>Rummskartoffel at 14:14, 19 June 2021

2021-06-19T14:14:08Z

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{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2018}}
{{Use Indian English|date=July 2018}}
{{More citations needed|date=April 2015}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name = Akkalkot
| settlement_type = City
| image_skyline =
| image_alt =
| image_caption =
| nickname =
| pushpin_map = India Maharashtra
| pushpin_label_position =
| pushpin_map_alt =
| pushpin_map_caption = Location in Maharashtra, India
| coordinates = {{coord|17|31|30|N|76|12|20|E|display=inline,title}}
| subdivision_type = [[Country]]
| subdivision_name = {{flag|India}}
| subdivision_type1 = [[States and territories of India|State]]
| subdivision_type2 = [[List of districts of India|District]]
| subdivision_name1 = [[Maharashtra]]
| subdivision_name2 = [[Solapur district, Maharashtra|Solapur]]
| established_title = 
| established_date =
| founder =
| named_for =
| government_type = Municipal Council
| governing_body = Akkalkot Municipal Council
| unit_pref = Metric
| area_footnotes =
| area_total_km2 =
| area_rank =
| elevation_footnotes =
| elevation_m =
| population_total = 40103 <ref name="solapur.gov.in">http://solapur.gov.in/census/cen2011-akk.pdf</ref>
| population_as_of = 2011
| population_footnotes =
| population_density_km2 = auto
| population_rank =
| population_demonym =
Akkalakotekar
| demographics_type1 = Language
| demographics_type2 = Language
| demographics1_title1 = Official
| demographics1_title2 = Local
| timezone1 = [[Indian Standard Time|IST]]
| utc_offset1 = +5:30
| postal_code_type = [[Postal Index Number|PIN CODE]]
| postal_code = 413216
| registration_plate = MH-13
| website =
| footnotes =
| demographics1_info1 = [[Marathi language|Marathi]]
| demographics1_info2 = [[Marathi language|Marathi]]
}}

'''Akkalkot''' {{audio|Akkalkot.ogg|pronunciation}} is a City and a [[municipal council]] in [[Solapur district]] in the [[India]]n [[States and territories of India|state]] of [[Maharashtra]]. It is situated 40 km southeast of [[Solapur]] and very close to the border between [[Maharashtra]] and [[Karnataka]] states.

Akkalkot is the home to Shri [[Swami Samarth Maharaj]], a 19th-century saint who is believed by his devotees to be an incarnation of Lord Dattatreya.<ref>[http://www.shreeswami.org/about-shree-swami-samartha.htm || Shree Swami Samarth of Akkalkot || Shri Swami Samarth of Akkalkot, Sri Swami Samarth of Akkalkot]</ref>
[[Akkalkot State]] during the [[British Raj]], was a [[princely state]] ruled by the royal [[Bhonsale]] dynasty.

== Geography ==

Akkalkot [[taluka]] is bordered by South Solapur tehsil to the west and by [[Karnataka]] state on all other sides. The tehsil covers an area of 1,407 km<sup>2</sup> and contains 138 villages, apart from the town. The total population of the taluka is approximately 314,570 (2011 census), giving a population density of 222 per km<sup>2</sup>. [[Sorghum|Jowar]], [[Pearl Millet|bajra]] and [[pulses]] are the main crops grown in the taluka. Akkalkot is routinely hit by drought as it falls in a [[rain shadow]] and also no major river pass through this taluka. Although the soil is classified as 'medium to deep black' and is of rich quality.

== Religious significance ==

Akkalkot is widely known for its association with '''Shri [[Swami Samarth Maharaj]]''', held by his devotees to be a reincarnation of Lord [[Dattatreya]]. Swami Maharaj lived for over two decades at Akkalkot, mainly at the residence of his ''disciple Cholappa'', where his samadhi (tomb) and shrine are now located. The shrine complex, which is known the ''Vatavruksh Mandir'' since it encloses the banyan tree beneath which the swami would preach his message, is the hub of devotions for his followers.

The other local shrine is the samadhi of Akkalkoth Swami located some distance from the main shrine, but still within the city limits. Free accommodation and meals are provided to pilgrims by the Shri Swami Samarth Annachhatra Mandal.

Akkalkot Taluka is also famous for "Khwaja Daud Dargah" staying for peace in between Muslim religion, many people assemble to visit the mosque and for the Urdu month of Muharram people join and perform tasks as their religion.

Akkalkot is also famous for Gajanan Maharaj's Shivpuri, where Ancient Vedic Therapy [[Agnihotra]] is performed.<ref>https://www.wellness.vishwafoundation.com/</ref>

==Demographics==
As of 2011 India census, GR India Akkalkot had a population of 40,103 out of which 20051 were male and 20052 were female.<ref name="solapur.gov.in" /> Akkalkot has an average literacy rate of 63%, higher than the national average of 59.5%; with 59% of the males and 41% of females literate. 14% of the population is under 6 years of age.

==Languages==

Although Marathi is the official and most spoken language in the city, Kannada language is spoken by majority people in villages of Akkalkot taluka.

== Princely Akkalkot ==

[[File:Akalkot flag.svg|thumb|Flag of Akkalkot.]]
{{Main|Akkalkot State}}

During the British Raj, Akkalkot was a princely state of ruled by the royal [[Bhonsale]] dynasty. The non-salute state came under the Deccan States Agency and was bordered by [[Hyderabad State]] and the presidency of [[Bombay Presidency]]. The area of the state was 498 sq. miles. In 1911, the state enjoyed a revenue estimated at Rs.26,586/- and paid a tribute to the [[British Raj]] of Rs.1,000/-.Its population in 1901 was 82,047, while the population of the town itself was 8,348 in that year.<ref name="EB1911">{{Cite EB1911|wstitle=Akalkot|volume=1|page=454}}</ref> The population of the state in 1921 was 81,250, comparable to 1901 but having seen 9% growth followed by decline in the intervening 20 years; the population of the town in 1921 was 9,189.<ref name="Britannica">{{cite encyclopedia |year=1930 |title=Akalkot |encyclopedia=[[Encyclopaedia Britannica]] |edition=14|volume=1|page=482 |language=en}}</ref> Between 1901 and 1911 the state's population grew by 9%, after which it declined to 81,250 by 1921.<ref name="Britannica" />

==Education institutions==
Akkalkot has numerous educational institutes. [[Shri Shahaji High School]] (125 years old institute), [[Karnatak Lingayat Education Society]]'s Mangrule High school & Kashiraya Kaka Patil High School are some of the large schools. C.B. Khedgi's Basaveshwar Science Raja Vijaysinh Commerce & Raja Jaysinh Arts College, Shri Vatavriksha Swami Maharaj Devashtan's Polytechnic offer higher education.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.swamipolytechnic.com/contact-us.html |title=Archived copy |access-date=25 March 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140325113420/http://www.swamipolytechnic.com/contact-us.html |archive-date=25 March 2014 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Akkalakot taluka has large number of Kannada schools.

== Transport ==

It is served by Akalkot Road Railway Station which is 7 km away from the city. [[Mumbai Chennai Mail|Chennai Mail]] and [[Udyan Express]] for [[Mumbai]], [[Mumbai Chennai Mail|Chennai Mail]] for [[Chennai]], [[Tirupati]], [[Mantralayam]], [[Raichur]], [[Gulbarga]], Udyan express for [[Bangalore]], [[Hyderabad]] Passenger for [[Hyderabad]] have stop here.
It is also served by [[Tadawal railway station]] on [[Solapur]] -[[Hubli]] line around 20 km away, with trains to [[Bijapur]], [[Hubli]], [[Bagalkot]], and [[Gadag]]. It is more convenient to board trains from these stations than Solapur station which is 40 km away as this saves time. There is a great demand to stop trains such as [[Hussainsagar Express]], [[Dadar Chennai Egmore Express]], [[Konark Express]], [[Shatabdi Express]], [[Rajkot Express]], and [[Karnataka Express]].

The nearest airport to Akkalkot Swami Samarth Maharaj Temple is [[Solapur Airport]] which is 31 km away from Akkalkot Swami Samarth Maharaj Temple. However, {{as of|2016|lc=y}} there is no scheduled commercial air service available.<ref>http://www.amazingmaharashtra.com/2012/05/akkalkot.html</ref>

== Important tourist sites in and around Akkalkot ==

The main tourist attraction in Akkalkot is Shri [[Swami Samarth Maharaj]] temple. Other attraction includes The Royal Armory Museum in New Palace which is a collection by Fattehsing Bhosle who was the ruler at Akkalkot from 1894 A.D. to 1923 A.D.<ref>http://cultural.maharashtra.gov.in/english/gazetteer/Solapur/places_Akkalkot.html</ref>

* Shri [[Swami Samarth Maharaj]] Temple :- 1.5 km away from MSRTC bus station.
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20131211005105/http://www.jagrutmaruti.com/ Shri Jagrut Maruti Temple] :- 14 km away from MSRTC bus station.
* Ballappa Math :- 1 km from MSRTC bus station.
* Shri Swami Samarth Rajerai Math :-2 km from MSRTC bus station.
* Joshi Buwa Math :- 1.5 km from MSRTC bus station.
* Khandoba Temple :- This temple is to the north direction of MSRTC bus station.
* Mallikarjun Temple :- This temple is located between shri. Swami Samarth Samadhi math and MSRTC bus station.
* New Palace & Armory Museum :- Near the MSRTC bus station.
* Shivpuri :- 2.5 km from MSRTC bus station.
* Hatti Tank :- 1 km. from MSRTC bus station.
* Kashi Vishweshwar, Jeur:- 12 km from Akkalkot MSRTC bus station.
* Hydra:- 30 km from Akkalkot MSRTC bus station.
* Burhanpur :-15 km from Akkalkot MSRTC bus station.
* 'Kurnur' :- 14 km from Akkakot MSRTC bus station.
* 'Railway station', [[Akkalkot Road railway station]] is 10 km from the city.
* 'Mahalaxmi Temple' in Bhurikavathe Village 26 km from MSRTC Bus stand.
* 'Tolambabai Mandir', Bypass Road Akkalkot.
* 'Shri Swami Samarth Samadhi Math', near MSRTC Bus Stand Akkalkot.
* 'Sonya Maruti Mandir', central chowk Akkalkot.
* Shir Swami Samarth Annachatra - It is inside Shri Swami Samarth Temple.
* Shaikh Nuroddin Baba Chisti Dargah. 1km from MSRTC bus stand.

== See also ==

* [[Bhonsle]]
* [[List of Maratha dynasties and states]]
* [[Shri Swami Samarth]]

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
*[https://sites.google.com/site/akklakotstation/ Akkalkot road station]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20070223160246/http://solapur.nic.in/htmldocs/akkalkot.htm Vital statistics]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20070223160300/http://solapur.nic.in/htmldocs/ggraphy.htm Geography and demographics]
*[http://www.SwamiSamarth.com Swami Samartha Maharaj of Akkalkot]

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Cities and towns in Solapur district]]
[[Category:Talukas in Maharashtra]]

Akkalkot - Revision history

>Rummskartoffel at 14:14, 19 June 2021