Tirthkhamb or Vijaystambh:
The "Tirthakhamb" is one of the best masterpieces of archaelogical stone sculptures in india. It is a rock carved pillar and it is the symbol of Satvahan's royal victory over southern parts of ancient India. Hence also known as Vijaystambh. Tirthkhamb evidences 460 years of glorious history of Satvahan emperors.
Tirthkhamb shows three distinct parts as Pataal (Hell), Mrityu (Earth), Swarg (Heaven),
according to the Hindu believes. At the bottom (Pataallok) - you can see the sculptures of dancing lord Ganesha, in middle part there some mithun sculptures showing Mrityulok.
Apex of the Tirthakhamb is an example of minute and beautiful sculptures denoting Swarglok.
The beginning of the hindu new year is celebrated at this place on the auspicious ocassion of Gudhipadawa. A rally of the image of the Satvahan emperor - Vasishthiputra Pulamavi is arranged enthusiastically and the "Gudhi" - Symbol of victory of moral over evil is raised every year by the local people of Paithan in the premises of Tirthkhamb.
Saturday, September 19, 2009
Jayakwadi bird sanctuary
Jayakwadi bird sanctuary:
Jayakwadi bird sanctuary is a delicious treat for the bird watchers and amateur photographers who love birds. The sanctuary is sprawled across the backwaters of Nathsagar reservoir and it offers home to variety of flora and fauna.
The beautiful area is choice of hundreds of migratory and resident birds. There are more than 70 migratory bird species and about 40 to 45 species of them are international migratory birds. Some of them include Flamingos, Porchards, Cranes, etc.
The sanctuary is vacational home for siberian migratory birds.
Jayakwadi bird sanctuary is a delicious treat for the bird watchers and amateur photographers who love birds. The sanctuary is sprawled across the backwaters of Nathsagar reservoir and it offers home to variety of flora and fauna.
The beautiful area is choice of hundreds of migratory and resident birds. There are more than 70 migratory bird species and about 40 to 45 species of them are international migratory birds. Some of them include Flamingos, Porchards, Cranes, etc.
The sanctuary is vacational home for siberian migratory birds.
Paithan Garden - Saint Dnyaneshwar Garden
Paithan garden or Saint Dnyaneshwar Garden:
Saint Dnyaneshwar garden is a huge park in Paithan and it is developed as a fusion of Vrindavan garden of Mysore, Shaalimaar garden of Kashmir and Pinjore garden of Hariyana. The garden is sprawled across 401 acres and is maintained about an area of 310 acres. It lodges an archaelogical museum of antique goods like ancient weapons - swords, guns, shields, knives, etc. coins of Satvahan dynasty. Ancient coins and their castings, sculptures, manuscripts, handwriting of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, antique ornaments, etc.
The museum is named "History Researcher Balasaheb Patil antique goods museum" (closing time :- 5:00pm). Late Shri Balasaheb Patil was a great history researcher who ignited and implemented the idea of the museum. He worked tirelessly for the current magnificent museum standing tall in the garden. It witnesses the glorious and royal history of Paithan.
An another attraction in the garden is musical fountain show which is scheduled at night for 15 minutes (Two shows from 7:30 to 9:00pm). Since the garden is much scenic at night, its my humble suggestion to you to visit the dam first and after enjoying the sunset from dam immediately leave to the garden so that you can enjoy the musical fountain show at the right time and you may find some good time for the dinner after the musical fountain eye-treat.
For children play park is available or you may avail some fun drives like toy train, ship, puppet show, etc.
Saint Dnyaneshwar garden is a huge park in Paithan and it is developed as a fusion of Vrindavan garden of Mysore, Shaalimaar garden of Kashmir and Pinjore garden of Hariyana. The garden is sprawled across 401 acres and is maintained about an area of 310 acres. It lodges an archaelogical museum of antique goods like ancient weapons - swords, guns, shields, knives, etc. coins of Satvahan dynasty. Ancient coins and their castings, sculptures, manuscripts, handwriting of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, antique ornaments, etc.
The museum is named "History Researcher Balasaheb Patil antique goods museum" (closing time :- 5:00pm). Late Shri Balasaheb Patil was a great history researcher who ignited and implemented the idea of the museum. He worked tirelessly for the current magnificent museum standing tall in the garden. It witnesses the glorious and royal history of Paithan.
An another attraction in the garden is musical fountain show which is scheduled at night for 15 minutes (Two shows from 7:30 to 9:00pm). Since the garden is much scenic at night, its my humble suggestion to you to visit the dam first and after enjoying the sunset from dam immediately leave to the garden so that you can enjoy the musical fountain show at the right time and you may find some good time for the dinner after the musical fountain eye-treat.
For children play park is available or you may avail some fun drives like toy train, ship, puppet show, etc.
Paithan Dam - Jayakwadi Dam
Paithan Dam:
The dam constructed over the sacred river Godavari is called Jayakwadi dam or Paithan dam and the reservoir formed by the dam is named as "Nathsagar". The dam offers scenic and panoramic view of Paithan with Godavari. The length of the dam barrier is about 10kms. and it boasts to be the largest earthen dam in the Maharashtra. The agricultural land of about four districts is irrigated with the water of Nathsagar and in this way it is a boon to Aurangabad district
Must watch - Sunset from the dam
The dam constructed over the sacred river Godavari is called Jayakwadi dam or Paithan dam and the reservoir formed by the dam is named as "Nathsagar". The dam offers scenic and panoramic view of Paithan with Godavari. The length of the dam barrier is about 10kms. and it boasts to be the largest earthen dam in the Maharashtra. The agricultural land of about four districts is irrigated with the water of Nathsagar and in this way it is a boon to Aurangabad district
Must watch - Sunset from the dam
Paithani Saree
Paithani Saree Kendra (Saat bungalow):
Paithani saree i.e. Paithani is a stunning beautiful handmade embroided saree - A masterpiece of woven fabric. Paithani sarees are woven with pure silk and strings of pure gold. You may visit Paithani saree kendra which is also known as saat bungalow. The centre is operated by the Maharashtra State Small Scale Industries Corporation -MSSSIC, you can see employees weaving paithani sarees. This centre provides employment to the local weaving artists. None of a woman can say no to own an extremely beautiful Paithani. You may purchase the paithani showcased at the centre or you can order a customized Paithani as per your choice of design and pattern.
Paithani saree i.e. Paithani is a stunning beautiful handmade embroided saree - A masterpiece of woven fabric. Paithani sarees are woven with pure silk and strings of pure gold. You may visit Paithani saree kendra which is also known as saat bungalow. The centre is operated by the Maharashtra State Small Scale Industries Corporation -MSSSIC, you can see employees weaving paithani sarees. This centre provides employment to the local weaving artists. None of a woman can say no to own an extremely beautiful Paithani. You may purchase the paithani showcased at the centre or you can order a customized Paithani as per your choice of design and pattern.
Sunday, June 7, 2009
Saint Eknath Temple
Shrine temple of Saint Eknath :
It is the temple build at where saint Shri Eknath - released himself to heavenly abode. Currently the temple is near the holy river Godavari, at the time of leaving of the great saint the river was wider than that of today (after the construction of the Nathsagar dam i.e. Jayakwadi dam) and the place of shrine (samadhi) might be in the middle of the river basin. The temple is also called as saint Eknath maharaj samadhi mandir and is overcrowded with devotees during the fair Nathshashthi, which is celebrated yearly during the months of March-April.
Paithan - Where to stay
Since Paithan is just 50 kms. away from Aurangabad most of the tourists and visitors prefer to stay in Aurangabad since it is a big city and offers a large variety of luxury and economy class hotels and lodges.
One may opt to stay in Paithan itself. The town offers some budget hotels and lodges to stay there, so that you can enjoy your tour without any accomodation problem.
Paithan - How to reach
- By Air
Paithan can easily be reached by air from the important cities of India. Aurangabad is the nearest airport which is located at a distance of 50 kilometers and you can get regular flights to Mumbai and the other cities of India from Aurangabad. Aurangabad airport is directly air-linked to Mumbai, Delhi, Jaipur and Udaipur. The regular operations of the private and government owned airlines make the air transport quite convenient.
- By Train
Aurangabad is the nearest railway station. Two trains leave daily from Mumbai for Aurangabad. Tapovan Express departs Mumbai early morning that arrives Aurangabad by late afternoon, while the Devgiri Express is an overnight train. Several luxury and state run buses too are running between Mumbai and Aurangabad.
- By Road
Public transport buses are available between Aurangabad and Paithan that are operated by state transport (MSRTC) on a regular interval of half an hour (6:00 - 24:00). One may also opt for rented taxis or private cabs.
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Paithan - Capital of Satvahan Dynasty
Paithan - Capital of Satvahan Dynasty:
Paithan is a beautiful town located about 50 kilometers south to Aurangabad - Maharashtra, on the bank of river Godavari. Paithan is the town of great saints and philosophers like Saint Eknath, Saint Dnyaneshwar (Aapegaon), and ex-capital of Satvahan dynasty!
There is shrine temple of the Saint Eknath. A yearly fair called Nathshashthi is organized at Paithan during months of March-April. Paithan is also famous for it's huge garden Saint Dnyaneshwar Garden, which is spreaded across 401 acres and maintained for about 310 acres and it is developed like Vrindavan garden of Mysore. It is also popular for handmade Paithani saree, which is beautifully embroided with golden borders. It is said that its lustre and gress never goes down for about 100 years (minimum), and it may cost about Rs. 4000/- to Rs.200000/-.
Before taking a detailed account of Paithan, let's take a short tour of Paithan's royal and rich history.
Paithan is a beautiful town located about 50 kilometers south to Aurangabad - Maharashtra, on the bank of river Godavari. Paithan is the town of great saints and philosophers like Saint Eknath, Saint Dnyaneshwar (Aapegaon), and ex-capital of Satvahan dynasty!
There is shrine temple of the Saint Eknath. A yearly fair called Nathshashthi is organized at Paithan during months of March-April. Paithan is also famous for it's huge garden Saint Dnyaneshwar Garden, which is spreaded across 401 acres and maintained for about 310 acres and it is developed like Vrindavan garden of Mysore. It is also popular for handmade Paithani saree, which is beautifully embroided with golden borders. It is said that its lustre and gress never goes down for about 100 years (minimum), and it may cost about Rs. 4000/- to Rs.200000/-.
Before taking a detailed account of Paithan, let's take a short tour of Paithan's royal and rich history.
Let's start from the era of Satvahan emperors.
The name "Pratishthan" was given to Paithan by Satvahan emperors and they declared it as their diplomatic capital of their kingdom.
The Satvahan dynasty had huge realm distributed across current Maharashtra, parts of Andhra Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh.
The capital of the Satvahan's kingdom was located on the bank of holy river Godavari and it was named as Pratishthan i.e. today's Paithan.
The dynasty was initiated by the emperor Simuka(Root of the Dynasty) from 230 B.C. and lasted for about 460 years. The Satvahan dynasty came to the lime light after the decline of Maurya Empire led by Samrat Ashok. Satvahans shown a blended culture of Vedic and Buddhist society since they worshiped Buddha, Shiva, Paarvati, Vishnu, the Sun and Moon as well.
After death of Simuka few of the further emperors from the dynasty were:
- Saatkarni (180 to 124 B.C.) - The emperor Saatkarni conquered Malwa praant(Part of Madhya Pradesh) and Maharashtra and developed the Pratishthan(Today-Paithan) as his capital. He was the sixth king of the satvahan dynasty.
- Pulamaavi (30 to 6 B.C.) - After saatkarni many rulers from Kanva dynasty viz. Kuntala Saatkarni, Meghswati ruled the kingdom after them Pulamaavi got the responsibility of the royal dynasty and he extended the kingdom till Pataliputra i.e. todays Patna, Bihaar.
- Hala (20 to 24 A.D.) - Hala led the monarchy after Pulamaavi for a short period, His Sanskrit work "Gaatha Saptashati" is famous which is a collection of Marathi Poems.
- Gautamiputra Saatkarni (78 to 106 A.D.) - The Monarch was reknowed as Samrat Shalivahan. Shalivahan restored the lost glory of the royal dynasty by conquering all the lost regions during past times. Gautamiputra Saatkarni conquered the kingdom of Shakas ruled by king Vikramaditya. From that time (78 A.D.) the popular Shalivahan Shaka was initiated which is still followed by Hindus from various states of India. He was the first king to introduce the copper coins embossed with his own image as currency.
- Vasishthiputra Pulamaavi (106 to 130 A.D.) - The Vasishthiputra Pulmaavi led the dynasty after the death of Gautamiputra Saatkarni.
- Yajna Saatkarni (170 to 199 A.D.) - He was the last emperor of the dynasty and restored the lost glory of the satvahanas by conquering all the lost regions.
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