 |
PLACES
|
 |
ASHTA
Asta, with in 1961, 14,390 inhabitants, is a municipal town in
Valva taluka lying 19.31 km (12 miles) south-east of Islampur. It is situated on an elevated ground above the valley of the Krsna which flows 6.43 km (four miles) to the west and has perhaps the most fertile roil in the Valva taluka. The Peth-Sangli major district road passing close by the town proceeds to Tasganv. In olden days Asta was surrounded by a wall with gates on four sides. which are now in a dilapidated state. In 1857 during the insurrection at Kolhapur a body of 75 horse was stationed at Asta, then the headquarters of the Valva sub-division.
The town has a thriving trade and the population is almost entirely agricultural, the gross revenue yield in 1961-62 being Rs. 75:289.83. Of late, however, an oil mill has been set up on co-operative basis. Also some 35 power looms are working in the town. Asta is perhaps one of the few towns in the district to adopt co-operative principles in the early eighties of the 19th century. There are now five co-operative societies and a branch of the urban bank.
Among the educational institutions may be noted six primary schools, two high schools and a training college conducted by the Rayat Siksan Samstha. There are a police station, with residential quarters for the police, a post and telegraph office, sub-regis trar's office and a rest-house. The Koyna hydro-electric project supplies electricity to the town.
Drinking water is obtained from tube wells fitted with hand pumps. In times of scarcity, a well to the north-west of the town provided the people with ample water. It is dug in a solid rock and is about 4.64 m2 (50 ft. square). In 1880 its supply was in danger of running short when some of the rock at its base was blasted as a last hope that a spring may be discovered. The boring rods were driven into the rock and a fault hit upon. The water shot up as from an artesian well and since then the well has never dried up. About a quarter of a mile to the south there is a large tank formed by a dam said to date from Mohammedan times. The hollow behind the dam is silted up and now hardly holds any water. Some large banyan and tamarind trees at its east and south-east edges make a good camping ground.
Municipality.
Constitution: Asta muicipality was established in 1853 and has an area of 84.17 km2 (32.5 square miles) under its jurisdiction. It has an elected president.
Finance: In 1961-62 municipal income was Rs. 64,617.00. It comprised municipal rales and taxes Rs. 29,518.00; revenue derived from municipal property and powers apart from taxation Rs. 6,301.00: giants and contributions Rs. 25,624.00 and miscellaneous Rs. 3.174. Expenditure during the same year amounted to Rs. 53,204.00. It comprised general administration and collection charges Rs. 7,434.00; public safety Rs. 4,591.00; public health and convenience Rs. 26,340.00 and miscellaneous Rs. 14,839.
Municipal Works: There is one municipal market-cum-office building built at a cost of Rs. 1,26,000. A loan of Rs. 1,00,000 was obtained from the State Government for this purpose. The market comprises eight vegetable and fruit stalls and a few
general shops.
Health and Sanitation: A civil and a veterinary dispensaries are conducted by government. The town has also a hospital named as St. Luka's hospital, managed by a mission. The drainage system consists of only stone-lined gutters. A stream flowing in the vicinity carries the sullage.
Education: Primary education is compulsory and is looked after by the Zilla Parishad. The town municipality has to pay 5 per cent of the ratable value based on the annual letting value as its contribution. The amount so paid in 1961-62 stood at Rs. 5,566.27, There are two privately conducted libraries.
Cremation and Burial Places: Cremation and burial places are maintained and used by the communities concerned.
Objects.
Biroba Temple.
To the east, is a temple of Biroba kept by Dhangars. The temple itself is very small and consists of an image chamber with a verandah opening cast. But it has a paved court-yard with cloisters about 11.14 m2 (120 ft. square), with walls 3.65 metres (12 ft.) high and the gateway surmounted by a nagarkhana. The
worship is entirely conducted by the Dhangars who meet there practically every evening. On every Sunday evening they advance to the temple in a large procession with drums and pipes to dance and sing before the deity. Most of the buildings are the work of Dhangars and point to a time when the caste had some wealth and influence. There is also a shrine of Rama.
|
