Aundh, Satara

This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. Find sources: "Aundh, Satara" – news · newspapers · books · scholar · JSTOR (May 2017) (Learn how and when to remove this message)

The town of Aundh is situated 26 mi. S.E. of Satara. Population (in 2011) about 3500,^[1] home of the Aundh State, a princely state (1699–1947). It is now part of Satara District in Maharashtra State.

The town is known for its very old hill temple of the Devi Yamai. The Devi Yamai is the kuldaiwat of many Marathi families. The top of the temple has images and idols of various Hindu Gods. The temple complex also contains the "Shri Bhavani Museum". The present head of the former ruling family, Gayatridevi Pantpratinidhi has installed a 7 kg golden 'Kalash' or crown on the pinnacle of the Yamai temple on the hill at Aundh.

Another temple of Devi Yamai is located in the town; apart from the one on the hill.

The Yamai temple holds an annual fair (Yatra) in honour of the goddess Yamai on the Pournima (Full moon day) in the Shaka month of Paush ( mid January). The yatra attracts thousands of devotees. One of the attraction of the fair is the lighting of the giant stone lamp stand (Deepmal). The fair includes food vendors, vendors selling local novelties, talent shows and movies.

The town falls under Satara District and has a Gram Panchayat (Parish council), with a member of the former ruling family serving as the Sarpanch (Head of the council).