Happy TravellerWelcome to Jalgaon, the Banana City of India! Located in North Maharashtra, Jalgaon serves as the administrative headquarters of its namesake district. The city is known for its rich history, diverse culture, and stunning tourist attractions. Let’s explore what makes Jalgaon a must-visit destination.
History:
Jalgaon has a fascinating history that dates back to the Mahabharata era. According to some sources, the name Khandesh is derived from the Khandava forest of Mahabharat. The Mahabharat mentions Yuvanshava, the ruler of Toranmal (Nandurbar district) as fighting with the Pandavas. The rock temples and caves at Nashik and Ajanta show that during the first three centuries AD, Khandesh was under the rulers who patronized Buddhism. Thereafter, it was ruled by various dynasties including the Marathas and the British.
Transport:
Jalgaon is well-connected by air, rail, and road. The city has an airport that offers flights to major cities like Mumbai, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Kolhapur, Nashik, and Nanded. The Jalgaon Junction railway station connects the city to major cities like New Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Jaipur, Chennai, Agra, and Lucknow. The city also has a good network of roads that connect it to neighboring cities and states.
Education:
Jalgaon is home to several prestigious educational institutions. The North Maharashtra University is located 8 km away from the city center. Prominent under/post-graduate colleges in the city are Mooljee Jetha College and Nutan Maratha College. Jalgaon has two medical colleges, Government Medical College and Dr. Ulhas Patil Medical College and Hospital, Jalgaon.
Climate:
Jalgaon has a hot semi-arid climate owing to the rain shadow of the Western Ghats. There are three seasons in Jalgaon: the sweltering and arid hot season from March to mid-June, the hot and steamy wet under the monsoon from mid-June to September, and the hot and dry cool season from October to February. In Jalgaon District, the average annual rainfall is around 690 mm and the temperature can range from 10 to 48 degrees Celsius, making it a diverse climate with scorching summers of up to 45 degrees Celsius.
Tourist attractions:
Jalgaon has several tourist attractions that cater to all kinds of travelers. Gandhi Teerth is one of the biggest tourist attractions in Jalgaon City. It is a research institution and museum based on the life of Mahatma Gandhi. Guru Purnima festival at Maharishi Krishna Dvaipayana Vedvysa Temple in Yawal is also a popular pilgrimage destination. Other ancient pilgrim places and tourist destinations include Changdeva Temple Patnadevi, Mudhai Devi Temple, Saint Muktabai Temple, Satpuda Manudevi Temple, Adgaon Unapdev Hot Water Fountain, and Padmalaya – Ganpati Temple (Prabhakshetra).
Demographics:
As per Indian government census 2011, the population of Jalgaon was 4,60,228 out of which 240590 were males and 219638 were females.
Notable people:
Jalgaon has produced several notable people including Bhāskara II, Bahinabai Chaudhari, Pandurang Sadashiv Sane, Balkavi, Keki Moos, Suresh Jain, Ishwarlal Jain, Bhavarlal Jain, Haribhau Jawale, Eknath Khadse, Namdeo Dhondo Mahanor, Ujjwal Nikam, Gulab Raghunath Patil, and Pratibha Patil.
Jalgaon is a city that has something for everyone. Whether you’re a history buff, a nature lover, or a foodie, Jalgaon will not disappoint. Come and experience the charm of the Banana City of India!
