Miraj

Miraj ( pronunciation ; Marathi:मिरज) is a city in southern Maharashtra, India, that was founded in the early 10th century. It was an important Jagir of the Adil Shahi Court of Bijapur. Chhatrapati Shivaji stayed in Miraj for two months during his South India Campaign. Because of its location, Miraj has been held as a strategic bastion: it was the capital of Miraj Senior and an important junction on the central railway network. The Pathwardhan family were the hereditary rulers of Miraj until independence. Miraj City is part of the Sangli-Miraj-Kupwad Municipal Corporation formed in 1999. The city is recognised for performance of Hindustani classical music, for its medical services and as a place of religious harmony. Marathi and Kannada are the most widely spoken languages. The annual Ganesh Visarjan procession is an attraction which lasts for an average of twenty hours. Miraj is mainly recognised for medical treatment and Indian string instruments.