Narayangaon
| Narayangaon | |
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| — Town — | |
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 Narayangaon
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| Coordinates: 19°07′00″N 73°55′00″E / 19.11667°N 73.91667°ECoordinates: 19°07′00″N 73°55′00″E / 19.11667°N 73.91667°E | |
| Country |  India |
| State | Maharashtra |
| District | Pune |
| Taluka | Junnar |
| Elevation | 656 m (2,152 ft) |
| Time zone | IST (UTC+5:30) |
| PIN | 410504 |
| Telephone code | 91-2132-XXXXXX |
| Vehicle registration | MH-14 |
Narayangaon (Marathi: नारायणगाव), is a town in the Pune district of Maharashtra state, India.
Narayangaon is one of the most important town in Pune District, popular for its natural beauty. Water is abundant because of its proximity to the major dams, the western ghats, and the Sahyadri mountain range.
Geography
Narayangaon is located 656 m (2,152 ft) above sea level on the western margin of the Deccan plateau. It is situated on the leeward side of the Sahyadri mountain range, which forms a barrier from the Arabian sea. Narayangaon is situated on the bank of river, Meena. Widely spread hill range covers the town from southern part and separates it from adjoining Ambegaon taluka.
Narayangaon can be reached from major cities via road. It is situated on Pune-Nasik National Highway 50. It is 77 km north to the Pune, 132 km south to the Nasik and around 176 km west to the state capital, Mumbai.
Historic Importance
Shivneri Fort is the birthplace of Chhatrapati Shri Shivaji Maharaj who founded and ruled the Maratha empire during 17th century is 16 km away from Narayangaon. Two of the Ashtavinayak Ganapatis named Lyanadri and Ozar are located nearby. Historical Nane ghat is a place from where trading to the Mumbai market was being done since around 8th century. It is around 35 km west to the Narayangaon. Lenyadri, Manmodi, Tulja, Shivneri are the caves in nearby areas which are existed since Buddhist era.
Tourism
Junnar taluka is noted for the presence of 27 leopards in a 500sq m area. Leopard Rehabilitation Center in Manikdoh, around 25 km west to the Narayangaon is becoming major tourist attraction ever since its establishment. Malshej Ghat a famous tourist destination in the western ghats is at a 45 minutes drive away.
Because of its undeveloped natural state, a significant number of commercials and films have used Narayangoan as a backdrop. One can explore the architectures of medieval periods such as Adilshahi in nearby places. Caves, dams in nearby areas can also be explored by tourists. Almost all tourist places in area are connected to the town by good quality of roads.
Forts
The famous Maratha Emperor Shri Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj was born on Shivneri Fort, 16 km west to the Narayangoan. Shivneri fort is one of the most famous historic place in Maharashtra (India). The Narayangad fort is about 8 km north-east to the Narayangaon from which it is believed that town got its name. Ganpirya, Chawand, Nimgiri, Dhakoba, Hadsar, Jivdhan, Harishchandra are some of the important forts nearby and some of which have become great attraction for Trekking. Nature lovers can visit these forts for the natural beauty and the rare species of plants found nearby.
Temples
Goddess 'Muktabai' (Muktaai) (मुक्ताबाई\मुक्ताई) is the Gram-Daivat (root deity) of Narayangaon. Muktabai Temple is situated on the bank of Meena river. It has recently undergone major renovation.
The yatra of Goddess Muktaai starts after the day of 'Varuthini Ekadashi'. This is one of the biggest yatra in Maharashtra state. People come from different parts of the state to enjoy this festival.
Lord Ram temple, was established in the era of Peshwas. It is situated at the heart of town. The temple was gifted to the Brahman Sangh in 1990's. It was later renovated, and became the pride of Narayangaon. The festival of Ramnavami is celebrated every year in temple. Hanuman temple is one of the oldest temple in town. Shambhu Mahadev temple is branch of Shikhar Shingnapur Mahadev temple.
Two of the Ashtavinayak Ganapatis are located nearby:
- Shri Girijatmaka of Lenyadri, situated nearly 17 km to the North-West
- Shri Vigneshwara of Ozar situated nearly 9 km to the North.
Ozar, the place of Shri Vighnahar Ganapati from Ashtavinayak is now most popular among Ashtavinayak places. VIP facilities are available for tourists coming to this and nearby places. New Bhaktabhavan was built having air conditioned suits with all lodging facilities.
Also a famous Lord Shiva temple named 'Kapardikeshwar' is in Otur, 15 km north to the Narayangaon. Lord Khandoba temple is situated near Wadaj, 12 km west from the town.
Farming
As the town is surrounded by dams and the western ghats, and Shyadri mountain range is in its proximity, water is abundant in Narayangaon and surrounding places. Farming is a major income source here. Farming mainly includes vegetables and sugar canes. But since last few years, farmers here are also trying for other sources of income. Narayangaon is emerged as a major export place of table grapes. Grapes from here are exported to mainly Middle-East and Europe.
Proximity to Dams
Narayangaon is close to the five major dams. The nearest being Yedgaon Dam on the Kukadi river, is about 9 km to the North. Wadaj Dam on the river, Meena is 16 km to the West. Pimpalgaon Joge Dam on Pushpavati 30 km to the North-West and Manikdoh Dam on the river Kukadi, 25 km to North-West. Chilewadi Dam on the river Mandvi, 25 km to the North.
Industry
Chateau Indage Ltd., an important vineyard, is located around 4 km north to the town. This is one of the largest vineyards in India. It has also signed a MoU with an Australian University for a course in wine-making. Annual wine festival is celebrated here in presence of celebrity guests.
Vighnahar Co-operative Sugar Factory is about 6 km from Narayangaon. Narayangaon is also emerged as an important market for tomato. Narayangaon also has one orket fof the best mar onions about 10 to 15 km in Otur and Alaphata. It also has co-operative milk dairy plant 12 km away from the town. An industrial estate (Junnar taluka co-operative industrial estate, Junnar)is located near 7 km from Narayangaon. There are around 40 small scale industries running in this industrial area.
Science
The Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope is located 9 km to the west. It is the world's largest array of radio telescopes at metre wavelengths. It is operated by the National Centre for Radio Astrophysics, a part of the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Mumbai.
VSNL's (Videsh Sanchar Nigam Ltd.) major project is located at Arvi, 5 km away from the town.
Education
Town has a good facility of education which covers from primary education to graduation. 'Gramonnati Mandal' is a major education society in town which provides education from primary to graduation in B.Ed, D.Ed. One of its institute, 'Guruvarya Rajaram Parshuram Sabnis (GRPS) Vidyamandir' is renowned in a district for secondary education. Zilha Parishad (Z.P.) also provides education facility up to primary level.
Town is also surrounded by many diploma and engineering colleges. Jaihind College is one of the famous for various diploma and degree engineering courses. Government of Maharashtra has established 'Government College of Engineering and Research' in 2009 at Avasari, a place 15 km away from Narayangaon. This institute is becoming one of the most prominent place in Maharashtra for engineering courses.
Arts
Narayangaon is renowned for the famous folk art 'Tamasha'. Renowmed Tamasha artists like Vithabai Bhau Mang Narayangaonkar was resident of Narayangaon. Late Vithabai Bhau Mang has received President award for her contribution to the folk art.
Bullock cart race is also very famous in a surrounding areas of Narayangaon.
Entertainment
Ganesh cinema is a single screen theater situated at the eastern parts of Narayangaon. Narayangaon city will see its first family entertainment hub coming up shortly named Laxmi Cineplex (formerly Laxmi Cinepalace) at telephone exchange road. It is a two screen auditorium where movies, arts and cultural programs will be held for entertainment purpose. Slated for a November 2012 completion, it will be a hang out destination for Narayangaon city and adjoining villages.
