Happy TravellerWelcome to Daund, a city known for its rich history, scenic location, and vibrant culture. Located in the Pune district of Maharashtra, Daund is a municipal council and headquarters of the Daund tehsil. The city is situated on the banks of the Bhima River and is believed to have been named after the sage Dhaumya Rishi who stayed here in ancient times. According to the epic Mahabharata, Krishna’s wife Rukmini went to the Dhindir forest, which is known today as Daund.
Daund has a fascinating history that spans several eras. During the Maratha era, Shahaji, the father of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, was granted Daund as a jagir. The Bajirao-Mastani affair brought clashes among the Peshwa family, and Bajirao Peshwa took Mastani away from Pune and made her stay in Patas, near Daund. The horse business in Daund flourished during this time, and the area was known for its good horse breeds. During British rule, Daund became a junction after the broad-gauge Daund-Manmad connection was established, and the town was connected to Srigonda when the bridge over Bhima River was constructed.
Daund is located at an altitude of 1,686 feet above sea level on the western margin of the Deccan Plateau. The town and surrounding area have mostly flat terrain, with hills rising 2,000 feet to the south near Kurkumbh. Daund lies very close to the seismically active zone around Koyna Dam and has been rated as Zone 3 by the India Meteorological Department. The climate of Daund is generally hot and dry, and the area receives scant rainfall.
Daund’s economy is primarily based on farming, with primary crops including wheat, sugar cane, oranges, and sweet limes. The Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation is a major employer in the city, which is also being developed as a hub for pharmaceutical industries. Cipla, Emcure Pharmaceuticals, and Dia Ichi are among the companies that have facilities in Daund.
Daund is well-connected by road and rail. National Highway 160 passes through the city, and National Highway 65 is just 5.6 miles north of town. Daund is also on the Sinner–Shirdi–A.Nagar–Daund–Phaltan–Vita–Miraj–Chikodi route. Daund is served by rail by the Daund Junction and the Daund Chord Line, which connect Mumbai and Chennai with Manmad.
Daund had a population of 49,450 as of the 2011 census. The town has a significant population working as employees of Indian Railways and the State Reserve Police Force. Daund is a predominantly Hindu city, and there are several important Hindu temples in the town, including Shree Vitthal Rukmini Temple, Shree Balaji temple, Shree Gajanan Maharaj Temple, and Shree Swami Samarth Temple. The Gram Daivat of Daund is Shree Bhairavnath Maharaj Temple. The town also has a Jain Digambara temple known as the 1008 Chandraprabhu Bhagwan Mandir, which is known for its architecture and lack of iron in construction.
Come explore the rich history, scenic beauty, and vibrant culture of Daund. Whether you’re interested in history, nature, or culture, there’s something for everyone in this charming city.
