Indian Railways Renames Ahmednagar Station to Ahilyanagar: A Tribute to the Legendary Queen
Mumbai, September 17: Indian Railways has given a fresh identity to the Ahmednagar Railway Station in Pune Division, Central Railway. The station now proudly bears the name Ahilyanagar, honoring the great Lokmata Devi Ahilya Bai Holkar. This move aligns perfectly with the Maharashtra government’s decision to rename the entire district from Ahmednagar to Ahilyanagar.
In an official press release, Indian Railways confirmed the change. The new name will appear as "ahilyaangr" in Devanagari script for both Marathi and Hindi, and "AHILYANAGAR" in English Roman script. Don’t worry, though—the station code stays the same as ANG, so your tickets and bookings won’t need any updates.
Train services connecting Amalner (B) and Ahilyanagar are already up and running smoothly. Adding to the excitement, the new Amalner (B) – Beed rail line gets its big inauguration today. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, along with other dignitaries, will flag off the inaugural train between Beed and Ahilyanagar on September 17.
This new section features six key stations: Beed, Rajuri (Navgan), Raimoha, Vighanwadi, Jatnandur, and Amalner (B). Indian Railways urges passengers and the public to note the name change and plan their journeys accordingly.
But who was Ahilya Bai Holkar, the inspiration behind this rename? According to the Union Ministry of Culture & Tourism, she was the remarkable Holkar Queen of the Malwa kingdom in the 18th century. Known as one of India’s most visionary female rulers, Ahilyabai spread the ideals of dharma and boosted industrialization with her sharp mind. Her wisdom, bravery, and top-notch administrative skills made her a legend.
Born on May 31, 1725, in the small village of Chondi in Jamkhed (now part of Ahmednagar district, Maharashtra), Ahilya came from humble roots. Her father, Mankoji Rao Shinde, served as the village head and made sure she learned to read and write. Her simple yet strong personality caught the eye of Malhar Rao Holkar, the powerful lord of Malwa. Impressed by her qualities, he arranged her marriage to his son, Khanderao Holkar, in 1733.
This rename isn’t just a name change—it’s a celebration of Ahilyabai Holkar’s enduring legacy in Indian history. As more rail projects like the Beed-Ahilyanagar line roll out, connectivity in Maharashtra is set to get a major boost. Keep an eye on updates for smoother travels!
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