PLACES

MORSHI TOWN

Morsi is the headquarters of the tahsil of the same name and contains 2.535 houses with 11,946 inhabitants according to the Census of 1961. It lies 61 km. (34 miles) north-east of Amravati, the headquarters of the district, and is connected with it by a first class road, which passing through Morsi runs to Warud from whence a branch of it crosses over to the Madhya Pradesh border to Multai and another goes on to the river Wardha at the extreme east of the tahsil. It is also connected with Acalpur by a fairly good road which would soon be turned into a first class road as the traffic on that route is rapidly on the increase. The public buildings besides the tahsil office include office of the Pancayat Samiti, a civil court, a post and telegraph office, a veterinary dispensary, a primary health centre, a police station with residential quarters for the police, etc. Morsi has two primary schools, one each conducted by the Government and a private body, Marathi schools for boys and girls conducted by the municipality, and an Urdu primary school. Morsi has a large trade in cotton and oranges. A big cotton market has been set up here and there are a few cotton pressing factories. On Tuesdays the weekly bazar is held. A good many handlooms are worked here which manufacture tadhaos, blankets and coarse dhotis. Of late the local amateurs have established a club which is the only one of its kind in the town.

Objects.

The town among other things contains the Samadhi of Ramji Maharaj and a temple known as Udasi Mahardjance Devdlaya.

Samadhi of Ramji Maharaj

The samddhi of Rdmji Maharaj, a saintly man of Morsi was built some fifty years ago and is located along the Warud-Amravati road passing through Morsi. It is reported that he observed complete silence and always kept himself busy in the worship of God. He was supposed to possess divine power. On many occasipns he displayed the extraordinary power he had and was therefore highly respected by the people. His samadhi is visited by people coming even from the surrounding villages on the day of the fair. The samadhi is built in cement concrete on which are placed the padukas of the saint. At a little distance to the west there is the samadhi of one Gangaram Maharaj while to the east that of Ganpatrav Paul, an ardent disciple of Ramji Maharaj. A fair, lasting for seven days, is held on the death anniversary of Ramji Maharaj which falls on Asddh Vadya Sasthl. A congregation of over 5,000 people  gathers on the occasion. On the last day of the fair a palanquin  procession is taken out.

Udasi Maharajance Devalaya.

This is a combined temple of Hanuman and Ganapati, at a  short distance from the bus stand, belonging to Udasi sect.

The area occupied by the temple is 22x12 metres (75'x 40'). The temple edifice is built in stone and bricks and contains idols of Hanuman, Ganapati and a Siva Linga. Both the Ganesa Caturthi festival as well as Hanuman Jayanti are celebrated with great pomp when about eight thousand people assemble. The temple was constructed in 1937 by Baba Santdasji.

Besides the temple noted above there are in the town temples dedicated to Rama. Mahadeva and Sangamesvar. The last of these is situated at the confluence of the rivers Nala and Damayanti where in the month of Sravan, a festival is celebrated.

Municipality

Morsi Municipality was established in 1937. Its jurisdiction extends over an area of 14.46 knr (5.97 sq. miles). The president is the executive head and is elected by the councillors.

Finance

In 1962-63, municipal income amounted to Rs. 106,297.72. It comprised municipal rates and taxes, Rs. 48,176.78; realization under special acts Rs. 261.10; revenue derived from municipal property and powers apart from taxation, Rs. 11,151.56; grants and contributions, Rs. 39,565.03; miscellaneous, Rs. 195.86 and extraordinary and debt heads Rs. 6,947.07. During the same year expenditure amounted to Rs. 99,812.25. It comprised general administration and collection charges, Rs. 10,801.82; public safety, Rs. 11,421.45; public health and convenience, Rs. 39,838.97; public instruction, Rs. 29,392.71, miscellaneous, Rs. 1,918.20 and extraordinary and debt heads, Rs. 6,439.20.

Health and Sanitation.

There are civil and veterinary dispensaries a mention of which  has appeared in the foregoing pages. The town has pucca  stone-lined and kutcha drains. Wells, private as well as public form the main source of water-supply.

Education.

The responsibility of compulsory primary education, introduced in the town vests in the municipality.

Roads.

The total length of the roads within the municipal limits is  16.4 km. of which only a stretch of 8.65 km. is metalled.

Cremation and Burial Places.

Cremation and burial places are maintained and used by the  respective communities.

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