Ever heard about the serene city of Solapur in Maharashtra? If you are looking for a quiet & peaceful vacation away from the hustle and bustle of busy metro life, what's more apt than visiting Solapur? You can find various temples, monuments, wildlife sanctuaries, and more. Known for its cotton & textile industries, Solapur produces its trademark Solapur chaddar and handmade crafts with styles of Mashru, Bidriware & Himroo.
Interestingly, I would like to share the back story behind its name. The Hindi word 'Sola' means sixteen, and 'Pur' means villages. So, the present-day Solapur is the combined unit of earlier separated 16 regions.
Want to know more? While you read the blog ahead, I will make sure that you visit this serene city & schedule your hourly hotel in Pune . So, get ready to know about five places to visit in Solapur.
I. 11th Century Iconic Temple : Pandharpur Temple
Built-in 1196, Pandharpur Temple is one of the exceptional examples of craft & art in ancient India. The temples have idols of deities of God Vitthal and his wife Goddess Rukmani. Deities Vitthal & Rukmani are believed to be the reincarnation of God Visnu & Goddess Lakshmi. Often referred to as 'Kashi' of Southern India, the main shrine is a magnificent five-storeyed structure.
The location of the temple makes it more tempting to visit. You can find the river Chandrabhaga on one side & hills on the other. These picturesque landscapes around the temple will make you lost in its peaceful atmosphere. So, when are you planning? Make sure to book a hotel for a few hours in Pune or an hourly hotel in Solapur during your interim halt.
II. Spectacular Shri Siddheshwar Temple
Built by yogi Shri Siddharameshwar to honor God Shri Siddheshwar, the temple is one of the most famous Shiva Temples in Maharashtra. The entire temple complex is marble-based. You can find many small temples inside. The best time to visit the temple is during sunsets. Enjoy the beautiful site of the temple's reflection in the lake water. So, be ready to amaze yourself with such marvelous architecture. Visit this temple during January as it hosts one of the largest fairs in Maharashtra.
Feeling mesmerized, naa? Plan for Solapur this holiday & schedule an hourly hotel in Pune during your layover stay. You can also book a hotel for a few hours in Solapur for your break.
III. Peaceful Dharmveer Sambhaji Lake
Named after Chatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj, this lake is a beautiful place for your morning & evening walks. Enjoy the cool breeze & migratory birds on the lake while walking beside the lake. As it lies on Solapur- Vijaypur highway, the lake is a perfect picnic spot for you & your family.
Earlier the lake water was clean. But due to industrial practices and sewage dumping, it became dirty. Maharashtra Government has kept this iconic lake under conservation project & installed a lake dredger to clean up the water base. So, don't worry about the cleanliness, as it's already been taken care. You pack your bags and book day-use hotel in Solapur or an hourly hotel in Pune for your comfortable halt from MiStay so that you can get the option of flexible check-in & check-out!
IV. Grand 14th Century Solapur Fort
The ancient Solapur Fort is also known as Solapur Bhuikot Killa. Situated on the banks of the Siddheshwar River, Solapur Fort had witnessed many historical events. Let me take you to the events in ascending order-
- In 1818, Maratha King Bajirao Peshwa & Chatrapati Pratap Singh Bhosle stayed here for a month.
- As per history records of 1719, a person named Srikanth built the place to seek wisdom.
- As per others, Mahmud Gawan built another fort surrounding the fort to make the structure undefeatable.
- There was a record that Ahmednagar Nizam Burhan Shah gave the fort as a gift to then-Bijapur ruler Ismail Adilshah during Nizam's sister's marriage to Mutarza Adilshah.
Fascinating, right? The architecture of the fort will make you wonder more! Built in the Deccan architectural style, the Solapur fort has two gates, the Mahakali gate & North gate. The fort now houses ruins of temples of Shiva, Mahakaleshwar & Shani, a mosque, an octagonal-shaped well & a pond. You can also find several other tourist places beside the fort, like Hutatma Bagh, Siddheshwar Temple, and Siddheshwar Lake. So, what are you thinking now? Book a hotel for a few hours in Solapur or an hourly hotel in Pune for your economical travel from MiStay so that you can enjoy flexible check-in time.
V. Great Indian Bustard Wildlife Sanctuary
Great Indian Bustard has a black crown forehead & pale neck. You can scarcely-seen Great Indian Bustard bird in this wildlife sanctuary. Set in 1979, the Great Indian Bustard Wildlife Sanctuary has a semi-arid land having an eco-region of thorned scrub forests. Covered over 8100 square kilometers area, the sanctuary is heaven for bird lovers & other migrating birds like Eurasian Dove & Monitor Lizard Reptiles. While walking through this sanctuary, you will enjoy thick green trees, shrubs & a soothing breeze, and an overall wildlife expedition. So, why not visit an offbeat place like the Great Indian Bustard Sanctuary of Solapur this time for holidays? Make sure to book a hotel for a few hours in Solapur to rest after a tiring day. Also, you can use MiStay for an hourly hotel in Pune for your rest break.
Final Words
Now, you know about the five historical but iconic places in Solapur to visit. Yes, these are some maintenance issues & the government is working on them. These places are raw, quiet, pleasing, unexplored & most importantly, peaceful! So, pack your bags, book a hotel for a few hours in Pune and visit the serene Solapur of Maharashtra.