AHMEDNAGAR
The name of the city Ahmednagar originated from the name of the founder of the place Ahmed Shah Nizam Shah. Ahmednagar has more than 500 years of history traced back to 1490 A.D. If you are visiting Aurangabad/Pune, Ahmednagar is a place you shouldn’t miss. It is 120 Km from Pune /Aurangbad. The history of the city is what makes this place worth a visit. It was established by Ahmed Nizam Shah in 1494 at Bhingar. It is an ancient city and attracts thousands of people who value the heritage that this place carries forward.
PLACES TO VISIT AHMEDNAGAR
Ahmednagar is one of the biggest districts of Maharashtra. This district has lots of tombs, forts, lakes, waterfalls, museums, dams and temples.
Ahmednagar Fort: One of the most well planned and strongly built structures, the Ahamadnagar fort is situated in the center of the cantonment in the eastern part of the city. Oval in shape, the fort is about 1.70km in circumference and is strengthened by 24 bastions. The massive curtain wall, built of cut stone masonry, rises above 25 meters from the bottom of the ditch. Presently the fort is under Indian military command.
Tomb of Salabat Khan II: Six miles east of the city, on a hill between 700 and 800 feet above the city level and on the left of the Ahmednagar-Shevgaon road stands the tomb of the Nizamshahi Minister , Salabat Khan II, commonly known as Chand Bibi's Mahal. It is an octagonal dome surrounded by a three storeyed veranda. From the peak a view of the surrounding countryside can be seen.
Tank Museum : This museum has an awesome collection of tanks that had been used during different periods.
Baugh Rauza : The founder of Ahmednagar- Nizam Shah died in the beginning of the sixteenth century, and was buried half a mile north-west of city. The Bagh Rauza, is a fine black stone tomb with a domed roof, inside the tomb are embedded words from the Koran in golden inscriptions. Baugh Rauza, is located just outside the western perimeter of the old city (near the Delhi Gate). The tomb is bordered by two other tombs. A stone monument nearby, is said to be the tomb of Ghulam Ali, a royal elephant who distinguished himself in the battle of Talikot against the Raja of Vijaynagar, during the reign of the third Nizam Shah.
Shani Shingapur: Shani-Shinganapur lies 6 kilometers off Ghodegaon- an important market place along Ahmednagar-Aurangabad road. Ghodegaon is 35 kilometers away from Ahmednagar. The village has no doors. No theft ever occurs here, as the Lord Shani, the guardian god of the village is always there to mete out instant punishment, so claim the residents of Shani-Shinganapur and this claim has become the reason why so many people like to visit this place from all over the world. Unlike other pilgrimage centres, devotees here can perform puja or abhishek or other religious rituals themselves.
Shri Vishal Ganapati Temple: Shri Vishal Ganapati Temple at Maliwada is located at a distance of around 2 km from the district headquarters. The temple is dedicated to Lord Ganesha, the gram devta of the region. The 11 ft high idol of Lord Ganesha is enshrined in the temple.
Shirdi: Shirdi, often called as Sainagar, is a holy town located at an average elevation of around 509 m above the sea level. Sai Temple being the main attraction, has visitors and devotees visiting throughout the year. It is situated within Shri Sai Sansthan Complex along with Dwarkamai, a mosque, where Sai baba lived. Tourists can visit Dixit Wada Museum, located inside the Sai Sansthan Complex, which features memories of baba's past. The samadhi of baba's devotees like Abdul Baba, Shri Tatya Kote, Nana Walli, Bhau Kumbhar and V P Iyer can also be visited. Located 7 km from Shirdi is the Jangli Maharaj Ashram where tourists can enjoy meditation activities organised by spiritual guru Om Gurudev.
Kot Bagh Nizam: Kot Bagh Nizam is popularly known as Garden of Victory. The garden was built by Ahmed Nizam Shah, also known as Malik Ahmed, in 1499 to commemorate his victory over the Bahmani kings. Historians state that the foundation of the city was laid on the banks of river Sina in 1494, when Malik Ahmed shifted his kingdom from Junnar to Ahmednagar. He captured the Daulatabad Fort and destroyed the Bahamini kingdom. The Nizami king later raised a wall around the Bagh Nizam, which came to be known as the Ahmednagar Fort.
HOW TO REACH
The nearest airport to Ahmednagar is Pune airport about 113 Km away. The Ahmednagar railways are connected to various cities.
WHEN TO VISIT
The best period to visit Ahmednagar is from October to May, when the weather remains moderately cold. It remains dry throughout the year apart from the mentioned period.