Jalna district General information
Jalna is an administrative district in the state of Maharashtra in western India. Jalna town is the district headquarters. The district occupies an area of 7718 km². The distritct is bounded on the north by Jalgaon district, on the east by Parbhani and Buldhana districts, on the south by Beed district and on the west by Aurangabad district.
The district is known for Jamb Samarth village, the birthplace of Samarth Ramdas Swami. The Battle of Assaye was fought in September 23, 1803 near the village of Assaye located near Jafrabad in this district.
History
Jalna was formerly a part of Nizam State and after the Marathwada Mukti Sangram, became part of India, as a tahsil of Aurangabad district.
Jalna district erstwhile a part of Aurangabad district was formed on 1st May 1982 by carving out Jalna, Bhokardan, Jafrabad, Ambad tahsils of Aurangabad district and Partur tahsil of Parbhani district. The boundaries of Jalna district are adjacent to Parbhani & Buldhana on east, Aurangabad on west, Jalgaon on north and Beed on south.
Geography
The district is situated at the central Maharashtra, in the north Marathwada region. The district has moderately to gently sloping undulated topography. The Northern part of the district is occupied by the Ajanta and Satmala hill ranges.
Demography
The district has a population of 16,12,357 (male 8,25,977, female 7,86,380) (2001 census) of which 19.09% were urban (as of 2001).The density of population is 209/km². The literacy rate is 64.52% (male 79.17%, female 49.25%) (2001 census).
River
The Godavari flows along the southern boundary of the district from west to east direction. The rivers, Dudhana, Gulati, Purna are the principal tributaries of the Godavari, which flow through the district. The river Purna flows from the central part of the district and meets the Godavari in the neighboring district. The rivers, Khelna and Girja are the important tributaries of river Purna which flow through the district.
Location
Jalna district is approximately situated at the center part of Maharashtra state of Republic of India and in northern direction of Marathwada region. Specifically district lies between 19o1 north to 21o3 North Latitudes and 75o4 East to 76o4 East Longitude.
Area
Jalna district covers an area of 7,612 Sq.Kms, which is 2.47% of the total state area.
Division
The district is divided into two sub-divisions, Jalna and Partur. These are further divided into eight talukas: Jalna, Ambad, Bhokardan, Badnapur, Ghansavangi, Partur, Mantha, and Jafrabad.
The district has five Vidhan Sabha constituencies: Partur, Ambad, Jalna, Badnapur and Bhokardan. While Partur is under Parbhani Lok Sabha constituency, the other four are under the lone Lok Sabha constituency of the district, Jalna.
Partur: Earlier the name was Pralhadpur.
Places of interest
Shree Ganesh Of Rajur :The GANESH temple of Rajur is situated in north 25 k.m. away from JALNA city. On every Chathurthi lots of pilgrims comes to pray the deity. A largely attended fair is held at the temple on Angarika Chaturthi. The Rajur is considered as one of the complete PITH of Lord Ganesh in Ganesh Puran. Other PITH are at Morgaon, Chinchwad (Pune). The remaining HALF PITH is Padmalaya.
The Matsyodari devi Temple of Ambad :The Matsyodari devi Temple of Ambad situated in south 21 k.m. away from Jalna city. Matsyodari, so called because the temple is on the hill which resembles the shape of a fish (matsya). It is believed to be one of the oldest temples in the
region. A largely attended annual fair is held at the temple in October, in Navratra.
Jamb Samartha , Ghansawangi :Jamb Samarth, the place where the Sant Ramdas swami born. This place is in Ghansavangi tahsil of Jalna district.
The Samartha Ramdas was born on Chaitra Shukla Navami Shake 1530 (as per hindu Calender) at 12 P.M., exactly on the time of Ram Janma (Lord Rama's birth) as the younger son of Suryajipant Thosar Kulkarni and Ranubai. His actual name
was 'Narayan'. The Elder brother of Sant Ramdas swami was Gangadhar but he is known as 'Shreshtha' or 'Rami Ramdas'. He was born on Margashirsha Vadhya Trayodashi Shake 1527. A largely attended annual fair helds at the Ram temple On Ram Navami. This Ram temple is situated in Sant Ramdas swami's home. The Samrtha temple is built in the meory of Sant Ramdas swami. This temple is managed bya trust which was registered in 1943 by Nanasaheb Dev. The trust comprises 55 members and 11 trusties. Now this trust has its onw land of 240 Hector. The facility of lodging bording is available by trust. This building is built in the
donation received by Mother queen Holkar of Indore in the memory of Shri Devi Ahilyabai Holkar.
Shree Chakradhar Swami, Jaidevwadi :'Jalicha Dev' is the most important holy place for the Mahanubhav Panth people. It is belived that Shri Chakradhar Swami resided here for some time. It is in the Bhokardan Tahsil on north side. This temple is 250 years old and was built by Maratha warrior Mahadji Shinde, on the place where Shri Sant Anand Swami gone under 'Samadhi' in Old Jalna. On each Ashadhi Ekadashi a largly attended fair takes place.
Mamma Devi Temple ,Jalna :This temple is of 'Mamam ' Devi and at Mastgad, Old Jalna. The daily Kirtan, Bhajan and other holy rituals are getting executed daily. Many people come for Darshan, sepcialy in Navratra.