Description:
Situated 56 km south of Aurangabad, this ancient town today famous for its Paithani Silk Sarees, was once a famous seat of learning. This ancient capital city, of the Satvahanas, established by Shalivahan in A.D. 78, was known as Pratishthan. Situated on the banks of Godavari River, Paithan is an important point for Hindu pilgrimage. Today, it is also an important excavation site. Centuries ago, the famous Marathi poet - saint, Eknath lived here.
Apart from the picturesque bathing ghats in Paithan, there are many places worth a visit. The Jayakwadi dam on the river Godavari is huge dam and the water collected is called the Nath Sagar which helps in the irrigation of few hectares of the nearby land. Many migratory birds frequent this place and are a treat for nature lovers. The house of the famous saint Eknath has been now converted into a temple and family of his descendants still live in one part of that three century old house. There is a beautiful well maintained garden near the Dam, named the Dnyaneshwar Udyan. It is full of greenery, flowers and fountains and has been developed on the lines of the Vrindavan Gardens of Mysore.
The silk saris produced here are world famous as Paithani and have been worn by Marathi women for past many centuries. A visit to the handloom weaving centre of saris is exciting and one can also order a customised Paithani sari.
