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PLACES
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ADYAR
Adyar, with in 1971 a population of 7,496, is a large village in Bhandara tahsil, situated about 14 miles south of Bhandara on the Pauni road, the road that takes off from the Nagpur-Raipur highway near the town of Bhandara, The village contains an antique shrine of Mahavira Hanuman with a colossal image believed to be svayamhhu or to have come out of the ground by itself. It is depicted in the act of trampling the demon Jambu-mali under its left foot with mother Anjani looking on. A large annual fair lasting for seven days and attended by over 15,000 persons is held at this temple on Chaitra-Shuddha 9 (March-April). The fair is popularly known as Ghodyachi Jatra, its highlight being a chariot procession carrying an image of Balaji on a wooden horse attended by four wooden sentries. Another fair known as Mandai fair and attended by nearly 2,000 persons is held on Kartika-Shuddha 2 (October-November). Jain remains in the district are very few, but some years ago, a life-size image of Parasnath, well-carved in black stone, was unearthed here while excavating a foundation. A number of Gandlis are engaged in weaving silk-bordered saris, cloth and dhotis on handlooms on co-operative basis, the silk-bordered saris being particularly known for their fine texture and quality. Bamboo baskets and mattings are also made. There is a branch of the District Central Co-operative Bank, and a sub-centre of the sale and purchase union. Besides primary schools, Adyar has a basic school, two high schools and a balak mandir. Medical institutions comprise a maternity home, a primary health centre, an ayurvedic dispensary and a veterinary dispensary. At the weekly market held on Sundays, household goods, provisions and cattle are put up for sale. In fact Adyar is one of the important cattle markets in the district. The village has the usual grampanchayat, post and telegraph facilities, a police station, a rest house, a revenue circle office and a soil conservation office. Despite five good-size tanks and a few wells, shortage of drinking water is felt during the hot season. The agricultural labourers of this village are known for their skill and knowledge of paddy cultivation and hence are sought after by the agriculturists of the neighbouring villages. The village was previously owned by malguzars but the system of malguzari has since been replaced by the ryotvari system.
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