Fort of Udigr:
There are two important forts in the district, which tell the historical glory of the Latur district of the two forts in District one in Ausa town and another one is in Udgir town. Udgir is an important town in Udgir Tashil. This town is the taulka place in Udgir tahsil. It is the second most important town in the Latur district. This town is situated in the east of the Latur district. In the case of education, Latur town has created the Latur pattern in Maharashtra, in the same manner, Udgir town has created its Udgir pattern. And because of this Udgir town is next to Latur.
As per the 2001 census the population of Udgir town is 91908 out of which 48109 are males and 43799 are female The density of the population of Udgir town is 3437 persons per sq km. The literacy rate in this town is 70 56 percent Udgir town is next to Latur in the case of literacy
The area of Udgir town is 20.5 sq km. The Climate of this town is hot in summer. Geographically this town is situated in the eastern plane region of the district. The average rainfall recorded here in 2001 is 902.8mm. Udgir is the second big town in the Latur district. The Municipal Council of Udgir was established in 1953. Their region around Udgir town is hilly and mountainous. Udgir is an educational and historical town. The area under the forest is not found in this town. Udgir is an important tread center because it is located near the Karnataka boundary. There is a big fort in Udgir town. The range of temperature in Udgir town is comparatively high. It gets rain from the southwest monsoon. The fort in this town is named the Fort of Udgir.
Udgir town was once a walled town to some extent, but today hardly anything remains of the wall. Udgir town mainly is known for its historic fort which today is in good condition, though the buildings (is in a good condition) inside have crumbled down. During the ward between Moghas and the Bijapurs, Udgir which was then one of the strongest forts in the Bijapur kingdom was frequently besieged. In 1636 Khan Dauran, The Moghal general after devastating the territory round about laid siege to the fort at the orders of Sah Jahan who capitulated on September 28, 1636. In the battle of Fatekherda in 1724 the Nizam became Victorious against Mubariz Khan and virtually became an independent ruler in the Decan. After almost a century of direct Moghal domination, the district along with the place passed under Nizam's sovereignty. Udgir is also remarkable as being the place where in 1760. A great battle was fought between the Nizam and the Marathas. The Marathas emerged triumphant and according to the terms of the treaty concluded on February 4, 1760. The Nizam had to cede territories with sixty lakhs of rupees. Udgir Fort contains the Samadhi of Udgir Buva, a deeply revered Saint on account of whose blessings the construction of this fort is said to have been completed. The chamber containing the 464 m. Samadhi is only 1,114 m entered through a lovely constructed door. It is studded with colored marble tiles. On the top, the Samadhi have placed a linga, a conch shell, and a Nandi image. In its front part, a marble tile bearing embossed figures of Rama and Sita has been fixed. In the same way, there is a similar 83 figure of Narayan to the right of the visitor and that of Suryanarayan to the left. In the month of Asadh yatra attended by over 2,00,000 persons is held in honor of this saint. Outside, there is a pavilion to the right and a well to the left, with an outlet without the fort, supplying water to the adjoining vegetable orchards. Inscriptions mentioning the names of Sah Jahan and Aurangzeb have been found in the fort.
There is a big inscription found in this region. It is mentioned in the inscription of 1180 shaka i.e. (1258) that Goapl Dev. Mandalik of King Kanhar Dev performed on lakh 'yadnayas' to complete the formalities of this Yadnayas' He donated Latur, Tururi, Sakol, Khandar, Ujambal, Kakhnal, and Udgir towns. In this inscription, Udgir is mentioned as "Udyagiri". Sometimes it is also mentioned as a 'Uddalaq'. 'Uddalaq' this name is derived from the name of Uddalaq Rushi Uddalaq rushi used to live in a cave near Udgir performing his 'Tapa'. Gazzetter, mentions this place as the 'monument (samadhi) of Udgir buwa.
Lendi River originated in Udgir taluka. The region near the river is beautified in the rainy season by the green fields. The atmosphere here is hot and dry in summer but in winter and rainy season is it cool and healthy.
There are so many buses to Udgir from Latur. S.T. Buses are left to Udgir from Latur for 15 minutes. Most of these buses provide V.D.O and music facilities. In spite of this, buses from Karnataka state are also available. Jeeps, autos, and luxury buses are also available in Udgir town. Also, a broad gauge railway line facility is available in Udgir town. Udgir town is the important station on the Parali - Hydrabad broad gauge railway line. Tourists can use this railway route. But there are so many limitations to using this railway route.
The electricity supply is good in Udgir town. Every house and other important offices, and commercial centers are also electrified. Communication facilities like post, telegram, telephone, STD, and ISD are provided by the post office, telegram & telephone office. Internet facilities are also available in the town by which tourists can communicate with others anywhere in the world.
Water is provided by the taps in this town. Hand pumps are also used for drinking water. But in summer the town has to face the problem of water supply. There is an open drainage system in Udgir town. But the sewage system in the town is not managed well. Like the fort of Ausa here also the campus near the fort is full of dirt and filth.
The road to the fort is rough and narrow for the sake of the travelers the road needs betterment. They should be maintained well. Transport and communication facilities are good here.
There is a medium size bus stand in Udgir town. But the atmosphere around the bus stand is unhygienic. Though the station area can not be enlarged, the cleanness of this bus stand is necessary. Local government should try to clean the area around it. Though the frequency of buses is good travelers prefer to travel by private wheels, and luxuries because of the above-mentioned reasons. Most of the roads in Udgir need repairing which will help the tourists and their entourage.
Accommodation facilities are good in the town. There are 18 to 20 lodges in the town. The lodges are available to the rich and middle-class people. Some of the lodging charge Rs. 25 to 30 per cot per day. There are some "Mathas" but the facilities like water, toilet, lavatory, and food, etc are not satisfactory. There are 15-20 good hotels in the town, which provide medium-quality of meals. There is no lack of entertainment facilities in Udgir town. There are four cinema theaters and one video center in Udgir town. But the facilities provided here are not good. There are eight public libraries, twelve reading rooms, and six drama halls or community halls, which are used by travelers.
Local Government should try to provide good & advanced infrastructural facilities in town. It is very advantageous for tourism development. It should be concentrated to keep the atmosphere healthy. The sewage system should be maintained well. The part of the fort which is in ruined condition should be rebuilt. The area of the bus stand should be well cleaned. The quality of the lodges should be enhanced. Recreational facilities should be provided to the tourist. There should be varieties of eatable things in the hotels. Famous sweets and dishes like Chines, North Indian, South Indian, etc. should be made available here. There should be water fountains and a big garden built here. There beautification of the road - dividers and the fort also need beautification.
