Explore Solapur: A Gateway to Maharashtra’s Heritage!

Solapur is an industrial town having significant tourism prominence in the territory of India. This city belongs to the state of Maharashtra. You can find this city in the southwestern region of the state.

Considering the population of the city, it has got the 11^th position in relation to the rest of the cities in the state of Maharashtra. It is also popular for the production of beedi, a local variant of cigarette produced in India. The export business of this product had been one of the major livelihoods of the people here during the earlier times.

Now the business is not in an active state on account of the quality concerns. The authentic mats and towels peculiar to the city of Solapur are also quite popular here. Let’s find out about the other attractions of the city. 

Bhuikot Fort

This is one of the major tourist destinations in the city of Solapur. The ancientness of the fort and the Muslim religious inclinations of the same are also quite attractive about it. One of the best places to visit in Solapur.

Apart from the historical prominence of the fort of Bhuikot, it has also got some religious and spiritual prominence attracting Islamic believers to visit the fort on their visit to the city of Solapur.

Did you know?

Bhuikot Fort is a landmark of Solapur town and footmark of Bahamani dynasty.

At the entrance, you can read in-depth about its rich past.

Credit- ravindrakirtikar (Instagram) pic.twitter.com/dPr7gVYqaT

— Maharashtra Tourism (@maha_tourism) June 23, 2021

Hence Islamic pilgrims and history enthusiasts are equally found in the location of the fort. It was in the 14^th century that the fort got constructed in the city of Solapur.

The Bahmani dynasty was the royal group behind the construction of the same. The architectural peculiarities of the fort are also quite impressive. 

Solapur Science Centre 

This is a science centre located in the Kondi region in the city of Solapur in Maharashtra. If you are taking kids along with you while visiting the museum, they can grab a bunch of knowledge and exciting info from the location.

A lot of interactive features have also been set up in the science centre and its surroundings which can be enjoyed by adults and kids simultaneously. The play garden set up inside the centre is also quite picturesque and attractive.

Make sure you plan your visit before 5:30 in the evening which is the closing time of the same. From the city centre of Solapur, you can get to the location of the science centre at a distance of around 10 KM. 

Vishnupad Temple

This is a Hindu pilgrim destination you can visit while touring the city of Solapur. The date of establishment of this temple in the city dates back so long, making it quite ancient. The same feature attracts a lot of history enthusiasts also to visit the temple in the city.

Lord Vishnu is the main deity to which this particular temple is dedicated. Chandrabhaga is the river flowing close to the temple of Vishnupad.

The shape of the shrine of this particular temple is also quite attractive, grabbing the attention of a lot of aestheticians and architects to visit this temple in the city. The pillars of the temple are also adorned with the forms of Lord Vishnu and Lord Krishna. 

Great Indian Bustard Sanctuary

This is a bird sanctuary found in the territory of the city of Solapur in the state of Maharashtra. This particular sanctuary is established in the year 1979 and was known as Jawaharlal Nehru Bustard Sanctuary during its formative years.

The great Indian Bustard, a particular bird variant is the celebrity species of this sanctuary in the city. The dry texture of the land in the sanctuary is just the perfect habitat for the bird species mentioned above.

This particular geography is scientifically known as the ‘Deccan thorn scrub forests’. If you are quite fond to know and explore about the ecological side of Solapur, visiting this sanctuary would be an ideal choice. You can also explore the rich biodiversity of the region by visiting the same destination. 

Siddheshwar Temple

This is another sacred Hindu temple located in the city of Solapur. Believers of the Lingayat faith are also seen visiting this particular temple. The lake found in the lake complex is considered holy by the believers.

Siddeshwar is the main deity worshipped inside the shrine of this temple. He was an ardent devotee of the Hindu God, Lord Shiva. The location of this particular temple is also the Samadhi place of Siddeshwar. In the main courtyard of the temple, a total of 68 Siva Lingas can be seen installed by Siddheshwar from his pure devotion.

A lot of mini temples can also be spotted inside the temple complex of the Siddeshwar temple. The silver figure of Nandi found inside the temple is also quite attractive for the pilgrims visiting. 

Parasnath Jain Temple

This is also another pilgrim destination, but exclusively dedicated to Jain believers. A lot of Jain pilgrims are seen visiting this particular temple in the city around the year. It is built on top of a mountain called Parasnath Mountain.

The name of the temple is also derived from the same mountain. Among the total of 24 Tirthankaras, 20 received salvation from this particular destination. The architectural peculiarities of the temple are also quite attractive.

A lot of contemporary Jain temples are taking architectural inspiration from the techniques and styles used for the construction of this particular temple in the city. From the city centre of Solapur, you need to travel to the Shaniwar Peth region in order to hit the location of the temple of Parasnath temple. 

Mallikarjuna Jain Temple

This is another important pilgrim destination for the believers of Jainism visiting the city of Solapur. Along with the Parasnath temple, this temple is also visited by devotees around the year.

Mallikarjuna is the name of a Jain Tirthankaras worshipped by believers. It is from the name of Tirthankara, that the temple got its name. From the city centre of Solapur, you need to travel to the Srisailam region in order to hit the location of the temple.

Lord Shiva is also worshipped in the shrine of this particular temple in the city. The architectural aesthetics of the city is also appreciated by a lot of tourists visiting the location. Even if Lord Shiva is worshipped here, the majority of the pilgrims are found in the location belonging to the religion of Jainism. 

Yogiraj Tukarambaba Khedlekar Ashram Pandharpur

This is yet another location for you if you are looking for a Hindu pilgrim destination in the city of Solapur. You can plan your visit during any time of the day since this particular temple is open 24 hours a day.

The Lord Vitthala statue found in the location of the temple is also quite attractive here. You can also see a lot of believers doing their meditation near the statue. If you are someone seeking spiritual tranquillity, visiting this particular temple would be a great choice.

You can also choose this destination to relax and spend some quality time with yourself in the location. Clicking pictures with the statue as the background is also a thing to do in the temple. 

Ujjani Dam 

Another tourist destination you can explore while travelling to the city of Solapur. Unlike the other tourist destinations mentioned in the list, this is a place where you can go without concern the religious or spiritual inclinations.

Bhima Dam and Bhima Irrigation Projects are the other names attributed to this particular project in the city. The source of this particular irrigation project is the river of Krishna in the territory of the city of Solapur.

It was in the year 1969 that the construction activities of the dam began in the city. In the year 1980, the dam got opened to the public. 

Best Time To Visit Solapur

October – March

How To Reach Solapur?

Nearest airport: Solapur Airport 

Nearest railway station: Solapur Railway Station (SUR)

Conclusion

Best place to explore pilgrimages, nature and biodiversity. 

Read More:

Sindhudurg: Enjoy The Land Of Forts And Beaches!

Malvan: Discover The Seashore Location In Maharashtra!