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PLACES
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CHANDUR TOWN
Candur town or Candur Railway as distinguished from Candur Bazar is the headquarters of the tahsil of the same name and has according to the Census of 1961 a population of 9,348. Besides the tahsil office the town has a police station, a sub-treasury, a post and telegraph office, the office of the Pancayat Samiti, three Marathi primary and one Urdu schools, two high schools, one each under the management of the Government and Sivaji Education Society, a public library known as Bhavgir Vacanalaya and a branch of the Alliance Mission. Candur once bustled with commercial activity and there were five gins, three presses, a cotton market and a petroleum depot. Oranges were also cultivated on a large scale but it has shown a considerable decline in recent years. Now there is only one ginning and pressing factory and an oil mill. The weekly bazar is held on Sundays. With the establishment of the municipality, there is a noticeable improvement in respect of health and sanitation. There is nothing in the town to suggest antiquity, but it has been identified with 'Candrapur which is mentioned in an inscription of the Vakataka kings about the sixth century of the Christian era. There is a temple dedicated to Mahadeva. reported to be over a century old, with an enclosure around.
Objects
Mahadev Mandir.
This mandir is situated on the outskirts of the town, by the side
of a stream flowing in north-south direction. A small bridge across the stream gives access to the temple. It has a tin-roofed sabhamandap of recent construction and contains a stone image of Nandi and two phallic symbols. Nearby, close to the wall is a finely shaped idol of Ganapati. In between the gabhdra and the sabhamandap there is a small squarish chamber in which are-placed an idol of Hanuman, a Linga and an idol of Mahadeva in a meditative pose. In the gabhdra is placed the main Linga of
Mahadeva. There are also idols of Vitthal Rakhumai placed in
a niche in the bac wall. It is crowned with a sikhar surmounted
by a trisula. On the other side of the stream is a splendid open
courtyard Where people assemble on the occasion of the fair held
on Mahasivratra. It lasts for two days. The outer mandap and
the compound wall were constructed in 1922-23. Land allotted
for the maintenance of the temple measures 16.200 hectares
(40 acres). Contributions are also received from the residents
of the town. There are also temples dedicated to Hanuman and
Balaji as well as a Jain mandir, but they are of no consequence.
Municipality.
Constitution.
The Candur Railway Municipality was established in December
1948. Its jurisdiction extends over an area of 20.67 km2 (7.98 sq.
miles). The President who is elected by the councillors to head
the committee carries on the administration with the assistance
of the necessary staff.
Income and Expenditure.
Municipal income during the year 1961-62 amounted to
Rs.82,942-61. It comprised municipal rates and taxes, Rs. 33,365.50; revenue derived from municipal property and powers apart from taxation Rs. 1,302.29; realization under special acts, Rs. 4,207.07; grants and contributions (for special and general purposes), Rs. 40,741.03 and miscellaneous, Rs. 3,326-72. Expenditure during the same year was Rs. 86,222.18. It comprised general administration and collection charges, Rs. 10,945.56; public safety, Rs. 6,161.87; public health, Rs. 44,018.44; public lighting, Rs. 22,830.52; contributions, Rs. 201.00 and miscellaneous, Rs. 2,064.79.
Markets.
A market has been constructed by the town municipality
accommodating quite a large number of shops.
Health and Sanitation.
The town has a civil and a veterinary dispensary under the
management of the municipality and the Zilla Parisad, respectively. There is also a maternity home under the municipal. management. In addition there is a Government and a privately conducted hospital. The drains are generally stone-lined but some kutcha drains also exist. Drinking water is obtained from wells, public as well as private.
Education.
Primary education is compulsory in the town and is conducted;
by the municipality. In 1962-63 there were 750 pupils receiving;
primary education. The number of teachers was 22 during the
same year.
Roads.
Length of the roads within the municipal limits is only 8 km.
(5 miles), all of which are metalled.
Cremation and Buruial Place.
The cremation and burial grounds are maintained and used by
the communities concerned.
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