If you are looking to add some educational and cultural quotient for your kids while on a family holiday, Solapur is the place to go. A beautiful amalgam of architecture, traditional markets, ancient ruins as well as handlooms and mouth-watering street delicacies, Solapur has something for everyone. All this is set in an atmosphere of tranquillity and calm as you enjoy the laidback ethnicity of the locals and the everyday life in this city.
We’ve selected 8 Amazing Places to Visit in Solapur which are sure to enamour both you and your kids. So, while you enjoy Solapur’s tourist places and the vivid coloured textiles, lofty and majestic palm trees, exquisite gold jewellery and natural gems, your kids will also find myriad things to do in Solapur. We are sure these places will help you get the most out of your visit and you will be able to recommend the best of Solapur’s places to visit to family and friends as well.
- Temple Of Lord Siddharameshwar
- Bhuikot Fort
- Akkalkot Swami Samarth Maharaj Temple
- Great Indian Bustard Sanctuary
- Dharmaveer Sambhaji Lake
- Solapur Science Centre
- Hipparga Lake
- Saraf Katta
One of the unmissable things to do in Solapur is to visit this temple built in honour of its namesake Siddheshwar, an avid devotee of Lord Shiva in the twelfth century. The people of the Lingayat faith revere him like a god and he is supposed to have attained samadhi at this temple site. There are 68 Shiva lingams in the main courtyard including the amrit or immortality lingam as well as a silver-plated idol of Nandi, the mythological bull. It is believed that Solapur rose in prosperity after the birth of Siddheshwar, also believed to be the sixth god of the Lingayat faith, and people throng to receive his blessings. As a tourist, Makar Sankranti in mid-January is the best time to visit as there’s a grand celebration for three days and Gadda Yatra, a local carnival, takes place near the temple for fifteen days.
Timings – It opens at 5:00 am and closes at 10:00 pm. How to reach: By Air- The nearest airport is Pune airport. By Train– The nearest railway station is Solapur railway station which is just 2 km from this temple. By Road– Roads to this temple are well connected so you can easily reach using your own vehicle, bus or taxi.
Built in the typical Bahmani era construction style in the 14th century, this fort is situated on the banks of Siddheshwar Lake and is one of the popular places to visit in Solapur. Aurangzeb is said to have taken up residence in this fort temporarily. This place is ideal for a taste of history and is extremely educational for kids. There is an animal park within the boundary of this fort which is a great attraction for kids. An octagonal-shaped well built around the same time as the fort is also an architectural delight.
Timings: All days from 8:00 am to 6:30 pm How to reach:
The fort is situated less than 2 km from Solapur so you can use your own vehicle or an autorickshaw.
All it takes is a 45-minute drive from Solapur to reach the beautiful and sacred Akkalkot temple for a spiritual experience. You can see the majestic banyan tree as you walk towards the entrance where Swami Samarth is supposed to have practised meditation. This temple offers accommodation on its site at a very pocket-friendly price where you can spend a couple of days soaking in the divinity and serenity of the place and teach your children about spirituality and appreciation of art and architecture. Hindu devotees usually come here during the week of Navratri. Do remember that only formal and traditional clothing is allowed here.
Timings: Mornings – 6:00 am to 12:00 pm Evenings – 4:00 pm to 9:00 pm
How to reach:
Buses: Akkalkot has frequent buses from Solapur railway station which is situated 32 km away.
Railway: The Akkalkot Road railway station is 11 km from the temple.
This wildlife sanctuary is home to the Great Indian Bustard and is situated in the semi-arid and drought-prone Deccan thorn scrub forests ecoregion. One of the six places where this great bird can still be seen, it is one of Solapur’s tourist places that cannot be missed and is extremely exciting for kids too. You can make a full day trip to this sanctuary and it is a memorable wildlife expedition.
Best time to visit: September to February
Most birds are visible from 7 to 9 am and 4 to 5 pm.
How to reach:
The sanctuary is 22 km from Solapur with State run buses every 30 minutes. The distance takes about 40 minutes by bus.
This lake, also known as Kambar Talav among the locals, is one of the largest in Solapur and was recently taken under the wing of the government to take steps for its conservation and beautification. It’s the ideal place for leisurely walks as you soak in the beauty of the place. One of Solapur’s tourist places that is popular among tourists and locals alike, it‘s the perfect place for a relaxing evening.
Timings: Open 24 hours. Best times to visit are mornings and evenings.
A visit to the iconic Solapur Science Center is definitely one of the things to do in Solapur with kids and is very popular among science buffs. Made to promote and propagate an interest in science among the common people, it puts up a variety of exhibitions throughout the year and encourages participation. Science is made simpler and exciting even for laymen through its exciting exhibits. Expose your kids to a visual showcasing of scientific ideas and principles and you may have the next Einstein at home. For those interested, it also hosts a night-sky observation through a telescope.
Timings: Tuesday to Sunday 10:00 am to 5:30 pm
How to reach:
It’s situated 10 km from the main city of Solapur and buses and autorickshaws ply to the Science Centre.
Set up by Colonel Fife during British rule, Hipparga Lake, also known as Ekrukh Hipparga Talao has an abundance of water throughout the year and supplies water to the entire Solapur. Ekrukh Tank which is attached to the lake is the second largest irrigation project in the entire Deccan. An ideal picnic spot, it’s perfect for a lazy and serene afternoon while your kids play in this beautiful ambience.
Timings: 9:00 am to 6:00 pm
How to reach:
It’s situated 70 km from Solapur and can be reached by bus or taxi.
Walking through the maze-like alleys with its numerous jewellery and gems shops is any jewellery aficionado’s dream come true. Saraf Katta can give the Gold Souk of Dubai a run for its money with its rare and irresistible designs at very affordable prices. You can also visit the nearby industrial textile plots where the famous and exquisite Solapur chaddar is made and is an integral part of the local culture.
Timings: 9:00 am to 9:00 pm
Closed on Mondays
There are numerous other grand places to visit in Solapur and it goes much beyond being a textile capital. Solapur’s tourist places are designed to be reliable, friendly and comfortable to aid in your exploration of its natural beauty and majestic architecture of its temples, forts and lakes. Though changing fast, this magic city retains its charm and for more information to plan a trip, you can get in touch with EuroKids for a vacation to remember.
