Wai – Dakshin Kashi or Varanasi of the South

Wai is a town in the Satara district of Maharashtra state in India. Located on the Krishna River, Wai city was a prominent town during the Peshwa era. Two important Maratha Brahmin from ruling families had their origins here: Rani Lakshmibai of Jhansi and Gopikabai, wife of Nanasaheb Peshwa.

Locally prominent families like the Raste, Ranade, Phadnavis, etc. built several architecturally significant temples in Wai. 400 years old Mandhradevi Kalubai temple is about 12 kilometers from Wai on a hill 4,650 feet above sea level. In recent decades, Wai has become a well-liked location for filming Bollywood and Marathi movies, with over 300 films being shoot in and near Wai.

Wai is found approximately 35 km north of the town of Satara. it’s a mean elevation of 718 meters (2355 feet). It’s surrounded by the mountainous region of the Sahyadris.

Dhom Dam was completed in 1982. Waters are held by Dhom and Balakwadi dams, Wai taluka, and surrounding the region’s remaining small villages. Most of the residents from small villages are shifted elsewhere when dams were built. Dhom, Daswadi, Chikhali, Tasgaon, Aasgaon, Wyahli, Dhawli, Dahyat, Jor, Golewadi, Golegaon, and Ulumb are major villages which were moved partly, and they still exist partly. Nearly 16 km from Wai the village of Borgoan, in the middle of Dhom dam and Balkawdi dam, with four waterfalls.

Boundaries of Wai taluka: From East Wai are talukas of Khandala and Koregaon. And From the west lies the taluka of Mahabaleshwar. The northern border abuts the Pune district. The northwest border is touched with the Raigad district. From the South Wai talukas of Jawali and Satara.

The Headquarters of Wai taluka is in the city of Wai, populated by about 25,000 people. Wai is 35 km. from Satara, 95km from Pune, and 250 km from Mumbai. Situated on the Mahad-Pandharpur expressway, Wai may be a major city the thanks to Capitol Hill stations of Mahabaleshwar and Panchgani.

Wai taluka has seven ghats on Krishna’s banks’ river: Gangapuri, Madhli Aali, Ganpati Aali, Dharmapuri, Brahmanshahi, Ramdoh Aali, and Bhimkund Aali.

Distance :- 85 KM Approx.

How to Reach :- Take NH4 towards Satara and turn right from Surur village towards Wai.

1) Dholya Ganpati Mandir Wai
2) Krishna Ghat
3) Dhom Dam
4) Pandavgad
5) Lohare Palpeshwar Caves
6) Bhadreshwar
7) Balkawdi Dam
8)DhundiVinayak Ganpati Mandir
9) Kamalgad
10) Menawali
11) Mandhardevi
12) Wakeshwar
13) Sonjai

Pratapgad