mosque. Atpadi has a unique temple dedicated to Yoga and suryanamaskar called 'Suryopasana Mandir', though this is not a religious place. Suryopasana Mandir serves as a community hall for people who wish to practice yoga and exercise suryanamaskar.
List of temples in Atpadi
  1. Nath Baba
  2. Jotiba
  3. Sai Mandir
  4. AAI Saheb mandir -
  5. Vitthal Mandir
  6. Kalleshwar
  7. Vitthal Mandir
  8. Ram mandir
  9. Datta mandir
  10. Ramnath Buwa mandir
  11. Uttareshwar
  12. Khandoba
  13. Yellama
  14. Math
  15. Laandaa Maruti
  16. Tambada Maruti
  17. Vetal
  18. Parmeshwar Mandir
  19. Sonarsiddha Mandir
  20. Narsoba Mandir located at various places in town.
  21. Ganesh Mandir
  22. Ambabai mandir
  23. Tulajapurche Thanake
  24. Choundeshwari Mandir
List of other temples from Atpadi taluka
  1. Siddhanath Mandir – Kharsundi, Seat of Lord Siddhanath, Avtar of Lord Shiva
  2. Ram Mandir – Karagani
  3. Shukachari Cave – Shukachari
  4. JakaiDevi Mandir – Nelkaranji, Place of the wife of Lord Siddhanath
  5. Jotiba Mandir – Madgule
  6. Khandoba Mandir – Madgule
  7. Marimata Mandir – Avalai
  8. Siddhanath Mandir – Shetphale
  9. Bhaktabai Mandir – Shetphale
  10. Jogeshwari Mandir – Shetphale.
  11. Masoba Mandir – Banpuri
  12. BhavaniTemple – Dighanchi
  13. Hanuman Mandir – Pimpri Budruk
  14. sidhatnath Mandir- Pimpri Budruk, believed to be a place for curing snake bites
  15. Jotirling Mandir – Tadawale
  16. Ganesh Mandir - 14 May
  17. Vithoba Mandir Balewadi
  18. Hanuman Mandir Balewadi

    Festivals

Diwali, the main festival of Hindus, other festivals like Ganesh Chaturthi and the Muslim festival, Muharram, are celebrated publicly. Apart from religious festivals, a town fair devoted to the patron god of Atpadi, Uttareshwar, is held after Diwali for 3 days.