Happy TravellerWelcome to Osmanabad, officially known as Dharashiv, a city located in the Osmanabad district of Maharashtra, India. This hidden gem is named after the last ruler of Hyderabad, Mir Osman Ali Khan, and boasts a rich history dating back to the era of the Ramayana. Join us as we uncover the many treasures of Osmanabad and reveal why this enchanting destination should be on every traveler’s bucket list.
History and Etymology:
Osmanabad derives its name from the last ruler of Hyderabad, the 7th Nizam, Mir Osman Ali Khan, of which the region was a part of until 1948. The city has a historical lineage dating back to the days of Marathwada, and even before that to several kingdoms of which the region was a part. The new name, Dharashiv, derives from the Dharashiv Caves. As per historical evidence, the district was ruled by the Mauryas, Satavahanas, Rashtrakutas, and Yadavas. In early centuries the city belonged to the Hindu Chalukyas and Devagiri Yadavas, but later became a part of the Bahmani and Bijapur kingdoms. For a period of time, Osmanabad was also ruled by the Mughals, Bahmani, Nizam and Adil Shah kingdoms.
Geography:
The city of Osmanabad has an elevation of 653 metres (2,142 ft) and is located in the west-central part of Osmanabad Tahsil. Nearby towns include Tuljapur, Bhoom, Paranda, Washi, and Kalamb. Solapur, located southwest of Osmanabad in Solapur district, is the nearest sizable city. Osmanabad is on the Balaghat Pathar. The Bhogavati River flows through the city and meets the Sina River near Mohol in the Solapur district.
Demographics:
In the 2011 Indian census, the city of Osmanabad had 111,825 inhabitants, with 41,982 males (52.1%) and 38,643 females (47.9%), for a gender ratio of 920 females per one thousand males. In 2001, Osmanabad had an average literacy rate of 74%, higher than the national average of 59.5%. Male literacy was 80% and female literacy was 67%. In 2001, 14% of the population was under 6 years of age.
Climate:
The climate of the Osmanabad district is generally dry. The rainy season starts from mid-June and continues until the end of September. From October to November, the climate is humid while from February to March the climate is dry. Winter runs from mid-November to January and summer from April to June. During summer the temperatures of Osmanabad district are low compared to other districts of the Marathwada region.
Tourism:
Osmanabad has many tourist attractions that are worth visiting. One of the most popular tourist attractions is the Dharashiv Caves. These caves are six in number, out of the four are of Jainas and two of Vaishnava caves. According to scholars, these caves date back to the 6
