AMNESIA OF SOLAPUR

(a) THE UNKNOWN RIVER (b) THE PRESENT STATE LIFE OF THE LAKE (e) (c) STORY OF FARMLANDS HISTORY OF SIDDHESHWAR LAKE (d)

PRESENT LAKE (f)

The water channels running around the city in the past were a freshwater source flowing westwards merging into the River Sina then into the River Bhima, a tributary of River Krishna.

2004

2014

The water was used for agriculture and also for livelihood of the people living around it. The stream led to development of the settlements around it which are present till date.(as shown in maps)

Although the present conditions is not as it is polluted completely and is not more than being a part of city’s drainage system taking away the city’s dirty seewage waste

UJANI DAM PIPELINES

The farmlands today are alive on the water supplied by the government through pipelines coming all the way from the Ujani Dam to the farmlands

SHRI SIDDHARAMESHWAR

Siddheshwar temple and the lake is said to be built by a yogi and a devotee of Shri Siddharameshwar aprrox. 800 yrs. ago. The temple and the lake are admininstered since 1899 by the ‘Shri Siddheshwar Devsthan Panch Committee’

BHUIKOT FORT VIEW OF LAKE FROM BHUIKOT FORT

The Bhuikot Fort ( Solapur Fort ) was built during the Bahamani Dynasty in medival times (14th century ) Aurangzeb had spent some time here before it was handed over to the Peshwas The fort was famous for its animal park with different animals and birds which were attracted by the lake The Lake served a beautiful picturesque locale for the fort

GOVT. PIPELINE

The water of the lake is supplied by natural streams beneath it. Although in summers it used to dry due to lack of water. Hence, government made a water pipeline (in 1980’s) coming from river Bhima which would pump in water when the lake gets dried

2017

2018

During the period 2017-2018 the lake saw pollution damaging the ecosystem of the lake. The government then dried the whole lake for cleaning it from beneath

The lake has a rich eco system with different migratory seen coming along with different species of lotuses floating over the lake. The lake is also used for fish farming with permission of the government.

On Makarsankrat, there are annual pilgrimages called ‘Gadda’ . This is when the Gadda Yatra celebration begins and continues for 15 days. A procession called the ‘procession of Kathies’ occurs at the temple. The temple during the Gadda Yatra The temple is attended by members of Veerashaiva.

The main occupation around the lake are the shops, hotels and dharmashalas for the tourists/pilgrims . A walkway around the lake is being constructed to encourage people to come in for a walk by the waters