# Chas Ghodegaon

Chas is a small town on the banks of the river Ghod River in Ambegaon taluka of Pune district in the Indian state of Maharashtra, India.

## Geography

Chas is located at 19°03′08″N 73°52′53″E﻿ / ﻿19.052342°N 73.881426°E﻿ / 19.052342; 73.881426 and falls under Ambegaon Taluka. It is situated 6 km from the sub-district headquarters, Ghodegaon, and 82 km from Pune. The village is located at the foothills of the Sahyadri Mountain range, to the north of Pune city.
The female population is 49.5%. The village has a literacy rate of 74.0%, with a female literacy rate of 33.5%.
The total geographical area of the village is 360.05 hectares. Chas has a population of approximately 2,300 people and consists of about 504 houses. The village covers areas including Kadewadi, Ganeshwadi, Thakarwadi, Jambhalemala, and Chas itself.
The nearest Police station is Ghodegaon Police Station.

## Agricultural

Agriculture is the main occupation of the village. The most commonly grown crop is bajra, along with vegetables such as potatoes, tomatoes, and onions. Farmers also cultivate fruits like grapes and bananas.
The Ghod River flows through the village, providing a vital water supply for local farmers. The village is also connected to the Dimbhe Dam water canal. Chas has a reliable water supply from the Dimbhe Dam Canal, Ghod River, and monsoon rains, enabling farmers to cultivate crops throughout the year.
During the Monsoon 2019, the famous Dnyaneshwar temple was under water. Due to heavy monsoon rains, the Dimbhe Dam released 22,000 cusecs of water into the Ghod River on August 29, 2022.
* Dnyaneshwar Maharaj Temple
* Smhashan Bhumi, Chas

## Education at Chas

Chas has a primary school that offers education up to the 4th standard, and Sant Dnyaneshwar Vidyalaya provides education up to the 10th standard. The primary school was established in 1855.
Sant Dnyaneshwar Vidyalaya was founded on June 13, 1977. Mr. Shinde Guruji was the first principal of the school, and Mr. Aaayub Inamdar and Mr. Sambhaji Barve were the first teachers.
After completing their SSC, students typically choose a college in either Ghodegaon or Manchar for higher studies. For many years, the SSC passing percentage at Sant Dnyaneshwar Vidyalaya has been 100%.
* Sant Dnyaneshwar Vidyalaya
* Primary school
* Sending-off ceremony - 29 Aug 2021

## Festivals and Temples in Chas

Events like the local Yatra, Wrestling, Tamasha, and various religious observances, including Ganesh Chaturthi, are celebrated with great enthusiasm in Chas. The village is home to many temples that attract devotees from all over the state.
* New Ram Temple
* Sant Dnyaneshwar Maharaj
* Ancient murti
* Shani Maharaj
* Nandi sculpture next to Shankar Temple
* Shankar Murti
* Pirache Mandir
Bullock cart races are an integral part of life in Chas and are widely recognized throughout Pune district. Here is a photo from the 2011 race in Chas.
The villagers of Chas have constructed a new Ram Mandir to replace the old temple, which was 100 years old. The newly-constructed Hindu Ram temple in Chas was opened to devotees on Saturday, March 25, 2023, in a grand ceremony.

## Senior citizen

Chas has a senior citizen group, led by President Mr. Inamdar, a recipient of the National Teachers Award presented by the President of India. This group focuses on catering to the needs and interests of older adults and helps drive village-focused benefit schemes.

## Tourism

Tourist sites include the Saint Dnyaneshwar Maharaj temple. At Chas, on the bank of Ghod River, Dashkriya Vidhi (10th ritual after death) of Dnyanoba Mauli's buffalo (reda) took place. The buffalo is said to have died in Aane village and his tomb was constructed on the bank of Chas. Recently, the state government has included Chas village in a list of Grade C pilgrimage places.
Shooting of films like Pak Pak Pakaak ( 2005) - पक पक पकाक and Gauracha Navra (1988) completed in Chas.

## Leopard attacks in Chas

Leopard population around Chas village has grown over the last 10 years. Recently, the frequency of leopard attacks has increased, resulting in 5 people suffering minor to major injuries between 2019 and early 2020. It has been observed that these leopards have adapted to changing land patterns and now prefer to live near human habitats for survival.
The local administration has proposed a leopard safari project in Ambegaon, Junnar Taluka. This initiative is expected to attract wildlife enthusiasts and promote eco-tourism in the region.

## Administration and Politics

The village is administered by a Sarpanch, who is an elected representative as per the Constitution of India and the Panchayati Raj. Mrs. Archana Daulat Barve is the Sarpanch of Chas-Mauli, while Aashatai Khandu Parghi serves as the Sarpanch of Thakarwadi - Chas.
Dilip Walse-Patil of Nationalist Congress Party is the current MLA and Ex-Cabinet Minister, served as Ministry of Co-operation as the Minister in Government of Maharashtra from Ambegaon Vidhan Sabha constituency. Dr. Amol Kolhe of Nationalist Congress Party is the current member of parliament (MP) from Shirur (Lok Sabha constituency)
Tulsi Sachin Bhor of Nationalist Congress Party is local representative of Kalamb - Chandoli BK (Zilha Parishad Pune) Mr. Sachin Bhor Patil of Nationalist Congress Party is a youth Leader for Shirur (Lok Sabha constituency).
Shri. Balasaheb G. Shekhar, a retired IPS officer, is a resident of Chas. Previously, Mr. Shekhar served as DIG, Nashik and Additional Commissioner of Police (Crime) in Navi Mumbai.

## COVID-19 Pandemic in Chas

Many local migrants who traveled from Pune and Mumbai were quarantined at Sant Dnyaneshwar Vidyalaya. A strict lockdown was imposed in Chas following the directives from the Government of Maharashtra.
Chas during Covid -19 lockdown:

## Transportation

Chas is well connected by both public and private transport to Ghodegaon, Manchar, and Kalamb. The village is located just 9 km (5.6 mi) east of the Pune-Nashik National Highway 60 (India). A proposed rail link between Pune and Nashik is expected to enhance future connectivity. The nearest international and domestic airport is Pune Airport at Lohegaon.

## Nearby Attractions

* Bhimashankar Temple,
* Bhimashankar Wildlife Sanctuary,
* Vigneshwara Temple, Ozar,
* Lenyadri,
* Girawali Observatory,
* Shivneri,
* Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope Khodad,
* Narayangad,
* Government College Of Engineering And Research, Avasari Khurd.