Tuesday, September 22, 2015

Satara - The Historic City of Maratha Kingdom in the Midst of Seven Mountains



Satara is a town in Maharashtra at an altitude of 2320 feet. It is situated at the confluence of Krishna and Venna rivers. According to historic accounts, the town was established in the 16th century and it was the seat of the king. Tourists keep visiting this old place and spend a couple of days exploring it during their stay in the Satara hotels. Satara holds a significant past in the state as it was invaded in 1296. In 1663, Shivaji won the Satara Fort and it served as part of the Maratha Kingdom. His direct descendents reside in Satara even today. At Powai Naka, a unique statue in which Shivaji is standing beside a canon is situated, showcasing the essence and royal honor of gone times. Kaas Plateau situated in Satara is now a World Natural Heritage Site.
Ajinkyatara is a famous fort which is situated on one of the seven hills that surround Satara. This 16th century fort now hosts a television tower. The other main attractions in Satara are Koyna Dam, Thoseghar Waterfall, and Pratapgarh Fort. There is the Shiv Sagar Lake for a tranquil and picnic spot. Besides all these, there are various temples in the Satara town, which are quite popular around here. Some of them are Natraj Mandir and Dholya Ganapati. Boat tours are one of the fun activities for tourists in Satara. For those who take birdwatching as a hobby, Mayani Bird Sanctuary is a place of interest. The town has a cricket stadium as well. Sajjangarh Fort is also a nice spot for more historic accounts and for an overview of the area from its elevation. This fort also has the samadhi of Sant Ramdas. The popular local sweet Kandi Pedhe is a must try in Satara. Satara is a calm and quiet place and hence it can a perfect destination for spending a long vacation. Its tranquil surroundings and lush grasslands offer an escape from the humdrum of urban chores.
Many tourists visiting Mumbai go on to explore more places in Maharashtra and Satara is one of those. The old monuments and forts and various books depicting the ways and customs of old times of this place are worth checking out. The town is worth exploration at a moderate pace and hence a week's time spent in Satara looking into its history or beautiful vicinity is definitely worth it. It is 250 km from Mumbai and about 115 km from Pune. You can take the train or reach by bus as well. The other way to get to Satara is to book a private taxi. There are many budget hotels in Satara and you would not have any issues finding a good accommodation at a reasonable tariff. You can also ask for taxi services at the hotel, where you make your stay, for a sightseeing tour.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/9141691

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