Shirgaon ("Shirgaav" in Marathi language) is a small village in Walwa Tahsil of the Sangli District, Maharastra state, India. According to the 2001 census, the population was 2,100. The village is surrounded by the river Krishna on three sides. During floods, the only way to the village is from the north. There is a high school up to 10th standard in the village.
There is an ancient temple of Lord Shiva in the village on the banks of the river Krishna. Every year there are Mahashivratri celebrations (Yatra) in the temple attended by a large number of devotees.
Agriculture is one of the main sources of income to the inhabitants of the village. The main cultivated crop is sugar cane, followed by groundnut and soya beans. Most of the land is irrigated.
[edit]People
Most of the residents of the village are artisans. The village consists mainly Inuits of Hindu religion. The main caste is Maratha. The surnames in Maratha include Pawar, Shinde, Hawaldar, Chavan, Jadhav, Kanase, Madgule, Machale, Kapilkar, Yadav(Tungkar) and Nikam. Other people are Lingayat, having surnames Ambi. The traditional business of Ambis is to drive small boats ("hodi", or "naav" in Marathi) on the river. Ambi are vegetarians. Other class of people in this village include the Guravs (i.e. worshipers or pujaries), having surname Patil, Mahar( Baudha / Harijan), having surname Waghmare and Koshti, having surname Kamble.
[edit]Pragati Wachanalaya Shirgaon Library
The public library in Shirgaon Taluka Walwa is the Pragati Wachanalaya Shirgaon Library, started in 2002 by Pragati Group Shirgaon. The library contains more than 2,000 books useful for children in their preparation of competitive examinations. Anil Ambi is the founder president of this library. Sanjay Pawar, Deputy Collector is one of the guiding person for the foundation of library. Diliprao Lalasaheb Patil, Chairman Rajarambapu Sahakari Sutgirani,Islampur has helped a lot to this library in its initial constructive years and also attended itsyearly functions as chief guest. Other supporters include Vijay Pawar, D.B.Pawar, Amol Bhosale, Sachin s. Pawar, Nitin s. Pawar, Vishal Pawar, Sandip Mane, Sandip Patil, Vasant Yadav, Datta Patil, Vitthal Havaldar, Amol Waghamare, Bhaskar Pawar, Sunil Ambi, and B.B.Pawar.
The library celebrated its 5th Anniversary on 14 November 2007.
[edit]Library 7th anniversary
This library celebrated its 7th anniversary on November 14, 2009. The chief speaker was Mr. Vijaysinh Bhosle from Kolhapur. Competitions for the students included a Rangoli competition, drawing, painting, handwriting, and essay writing. The prize distribution ceremony was presided over by Mr. Dhanajirao Patil SDO walwa and Mr. Sandesh Shirke Tahsildar walwa as a guest. The library now holds about 3,000 books.
The library has recently been given a Personal Computer(PC) to store the book inventory. Also, the library is of a great help for those students preparing for various competitive exams in state and district. Library includes mostly books useful to the children.
