Malegaon, Washim

Malegaon is the big town and headquarters of Malegaon taluka in Washim subdivision of Washim district of Maharashtra state in India. It is located on the state highway joining south-east Maharashtra and Vidarbha to southern India. Malegaon is on the main road which is between Washim and Mehkar. It is a major junction for road-based transport.

In medieval Prakrit, "Malla" was associated with wrestler. There is a legend that during the medieval period this town was the centre of wrestling in the Vidarbha and Marathwada region, hence the name Malegaon. Also, its strategic location made it famous and sometimes known as a gateway for Nijam Shahi and Mughals and it was a famous place where Shivaji mostly had come for Malneshwar Shivling Darshan.

There are many temples in the Malegaon area such as Nagartas Devi Sansthan, Davha, and Malneshwar Temple. The village named Shirpur Jain which is near to Malegaon is famous for a statue of Lord Parshwanath which is stable in the air without support.

In Malegaon there is a college named Ramrao Zhanak College of Arts, Sciences and Commerce. Other schools are N N Mundada High School and Science, Commerce, Arts Jr College.

Now in modern days it is famous for cultivation of pulses, soya, wheat and other agricultural products. Another distinction is from the excellent printing industry this town offers.