Khandala, Satara
Khandala is a town and taluka in the Satara district in the Indian state of Maharashtra. Geography. Khandala, Shirwal and Lonand are large towns in the taluka. The Nira River flows from the northern border. Veer is the largest dam on the river. The southern border is covered by Mahadev Hills. Khandala Taluka is situated on the northern side of Satara district. Khandala is located approximately 55 km south of Pune. It is surrounded by the mountainous region of the Sahyādris. To the east of Khandala are the talukas of Phaltan and Baramati, to the west lie the  taluka of Wai and Bhor, the northern border abuts Purandar Taluka in Pune district and the south border is shared with the Wai and Koregaon. The headquarters of the taluka is the eponymous city. History. Khandala separated from Wai Taluka along with Mahabaleshwar for easier administration. Demography. According to the 2011 Census, the population is 6,832 souls. 187 are Scheduled Tribes (STs) and 1,090 are Scheduled Castes (SC). The sex ratio is 3,301 females per 3,531 males. The literacy rate in the city is 91.12 per cent, 93.99 for males and 88.08 for females. Tourism. Khambatki Ghat gives the best  view of Khandala. The "ghat" is situated on the southern border. Subhangad is a Maratha fort of the Maratha Empire near Shirwal. During the "waree" of Aashadhi, Ekadashi Palkhi of Shree DNyaneshwar Maauli halts at Lonand. Ashwasnan takes place.Nira River."Shree Datta Temple" is at village Morve. Wing is famous for agritourism. Madhyavarti Oos Sanshodhan Kendra is situated at Padegaon, where research on sugarcane takes place. Transport. Lonand is connected by railway. Khandala and Shirwal are situated on Pune-Satara Highway. Krantisinh Nana Patil College of Veterinary Science is near Shirwal on Pandharpur Road. Villages. The taluka hosts many  villages: