My city Washim.

A small city in western Vidharbha. It was declared to be a district on 1 July 1998. Previously the city was called Vatsagulma, the city of King Vakatak. Washim have great history of ages. It is said that the name Vatsagulma was because Washim was the holy place of Rishi Vatsa. There is also a huge temple of Lord Balaji. It is said that they rested in Washim after the Harvest. The city has a large number of temples and ponds and every temple has a story related to it. Apart from the temples the city still has some remains of the Kingdom of King Vakatak. The Entrances doors the Kingdom still hold there grandeur and are preserved.

                Washim have developed a lot compared to the condition when it was a newly formed district. But still unlike the hustle and bustle of cities the city still has a peaceful environment. The air is still pollution free because of the farms all around the city. The growing urbanization has decreased the trees count but the municipality has started taking measures to compensate this. Parks are being developed and also the cleanliness of the city is monitored. The urbanization has still not affected the cultural attachment of the people.

                Washim doesn’t have disco or pubs for hanging out and actually we even don’t need them. There are so many pleasant places in and around Washim, most of them being related to some or the other temple and hence everyone from elders to kids enjoys going to these places. Dewala, Kata Kondala, Narayan Baba Temple (having a lake near it) and many more.  Moreover we have our own chaupati (as we call it) which has one of the best pav bhaji centres in the state.

                One more charm in the city is the annual fair near the Balaji Temple which is held every year during the Diwali period. It is a month long fair. Earlier the fair used to be just around the Temple including the various fun rides, etc. But now the amusement section is shifted to a different section and now includes many more electric fun rides. Moreover every year’s fair has at least one board of ‘First Time In the State…’  For the farmers this fair is a mean to enjoy the harvest period. One can feel the happiness in the atmosphere.

                Washim is the dwelling of many happy families and also the reason of the happiness of many families. A friend of mine wrote this Hindi poem which I will like to share on this blog. A Washimkar will understand the true feelings behind this poem.

Wo barsat ki sham,

Wo centre point ka jam,

Wo Tilak Garden ki hawa,

Wo Reynold hospital ki dawa,

Wo Sindhi market ki shopping,

Wo doston se mobile ki talking,

Wo sholey ki kachori

Aur Ramsingh ki pani puri,

Wo Rajeshwar ka soda pani,

Wo Srinath ki pav Bhaji,

Wo anand Bhojanlaya ka Khana,

Jiska sara jahan diwana,

Wo tushar ki chai ka Anand,

Wo Indra Chowk ke paan ka Gulkand,

Wo Dhoom Ganesh Utsav k miravnuk ki,

Wo Shan kawad walo ki,

Wo kalanka mata ki sadke,

Jaha kitne dil dhadke,

Wo masti ki ratein,

Aisi hai kuch humare WASHIM ki Baate J