PLACES

MANERAJURI

Manerajuri with a population of 8,019 according to the 1961 Census, is largely an agricultural village in Tasganv taluka situated on the Sangli-Atapadi road, 11.26 km (seven miles) to the east of Tasganv. Madhavnagar and Bhilavadi are the nearest railway stations both of which are about 22.53 km (14 miles) distant from it. The following story is told about the establishment of the village. Mani and Malli were two Daityas, both of whom were the devotees of Siva. They had an enemy by name Khandoba who was also a worshipper of siva. None could overcome each other. Khanboba then went to the south of Dandoba hill and established a township which is the present Khande Rajuri Mani established his kingdom to the east of the same hill and it came to be called as Mani Rajuri. Manerajuri is the corrupt form of Mani Rajuri.

The villages of Manerajuri and Arag were granted to Anubai, the younger daughter of the first Pesva Balaji Visvanath, who was married to Naravanrav Ghorpade (formerly Josi), regarded as the son of Santaji Ghorpade. Prior to this the rights of this villages were held by the Garud family, who opposed Anubai taking possession of the villages. This brought Balaji Visvanath on the scene who succeeded in taking over the villages and handing them over to Anubai. Narayanrav died without leaving any heir and hence Anubai adopted one. It was at this time that two vadas were built, one each at Manerajuri and Arag. At the very same time a kunda for the Ramling spring which is nearby the Maha-dev temple of the village was built. It is 1.85 m² (20 feet square) and can be approached by a flight of steps.

Manerajuri has two hamlets, viz., those of Yogevadi and Luga-devadi. The chief crops grown are turmeric, groundnut, jovar and sugarcane. Plantains and mangoes are also produced and are generally sent to the Sangli market. Practically the entire crop of sugarcane is sold to the sugar factory near Madhavnagar. There is a small community of weavers weaving plain cloth and saris on handlooms. The village among other things has a high school, a primary school, an ayurvedic dispensary and a sub-centre of the veterinary dispensary. It has temples dedicated to Maruti, Vithoba, Mahadev and a dargah of Saikh Fardin, a Muslim avaliya in whose honour an urus is held. A fair in honour of Yallamma Devi is held on Pausa Vadya 7 and is attended by over 3,000 persons.

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