World's Unique Festival.DAY 3

Solapur is a city and a municipal corporation in south eastern Maharashtra, India near the Karnataka border and is the administrative headquarters of Solapur District.Solapur is a melting pot with a confluence of Marathi, Telugu and Kannada languages.It is an important junction on the north-south railway line. Solapur is a town with an array of small and medium scale industries. Solapur is a leading center for cotton mills and power looms. Solapur bed-sheets ('chaddars') have earned fame and reputation for their novel designs and durability. The chief deity of the city is Shri Siddeshwar.The "Nandidhwaj" procession on Makar Sankranti fair is attended by millions of devotees.

Solapur is the transport hub, connecting Maharashtra, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. It is well connected by Road and Rail to major cities. Akkalkot is the site of Akkalkot Swami Maharaj Math, visited yearly by huge number of people from Maharashtra and neighbouring Karnataka. Also a annual fair is held in the month of January, wherein huge croud comes from various parts of country, which is called as Gadda Fair in vernacular language.

GADDA FAIR
Shri Siddharameshwar was a historical figure of the 12th century whose "Karmayoga" on his own native land-Solapur, turned him into a God-figure over the course of time. There was a great saint Shri.Siddarama,who preached the teachings of Shri.Basaweshwara. A young girl, inspired by the teachings of this saint wished to marry the saint. Shri. Siddaram being a brahamachari denied to marry her and gave permission to marry with his Yogadanda. The same marriage function is celebrated every year on the Makar Sankranti for three days on Bhogi, Sankrant and Kinkrant. The Nandi Dhwajas are presumed as Bride and Groom for the marriage. This festival falls around 14th Jan every year. A fare popularly known as Gadda Jatra is arranged for fifteen days during this period