Telhara

History

Telhara is a town in the west of Akot taluk, 17 miles from it. It is situated near the Satpuda parvat and has extreme climate conditions all year around.The town suffers of very low temperature in winter (may go up to 3 - 5 degrees), a heavy much rain and very high temperatures during the summer (temperature in month of May may rise up to 48 degrees). It is situated near by "Gautama" river. When Jalgaon taluk belonged to Akola District an Extra-Assistant Commissioner was stationed at Telhara and had civil jurisdiction over Akot and Jalgaon taluks. This has now been discontinued, but during 1908 a Bench of Honorary Magistrates was established at Telhara with jurisdiction was over one-fourth of Akot taluk. For revenue purposes there are five separate villages adjoining one another, two of them having the name Telhara and the other three having Muslim names. A Panchgawahan,Malegaon, Ghoregaon, all three were founded by a Muslim Emperor, there is a considerable Muslim settlement in the town. Therefore, there is an old mosque placed on the bazaar road.

Architectural features

The place has no ancient temples of much interest, but does have several temples of some size have been built during the last fifty years. Harakhchand Gulabchand, Honorary Magistrate, a Swetambari Jain, to carry out a vow of his father's, has at a cost of Rs. 40,000 or more built a temple to Padmaprahu, one of the 24 Tirthankaras of the Jains. It has a golden image, and the building is strikingly coloured and furnished; some of the details, such as the introduction of the figures of British soldiers in the front.

Markets

The neighbourhood is rich in markets the main one being the one at Malegaon, 3 miles away. One is held at Telhara on Sundays. During the rest of the week, but not on bazar day, the same site is used as a cotton-market. The demand is that of four gins and two presses in the town, but this is sufficient to absorb all the cotton of the locality and to bring perhaps 200 or 250 carts a day into Telhara. A police station and a hospital have been situated here for many years, and there is also a telegraph-office; the schools are vernacular only. A library survives from the time of the important courts now removed. The size of the town causes difficulties about its sanitation, and its commercial activity is somewhat hampered in the rains by the lack of good roads, as the road from Telhara to Adsul is not kept in good condition. The town used to celebrate all festivals.

Education

1. Shree Shivaji High School.
2. Seth Bansidhar Jr. Science College.
3. Dr.Gopalrao Khedkar Mahavidyalaya (Gadegaon) Telhara.
4. Late. Narmadabai Bodkhe D.T.ed College Telhara.
5. Gurukul School & D.T.ed College Telhara.
6. Industrial Training Institute (I.T.I) Telhara.

Another is the newly founded Jaganath Dhone Jr. College, Talegaon.

Meditation Center

Dhamma Anakula Vipassana center is located 5 km from Telhara at Khaperkhed fata. Regular residential 10-day courses are held and is open for anyone above 20 years of age.

Geography

Telhara has an average elevation of 274 metres (898 feet).

Demographics

As of 2001 India census, Telhara had a population of 18,906. Males constitute 52% of the population and females 48%. Telhara has an average literacy rate of 74%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 80%, and female literacy is 67%. In Telhara, 14% of the population is under 6 years of age.