Karad

Karad कराड Yashwant Nagari
City
Krishna Koyna Pritisangam
Karad Location in Maharashtra, India
Coordinates: 17°17′06″N 74°11′02″E / 17.285°N 74.184°E / 17.285; 74.184Coordinates: 17°17′06″N 74°11′02″E / 17.285°N 74.184°E / 17.285; 74.184
Country	India
State	Maharashtra
District	Satara
Named for	Yashwantrao Chavan
Government
• Body	Municipal Council
Elevation	566 m (1,857 ft)
Population (2011)
• Total	85,550
Demonym(s)	Karadkar
Time zone	IST (UTC+5:30)
PIN	415110
Telephone code	+91-2164
Vehicle registration	MH- 50
Website	www.karad.in

Karad is a city in Satara district in the southern part of Indian state of Maharashtra. It lies at the confluence of Koyna River and the Krishna River. The two rivers originate at Mahabaleshwar, which is around 100 km from Karad. They diverge at their origin, and travel for about the same distance to meet again in Karad. The rivers meet exactly head on, thus forming letter "T" which is the only head on confluence in the world. Hence their confluence is called Preeti Sangam, meaning Confluence of Love. Karad is well known for sugar production and is known as the sugar bowl of Maharashtra owing to the presence of many sugar factories in and around Karad. It is considered as an important educational hub in Western Maharashtra due to the presence of many prestigious educational institutes.

Karad has an adjoining small town named Malkapur, Karad which has its own municipal council and a population of 31,671. Karad city was awarded a prize under "Sant Gadagebaba Gramswachatta Abhiyan" started by Indian Government.

History

It was originally known as "Karhatak", meaning "Elephant Market". Karad is also a city of historical importance. According to Mahabharata, Sahadeva one of the Pandavas lived in the city also known to be pious as Lord Rama stepped his feet on this land. Located to the south west of Karad is Karad Caves.^[1]

The first capital of the Shilaharas was probably at Karad during the reign of Jatiga-II as known from their copper plate grant of Miraj and Vikramankadevacharita of Bilhana. Hence sometimes they are referred as 'Shilaharas of Karad'. The capital was later shifted to Kolhapur. Among the Silaharas of Kolhapur who ruled over Satara and Belganv districts from 1000 to 1215 A. D., Gonka deserves mention here, as he is described as the Lord of Karhad (Karad), Mairifvja (Miraj) and Konkan.^[2]

Also a Major event in history is witnessed by the Krishna River Banks, His Highness Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj once washed his weapon which is known as Waghnakhya and Bichhwa in the River Krishna's waters

Features

dutta chowk

• Major spots in the city include Kolhapur Naka, Stand area, Krishna Naka, Karve Naka, Chawadi Chowk, Krishna Ghat, Mandai, Bheda Hospital C

Geography

Karad is located at 17°17′N 74°12′E / 17.28°N 74.2°E / 17.28; 74.2.^[3] It has an average elevation of 566 metres (1856 feet). Karad is located near Agashiva 17°14′15″N 74°09′07″E / 17.237506°N 74.15205°E / 17.237506; 74.15205. It has been referred in great epic Mahabharata. It has the shape of an "Aum" (Devanagari?) when viewed aerially.

Tourism

Some Famous Tourist Points Near Karad are:

• Preeti Sangam (Confluence of Koyna & Krishna River)

School children pays homage at the'Samadhi'of Congress leader late Y.B.Chavan on the occasion of his 98th birth anniversary at karad,Maharashtra on Saturday.Photo by Raju sanadi karadMy New Address182,Shaniwar Peth,Sikandar mohalla,Back Ganpati Mandir

• Krishna Mai Temple
• Late Yashwantrao Chavan's Samadhi
• Shri Khandoba Devsthan, Pal 30 km
• Sadashivgad App.5–8 km
• Agashiv Caves App.5–8 km
• Vasantgad App.15–20 km
• Naktya Rawalchi Vihir (Ancient Well)
• Masjid Built by Sultan Ali Adilshah (1557- 1580)
• Talbid (Ram Mandir) App.15–20 km
• Sar-Senapati Hambirrao Mohite Samadhi App.15–20 km
• Ram Mandir Chaphal App.30–35 km
• Koyna Dam App.60–65 km
• Chandoli Dam App.50–60 km
• Uttarmand Dam 40 km
• Sagareshwar Wildlife Sanctuary
• Valmiki Temple & Big Wild Area(45 km from Dhebevadi Fata)
• Pachawadeswar(Narayanwadi)
• Kaas plateau App.80–90  KM
• Thoseghar Waterfall App.80–90  KM
• Walmiki 45  KM

Cityscape

The city boasts many important government offices and other institutions of significance. With the vision of great leader Yashwantrao Chavan the city was one of the few in India to have a well- planned underground drainage system well before in the 1960s. By end-2010, Malkapur, Karad, on the outskirts of the city of Karad, is delivering water 24x7 to all its residents as a result of concrete steps taken by the Malkapur Nagar Panchayat (MNP) with support from the Maharashtra Jeevan Pradhikaran (MJP), a state government entity. This is the first of its kind by a public body in India. Major offices and institutions in Karad are as follows:

• Karad Court, Karad
• Diwani -Foujdari Court, Karad
• Doordarshan Kendra, Karad
• Fire- Brigade, Karad
• Division Office, Karad
• Tehsil Office, Karad
• Nagarpalika, Karad
• Panchayat Samiti, Karad
• Government Rest House, Karad
• City Police Station, Karad
• Taluka Police Station, Karad
• Head Post Office, Karad
• Railway Station, Karad
• Airport, Karad
• MSRTC Depot, Karad
• Cottage Hospital, Karad
• RTO Office, Karad
• Taswade MIDC, Karad

Demographics

As of 2011 India census,^[4] Karad town and surrounding villages had total population of 74,355. Males constitute 52% of the population and females 48%. Karad has an average literacy rate of 76%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 80%, and female literacy is 72%. In Karad, 11% of the population is under 6 years of age. People are well educated and sophisticated having very high per capita income and high living standards.

People from different cultures live here but vast majority belong to Hinduism and Speak Marathi language.

Transportation

National Highways

Karad bus depot

The National Highway 4 goes by Karad city. National Highway 4 (NH 4) is a major National Highway in Western and Southern India. NH 4 links four of the 10 most populous Indian cities - Mumbai, Pune, Bangalore, and Chennai.

State Highway MH SH 78 with route Guhagar - Chiplun - Koyana - Patan - Karad - Vita - Jath - Bijapur(Karnataka) goes via Karad.

Airport

An Airstrip was constructed in the 1955 by the Public Works Department to facilitate the Koyna dam project. It is currently being used for General aviation and pilot training.The airport is spread on 65 acres and the acquisition of more than 100 acres has been proposed. Runway 10/28 is 1280 meters long and 30 meters wide with a 60 meter by 60 meter apron. No navigational aids nor night landing facilities are available on the airstrip. The State run Maharashtra Airport Development Company (MADC) plans to extend the 1,250 meters airstrip by another 1,500 m and widen it by 150 m.

Railways

Karad railway station

• Karad – 4 km from city

Karad has railway station and is onroute from Mumbai to Miraj, Sangli, Kolhapur, and Bangalore (some trains). You can reach Karad from Mumbai or Pune easily by road or rail (Mahalaxmi Express, Koyna Express, Sahyadri Express or Chalukya Express).

Recently, Railway minister Suresh Prabhu has allocated funds for a plan to build a new 112 km railway line between Karad and Chiplun.

Nearest railway junction

• Miraj – 72 km

All super-fast trains like the Karnataka Sampark Kranti, Deekshaboomi Express, Rani Chenama Express, Haripriya Express and Miraj Hubli Express stop at Miraj Junction. You can take private cars or MSRTC buses from Miraj to Karad. Travel time from Miraj to Karad is approximately 1 hour 15 minutes.

Railway Time Table Karad

Towards Miraj

Towards Pune

Economy

Karad has the Taswade MIDC in its vicinity which boasts many industries giving employment to people in the Satara District. Karad has the presence of Emerson Climate Technologies and Pidilite Industries Ltd. Karad is famous for its Jaggery and Cattle markets in entire Maharashtra. Jaggery of very high quality is traded here. There is a big Market yard where various commodities are traded and the geographical location of the city add to its benefit since its known as the gateway to Konkan region from Western Maharashtra. Karad is well known for sugar production and is known as the sugar bowl of Maharashtra owing to the presence of many sugar factories in and around Karad.

sahyadri sugar factory karad

Education

High schools

• Sadguru Gadage Maharaj (SGM) Prathamic Shala, Vidyanagar, Karad
• Shri Shivaji Vidyalaya, Karad
• Shri Shivaji Vidyalaya, Masur
• Shri Shivaji Vidyalaya, Karve
• Maharashtra High School, Karad
• Adarsh Primary School, Karad
• Deshbhakta Bhikoba Appaji Salunkhe Vidyalaya, Kival
• Venutai English Medium School, Karad
• Keshavrao Pawar English Medium School, Karad.
• Yashwant High School, Karad.
• Vithamata High School, Karad.
• Tilak High School, Karad.
• Kanya Prashala, Karad.
• Anandrao Chavan high School, Karad.
• Holy Family Convent High School, Vidyanagar, Karad.
• Sant Tukaram High School, Karad.
• Saraswati Vidya Mandir, Karad.
• Palkar Highschool, Karad.
• S.M.S English Medium School, Karad.
• KCT's Krishna English Medium, Malkapur, Karad.
• Husen Kasam Danekari Anglo Urdu High School, Karad.
• Shaheen Urdu Medium School,Karad (Primary).
• Shaheen Urdu Medium School, Karad.
• Star English School, Karad.
• Rotary School, Malkapur, Karad.
• Kalyani English Medium School, Karad.
• Podar International School, Karad.
• Bachpan English Medium School,Karad.
• Anandrao Chavan Vidyalaya, Malkapur,Karad

Engineering colleges

• Central Government's Earthquake Engineering Research Centre, Karad (Coming soon)
• Government College of Engineering, Karad

GCE Karad

• Doulatrao Aher College of Engineering, Karad
• Shri Santkrupa College of Engineering, Ghogaoan, Karad
• Dadasaheb Mokashi College of Engineering, Karad

Architecture College

• Smt Premalatai Chavan College of Architecture, Karad

Arts, Science, and Commerce colleges

• Yashwantrao Chavan College of Science, Karad
• Venutai Chavan Art,Commerce college, Karad
• Sadguru Gadge Maharaj (SGM) Arts, Science, Commerce College, Karad
• Anandrao Chavan Arts, Science, Commerce College, Karad
• Shikshan Maharashi Bapuji Salunkhe Arts, Science, Commerce College, Karad
• Mahila Maha Vidyalay Arts, Science, Commerce College, Karad
• KCT's Jr. College of Science Malkapur,Karad.
• Vithamata Vidyalaya and Junior College, Karad

Polytechnic colleges

• Government Polytechnic, Karad
• Premalatai Chavan Polytechnic, Karad
• Doulatrao Aher Polytechnic, Karad (Coming soon)
• Dadasaheb Mokashi Polytechnic, Sadashivgad, Karad
• Shivajirao Desai Polytechnic, Daulatnagar, Patan, Karad
• Shri SanShri Santtkrupa Polytechnic, Ghogaoan, Karad
• Ramrao Nikam Polytechnic, Indoli, Karad
• Chatrapati Shahu Polytechnic, Atit

Other colleges

• Government Pharmacy College, Karad
• Government Agriculture college, Karad
• Government ITI, Karad
• Krishna Institute of Medical Sciences, Karad

KIMS Karad

• Bharti Vidyapeeth Law College, Karad
• Yashavantrao Mohite Institute of Management, Karad
• Mahila College, Karad
• Late.Adv. Dadasaheb Chavan college of pharmacy, Masur Karad
• Vishwakarma-Dadasaheb Chavan Institute of Management & Research,Malwadi, Masur, Karad
• Ligade-Patil Junior college of science, Vidyanagar, Karad
• IIJT Institute, Karad
• Shri Santkrupa Pharmacy College, Karad
• Dadasaheb Mokashi Food Managenant College, Karad

Culture

Performing arts

They city has a major hall for cultural activities and exhibitions namely Yashwantrao Chavan Memorial - Town Hall. Cultural events of various organizations and gatherings of schools are also held here. Many theatre artists have been flashed at the National Level from this place.

Literature

Karad has a tradition of literature lovers. The prestigious 76th Akhil Bharatiya Marathi Sahitya Sammelan was held at banks of Krishna river in Karad in 2003.

Museums and historic areas

In the honor of his contribution to building modern Maharashtra a small visiting museum is created in the residence of Late Shri Yashwantrao Chavan in Karad. An ancient Well named Naktya Rawalchi Vihir is located near Krishna river in Karad which shows the well planned construction techniques followed during the ancient times.

Vijay Divas

"Vijya Diwas’’ is celebrated every year since 1998, as Victory Day, by Trishakti Foundation in the town of Karad. It is usually celebrated in the month of December. Col. Sambhaji Patil (Retd), the Founder President of Trishakti Foundation, is leading from the front, to ensure total success of this event. The main event is the Military tattoo at the Shivaji Stadium, Karad. It is a grand show of military valor, bravery, physical fitness and endurance by Defense Forces and Police. The school children perform tattoos demonstrating their potential, spirit and youthfulness. The stadium is full to its capacity of more than 40,000 spectators.

Karad peoples Vijay Diwas celebrated Karad peoples Vijay Diwas celebrated “Vijya Diwas’’ is celebrated every year since 1998, as Victory Day, by Trishakti Foundation in the town of Karad. This year Vijaya Diwas was celebrated from 20 Dec to

Col. Sambhaji Patil (Retd), the Founder President of Trishakti Foundation, is leading from the front, to ensure total success of this event, for the last 14 years. For the people of Karad and its surrounding areas, it is an event of the year. They are deeply engaged in the celebrations and it is a splendid example of co-operation by the civilians and uniformed fraternity of the Indian Military. It is to mention here that India fought a valiant war under the leadership of free India’s most astute and powerful Prime Minister Late Indira Gandhi, against Pakistan, both in the Eastern and the Western sectors. The erstwhile East Pakistan was under domination and exploitation by the West Pakistan. India took the bold initiative to set this right and the Indian Defence Forces assisted the rebellious Mukti Bahini, which finally culminated in total surrender by Pakistan Army. And a new country was born, called Bangladesh, on 16th Dec 1971. The main event of Military tattoo started in the afternoon of 23 Dec 2012 at the Shivaji Stadium, Karad. It was a grand show of military valour, bravery, physical fitness and endurance by Defence Forces and Police. The school children perform tattoos demonstrating their potential, spirit and youthfulness. The stadium was full to its capacity of more than 40,000 spectators. This year the main attraction was cultural troupe from Arunachal Pradesh, which enthralled the spectators with their outstanding performance

Yashwantrao Chavan Agricultural Industrial Cattle show

The late Yashwantrao Chavan Agricultural Industrial Cattle Show is mega regional Agricultural event of global standards held at Karad, Maharashtra by Krishi Uttpanna Bajar Samiti Karad since 2001. The event of around 500 exhibitors provides an excellent platform under one roof for showcasing the latest technology in agriculture, poultry and livestock, dairy, agro services and food processing and technology etc.

Sports

The Shivaji Cricket Stadium is situated at the heart of Karad city and is a famous sightseeing spot visited by tourists. The cricket stadium has an international standard turf wicket. Apart from cricket, this stadium is used for organizing local events and political rallies. This stadium is renowned for holding two Ranji Trophy matches. It also has an indoor badminton court.

Notable people

Khashaba Jadhav

• Gopal Ganesh Agarkar (1856–1895) Village Tembhu near Karad is the birthplace of Agarkar. Agarkar was a social reformer from Maharashtra, India during the British rule. He was the first editor of Kesari, a well-known Marathi weekly at that time. He left Kesari after ideological differences with Lokmanya Tilak and started his own periodical named Sudharak. The difference of opinion was about the primacy of political reforms versus social reforms. Agarkar, Tilak and Vishnu Shastri Chiplunkar were the founder members of 'Deccan Education Society'.
• Khashaba Jadhav (15 January 1926 – 14 August 1984) Born in a very poor farming family at Goleshwar Tal. Karad, the only Olympic Medal Winner for India until 2000. He was honored by individual Bronze medal on 23 July 1952, in the 1952 Helsinki Olympic Games for wrestling in bantamweight, which is the unbeaten record for India in wrestling until today. In 1993, Maharashtra State awarded him the Shiv Chatrapati Award posthumously. In 2001, the Central Government also awarded him the Arjuna Award posthumously.^[5]
• Yashwantrao Chavan (12 March 1913 – 25 November 1984), an eminent Congress party politician, hailed from Karad. He was the first Chief Minister of Maharashtra and also served as the defence minister, finance minister, home minister, foreign affairs minister, and as the Deputy Prime Minister of India and became the first and only person from Maharashtra to reach up to this political level. Tembhu, one of the mega-projects under the Krishna Valley scheme, is situated near Karad.
• Prithviraj Chavan: He was the 17th Chief Minister of Maharashtra. Chavan served as the Minister of State in the Prime Minister's Office in the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs and Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances, and Pensions. Chavan was also General Secretary of the All-India Congress Committee (AICC), in-charge of many states, including Jammu and Kashmir, Karnataka, Haryana, Gujarat, Tripura, and Arunachal Pradesh.

References

Satara district topics
History	Sajjangad Ajinkyatara Kamalgad Kalyangad Kenjalgad Chandangad Jangali Jayagad Gunavantgad Prachitgad Pratapgad Pandavgad Bhairavgad Bhushangad Bhopalgad Makrandgad Machchindragad Mahimandangad Mahimangad Santoshgad Sundargad Vasota Vardhangad Vandangad Vasantgad Varugad Vairatgad
Battles	Battle of Pratapgarh Battle of Satara
Rivers	Koyna River Krishna River Venna River Savitri River Gayatri River
Dams	Koyna Dam Kanher Dam Dhom Dam Mhaswad Dam Morana Dam Morna Gureghar Dam Uttarmand Dam Yeralwadi Dam
Lakes	Shivsagar Lake Venna Lake Kas Lake Bamnoli Lake
Ghats	Khambatki Ghat Amba Ghat
Caves	Wai Caves Karad Caves
Cities and towns	Karad Khatav Khandala Satara Shirwal Wai Koregaon Rahimatpur Mahabaleshwar Mhaswad Man Aundh Panchgani Patan Phaltan Khed Medha Koynanagar
Villages	Awlan
Places to see	Ajinkyatara Bhairavgad Chalkewadi - Wind Energy Project Char Bhinti Hutatma Smarak Kas plateau Menawali Kanher Dam Karad - Priti Sangam Koyna Dam Koyna Wildlife Sanctuary Kuraneshwar (Khinditil Ganapati) Maha Ganapati Temple, Wai Mahabaleshwar Mayani Bird Sanctuary Nandgiri or Kalyangad Fort Natraj Mandir Panchgani Pateshwar Hills Sajjangad Fort Sangam Mahuli Shikhar Shinganapur Temple Shri Bhavani Museum,Aundh Shri Chhatrapati Shivaji Museum Shri Ram Mandir, Chaphal Siddhanath Temple, Mhaswad Thoseghar Waterfalls Vajrai Waterfall Valmiki Table Land Yamai Devi Temple, Aundh Yevateshwar Temple Yuvteshwar
Monuments	Mandhradevi
Transport	NH-4 Satara Junction Karad Airport
Education	Rayat Shikshan Sanstha Sainik School, Satara
Lok Sabha constituencies	Madha Satara
Vidhan Sabha constituencies	Satara Koregaon Wai Karad North Karad South Patan Phaltan Man
Stadiums and Sports venues	Shahu Stadium, Satara Chatrapati Shivaji Stadium, Karad
Culture	Satari Kandhi Pedhe Lavani Puran Poli

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Karad.

• Slide Show Video About Karad
• Facebook Page ( आपलं कराड )
• Satara Goes Global
• Satara district website
• karaddiary