Overview
Parli Vaijnath, also known simply as Parli, is a city and municipal council in the Beed district of the Marathwada region of Maharashtra, India. It is best known as the seat of the Vaijnath Temple, one of the twelve Jyotirlinga shrines of the god Shiva in Hindu tradition. The town is also a significant industrial and energy hub of the district, owing to the presence of a thermal power station and a major railway junction.
Key facts
| Type | City and municipal council |
|---|---|
| State | Maharashtra |
| District | Beed |
| Region | Marathwada |
| Languages | Marathi (official) |
| Known for | Vaijnath Jyotirlinga Temple, Parli Thermal Power Station |
Etymology and name
The town derives the latter part of its name from the deity Vaijnath (also rendered as Vaidyanath), a form of Shiva worshipped at the principal temple here. Local usage often alternates between "Parli Vaijnath" and "Parli Vaidyanath".
Geography
Parli Vaijnath lies in the south-eastern part of Beed district, in the basin of the Godavari river system, with the Brahma Nadi flowing near the town. The terrain is part of the Deccan plateau and is generally undulating. The region experiences a hot semi-arid climate, with hot summers, a south-west monsoon season, and mild winters.
Vaijnath Temple
The Vaijnath Temple at Parli is widely identified as one of the twelve Jyotirlingas, the most sacred abodes of Shiva in Shaivite tradition. The temple stands on a raised platform and is approached by a flight of steps. The present structure is generally attributed to renovations carried out under Ahilyabai Holkar, the Maratha queen of Indore, in the eighteenth century, although the shrine itself is much older. The temple draws large numbers of pilgrims, particularly during Mahashivaratri and the month of Shravan.
Economy
Parli Thermal Power Station
The Parli Thermal Power Station, operated by the Maharashtra State Power Generation Company (Mahagenco), is one of the largest coal-based power plants in Marathwada and a major employer in the town. The plant has played a central role in the town's growth from a pilgrimage centre into a small industrial city.
Trade and agriculture
The surrounding rural economy is dominated by the cultivation of cotton, sugarcane, jowar, soybean and pulses. Parli serves as a market town for agricultural produce from the surrounding talukas.
Transport
Parli Vaijnath is a junction on the Indian Railways network, connecting lines towards Parbhani, Latur and Vikarabad, and is served by Parli Vaijnath railway station. The town is also linked by state highways to Beed, Ambajogai, Latur and Nanded. The nearest major airports are at Aurangabad and Nanded.
Civic administration
The town is administered by the Parli Municipal Council, responsible for local services such as water supply, sanitation, roads and street lighting. For administrative purposes, Parli is the headquarters of Parli taluka within Beed district. The town falls within the Beed Lok Sabha constituency and has its own seat in the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly as the Parli Vidhan Sabha constituency.
Culture and education
The cultural life of Parli revolves around the Vaijnath temple and associated festivals, with Mahashivaratri being the principal annual event. The town has degree colleges affiliated to Swami Ramanand Teerth Marathwada University, Nanded, along with schools run by the Zilla Parishad and various private trusts.
Related topics
References
- Wikidata entity: Q3785959
- Government of Maharashtra, Beed district administration.
- Maharashtra State Power Generation Company (Mahagenco) – Parli Thermal Power Station.