Solapur
India · Asia
About Solapur
Solapur is a city located in the south-western region of the Indian state of Maharashtra, close to its border with Karnataka. Solapur is located on a major highway, rail routes between Mumbai, Pune, Bangalore and Hyderabad, with a branch line to the cities of Kalaburagi and Vijayapura in the neighbouring state of Karnataka. Solapur Airport (SSE) was inaugurated on 29 September 2024.
It is classified as A1 Tier and B-1 class city by House Rent Allowance (HRA) classification by the Government of India. It is the seventh biggest Metropolis Urban Agglomeration and 11th most populated city in Maharashtra as well as 43rd largest urban agglomeration and 49th most populous city in India.
Solapur leads Maharashtra in production of beedi (a type of cigarette). Solapuri Chadars and towels are famous not only in India but also at a global level, however there has been a significant decline in their exports due to quality issues. "Solapuri chadars" are the first product in Maharashtra to get a Geographical Indication tag It has been a leading centre for cotton mills and power looms in Maharashtra. Solapur had the world's second-largest and Asia's largest spinning mill. The National Research Centre on Pomegranate (NRCP) of India is located in Solapur. and pomegranate farming is done on a large scale in Solapur city. The Science Centre in Kegaon (Solapur) is the third largest and prominent scientific association in Maharashtra. The Raichur-Solapur Power Transmission line of 765 kV power capacity suffices the power grid accessing need of the southern states of Karanataka and Telangana. The first waste-to-energy electricity plant in Maharashtra is situated in Solapur.
The Gramadevata (Chief deity) of the city is Shri Shivyogi Siddheshwar. The "Nandi-dhawaj" procession on the Hindu festival of Makar Sankranti and on account of it an annual fair locally known as Gadda Yatra attracts large crowds and is associated with the marriage of Lord Siddheshwar. Solapur has the Great Indian Bustard Sanctuary.
Solapur travel guide
Understand
The name Solapur is believed to be derived from sola meaning "16" in the local language (Marathi), and pur meaning village. Those 16 villages were Aadilpur, Ahmedpur, Chapaldev, Fatehpur, Jamdarwadi, Kalajapur, Khadarpur, Khandervkiwadi, Muhammadpur, Ranapur, Sandalpur, Shaikpur, Solapur, Sonalagi, Sonapur and Vaidakwadi which are now united in Municipal Corporation of Solapur. Solapur is famous for its chadder, handloom, powerloom and beedi industries, covering an area of 14,844.6 km2 (5,731.5 sq mi), is one of the important districts in Maharashtra State of India. It is influenced by its geography and the area is largely consists of plains. The river Bhima flows from northwest to the southeast and Sina River also flows from it. The southwest and northeast parts of the district are arid areas. Solapur is meeting ground for Maharashtra and Karnataka and from very old times the trade routes passed across Solapur district. There are 8 famous Digamabar Jain temples at Solapur two are at Shukravar Peth, one in Kasagi, one at Shravikashram, one at Bhusari and Seth Sakharamji temple. The chief deity (Gramdevata) of the city are Shri Siddeshwar & Shri Rupabhavani Solapur developed as a commercial center for cotton and other agricultural produce. Solapur bed-sheets have earned fame and reputation for their novel designs and durability. History As per the mythological literary sources the region south of Godavari was covered with thick forest and was inhabited by the aboriginal. Agastya was the first Aryan who crossed the Vindhya Mountains and settled on the banks of Godavari followed by other sages who established their hermitages in the different regions of the south. In early centuries the city belonged to the Hindu Chalukyas and Devagiri Yadavas, but later became a part of the Bahamani and Bijapur kingdoms. Vairag village in Barshi tehsil situated at a distance of 23 km (14 miles) to the south east of Barshi and 50 km (30 miles) to the north of Solapur is a meeting place of saints of Nath Sect who have enunciated worldly life for meditation. Because of this particular aspect the village seems to have been named as 'Vairag'.
Getting there
Solapur is a transport hub connecting Maharashtra, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. It is well connected by road and rail to major districts and cities.
By car The national highways 9, 13 and 211 pass through Solapur city. Solapur is located on Pune-Hyderabad NH9, approximately 275 km away from Pune.
By bus Regularly buses ply from Pune. Buses from Mumbai, Kolhapur, Aurangabad, Nasik and other important cities of wester Maharashtra are available too. Solapur is also very close to Hyderabad (305 km) in Andhra Pradesh and Bijapur (100 km) in Karnataka.
By train The city is on the major road and rail routes between Mumbai and Hyderabad, with a branch line to Bijapur and Gadag. It is 456 km away from Mumbai and 264 km away from Pune by rail.
1 Solapur railway station. (updated Feb 2023)
By plane No air service is available for Solapur city. The nearest airports are in Pune (260 km), Mumbai (450 km) and Hyderabad (305 km).
Getting around
Public transport in Solapur is primarily provided by buses operated by Solapur Municipal Transport (SMT) and auto rickshaws. Solapur is the only place in India other than Mumbai where double decker buses are in use.
See
Highlights for tourists include:
Temple of Lord Siddharameshwar Temple of Markandeya Mahamuni Hipparga Lake - a scenic nature area Kambar Lake, newly named as Sambhaji lake IndraBhavan - Solapur Corporation building Bhui-Kot Castle - castle of 15th century and under the Bahamani period Hutatma Garden Mahatma Gandhi National Zoo Chetana Park Navi Peth - For shopping 1 Solapur Bhuikot Killa. (updated Feb 2023) Destinations that are further away (but great for day/weekend trips)
Pandharpur Vithoba Temple (70 km away) Akkalkot - Swami Samarth temple (35 km away) Hydra - Saifan mulk chishti dargah (near about 20 km from Akkalkot) Nannaj - Bird Sanctaury for 'The Great Indian Busterd' (25 km away) Tuljapur - Tuljabhavani Temple (45 km away) Naldurg Fort (approx. 45 km towards Hyderabad) Barshi "Bhagvant" Temple (approx. 70 km away) Ramling - Beautiful natural place (90 km away) Kudal Sangam - Shiva Temple (approx. 30 km away) Akluj - Fort, Gardens, Sayaji Raje Park, Temples. (approx. 100 km away)
Do
Ganagapur, ☏ +91 9325262680. Dattatraya devastan, Sangam
Buy
The most famous item is Solapuri chadar. Cotton bedsheets and handmade textile are very popular.
Eat
Try Nasle Shenga Chutney. Supraja Pav-Bhaji Pani Puri at Madhla Maruti.
Stalls along Lucky Chowk. Chutni Puri, Bhaji Misal, Madhla Maruti. ₹7.
Sleep
Solapur is home for some good serving hotels ranging from different budgets. Hotel Tripursundari, Hotel city park and Hotel Pratham are some well known three star hotels in the city.
Go next
Bijapur Badami Pattadkal Aihole Dharwad Hampi Raichur Ballari Bidar Mantralayam
Overview adapted from Wikipedia, travel guide fromWikivoyage (CC BY-SA)。Photography via Wikimedia Commons.