Maheshwar
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| ?Maheshwar महेश्वर Madhya Pradesh • India |
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| Coordinates: | |
| Time zone | IST (UTC+5:30) |
| Area • Elevation |
• 154 m (505 ft) |
| District(s) | Khargone |
| Codes • Pincode • Telephone • Vehicle |
• 451224 • +07283 • MP-10 |
| Website: www.khargone.nic.in | |
Maheshwar (Hindi:) is a town in Khargone district of Madhya Pradesh state, in central India. It is located 13 km east of National Highway 3 (Agra-Mumbai highway) and 91 km from Indore, the commercial capital of the state. The town lies on the north bank of the Narmada River.
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[edit] Etymology
The name Maheshwar comes from Mahesh, a name for Lord Shiva. The word Maheshwar in Hindi means abode of Lord Mahesh.
[edit] History
Maheshwar town is built on the site of the ancient city of Mahesvari, and was the capital of king Kartavirya Arjuna, who is mentioned in the Sanskrit epics Mahabharata and Ramayana. Maheshwar was known as Mahissati (Mahishamati in Sanskrit) in ancient times and was the capital of Southern Avanti.
In the late eighteenth century, Maheshwar served as the capital of Rajmata Ahilya Devi Holkar, ruler of the state of Indore. She embellished the city with many buildings and public works, and it is home to her palace, as well as numerous temples, a fort, and riverfront ghats (broad stone steps which step down to the river).
[edit] Geography
Maheshwar is located at [1]. It has an average elevation of 155 metres (508 feet).
[edit] Demographics
As of 2001 India census[2], Maheshwar had a population of 19,646. Males constitute 51% of the population and females 49%. Maheshwar has an average literacy rate of 67%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 75%, and female literacy is 59%. In Maheshwar, 14% of the population is under 6 years of age.
[edit] Economy
Maheshwar has been a centre of handloom weaving since the 5th century. Maheshwar is the home of one of India's finest hand loom fabric traditions. Maheshwar is noted as a centre for weaving colourful Maheshwari saris. These cotton saris are weaved with distinctive designs involving stripes, checks and floral borders. The hand looms also make fabric material used for making kurtas and other clothings.
The origin of Maheshwari saris is traced to the establishment of Rehwa Society [1], an NGO founded by the Holkars in 1978 to give women employment and revive the town's textiles. About 130 weavers associated with the society produce over 100,000 metres of fine fabrics a year. The weaving centre is located in one of Maheshwar's historic buildings. Rehwa Society also provides a free school for weavers' children and runs a low-cost health scheme. There are few other small local organisations involved in weaving of saris and other fabrics.
[edit] Places of interest
Maheshwar is abode of Lord Shiva and has a number of Shiv mandirs (temples). Some of the temples are named after different incarnations of lord Shiva, such as Kashivishwnath temple, Rajrajeshwar temple, Omkareshwar temple, Tilbhandeshwar temple, Kaleshwar temple, Jaleshwartemple and Pandrinath temple.
There are many other places to visit in Maheshwar.The main attarction of Maheshwar is the Maheshwar fort which situated on the banks of the holi river Narmada, on top of a small hill. The fort is being used by the royal family. Inside the fort there is the state archaeological museum, and temples, it is also famous for the Rajgadi (royal throne) of Devi Ahilya Bai Holkar who has been the most remembered queen to her people. The fort is maintained by the royal family. Some parts of the premise has been converted into a hotel for guests to savour the flavours of the historic grandure of the Holkars. The fort maintains its traditional beauty interms its, architecture, designs, sculptures, materials used in reconstructions and furnitures. From a top the fort tourists can also enjoy a panoramic view of the River Narmada and its beautiful surroundings. Also, boats can be hired to enjoy boating in the Narmada river.
Every year on premises of the fort there is a music festival that is organised b y the royal family. People from all over the country attend the grand and melodious occasion on the banks of Narmada
Adjecent to the fort is a small association that promotes the traditional weaving industry of the region, the Maheshwari cotton and silk. Over the centuries the art has not lost its popularity and is a sought after material. There are many registered outlets for buying various products like Maheshwari sarees and dress materials. The Sahastradhara is a waterfall near Maheshwar where Narmada river turns into thousands of streams after hitting rocks raising from the river bed. The name Sahastradhara is a combination of two Hindi words Sahastra meaning thousand and Dhara meaning stream.
Maheshwar is famous for the Chhatris (cenotaphs) built during the Holkar era. Rauera, a small village between Omkareshwar and Maheshwar is famous for the Chhatri of Baji Rao Peshwa-I, the popular and powerful ruler of Peshwa dynasty. It is believed that ashes of Peshwa are kept here.
On the upstream of Maheshwar, on the river Narmada, there is being developed a 400mw, run of the river hydropower project of the same name,under Narmada Valley Development Authority. The run of the river project is slated to provide 400mw of clean cost effective,renewable and eco friendly energy. The project has proved to be a catalyst for overall development and socio-economic upliftment of the Nimar region. It will also lead to the rise of the water table in the sarrounding areas.
[edit] Festivals
Maheshwar is full of festivals and celebrations, some are: Nag Panchami, Gudi Padava, Teez (New year celebrations according to the Hindu calendar), All Mondays of Shravan month, (DOLA of Kashivishwnath on last Monday, bhang is served as prasad of Shiva), Mahashivratri, Samoti Amavas, and all other Indian festivals.
[edit] In popular culture
The scenic beauty of Maheshwar and river Narmada are captured in some Bollywood and Tamil movies. Some of the features shooted in Maheshwar include the movie "Ashoka" , Tulsi (by actor and director Sachin), Mahashivratri, A R Rehmaan's music video and tamil movie Alaipayuthey's song "Snekithanea..." and " yaro yaro di..." directed by Maniratnam.
[edit] In pictures
 A Scenic view of Maheshwar on the banks of Narmada |
 A scenic view of Narmada from top of the fort |
 Omkareshwar Mandir at Maheshwar |
 Maheshwari sari laced with beautiful Jari |
[edit] References
- ^ Falling Rain Genomics, Inc - Maheshwar
- ^ Census of India 2001: Data from the 2001 Census, including cities, villages and towns. (Provisional). Census Commission of India. Retrieved on 2007-09-03.
