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Akola (Hindi/Marathi: अकोला) (pronounced /'A·ko·la/) is an important Historical, Cultural, Political, Religious, Industrial and Agricultural city in the state of Maharashtra located in the Vidarbha region in central India. It is located around 600 km east of the capital city of Maharashtra state, Mumbai (former "Bombay") and 250 km west from the city of Nagpur. Akola is the headquarters of Akola District located in Amravati Division. Akola district forms the central part of Amravati division, which corresponds to the former British Raj province of Berar.

It has an Area of around 54.31 sq. km., and population of 1,629,305 (2001 census). Marathi is the most popularly spoken language, though English and Hindi are also widely used. Akola District is bounded on the north and to the east by Amravati District, to the south by Washim District, and to the west by Buldhana District.

The district of Akola comprise of talukas namely Akot, Telhara, Akola, Balapur, Patur, Barshitakli and Murtajapur.

It is renowned for its cotton production and is the largest cotton producing district in India. The city is also famous for its Pulse or Dal, Oil and Textile mills. It is a rapidly developing and growing Market center with recently announced "Mahanagarpalika" in the Vidarbha region. "Dainik Deshonnati" one of the leading Marathi Newspapers in Maharashtra originated from Akola.

The Battle of Argaon, ( or Adgaon near Akot ) in Akola District, took place on November 28 1803, between the British under the command of Governor Arthur Wellesley and the forces of Maratha under Bhonsle of Nagpur during Second Anglo-Maratha War.

Many old forts are located in Akola District viz.:

Narnala Fort, Akot Fort, Akola Fort (see in attached photo) and Balapur Fort.

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The location of Akola city is latitude : 20.42° North and longitude : 77.02° East.

The climate is tropical and people mostly use cotton clothes. Annual temperatures range from a high of 48 °C (118 °F) to a low of 10 °C (50 °F). Akola lies on the Tropic of Cancer, so its very Hot during Summer season, especially in May. Most of the rainfall occurs in the Monsoon season between June to September, but some rains can also be seen during January and February.

The Morna river flows through Akola city. The Purna River forms the part of north boundary of the district, and the top north portion of the district lies within its watershed along with Aas River and Shahnur River. The Vaan River forms the part of northwest boundary of the district after entering from the Amravati district.

The Maan River drains the southwestern portion of the district, Morna River drains the midsouth portion of the district,while the southeast is drained by the Katepurna River and Uma River.

Here are some of the rivers in Akola, with their tributaries:

Purna River, Uma River, Katepurna River, Shahanur River, Morna River, Mann River, Aas River, Vaan River etc.

The Akola MIDC Industrial Area has two prominent industrial zones on the outskirts of the city. The total land under Akola MIDC Industrial area is 625 Hectares. There are around 25 Industries (3 - Large Scale Industries, 22 - Small Scale Industries) currently in Production and another 10 small scale industries are under construction. Notable industries in and around Akola city are:

1. Padsons Industries Pvt. Ltd. - Manufacturing

2. Leben Laboritories - Pharmaceuticals

3. National Organic Chemical Industries Limited (NOCIL) - Rubber Chemicals

4. Akola Chemicals and Industries Private Limited - Chemicals

5. Polyolefins Industries Limited - Chemicals

6. Mahabeej - Agriculture.

Higher Education : Akola has a famous Agricultural University (Dr. Panjabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vidyapeeth, PKV); which attracts students from far-off places for its Agricultural Engineering & Technology program. All other professional colleges in Akola are affiliated to the Sant Gadge Baba Amravati University. It also has Engineering (Shivaji Engineering College, COETA) and Medical Science colleges (as Government Medical College and Jamnalal Goenka Dental College etc.).

Other prominently known colleges of Akola city are Shri R.L.T. College of Science, L.R.T. Commerce College and Shri Shivaji Arts, Commerce & Science College. Other colleges include Sitabai Arts College, Smt. R.G. Mahila Mahavidyalaya, Sudhakarrao Arts & Commerce College, R.T. Ayurvedic Mahavidyalaya, Govt. College of Education, Tirupati Tantra Niketan etc.

Shri Sant Gajanan Maharaj College of Engineering (SSGMCE) at Shegaon (District Buldhana) is a renowned Engineering College of the region and is just 45 km away from Akola.

School Education : All schools in Akola District are affiliated to the Maharashtra State Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education. The Municipality runs all public schools in the city. They lack many facilities, but are the only option for poor residents who cannot afford the more expensive private schools. Noteable Private schools in the Akola city in random order are -

1. Holy Cross Convent High School 2. Mount Carmel High School 3. New English High School 4. Bharat Vidyalaya High School 5. N.R. Deshpande High School 6. Jubilee Convent High School 7. Mungilal Bajoria Vidyalaya 8. Nishu Nursery And Kothari Convent 9. B.R. High School 10. Bhikamchand Khandelwal Vidyalaya 11. Hindu Dyanpeeth Convent 12. N.W.W. Swawalambi Vidyalaya 13. New Era High School etc.

Agriculture or Farming is the main occupation of the people in rural parts of the region. Cotton, Soyabean and Jowar (Sorghum) are the predominant crops grown in the district. Other important crops of the region are Wheat, Sunflower, Canola, Peanut, Bajra (Pearl Millet), Harbara (Chick Peas), Toor (Pigeon Peas), Ulad and Mung (Green Gram) etc.

Most crops are totally dependent on the monsoon. Only 15 per cent of Maharashtra's gross cropped area is irrigated, as against the national average of 32.9 per cent in 1989-90. Vidarbha's Amravati division's (includes Akola District) share of gross cropped area under irrigation is a meagre 9 per cent. Considered one of Maharashtra's least developed regions, Vidarbha has seen not only farmer's suicides but also malnutrition deaths in some tribal areas. This has became nowadays a major reason of recent suicide deaths of Farmers in the Akola region and other surrounding parts of Vidarbha, which has rang alarming bells in the Maharashtra State Government. Vidarbha region has been long demanding a separate state, to support the Economy and Agriculture of this region.

Oil and Dal mills are rampant in this region because of the crops taken. Textile mills are also increasing to support the cotton growing industry.

The Shivani Airport is the Domestic airport of Akola city. The Airport Code for Akola Airport is "AKD". The Airport is just 7 km away from the city on Akola-Amravati Highway. The nearest International airports are Mumbai, Pune and Nagpur. The work of Renovation and Operations of Akola Airport for the future has been taken by Airport Authority of India (AAI). Air Deccan is starting intermittent flights from Mumbai and Nagpur to Akola.

Akola also has good train and rail connectivity. The "NH6", which runs through Akola, is an important National Highway, which runs from Mumbai to Kolkata. Maharashtra state transport buses are most commonly used by people to travel to rural parts of the region. They are the cheapest means of transport. State owned and private air-conditioned bus services run daily buses to most important cities to and from Akola. The bus frequency is extremely good.

Locally, the Akola Municipal Transport (AMT) is Akola's public transport service, of Akola Municipal undertaking. AMT is also an important mode of transport for many people. In addition, Auto Rickshaw is also widely used in Akola city for commute due to its quick ride.

Traffic is generally a problem, in the form of congestions due to increasing number of vehicles, bad roads, stray animals and a general disregard of traffic rules. Road accidents, quite often fatal, are not uncommon in Akola city because of all these factors combined.

Akola railway junction situated on both the Mumbai-Nagpur-Howrah rail line and the Purna-Jaipur meter gauge line is an important junction for passengers from North and South India and also for goods trains.

Important railway stations in Akola region with their codes are Paras, Gaigaon, Akola Junction(AK), Murtajapur Junction (MZR) and are under Bhusawal-Badnera Section of Bhusawal Division of Central Railway.

The other stations under meter gauge are Hiwarkhed(HWK), Adgaon Buzurg(ABZ) , Akot(AKOT), Patsul(PTZ), Ugwe(UGWE), Akola Junction, Shivani Shivpur(SVW), Barshitakli(BSQ), Lohogad(LHD), Amna Vadi(AMW),Jaulka(JUK) are under Purna - Khandwa Section of South Central Railway.

The stations under narrow gauge are Lakhpuri, Murtajapur Junction, Karanja under two Narrow Gauge Branch lines viz Murtajapur-Achalpur and Murtajapur-Yavatmal of Bhusawal Division of Central Railway.

"Raj Rajeshwar Temple" in Akola is a famous Pilgrimage place for worshippers of Lord Shiva and has a great historical heritage. (see attached photo) During the marathi calendar month of 'Shravan', there is huge rush of devotees to worship Lord Shiva especially on every Monday of the month. The month of Shravan is very sacred according to Hindu Religion and worshippers from long distances travel to Raj Rajeshwar Temple to worship Lord Shiva.

Shegaon, a very famous pilgrimage place of "Shri Sant Gajanan Maharaj", is just 45 km away from Akola. Sant Gajanan Maharaj Sansthan is the biggest temple trust in the Vidarbha region and is so called as "Pandharpur of Vidarbha". The origin of Sant Gajanan Maharaj is untraceable in history. People from all over Maharashtra visit Shegaon and offer there prayers to Shri Sant Gajanan Maharaj.

Akola is known as a colorful city because of its many festivals. Ganesh Chaturthi, Makar Sankranti, Dashera, Diwali, Holi and Eid are celebrated with special enthusiasm.

• Dr. Vijay Bhatkar (Scientist)
• Dr. Vitthal Wagh (Lok-Kavi)
• Late Nanasaheb Vairale (First Union Agricultural Minister of India)
• Vasantrao Dhotre (Chairman, Shivaji Education Society)
• Mr. Prakash Pohare (Editor, Deshonnati)
• Prakash Ambedkar (Bharat Ratna Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar's grandson and former Loksabha Member)

• Dainik Deshonnati - Marathi Newspaper,
• Dr. Panjabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vidyapeeth, Akola,
• Shivaji Engineering College (COETA), Akola,
• Jamnalal Goenka Dental College, Akola,
• Shri Sant Gajanan Maharaj College of Engg. (SSGMCE), Shegaon - Official Home page,
• Mount Carmel High School, Akola - Home Page,
• Mahabeej - Official Home Page,
• Shree Sant Gajanan Maharaj - Official Home Page.

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