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Maihar district

Overview

Maihar district is a district in the Rewa division of the state of Madhya Pradesh in central India. It was carved out of the erstwhile Satna district, with the town of Maihar serving as its administrative headquarters. The district forms part of the Vindhya region and is best known for the Sharda Devi temple at Maihar, one of the prominent Shakti Peethas in northern India.

Key facts

Name Maihar district
Country India
State Madhya Pradesh
Division Rewa
Headquarters Maihar
Parent district Satna
Region Vindhya / Baghelkhand

Background

The town of Maihar has long been a notable pilgrimage and cultural centre in the Vindhyan plateau. Before its elevation to the status of a separate district, the area was administered as part of Satna district. The reorganisation was undertaken by the Government of Madhya Pradesh as part of a broader effort to create smaller administrative units intended to bring district-level governance closer to citizens.

Geography

The district lies in the north-eastern part of Madhya Pradesh, within the hill country of the Vindhya range. The Tons river and its tributaries drain parts of the region. The terrain consists of a mix of forested hills, agricultural plains and limestone-bearing tracts; the limestone deposits around Maihar support a significant cement industry.

Economy

The economy of the district is based on agriculture, cement manufacturing, mining of limestone and allied minerals, and pilgrimage-related trade and services. Maihar town hosts large cement plants that are among the principal industrial establishments in the Vindhya region.

Culture and significance

Maihar is widely known for the hilltop temple of Maa Sharda, dedicated to the goddess Sharda (a form of Saraswati/Durga), which draws large numbers of pilgrims, particularly during Navaratri. The town is also associated with the Maihar gharana of Hindustani classical music, founded by Ustad Allauddin Khan, which produced internationally renowned musicians such as Ali Akbar Khan, Ravi Shankar and Annapurna Devi.

Administration

As a district of Madhya Pradesh, Maihar is administered by a District Collector and Magistrate, with a Superintendent of Police heading the district police. The district falls under the jurisdiction of the Rewa divisional commissioner.

References