Sangli is known as the Turmeric city and the Sugar Belt of India. Sangli is the largest marketplace for Turmeric & grapes in Asia,.Sangli District is located in the western part of Maharashtra in the river basins of the Warna and Krishna rivers.
Places to Visit
Sangli Ganapati Temple
It is situated on the banks of river Krishna at Sangli known as ‘Bagetil Ganapati’. Thorle (elder) Chintamanrao Patwardhan consecrated the idol in 1843. The temple has been artistically built with black stone brought from Jyotibha hills. There is a platform, a hall and a ‘Nagarkhana’ inside the vast two acres complex of the temple. It looks so beautiful when the silvery rays of evening sun brighten the face of the Ganapati idol..
Sagareshwar Wildlife Sanctuary
Sagareshwar Wildlife Sanctuary is an absolute manmade sanctuary that has been created by way of a planned afforestation programme of the three tehsils of the District of Sangli. It is situated at a distance of 47 km from the city and is believed to be one of the key attractions of the city. Spread over an area of 10.87 square kilometer, the Sagareshwar Wildlife Sanctuary is filled with grassy hill slopes in the forest area. The sanctuary is a home to 52 different species of fauna. This includes animals such as rabbits, cats, wild goats, foxes, wild cows, hyenas, barking deers, deer, cheetal, porcupines, jackals, sambar, black bucks and peacocks. Further, there are several species of birds, reptiles and animals found here.
Historical Context: Some 1.5 km from the sanctuary is a temple complex that has 51 ancient temples which are believed to be from the Shilahara or Yadava period.
Pro Tip: Do not visit the sanctuary post sunset.
Sangli Fort
Sangli Fort is situated in the centre of Sangli City. Inside the fort is the Collector’s office, Revenue Office, a Marathi school ?Purohit Girls High school” and a museum. Rajwada, the palace is also located inside the fort, and the museum is located in the backside of the “Rajwada”. It was the palace of Patwardhans of Sangli. It was donated by Late Raja Chintamanrao Patwardhan II to Indian government.
Shri Kshetra Audumbar
It is a sacred place of Narsinha Saraswati who was born in Vidarbha 700 years ago who stayed at Audumbar for 4 months. Villagers went to J J School of Art and appointed one European and Marathi Painter and sent them to Karanja to decide the exact sketch. one fine day both of them had a dream at the same time where ‘Swamiji’ appeared infront of them. which is today ‘Audumbar Narsinha Saraswati’ (Dattatraya).
Chandoli National Park
The Chandoli National Park in Sangli is spread over an area covering over 300 square kilometer. This zoo wildlife in Sangli is a Must visit attraction in Sangli city. Before it was termed a National Park, this was a Wildlife Sanctuary. Chandoli National Park is very popularly known for its southern portion of the Sahyadri Tiger Reserve, along with the Koyna Wildlife Sanctuary that forms part of the northern part of the reserve. You will find forest types ranging from a mix of Malabar Coast moist forests and North Western Ghats moist deciduous forests. Other trees to be found in the area include Indian gooseberry, crape myrtle, anjani ironwood tree, jamun, pisa, katak spinous kino tree and more. The park is also abundant in nearly 23 species of mammals and 122 species of birds. Also, 20 species of amphibians and reptiles are native to the park.
Ramling Bet – Bahe
This place has its own sacred value and story. Bahe Borgaon is near walwa, when Prabhu Shri Ramchandra was seated for Meditation, there was a big flood occured on River Krishna due to this the Meditation of Shri Prabhu Ramchandra would have been disturbed. At the same time to avoid the disturbance in the Meditation Shri Hanuman spread his both hands and obstructed the flow of the river and diverted the path of river water on both sides of his hands. This is an ancient heard story. Because of this one island was formed, where Idol of Shri Hanuman spreading both his hands and obstructing the river water is here and is a sacred and faith place for the devotees.
Open Jail of Swatantrapur
The open jail of Swatantrapur in Sangli is a very popular landmark in Sangli. This jail has a very general prominence in the city. It is believed that during the ancient days, those prisoners who came to behave well in other prisons during their period of punishment were ultimately brought to this jail as a reward. Over here, prisoners were allowed to meet their families and were also given personal land for farming activities. Growing crops and selling them in the market was permitted so they could earn a living. The Swatantrapur jail had inspired Shantaram to make Do Ankhein Baraah Haath, which was released in 1958 and went on to win the Golden Globe award. This attraction in Sangli is best visited during the months of June to October.
Historical Context: Swatantrapur was founded in 1939 by Pant Pratinidhi, rulers of the princely state of Aundh.
Bridges Of Sangli
The Sangli city in Maharashtra is a home to a variety of bridges that are associated with the River Krishna. Some of them are the Krishna Bridge, Irwin Bridge and the Ankali Bridge. The Krishna Bridge is believed to have been existing since the British rule and is indeed one of the oldest bridges in the country. This bridge has 9 arches and is built of the black rock. Next is the Irwin Bridge and is the largest bridge constructed on the Krishna River. This bridge is made using the red colored stone and has two distinct passages to help the visitors get to the central point to view the Krishna River. Last is the Ankali Bridge that was built during the British rule and connects Maharashtra to Karnataka.
Historical Context: The ex CM of Maharashtra, Shri Vasantdada Patil jumped from the Irwin Bridge into the Krishna River when he was chased by the Britishers during the struggle for freedom.
Bahubali Hill Temple
The Bahubali hill temple in Sangli is located at a distance of 27 km south of Kolhapur in Maharashtra. One will find the temple precincts thronged with a horde of devotees on many occasions. These Bahubali hills are popularly known as ‘Kumbhojgiri’. Without a second thought, the temple can be regarded as a beautiful and spectacular sight, which makes it all the more worthwhile for one to come all the way to this temple. From the temple precincts, one can also get a view of the nearby villages and the lush green environment. A flight of 400 steps leads to the entrance of the temple.
Historical Context: The place is named after sage Bahubali who mediated here about 300 years before.
Dandoba Hill Station
This place is on the border of Miraj and Kavathe Mahankal. Located at the Miraj-Pandharpur Road, Dandoba Hill Station is just 30 minutes drive from Sangli. It is located around Dandoba Hills, which is a reserve forest area that has a variety of plant species and some wild animals. Here there is a sanctuary spread over two to three acres of land with the old temple of lord Shankara at the hill of Dandoba. Also this place has “Tehalni Buruj” with a big size historical tower.
Must Try Food in Sangli
1. Natraj Annex
2. Shri Ganesh Nashta Centre
3. Hotel The Wood House
4. Winterfall Italian Finest
5. India Green
6. Next Food Point
7. Laziz Pizza
8. Hotel Rohini
9. Hotel Navaratna – Pancharatna
10. Hotel Palvi
How To Get Here
By Air
Sangli does not have an airport. Nearest airport is Sambre Airport.
Sangli
121 km away
Sambre Airport (IXG), Belgaum, Karnataka
Sangli
186 km away
Hubli Airport (HBX), Hubli, Karnataka
By Road
There are regular buses from other major cities of the country to Sangli.
Bus Station(s): Sangli
By Train
You can easily get regular trains to Sangli from other major cities of the country.
Railway Station(s): Sangli (SLI), Takari (TKR), Bhilavdi (BVQ), Vishrambag (VRB)