Satara, Maharashtra

Satara (pronunciation (help·info)) (ISO: Sātārā) is a city located in the Satara District of Maharashtra state of India, near the confluence of the river Krishna and its tributary, the Venna. The city was established in the 16th century and was the seat of the Chhatrapati of Maratha Empire, Shahu I. It is the headquarters of Satara Tehsil, as well as the Satara District. The city gets its name from the seven forts (Sat-Tara) which are around the city. The city is known as a Soldier’s city as well as Pensioner’s city.

History

The first Muslim invasion of the Deccan took place in 1296. In 1636 the Nizam Shahi dynasty came to an end. In 1663, Shivajiconquered Parali and Satara fort. After the death of Shivaji, Shahu Shivaji, heir apparent to the Maratha Empire, captured by Mughals when he was only seven years old, remained their prisoner till the death of his father in 1700. The Dowager Maharani Tarabai proclaimed his younger half-brother, and her son, Shahu Sambhaji as Chhatrapati Maharaj under her regency. Mughals released Shahu under certain preconditions in 1707, so that Marathas would face an internal war for the throne. Shahu returned to the Maratha Empire and claimed his inheritance. Aurangzeb’s son Muhammad Azam Shah conquered Satara fort Ajinkyatara after a 6-month siege, later won by Parshuram Pratinidhi in 1706. In 1708 Chattrapati Shahu, the son of Sambhaji, was crowned at the Satara fort. The direct descendants of Shivaji continue to live in Satara. Udayanraje Bhonsle is the 13th descendant of Shivaji.

Geography

Satara is located at 17.68°N 73.98°E. It lies in the Satara District. Satara city is surrounded by seven mountains. Satara lies on the slope of Ajinkyatara fort. It lies on the western side of the Deccan Plateau. Pune and Solapur are the main cities close to Satara. The city is surrounded by the tehsils of Koregaon on the West, Karad and Patan on the South, Jawali on the East and Wai on the North.

National Highway 48 (formerly National Highway 4) passes through Satara, between Karad and Khandala. Kaas Plateau, a valley of flowers, is situated 25 kms away from Satara .

The Satara District experiences earthquakes of minor magnitudes. the epicenter of these earthquakes are scattered in Phaltan district.

Satara is famous for Kaas Plateau, Thoseghar, and a lot of natural sites present in the vicinity of the city. Kass Plateau has been awarded as a UNESCO’s World Heritage Site (WHS). In the monsoon months, the Kaas Pathar, as it is locally known, transforms into a wildflower wonderland. More particularly so in September when vivid shades of pink balsams, yellow smithias, and blue utricularias carpet the vast grasslands. It’s a must-visit for serious botanists, amateur photographers to witness the spectrum of Western Ghats monsoon montane grasslands flora, some of which are rare and endangered.

Climate

Satara city has a pleasant climate all year round due to mountains surrounding the city. Summers are not too hot and winters are not too cold. Satara city receives moderate rainfall around 1,200 to 1,500 mm all year round.

Demographics

As of 2011 India census, Satara had a population of 120,079; 61,129 are males while 59,066 are females, thus males constituted 52% of the population and females 48%.Satara has an average literacy rate of 80%, higher than the national average of 74%: male literacy is 84%, and female literacy is 76%. In Satara, 10% of the population is under 6 years of age. Marathi is the native and most widely spoken language.

Maharashtra state’s sex ratio is 883 girls per 1000 boys, and Satara fares worse still at 881, in spite of the high level of literacy.

The population of Satara has crossed the municipal limits and actual urban agglomerate population 326,765. The city is surrounded with census towns viz. Pratikash B. Karanje, Khed, Godoli and Vilaspur. These census towns are considered as suburban of Satara city.

The nod for Satara city limit expansion, was given by Devendra Fadnavis then chief minister of Maharashtra on 16 September 2019. The matter was pending for 40 years. The borders of city will be extended upto NH4 towards east, upto Ajinkyatara towards south, all region south to Venna River, Shahupuri, Sambhajinagar, Vilaspur and Dare Budruk grampanchayats will become a part of Satara city.

Government and politics

Satara city falls under Satara Lok Sabha constituency, represented by MP Shriniwas Patil from the Nationalist Congress Party. The city also elects an MLA from the Satara Vidhan Sabha constituency, represented by BJP’s Shivendrasinh Abhayasinh Bhosale.

Civic Administration

Satara is a Municipal Council city in district of Satara, Maharashtra. Satara Municipal Council, with population of about 1.2 lakh is Satara sub district’s only municipal council located in Satara sub district of Satara district in the state Maharashtra in India. Total geographical area of Satara municipal council is 8 square km. Population density of the city is 14748 persons per square km.

The Satara city is divided into 39 wards for which elections are held every 5 years. Among them Satara Ward No 19 is the most populous ward with population of 4691 and Satara Ward No 23 is the least populous ward with population of 2206.

Civic utilities

Water from the Kaas lake is supplied to Satara city for drinking purposes. Maharashtra Jeevan Pradhikaran supplies water to Satara city. 19 MLD is supplied , but because of water leakage during transmission, only 17.2 MLD gets supplied effectively.

Satara Municipal Council is responsible for providing sanitation and solid waste management services in the city, through private contractors. 70 MT/day of solid waste is generated per day. 18 Mt/ day is disposed off through composting. 8.17 sq kms of the city, covering 20972 households, are covered under door to door collection.

12.8 MLD of sewage is generated in the city. Satara Municipal Council has plans to construct a STP of 17.5 MLD capacity.

The Maharashtra Right to Public Service Act, 2015 is a revolutionary Act. Citizens can get complete information regarding which services are available under this Act by accessing either the mobile app RTS Maharashtra or ‘Aaple Sarkar’ Web Portal. Citizens can even apply online for availing these services.

Economy

Sugarcane is the single biggest crop of Satara along with turmeric and ginger. The Satara district has around 302 banks. The per capita of Satara district is nearly 1.2 times the state average. The British had, during the pre-Independence period started a variety of industries in Satara for Menthol and soap manufacturing in 1905. Bigger industries for copper were started in 1922. After independence, the whole district was stagnant in industrial growth. From 1950-60, industrial growth restarted and the manufacture of jaggery was started in the Satara Tehsil area. There is tanning industry in Satara city. It existed during the British rule, and after independence, the Maharashtra government established a modern tanning center in 1957.

Tourism

The famous tourist points near Satara city are:

• Ajinkyatara Fort (अजिंक्यतारा किल्ला)
• Sajjangad Fort (सज्जनगड किल्ला)
• Kaas Plateau – Called “Valley of flowers of Maharashtra” which is also a World Heritage Site
• Baramotichi Vihir Step well, near Limb village which is about 16 km from Satara
• Thoseghar Waterfall
• Yewateshwar
• Bamnoli
• Dhom Dam
• 12 motichi vihir, limb
• Raje Baksavar Peer Saaheb Dargha (Khatgun)
• Chaphal (Shree Ram Mandir, Near Umbraj)

Culture

Places to visit

Satara is located at foot of the famous Ajinkyatara fort. It is located on Kas plateau / Flower plateau, now a World Natural Heritage site.Satara has two palaces in the heart of the city, the Old Palace (Juna Rajwada) and the New Palace (Nava Rajwada) adjoining each other. The Old Palace was built around 300 years ago, and the New Palace was built about 200 years ago.

Satara has a unique statue of Shivaji standing near a canon, at Powai Naka. Generally, a statue of Shivaji Maharaj has seen him riding the horse. Thoseghar Waterfalls around 20  km west of Satara. It is one of the best monsoon tourist places in the Western Ghats. People come from all over Maharashtra to visit the falls, especially during the monsoon season between July and October. Vajrai Waterfall, India’s highest waterfall, is around 22 km from Satara. And Sajjangad, around 15 km from Satara.

Satara hosts ‘Satara Half Hill Marathon’ each year. In 2015, they entered the Guinness World Records book for Most People in a Mountain Run (Single Mountain) with 2,618 runners.

Apshinge Military is a small village in Satara district but it has historical significance as at least one member of every family in the village has served or is serving in the armed forces. The contribution of the village was recognized by the British government, which installed a memorial in the village in the memory of 46 soldiers who laid down their lives fighting for Britain during World War I. Food

Satara is well known for its sweet: Kandi Pedhe.Kandi Pedhe is a special delicacy of Milk which is prepared by pure full-fat milk available in nearby villages. It has its natural richness and sweetness. Kandi pedha has its unique test and is not sugar loaded like other pedhas available in the market.

Education

Satara is well known for Sainik School, Satara – The first among the chains of Sainik Schools established in the country on 23 June 1961 under the Ministry of Defence.

Notable people

• Sai Bhosale
• Ramshastri Prabhune
• Tanaji Malusare
• Rani of Jhansi
• Jyotirao Phule
• B. R. Ambedkar
• Bhaurao Patil
• Krantisinha Nana Patil
• Khashaba Dadasaheb Jadhav
• Udayanraje Bhosale
• Narendra Dabholkar
• Shivendra Raje Bhosale
• Sayaji Shinde
• Surekha Yadav
• Lalita Babar
• Jagannath Raoji Chitnis

Transport

Satara is about 250  km from Mumbai on National Highway 48 (via Mumbai Pune Expressway and PB road) & 110 km away from Pune. Train services from Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus railway station, Mumbai to Kolhapur via Satara. Private travels and government state transport buses are available from Borivali, Dadar, Mumbai Central, and Thane to Satara. Satara is around 110  km from Pune (Pune Airport is the nearest airport) by road.

Satara city is well connected with the rest of Maharashtra by road and rail. National Highway 48 a part of the Golden Quadrilateral running between Delhi and Chennai passes through Satara connecting Mumbai and Pune on north side and kolhapur on south side in Maharashtra. A bypass was constructed to avoid traffic congestion in the city. National Highway 965D connects Kedgaon, Supe, Morgaon, Nira, Lonand, Wathar up to Satara. National Highway 548C starts from Satara, Satara-Akluj-Latur Highway connects Satara city to Latur, it passes through Koregaon, Pusegaon, Mhaswad, Akluj, Tembhurni and Murud. It will also be a 4 lane highway, work is going to start soon. State Highway 58 connects Satara with Mahabaleshwar and Solapur.

Satara railway station lies on the Pune-Miraj line of the Central Railways and is administered by the Pune Railway Division. The railway station is located a small distance east of the city and is served by several express trains. Sahyadri Express, Koyna Express, Mahalaxmi Express, Maharashtra Express, Goa Express are daily trains that have stops at Satara. Satara Mahad Bankot is a newly declared national highway connecting Satara to the Konkan region.

Railways

• Satara  – 7 km from city

Satara has railway station situated near Mahuli about 07 km distance on the Satara Pandharpur road from Satara Bus stand. Satara is On Route from Mumbai to Miraj, Sangli, Kolhapur, and Bangalore (some trains). You can reach Satara from Mumbai or Pune easily by road or rail (Mahalaxmi Express, Koyna Express,”Goa Express”, Sahyadri Express or Chalukya Express).

Railway Time Table Satara

Towards Pune

No.	Train No.	Train Name	Train Type	Day	Departure time
01	12779	Vasco – Nizamuddin	Goa Express	Daily	00.40 Am
02	11098	Ernakulam – Pune	Poorna Express	Wed	01.15 Am
03	11024	Kolhapur – Mumbai	Sahyadri Express	Daily	02.30 Am
04	11045	Kolhapur – Dhanbad	Deekshabhoomi Express	Fri	03.20 Am
05	71426	Satara – Pune	Passenger	Daily	04.35 Am
06	22498	Tiruchchirappalli – Shri Ganganagar	Humsafar Express	Sat	05.00 Am
07	01663	Dharwad – Habibganj	Habibganj Express	Sun	07.10 Am
08	51410	Kolhapur – Pune	Passenger	Daily	09.50 Am
09	11030	Kolhapur – Mumbai	Koyna Express	Daily	12.05 Pm
10	12147	Kolhapur – Nizamuddin	Nizamuddin Express	Tue	12.40 Am
11	12781	Mysore – Nizamuddin	Swarnajayani Express	Sat	12.40 Pm
12	16210	Mysore – Ajmer	Ajmer Express	Wed, Fri	03.00 Pm
13	16506	Bangalore – Gandhidham	Gandhidham Express	Sun	03.00 Pm
14	16508	Bangalore – Jodhpur	Jodhpur Express	Tue, Thu	03.00 Pm
15	16532	Bangalore – Ajmer	Garib Nawaz Express	Sat	03.00 Pm
16	11050	Kolhapur – Ahamdabad	Ahamdabad Express	Sat	04.05 Am
17	11039	Kolhapur – Gondia	Maharashtra Express	Daily	07.30 Pm
18	51442	Kolhapur – Satara	Passenger	Daily	09.30 Pm
19	11006	Puducherry – Dadar	Chalukya Express	Mon, Wed, Thu	11.10 Pm
20	11022	Tirunelveli – Dadar	Chalukya Express	Tue, Fri, Sat	11.10 Pm
21	11036	Mysore – Dadar	Sharavati Express	Sun	11.10 Pm
22	17317	Hubli – Dadar(From 1 Jul 2020)	Dadar Express	Daily	11.40 Pm
23	11012	Kolhapur – Mumbai	Mahalaxmi Express	Daily	11.45 Pm
			11039 Express Train Splits at Bhusawal >> Kolhapur = Gorakhpur

Towards Miraj

No.	Train No.	Train Name	Train Type	Day	Departure time
01	11097	Pune – Ernakulam	Poorna Express	Sun	00.43 Am
02	11023	Mumbai – Kolhapur	Sahyadri Express	Daily	01.40 Am
03	17318	Dadar – Hubli (From 1 Jul 2020 )	Hubballi Express	Daily	02.40 Am
04	17411	Mumbai – Kolhapur	Mahalaxmi Express	Daily	03.15 Am
05	11021	Dadar – Tirunelveli	Tirunelveli Express	Sun, Wed , Thu	04.00 Am
06	11035	Dadar – Mysore	Sharavati Express	Fri	04.00 Am
07	11005	Dadar – Puducherry	Puducherry Express	Mon,Tue, Sat	04.00 Am
08	51441	Satara – Kolhapur	Passenger	Daily	05.25 Am
09	16209	Ajmer – Mysore	All Mysore Express	Mon, Sat	07.15 Am
10	16505	Gandhidham – Bangalore	GIMB SBC Bangalore Express	Wed	07.15 Am
11	16507	Jodhpur – Bangalore	JU SBC Bangalore Express	Sun,Fri	07.15 Am
12	16531	Ajmer – Bangalore	SBC Garib Nawaz Express	Tue	07.15 Am
13	11040	Gondia – Kolhapur	Maharashtra Express	Daily	08.05 Am
14	22497	Tiruchchirappalli – Shri Ganganagar	Humsafar Express	Wed	10.55 Am
15	11049	Ahamdabad – Kolhapur	Kolhapur Express	Wed	10.55 Am
16	12148	Nizamuddin – Kolhapur	Nizamuddin Express	Fri	12.10 Pm
17	01664	Habibganj – Dharwad	Dharwad Express	Sat	12.10 Pm
18	12782	Nizamuddin – Mysore	Swarnajayani Express	Tue	12.10 Pm
19	51409 /71419	Pune – Kolhapur	Passenger	Daily	02.00 Pm
20	11029	Mumbai – Kolhapur	Koyna Express	Daily	04.00 Pm
21	12780	Nizamuddin – Vasco	Goa Express	Daily	07.20 Pm
22	71425	Pune – Satara	Passenger	Daily	10.20 Pm
23	11046	Dhanbad – Kolhapur	Deekshabhoomi Express	Wed	10.55 Pm
			11040 Express Train Splits at Bhusawal >> Gondia = Gorakhpur