Sholapur Sights and Landmarks Guide, India

India is a fascinating country, and there are very few Indian cities that are not worth being visited by the curious tourist, but Sholapur is definitely not one of them. Located in the South-Western part of Maharashtra, Sholapur is in the fourth largest district of the state, after Mumbai, Pune and Nagpur. The city’s large population and various ethnicities make it a wonderful cultural melting pot, where different cultures come together to create an amazing combination. Sholapur is well known for its exquisite linens, or chaddars, whose beautiful patterns and interesting design make them a great souvenir. The city is a famous religious site, and many Hindu believers as well as tourists come to Sholapur to see the temples dedicated to the city’s chief deity. This Sholapur Sights Guide lists all the main attractions of this amazing city.

Sholapur Sights Guide - Religious sites

The city of Sholapur is literally surrounded with sacred places of worship. The temple of Lord Siddharameshwar is located in the heart of the city. Other temples are usually outside the city, but they are all within a 30 minute car drive. The temple of Lord Siddharameshwar is probably the most important tourist attraction of Sholapur. This picturesque temple is built in the middle of a lake, surrounded by 68 lingams, Hindu symbols for the worship of Shiva.

Thousands of pilgrims come to the city’s major holy places, Pandharpur, Akkalkot, Karmala, Barshi and Mangalwedha. Pandharpur temple is dedicated to one of the greatest Hindu gods, Vitthal, whose incarnations, Shiva and Vishnu, are more known among westerners. Pandharpur is considered to be one of the most sacred places in Maharashtra. This Sholapur Sights Guide recommends that you visit Pandharpur in July, during the Waari festivals, when palanquins are carried from the nearby villages, and various religious rituals are performed. Karmala, Barshi and Akkalkot also have several temples that attract many worshipers. Akkalkor, especially, is famous for being the home of the legendary Swami Samartha Maharaj, a famous local spiritual leader. These temples are bustling, lively places where you can observe the local customs and traditions, as well as admire the fascinating architecture of the typical Hindu temples.

Sholapur Sights Guide - Other Attractions

Bhui-Kot Castle is a 15th century building that was erected during the Bahamani period, so its architecture is of Islamic elements. Another interesting place is the Nannaj Bird Sanctaury, just a few kilometers outside Sholapur. Here you can see the Great Indian Bustard, an endangered species of which only 300 remained today. If you’d like to admire the scenic beauty of the region, visit Kambar Lake, a very popular picnic place both for tourists and for local people.