Ambajogai

Ambajogai
City
Yogeshwari (Amba) Temple Top at Ambajogai
Yogeshwari (Amba) Temple Top at Ambajogai
Nickname: 
Ambanagari[1]
Map
Ambajogai in Maharashtra
Coordinates: 18°44′N 76°23′E / 18.73°N 76.38°E / 18.73; 76.38
Country India
State Maharashtra
DistrictBeed
Named forAmbabai
Government
 • TypeMunicipal Council
Population
 (2011)
 • Total74,844
DemonymAmbajogaikar
Time zoneUTC+5:30 (IST)
PIN Code
431517
Telephone code02446
Vehicle registrationMH-44
Lok Sabha constituencyBeed
Vidhan Sabha constituencyKaij
Official languageMarathi[2]

Ambajogai is a city and tehsil in Beed district of Maharashtra State in India.[3] Regarded as the cultural capital of Marathwada, the town features attractions like the Shivleni Caves and monuments honoring Marathi poet Mukundraj, the author of "Viveksindu," the first Marathi literary work, as well as Dasopant.[4][5]

Ambajogai, often referred as the "City Of The Temple"[6] holds a significant place in history, second only to Kashi in terms of its cultural and spiritual heritage. The city boasts over a hundred temples, many of which have withstood the challenges of time, including dismantlement by the Nizams of Hyderabad and damage from the Killari earthquake.[7] Despite these setbacks, Ambajogai remains a testament to its rich historical legacy. Visitors can marvel at ancient "baravs" (step wells) [8] and serene lakes, while the revered temple of Shri Yogeshwari Mata features an exceptional Vinayaki[9] idol in its shikhara,[10] showcasing the city’s enduring artistry and devotion.[11]

The town was renamed Nizami name Mominabad to Ambajogai after goddess Yogeshwari (also known as Jogai) whose heritage temple is located here and are visited by people all over from Maharashtra, largely from the Konkan region.[12][13] The town has many heritage places and this township is known as the cultural capital of the Marathwada region.[4][14] The town has other heritage Hindu temples such as Sakleshwar, 12 Khambhi Mandir (lit. '12 pillar temple'), Kholeshwar Mandir, Mukundraj[15] Smadhi and Dasopant Swami Samadhi, Kashivishwanath, Amruteshwar.[16] There is an ancient cave called Shivleni Caves (Hattikhana) also known as Jogai Mandap declared as the Protected Monuments in Maharashtra (Archaeological sites in Maharashtra), where Lord Shankar, Nandi and Elephants are carved in stone, Bramha and Vishnu are also carved.[16]

Ambejogai is celebrated as the birthplace of the Marathi language; in fact, the first literary work in Marathi, *Vivekasindhu* by Mukundraj, was written here. The revered Yogeshvari Devi temple, a site of deep spiritual significance, is the ancestral deity of many families across Maharashtra, drawing numerous pilgrims to the city.[17]

A lesser-known landmark here is the Ambejogai Buruj, a historical watchtower standing in front of Kholeshwar Temple. Built in the 13th century by Raja Singhan of Devgiri, this circular tower, approximately 35 feet tall, was used for surveillance. A staircase inside leads up, though time has worn down the base, making it unsafe to climb today.

The Ambejogai Buruj has also seen its share of historical intrigue. During the Nizam’s rule, it housed a radio transmitter. When the Marathas discovered it was broadcasting news for the Nizam, they attempted to seize it. Although they weren’t successful, the transmitter was permanently shut down, marking yet another chapter in the Buruj's storied past.

  1. ^ "Ambajogai city history". www.beed.gov.in. Beed Government.
  2. ^ National Commissioner Linguistic Minorities 50th report, page 131 Archived 8 July 2016 at the Wayback Machine. Government of India. Retrieved 15 July 2015.
  3. ^ "Census of India 2011, Tahsil Profile" (PDF). 3 October 2015. Archived from the original (PDF) on 3 October 2015. Retrieved 6 September 2022.
  4. ^ a b "About Ambajogai, Geography of Ambajogai, Tourist Places in Ambajogai". Maharashtra Online. Retrieved 8 September 2022.
  5. ^ कानडे, संतोष (4 October 2024). "Marathi Classical Language: मराठीला अभिजात भाषेचा दर्जा मिळण्यामागे बीडचा सिंहाचा वाटा; मराठीतल्या सर्वात पहिल्या ग्रंथाचा घेतला आधार". Marathi News Esakal (in Marathi). Retrieved 10 October 2024.
  6. ^ रापतवार, सुदर्शन (2024). मंदिराचे गाव [Mandirache Goan] (in Marathi) (1st ed.). Ambajogai: माध्यम पब्लिकेशन (published 15 October 2024). p. 80. ISBN 9788190278775.
  7. ^ Lakshmi, B. V.; Deenadayalan, K.; Gawali, Praveen B.; Misra, Saumitra (25 November 2020). "Effects of Killari earthquake on the paleo-channel of Tirna River Basin from Central India using anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility". Scientific Reports. 10 (1): 20587. doi:10.1038/s41598-020-77542-9. ISSN 2045-2322.
  8. ^ Marathe, Manas (24 February 2021). "Baravas - Unique water harvesting structures of Maharashtra". India Water Portal. Retrieved 2 November 2024.
  9. ^ Govindarajan, Vinita (1 September 2017). "Vinayaki: The lesser-known story of the elephant-headed goddess, the female avatar of Ganesha". Scroll.in. Retrieved 2 November 2024.
  10. ^ "Shikhara | North Indian Temple Design & History | Britannica". www.britannica.com. Retrieved 2 November 2024.
  11. ^ Rapatwar, Sudarshan (15 August 2024). मंदिरांचे गाव [Mandiranche Goan] (in Marathi) (1st ed.). Ambajogai: Madhyam Publication Pvt Ltd. p. 80. ISBN 978-81-902787-7-5.
  12. ^ "Yogeshwari Devasthan, Ambajogai | Official Website of Yogeshwari Devi, Ambajogai". Yogeshwari Devasthan. Retrieved 19 August 2023.
  13. ^ "श्री अंबेजोगाई भक्त निवास न्यास, पुणे". Archived from the original on 8 September 2019. Retrieved 15 June 2020.
  14. ^ "Beed – District". Beed District Collectorate. Archived from the original on 28 May 2014. Retrieved 25 November 2014.
  15. ^ Rapatwar, Sudarshan (2024). मंदिराचे गाव [Mandirache Goan] (in Marathi) (1st ed.). Ambajogai: Madhyam Publications (published 15 October 2024). p. 80. ISBN 9788190278775.
  16. ^ a b "Ambajogai - DOT-Maharashtra Tourism - Maharashtra Tourism". DOT-Maharashtra Tourism. Retrieved 19 August 2023.
  17. ^ "श्री अंबेजोगाई भक्त निवास न्यास, पुणे". 8 September 2019. Archived from the original on 8 September 2019. Retrieved 2 November 2024.