Wai, Maharashtra

Wai
Vāī
Town
Dholiya Ganapati Mandir in Wai
Dholiya Ganapati Mandir in Wai
Wai is located in Maharashtra
Wai
Wai
Location in Maharashtra, India
Coordinates: 17°57′N 73°53′E / 17.95°N 73.89°E / 17.95; 73.89
Country India
State Maharashtra
DistrictSatara
Elevation
718 m (2,356 ft)
Population
 (2011)[1]
 • Total36,030
Languages
 • OfficialMarathi
Time zoneUTC+5:30 (IST)
PIN
412803
Telephone code02167
ISO 3166 codeIN-MH
Websitemaharashtra.gov.in

Wai (ISO: Vāī; Pronunciation: [ʋaːi] listen) is a town in Satara district of Maharashtra state in India. Located on the Krishna River, Wai was a prominent town during the Peshwa era. Two important Marathi Brahmin from ruling families had their origins here: Rani Lakshmibai of Jhansi (Tambe family) and Gopikabai, wife of Nanasaheb Peshwa (Raste family).

Locally prominent families such as the Raste, Ranade, and Phadnavis built several architecturally significant temples in Wai. The 400-year-old Mandhradevi Kalubai temple is about 12 kilometres (7.5 mi) from Wai on a hill 718 metres (2,356 ft) above sea level.[2] In recent decades, Wai has become a popular location for filming Bollywood and Marathi movies, with over 300 films having been shot in and near Wai.[3][4]

  1. ^ India Office of the Registrar Census data
  2. ^ S. S. Shashi (1996). Encyclopaedia Indica: India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Volume 100. Anmol Publications. p. 54.
  3. ^ "Meena Iyer tells us about Bollywood's favourite location, Wai. And why Wai locals love Bollywood". Archived from the original on 25 February 2017. Retrieved 24 February 2017.
  4. ^ "योगींना सांगा, "तुमचं युपी,बिहार दाखवायचं झालं तरी वाईतच यावं लागतं"". Bol Bhidu (in Marathi). 1 November 2020. Retrieved 8 November 2020.