 |
PLACES
|
 |
KARJAT
Situated in 18°33' north latitude and 75°3' east longitude, about forty miles to the south-east of Ahmadnagar, the district headquarters, Kariat is the head-quarters of a taluka bearing the same name. It covers an area of 29.2 square miles and has a population of 12,335 as per the Census of 1971. Being the
head-quarters of a taluka, located therein are the offices of the Mamlatdar and the Block Development Officer. There is a police station at Karjat, the jurisdiction of which extends over 81 villages. River and wells form the main source of water-supply. It has a post and telegraph office. Primary schools conducted by the Zilla Parishad and a high school
known as M. G. Vidyalaya cater to the educational needs of the village population. The medical facilities are provided by the private medical practitioners and a taluka dispensary with six beds. The combined agricultural market committee for Shrigonda and Karjat was established in 1963 with its jurisdiction extending over 166 villages in these two talukas, the commodities regulated being jowar, bajri, wheat tur, gram, mug, math, kulthi, safflower and ground-nut. A weekly market is held at Karjat on every Monday. The Government rest-house is also located at Karjat. Three fairs are held in the village. The biggest of the three is held in honour of Godade Maharaj on Ashadha Vadya 1 (June-July) and about 8,000 to 10,000 people assemble at the time of the fair. The other fairs are, one held in honour of Mariai on every Tuesday and Friday in Ashadha (June-July) and the other in honour of Bahirobanath on Chaitra Shuddha 1 (March-April). About 500 to 1,000 people attend these fairs.
The only object of interest in the village is an old Hemadpanti temple dedicated to Mahadeva. The sabhamandap measures 20' x 20' supported by four arches eight feet in height. The inner shrine contains the linga. The ceiling of the sabhamandap bears an inscription and in the front-portion of the sabhamandap is some carving work. The temple faces the east. In front of the inner shrine is installed a Nandi over which is a canopy. The figures of women are carved on the lower portion of the pillars while at the upper portion arc the figures of an elephant and a tiger. On each side of the inner shrine there is a small room. In the temple court-yard on the right is a linga and a Nandi and on the front wall are carved some amorous figures.
|
