Narayangaon
| Narayangaon नारायणगाव | |
|---|---|
| Town | |
|
Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope (GMRT) near Narayangaon | |
  Narayangaon Location in Maharashtra, India | |
| Coordinates: 19°07′00″N 73°55′00″E / 19.11667°N 73.91667°ECoordinates: 19°07′00″N 73°55′00″E / 19.11667°N 73.91667°E | |
| Country |
 India |
| State | Maharashtra |
| District | Pune |
| Taluka | Junnar |
| Elevation | 656 m (2,152 ft) |
| Languages | |
| • Official | Marathi |
| Time zone | IST (UTC+5:30) |
| PIN | 410504 |
| Telephone code | 91-2132-XXXXXX |
| Vehicle registration | MH-14 |
Narayangaon is a town in the Pune district of Maharashtra state, India.
Narayangaon is one of the most important towns in Pune District, popular for its natural beauty. Water is abundant because of its proximity to the major dams, the western ghats, and the Sahyadri mountain range.
Geography
Narayangaon is located 656 m (2,152 ft) above sea level on the western margin of the Deccan plateau. It is situated on the leeward side of the Sahyadri mountain range, which forms a barrier from the Arabian sea. Narayangaon is on the bank of the river Meena. A wide hill range in the south separates the town from the adjoining Ambegaon taluka.
Narayangaon can be reached from major cities via road. It is situated on Pune-Nasik National Highway 50. It is 77 km north of Pune, 132 km south of Nasik and around 176 km east of the state capital, Mumbai.
Historic importance
Shivneri Fort, the birthplace of Chhatrapati Shri Shivaji Maharaj, who founded and ruled the Maratha empire during the 17th century, is 16 km away from Narayangaon. Two of the Ashtavinayak Ganapatis, Lyanadri and Ozar, are located nearby. Historical Nane ghat is a place from where trading to the Mumbai market was being done since around 8th century. It is around 35 km west of Narayangaon. Lenyadri, Manmodi, Tulja, Shivneri are the caves in nearby areas which have existed since the Buddhist era.
Tourism
Junnar taluka is noted for the presence of 27 leopards in a 500sq m area. The leopard rehabilitation center in Manikdoh, around 25 km west of Narayangaon, is becoming a major tourist attraction ever since its establishment. Malshej Ghat, a famous tourist destination in the western ghats, is a 45-minute drive away.
Because of its undeveloped natural state, a significant number of commercials and films have used Narayangaon as a backdrop. One can explore the architectures of medieval periods such as Adilshahi in nearby places. Caves, dams in nearby areas can also be explored by tourists. Almost all tourist places in area are connected to the town by good quality of roads.
Forts
The famous Maratha Emperor Shivaji Maharaj was born at Shivneri Fort, 16 km west of Narayangaon. Shivneri fort is one of the most famous historic places in Maharashtra (India).
The Narayangad fort is about 8 km north-east of Narayangaon, and is believed to be the origin of the town's name.
Ganpirya, Chawnd, Nimgiri, Dhakoba, Hadsar, Jivdhan, Harishchandra are other important forts nearby, some of which have become great attractions for trekking. Nature lovers can visit these forts for the natural beauty and the rare species of plants found nearby.
Temples
Goddess 'Muktabai' (Muktaai) (मुक्ताबाई\मुक्ताई) is the Gram-Daivat (root deity) of Narayangaon. Muktabai Temple is situated on the bank of Meena river. It has recently undergone major renovation.
The yatra of Goddess Muktaai starts after the day of 'Varuthini, Ekadashi. This is one of the biggest yatra in Maharashtra state. People come from different parts of the state to enjoy this festival.
Lord Ram temple was established in the era of Peshwas. It is situated at the heart of town. The temple was given to the Brahman Sangh in the 1990s. It was later renovated, and has become the pride of Narayangaon. The festival of Ramnavami is celebrated every year in the temple.
Hanuman temple is one of the oldest in town.
Shambhu Mahadev temple is a branch of Shikhar Shingnapur Mahadev temple.
Two of the Ashtavinayak Ganapatis are located nearby:
- Shri Girijatmaka of Lenyadri, situated nearly 17 km to the northwest
- Shri Vigneshwara of Ozar, situated nearly 9 km to the north. Ozar is now most popular among Ashtavinayak places. VIP facilities are available for tourists coming to this and nearby places. New Bhaktabhavan was built having air conditioned suites in all lodging facilities.
Also a famous Lord Shiva temple named 'Kapardikeshwar' is in Otur, 15 km north to the Narayangaon. Lord Khandoba temple is situated near Wadaj, 12 km west from the town.
Farming
As the town is surrounded by dams and the western ghats, and Shyadri mountain range is in its proximity, water is abundant in Narayangaon and surrounding places. Farming is a major income source here, and mainly includes vegetables and sugar canes. In the last few years, farmers here are also trying for other sources of income. Narayangaon has emerged as a major export place of table grapes. Grapes from here are exported mainly to the Middle East and Europe.
Tomato Market
In any market where agricultural produce is sold through commission agents, the farmer does not know the price at which a deal happens between the agent and the trader. He has to believe what the agent tells him and be happy with whatever pittance he gets paid a month later. But at the Narayangaon market, the trader or his representative comes to the farmer and quotes a price. No middlemen involved and the deal is struck. The farmer gets his money right on the spot.
The turnover of the tomato market has increased from Rs 3 crore in 2004 to more than Rs 150 crore in 2013. 600-700 farmer groups of 20 people who work on supply of tomatoes to Pune, Ahmednagar, Thane and Raigad. Around 200 truckloads of tomatoes also go to the North every day. Due to its specific climatic conditions, Narayangaon supplies more than 60% of tomatoes consumed in the country during the four months of the rainy season.
Proximity to dams
Narayangaon is close to the five major dams. The nearest is Yedgaon Dam on the Kukadi river, about 9 km to the north. Wadaj Dam on the river Meena is 16 km to the west. Pimpalgaon Joge Dam on Pushpavati is 30 km to the northwest, and Manikdoh Dam on the river Kukadi, is 25 km to the northwest. Chilewadi Dam on the river Mandvi, is 25 km to the north.
Industry
Chateau Indage Ltd., an important vineyard, is located around 4 km north of the town. This is one of the largest vineyards in India. It has signed a MoU with an Australian University for a course in wine-making. An annual wine festival is celebrated here in the presence of celebrity guests.
Vighnahar Co-operative Sugar Factory is about 6 km from Narayangaon.
Narayangaon has also emerged as an important market for tomato.es
Narayangaon also has one market for the best mar onions about 10 to 15 km in Otur and Alaphata.
It also has a co-operative milk dairy plant 12 km away from the town. Muktai dairy plant is in Salwadi, 15 km from Narayangoan.
An industrial estate (Junnar taluka co-operative industrial estate, Junnar) is located about 7 km from Narayangaon. There are around 40 small-scale industries running in this area.
Science
The Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope is located 9 km to the east. It is the world's largest array of radio telescopes at metre wavelengths. It is operated by the National Centre for Radio Astrophysics, a part of the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Mumbai.
VSNL's (Videsh Sanchar Nigam Ltd.) major project is located at Arvi, 5 km away from the town.
Education
The town has good educational facilities which cover primary education to graduation. Gramonnati Mandal is a major education society which provides education from primary to graduation in B.Ed and D.Ed. One of its institute, Guruvarya Rajaram Parshuram Sabnis (GRPS) Vidyamandir, is renowned in the district for secondary education. Zilha Parishad (Z.P.) also provides education facility up to primary level. Shri Anantrao Kulkarni English medium school is another educational institute. There has been exponential growth of the facilities provided by the school, and its standards have greatly improved. Gramonnati Mandal also runs a Senior College Arts, Commerce and Science College, imparting higher education leading to degrees of B.A., B.Com., B.Sc., B.B.A., B.C.A., M.A. in English, Economics & History, M.Sc. in Organic Chemistry, M.Com., M.Phil. in Commerce and Ph.D. in Commerce. The college has been awarded 'A' Grade by NAAC Bangalore for the high quality of educational service. The Krishi Vidyan Kendra (i.e. KVK, Agricultural Science Center), Narayngaon, (again run by Gramonnati Mandal) situated 3 km away from main city provides extension, education and research facilities for the farmers in nearby locality. The College of Agribusiness Management, Narayangaon situated near the K.V.K, CAMPUS, provide education in agriculture, agribusiness and other allied activities concern with agriculture.
Dnyanada Education Society is another educational society running a School & Highschool, and Bloomingdale International School (CBSE ICSC).
The town is also surrounded by many diploma and engineering colleges. Jaihind College is famous for various diploma and degree engineering courses. The government of Maharashtra established Government College of Engineering and Research in 2009 at Avasari, 15 km away from Narayangaon. This institute is becoming one of the most prominent places in Maharashtra for engineering courses.
KTI Kohinoor Technical Institute at Narayangaon provides vocational and technical education courses like electrical, electronics, computer hardware and networking, computer software, automobile, fashion designing, and mobile repairing.
Private institutes : Expert science academy (Narayangaon).
Arts
Narayangaon is renowned for the famous folk art 'Tamasha'. Tamasha artists like Vithabai Bhau Mang Narayangaonkar were residents of Narayangaon. The late Vithabai Bhau Mang has received a Presidential award for her contribution to the folk art.
Entertainment
Narayangaon city has its first family entertainment hub, named Laxmi Cineplex (formerly Laxmi Cinepalace) The first multi screen cinema destination in North Pune District(Junnar,Rajgurunagar,Ambegaon talukas) equipped with a state of the art Uktra HD Projectors & Dolby 7.1 sound system at Telephone exchange road. A two-screen auditorium where movies, arts and cultural programs are held. It is a hangout destination for Narayangaon city and adjoining villages.The first Cinema in rural area to introduce online bookings through BookMyShow & Paytm
The bullock cart race is also very famous in a surrounding areas of Narayangaon.
See also
External links
krishi vigyan kendra, Narayangaon