View source for Washim

{{Short description|City in Maharashtra, India}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2016}}
{{Use Indian English|date=January 2016}}
{{More citations needed|date=February 2017}}
<!-- See [[Wikipedia:WikiProject Indian cities]] for details -->{{Infobox settlement
| name  = Washim
| other_name = Vatsagulma
| nickname = CHIA City
| settlement_type          = [[Municipality]]
| image_skyline            = Washim railway station.jpg
| image_alt                = 
| image_caption            = [[Washim railway station]]
| image_map          = {{maplink|frame=yes|frame-align=center|plain=y|type=shape-inverse|id=Q1191|frame-width=370|frame-height=300|stroke-width=3|frame-lat=18.92|frame-long=76.68|zoom=6|type2=point|coord2={{coord|20.1|N|77.15|E}}|marker-size2=medium}}
| map_alt            = 
| map_caption        = Washim in Maharashtra
| coordinates             = {{coord|20.1|N|77.15|E|display=inline,title}}
| subdivision_type        = Country
| subdivision_name        = {{flag|India}}
| subdivision_type1       = [[States and territories of India|State]]
| subdivision_name1  = [[Maharashtra]]
| subdivision_type2       = [[List of districts of India|District]]
| subdivision_name2       = [[Washim district|Washim]]
| established_title       = <!-- Established -->
| established_date        = 
| founder = [[Sarvasena I|Sarvasena]], the second son of Pravarsena I of Vakataka Kingdom.
| named_for               = Rishi Vatsa
| government_type         = [[Municipality]]
| governing_body = Municipal Council
| unit_pref               = Metric
| area_rank               = 34nd in Maharashtra
| area_total_km2          =58
| elevation_m             = 546
| population_total        = 1,20,400
| population_as_of        = 2025
| population_rank    1st     = 
| population_density_km2  = auto
| population_demonym      = Washimkar
| population_footnotes    = <ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.censusindia.gov.in/pca/SearchDetails.aspx?Id=557947 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924123648/http://www.censusindia.gov.in/pca/SearchDetails.aspx?Id=557947 |archive-date=24 September 2015 |title=Census of India: Search Details}}</ref>
| demographics_type1      = Language
| demographics1_title1    = Official
| demographics1_info1     = [[Marathi language|Marathi]]
| timezone1               = [[Indian Standard Time|IST]]
| utc_offset1             = +5:30
| postal_code_type        = <!-- [[Postal Index Number|PIN]] -->
| postal_code             = 444505
| registration_plate = MH-37
| website  = {{URL|www.washim.nic.in}}
}}

'''Washim''' ({{audio|Washim.ogg|pronunciation}}), also known as '''Vatsagulma''', is a city and a [[municipal council|Municipal Council]] in [[Washim district]] in the Indian state of [[Maharashtra]]. Washim is the district headquarters of [[Washim district]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite book |last=Rathod |first=Dr S. D. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=hCddEAAAQBAJ&dq=%22Washim%22+-wikipedia&pg=PA7 |title=ICHTHYOFAUNA OF WASHIM DISTRICT MAHARASHTRA |date=2022-02-08 |publisher=Ashok Yakkaldevi |isbn=978-1-6781-3024-4 |language=en}}</ref>

==History==
{{main|Washim district#History}}
Washim was known earlier known as Vatsagulma and it was the capital of the Vatsagulma line of [[Vakataka dynasty]]. During British times Washim was bifurcated in into two separated districts namely Akola and Yavatmal.<ref name=":0" />  

Washim district was formed on 1 July 1998. It again became a district in 1998 by splitting Akola district, to advance the development, and governance of newly formed Washim district.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://washim.gov.in/en/about-district/|title=About District &#124; District Washim &#124; India}}</ref>

==Climate==
{{Weather box
| location = Washim (1991-2020)
| single line = yes
| metric first = yes
|Jan record high C = 36.2
|Feb record high C = 37.6
|Mar record high C = 41.2
|Apr record high C = 45.0
|May record high C = 45.4
|Jun record high C = 44.8
|Jul record high C = 38.2
|Aug record high C = 33.2
|Sep record high C = 35.7
|Oct record high C = 36.4
|Nov record high C = 35.0
|Dec record high C = 33.8
|year record high C = 
| Jan high C = 30.2
| Feb high C = 32.6
| Mar high C = 36.9
| Apr high C = 39.9
| May high C = 42.1
| Jun high C = 36.3
| Jul high C = 30.1
| Aug high C = 29.1
| Sep high C = 30.8
| Oct high C = 32.7
| Nov high C = 31.7
| Dec high C = 30.3
| year high C = 33.4
| Jan low C = 14.0
| Feb low C = 17.0
| Mar low C = 20.6
| Apr low C = 24.3
| May low C = 27.5
| Jun low C = 24.0
| Jul low C = 22.4
| Aug low C = 21.8
| Sep low C = 21.9
| Oct low C = 19.9
| Nov low C = 17.2
| Dec low C = 14.4
| year low C = 20.3
|Jan record low C = 8.6
|Feb record low C = 8.0
|Mar record low C = 11.0
|Apr record low C = 17.5
|May record low C = 21.0
|Jun record low C = 19.8
|Jul record low C = 18.6
|Aug record low C = 17.1
|Sep record low C = 17.6
|Oct record low C = 12.8
|Nov record low C = 11.0
|Dec record low C = 8.8
|year record low C = 
| source = [[India Meteorological Department]]<ref>{{cite web
| url = https://imdpune.gov.in/library/public/Climatological%20Tables%201991-2020.pdf
| title = Climatological Tables of Observatories in India 1991-2020
| publisher = [[India Meteorological Department]]
| access-date = April 8, 2024
}}</ref>}}
==Demographics==
{{As of|2025}} India census, Washim had a population of 1,10000. Males constitute 52% of the population and females 48%. Washim has an average literacy rate of 83.25%, higher than the State average of 82.34%: male literacy is 90.55%, and female literacy is 75.48%. In Washim, 15% of the population is under 6 years of age.

{| class="wikitable"
! rowspan="2" |Year
! rowspan="2" |Male
! rowspan="2" |Female
! rowspan="2" |Total Population
! rowspan="2" |Change
! colspan="8" |Religion (%)
|-
!Hindu
!Muslim
!Christian
!Sikhs
!Jain
!Other religions and persuasions
!Religion not stated
|-
|2001<ref>[https://censusindia.gov.in/nada/index.php/catalog/21494/download/24626/PC01_C01_27.xls Census India 2001].</ref>
| style="text-align:right;" |32637
| style="text-align:right;" |30319
| style="text-align:right;" |62956
| style="text-align:center;" | - 
| style="text-align:right;" |64.458
| style="text-align:right;" |21.903
| style="text-align:right;" |1.064
| style="text-align:right;" |0.405
| style="text-align:right;" |9.862
| style="text-align:right;" |2.263
| style="text-align:right;" |0.013
| style="text-align:right;" |0.032
|-
|2011<ref>[https://censusindia.gov.in/nada/index.php/catalog/11382/download/14495/DDW27C-01%20MDDS.XLS Census India 2011].</ref>
| style="text-align:right;" |40262
| style="text-align:right;" |38125
| style="text-align:right;" |78387
| style="text-align:right;" |0.245
| style="text-align:right;" |63.926
| style="text-align:right;" |21.245
| style="text-align:right;" |0.808
| style="text-align:right;" |0.260
| style="text-align:right;" |11.702
| style="text-align:right;" |1.970
| style="text-align:right;" |0.031
| style="text-align:right;" |0.059
|} 
{{Chart|definition=Religion in Washim.chart|data=Religion in Washim.tab|Width=400}}

==Civic administration==
The municipal council was established at Washim in 1869 <ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.washimmc.org/ |title=Home |website=washimmc.org}}</ref> and is now governed under the Maharashtra Municipalities Act, 1965. It covers, according to the Census of 1961, an area of 42.16 square km. The municipal council is composed of 18 members with two seats each being reserved for the scheduled castes and women.

With a view to providing various facilities to the town's people, the municipality conducts primary schools and a high school and maintains a dispensary. The underground drainage system is present in the town. Also, there are stone-lined gutters and sewage. The meeting hall of the municipality is used by the town's people as a town hall. Protected piped water is supplied to the town, but wells and Ek Burji Dam form the main source of water supply.

==Places of interest==
The antiquity of the town has given rise to a number of objects and places of interest in the town. The chief among them is Padmatirtha, Balaji temple, Rama temple, Madhyameshvara temple, Godeshvara temple, two Jain temples and Narayana Maharaja Temple. The Vatsagulmamahatmya mentions that the town contains 108 holy tanks and tirthas. A few of them can still be identified in the town.

* '''Kondeshwar Mandir, Kondala Zamare''' is one of the most famous Shiva Temple, located at Kondala Zamare ({{cvt|7|km}} from Washim). Kondeshwar mandir has a rich history and is surrounded by beautiful hills. Mythology detects- Ram, Sita, and Laxman has visited the temple during 'Vanwas', there is a place where there are 'Ram-Sita Paduka' resides. Besides religious importance, Kondeshwar temple is famous for a Kund (A pond about 60 feet deep) that attracts visitors as they can enjoy joyful swimming. Kondeshwar is quite crowded during 'Shravan month' and 'Mahashivratri' as devotees across the state visit the temple.
*'''Padmatirth''' Washim is known to have had 108 ''[[Tirtha (Hinduism)|tirtha]]s'', holy places or sacred springs, associated with different gods and rishis. The Padmatirtha is one of the chief tirthas created by Vishnu. The reference to this tirtha has already occurred in the story connected with the origin of the name of the town, it is situated in the northern quarters of the town. The sides are built up in cut stones. Now the tirtha comprises two ''[[Taanka|kundas]]'', a reservoir for rainwater harvesting, one to the north and the other to the south. Recently one Shri Rama-Narayan Toshnival has constructed a small but artistic temple dedicated to Mahadeva in the centre of the kund used formerly by those who entered the tirtha for swimming as their resting place it is a cement concrete construction. An east-west bridge has been put across the tirtha to facilitate the entrance to the temple in the middle of the reservoir. It is said that the colour of the ''[[Lingam#Nomenclature and significance|shalunka]]'', base of [[lingam]] also called [[parashakti]], placed in the temple changes thrice in a day i. e., once in the morning, then in the afternoon and last in the evening. According to the [[British Raj]]] era [[Permanent Settlement|Land and Revenue Settlement]] report of 1871, the tank used to supply all the drinking water required by the town but it has since lost its purity and taste. The people use the tirtha for the immersion of bones and ashes of the dead whose last rites are performed on its bank. the tirtha is also used for swimming purposes.
*'''[[Balaji Temple, Ketkawla|Balaji Mandir]]''' The temple of Balaji is a considerably old temple in the town and was constructed by Bhavani Kaloo who rose to be the divan of Sabaji Bhosle and [[Nagpur kingdom#Janoji, Madhoji I, and Raghoji II Bhonsle (1755–1816)|Janoji Bhosle]] (king of [[Nagpur kingdom]]). He constructed the temple in 1779 AD when he was the Subhedar at the [[Thanas of Bangladesh|thana]] of [[Karanja Lad|Karanja]]. The shrine is much revered. The images in the temple of [[Venkateswara|Vyankateshvar]] Balaji are said to have been buried during [[Aurangzeb]]'s reign to save them from destruction. All trace of them was lost, but in about 1760 a horseman happened casually to turn up a little earth with his stick and perceived a finger of an image. Images of [[Brahma]], [[Vishnu]], [[Shiva|Mahadeva]], [[Parvati]], Devi, [[Ganapati]], and [[Nāga|Naga]] were taken out. At that time Bhavani Kaloo, who had been [[patwari]] of the village Khadi Dhanini in [[Mangrul]] tahsil but had become the [[Divan]] (or according to some accounts, a general) of the Bhosale Rajas, was at Bashini. He set up the present temple, a fine building standing in a large paved quadrangle, with a well-built [[veranda]] for pilgrims to stay, a [[bhandara (community kitchen)|bhandara]] for [[Brahman]]s to take food and various offices. The work took 12 years but was finished, according to an inscription on a pillar in front, in 1700 [[Shaka era|Shaka]] (1776 CE). The Dev Talav or Balaji Talav, a large square tank with stone-built sides, strongly and handsomely finished, and with a Jalakridasthana platform, resting-place for swimmers in the middle of the water body was made at the same time. The chief image is of black stone and sparkles with ornaments; a fine view of the town is to be obtained from the top of the temple gateway, though the staircase is rather abrupt. A dome plated with gold has recently been constructed over the inner chamber of the temple. According to the old Gazetteer 'large [[jagir]]s and [[inaam]]s were given for the support of the temple, the present revenue being Rs. 11,000 from those sources and Rs. 3,000 from [[Kangiten|kangi offerings]]. A big fair is held in honor of Balaji, in [[Ashvina]] month (September–October). About 12,000 to 15,000 people assemble at the time of the fair.
*'''Balaji Talav''' The Deo talav also known as Balaji talav, a large square tank with stone-built sides, strongly and handsomely finished and with a jalakridasthana, resting place for swimmers in the middle, was laid out at the time of the construction of Balaji mandir in 1770 CE. The temple is flanked on one side by the temple of Vyankateshvar Balaji and on the other by that of [[Rama|Ramchandra]]. The tree plantations by the tile side of the tank have now thoroughly disappeared. During the Ganapati festival, the immersion of the idols takes place in this tank and as a result, this tank is getting silted gradually. However, the tank still stands in good condition.
*'''[[Ram Mandir|Rama Mandir]]''' On the other side of the Deo talav is a temple dedicated to Ramchandra, a large enclosed building but not, by any means as fine as the temple of Balaji. it contains images of [[Lakshmana]], [[Sita]], [[Hanuman|Maruti]] and [[Radha]]-[[Krishna]] besides that of Ramchandra. It is said to have been built by one Bhagvandas Maharaj Bairagi about 250 years ago. In front of the temple, has recently been constructed a two-storeyed dharmashala. It is used by the [[Bairagi (caste)|bairagi]]s who visit the temple. Marriage and such other religious functions also take place in this Dharamshala. [[Ramanavami]] is celebrated at this temple with great pomp.
*'''Daridrya Harana Tirtha''' The Daridrya-Harana Tirtha is said to have been created by Shri [[Dattatreya]]. Well built as the tank seems to have been formerly, the steps on only one side are noticeable now. By the side of the tank is a large banyan tree. One anecdote about the tirtha says that king [[Dashratha]] of Ayodhya, the father of Rama, killed [[Shravana Kumara|Shravan]] by mistake by sitting over this tree.
*'''Madhyameshvar Mandir ''' was constructed about 5 to 7 years ago. After entering a big audience hall there is an inner chamber where is placed a shalunka of Shiva. At the time of the construction of the temple, some images and inscriptions were excavated at the site. The temple is said to have been constructed at a place where according to the belief of astronomers passes the equator and hence the temple is known as the Madhyameshvara temple.
*'''Narayana Maharaja Temple''' has recently been constructed over the [[Samadhi (shrine)|samadhi]] of [[Narayan Maharaj]] who stayed at Washim. The image of Narayan Maharaj has been placed over the samadhi. One has to go a few steps below the ground level to reach this shrine. From there another staircase leads to the altar where is placed the image of Shri Dattatreya. The whole construction is of white marble. The temple owns some adjacent land. The audience hall is under construction. Every year a small fair attended by the local populace is held on Datta Jayanti.
*'''Gondeshvara Temple''' To the west of the town is the temple of [[Govind|Gondeshvara]], much in a dilapidated condition. In the temple, are three images viz., those of Vishnu, his sister, and Lakshmi. By the side of the temple is ample garden land making the whole panorama of the temple extremely beautiful.
*'''[[Shringi Rishi]]''' To the southeast direction, on the way to [[Pusad]], there is a small town called [[Ansing]] which is the corrupt name of Ekshring [[Shringi Rishi]]. He was the one who performed [[Putrakameshti]] yagnya or the holy pyre for [[Dasharatha]] and his wives [[Kaushalya]], [[Kaikeyi]] and [[Sumitra]]. Then they begot [[Rama|Ram]], [[Lakshmana|Lakshman]], [[Bharata (Ramayana)|Bharat]] and [[Shatrughna]]. His temple is located in the far east of town.

==Transport==

===Road===
Washim is connected by [[State highways in India|State Highways]] to all the important cities of Maharashtra. Important Roads include Washim-[[Mangrulpir|Mangrul Pir]]-Karanja-Ner-[[Yavatmal]], Washim-[[Karanja Lad|Karanja]]-[[Amravati]]-[[Nagpur]], Washim-Malegaon-[[Akola]], Washim-[[Risod]]-[[Lonar]]-Sindhkhed Raja-[[Jalna, Maharashtra|Jalna]]-[[Aurangabad]]-[[Ahmednagar]]-[[Pune]]-[[Mumbai]], Washim-Kanergaon Naka-[[Hingoli]]-[[Nanded]] and Washim-[[Ansing]]-[[Pusad]].
In future Maharashtra's Nagpur or Chandrapur to Pune expressway if propose can be pass via Yavatmal, washim, Lonar, Paithan, Ahmednagar. [[Samruddhi Expressway|Mumbai-Nagpur Samriddhhi Mahamarg]]


===Bus Station, Washim=== 

Introduction

[[Washim Bus Station]] is the main public bus station. It is the main facility of [[Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation]] (MSRTC), which connects Washim to other parts of [[Vidarbha]], [[Marathwada]] and other parts of Maharashtra.

   
Major bus routes from Washim Bus Station 

 1. Vidarbha region (nearby and main road)

 Washim → [[Akola]] (Bus service approximately every 15–30 minutes)
 
 Washim → [[Risod]] (Bus service approximately every 15-30 minutes) 
 
 Washim → [[Shegaon]]

 Washim → [[Amravati]]

 Washim → [[Yavatmal]]

 Washim → [[Pusad]] 

 Washim → [[Parbhani]]

 Washim → [[Nanded]]

 Washim → [[Chandrapur]]





 2. Marathwada region

 Washim → [[Aurangabad]] (Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar)

 Washim → [[Latur]]

 Washim → [[Osmanabad]]

 Washim → [[Beed]]


 

 3. West Maharashtra and North Maharashtra

 Washim → [[Pune]]

 Washim → [[Nashik]]

 Washim → [[Dhule]]

 Washim → [[Jalgaon]]

 Washim  → [[Shirdi]]

Washim → [[Pandharpur]]


4. Other state routes

Washim → [[Nagpur]] (capital of Vidarbha)

Washim → [[Hyderabad]] (Telangana)

Washim → [[Indore]] (Madhya Pradesh, some private buses)


===Rail===
[[Washim railway station|Washim]] is a railway station on [[Purna]]-[[Khandwa]] section of [[South Central Railway]] (SCR). It was in the Hyderabad division of SCR and now is in the Nanded division after bifurcation of the Hyderabad division. Washim was connected to the Broad Gauge Railway Network in 2008 when tracks were extended from Purna to Akola.

17639/17640 [[Kacheguda–Akola Intercity Express]] can be accessed by the passengers arriving from [[Nagpur]] or [[Mumbai]] route while [[Hyderabad, India|Hyderabad]] and [[Nanded]] can be accessed from the south. Weekly, Bi-weekly, Special, Daily, Intercity trains connecting to major stations like Delhi, Mumbai, Pune, Tirupati, Agra, Mathura, Amritsar, Chandigarh, Ambala, Ludhiana, Shri Ganganagar,  Jaipur, Ajmer, Kota, Hyderabad, Nangaldam (Himachal Pradesh) Aurangabad, Nagpur, Indore, Yeshwantpur (Bangalore), Nashik, Nanded, Amravati, Bhopal, Khandwa, etc. from Washim. Washim has 3 platforms.

==References==
{{EB1911 poster|Basim}}
{{reflist}}

{{Geographic Location
|Centre    = Washim
|North     = [[Akola]]
|Northeast = [[Mangrulpir]]
|East      = [[Manora, Washim]]
|Southeast = [[Pusad]] ([[Yavatmal district]]) and [[Ansing]]
|South     = [[Hingoli]](district)
|Southwest = [[Risod]]
|West      = [[Mehekar]]
|Northwest = [[Malegaon, Washim]]
}}
{{Washim district topics|state=expanded}}
{{vidarbha}}
{{Maharashtra}}

[[Category:Cities and towns in Washim district]]
[[Category:Former capital cities in India]]
[[Category:Vidarbha]]