| Akole | |
| Settlement Type: | City |
| Pushpin Map: | India Maharashtra |
| Pushpin Label Position: | right |
| Pushpin Map Caption: | Location in Maharashtra, India |
| Subdivision Type: | Country |
| Subdivision Name: |  India |
| Subdivision Type1: | State |
| Subdivision Name1: | Maharashtra |
| Subdivision Type2: | District |
| Subdivision Name2: | Ahmednagar |
| Governing Body: | Nagarpanchaayat |
| Unit Pref: | Metric |
| Elevation M: | 593 |
| Population Total: | 18278 |
| Population As Of: | 2011 |
| Population Density Km2: | auto |
| Demographics Type1: | Languages |
| Demographics1 Title1: | Official |
| Demographics1 Info1: | Marathi |
| Timezone1: | IST |
| Utc Offset1: | +5:30 |
| Postal Code Type: | PIN |
| Postal Code: | 422 601 |
| Area Code Type: | Telephone code |
| Area Code: | 02424 |
| Registration Plate: | MH-17 |
| Blank1 Name Sec1: | Coastline |
| Blank1 Info Sec1: | 0km (00miles) |
| Blank2 Name Sec1: | Nearest city |
| Blank2 Info Sec1: | Sangamner |
| Blank3 Name Sec1: | Lok Sabha constituency |
| Blank3 Info Sec1: | Shirdi |
| Blank4 Name Sec1: | Civic agency |
| Blank4 Info Sec1: | Nagarpanchaayat |
Akole is a city and Taluka in Akole tehsil, Ahmednagar district in the state of Maharashtra, India. The city is surrounded by the Sahyadri Mountains of Western Ghats. Several historical sites in the city honour Akole's connection to the history and culture of Maharashtra.[1]
Agasti Rishi Ashram is situated on the banks of the Pravara River. As mentioned in the Ramayana, it is believed that Lord Ram, Lakshman and Sita visited Sage Agastya here, where the Rishi then offered Lord Ram a miraculous arrow which he later used to kill Ravan.[6]
Amruteshwar Temple is at the entrance of the Ratanwadi village. It is considered over 1,200 years old and is dedicated to Lord Shiva as the main deity.[7] The temple itself has been constructed in the Hemadpanthi architectural style, featuring rock carvings on the main shrine.
The Jagdamba Temple is situated in Tahakari village. Jagdamba is a Hemadpanthi temple that features a sculpture of the deity Apsaras. Similar in style to the Khajuraho temples, the main deity of Jagadmba is made of wood. It is one of the most famous temples in the Ahmednagar District of Maharashtra. The Temple is situated on the bank of river Aadhala. Local people organise the festival of Jagdamba Mata, which takes place two times a year. First is the Chaitra Pournima, a two-day Yatra festival involving many people from nearby villages and districts who travel to Darshan of Jagdamba. Second is the Navratri, a 9-night festival of Jagdamba Mata to focus on the continuous worship of Goddess Jagdamba.
The Patta Fort is also known as Vishramgad. The Kalseshwar Temple in Kalas Bk near Akole is situated on a mountain surrounded by the Pravara River. Harishchandragad is a popular point to enjoy trekking.
Koltembhe, a small village at the foothills of Ghanchakkar peak, and Deothan, located from Akole, is close to many scenic locations and temples.
The Shree Gangadhareshwar temple was built in 1782 in hemadpanti style. It was built by Sardar Potnis from Gwalior and has architecture depicting Ganga flowing down, located on a 30 ft high platform. The temple is situated in Akole, a 5-minute walk from the ST stand.
There are several small and large villages present in the Akole taluka. These include Mehenduri, Balthan, Maveshi, Rumbhodi, Rajur, Kotul, Lingdev, Lahit Khurd, Dhamangaon Awari, Nawalewadi, Dhumalwadi, Virgaon, Samsherpur, Unchakhadak, Indori, Ambad, Dhamangaon P, Brahmanwada, and Sugaon.
Sandhan Valley, "The Great Canyon" in the Sahyadri ranges, combines a canyon and a valley. Located near Samrad village in the Akole tehsil of Ahmednagar district near the fort of Ratangad, Sandhan Valley is undoubtedly The Valley of Shadows. Surrounded by the mountains of Ratangad and Kalsubai, the valley stands 4255 ft high above sea level. The trek goes through a 200 ft deep and 2 km long gorge carved by water between the narrow walls. In the film Tanhaji: The Unsung Warrior, by the Actor Ajay Devgn, the film's director Om Raut recreated the Sandhan Valley, where a confrontation between the Mughal army and the Marathas is shown to have taken place.