Satara district is located in the western part of Maharashtra. It is bound by Pune district to the north, Solapur district to the east, Sangli district to the south and Ratnagiri district to the west. Raigad district lies to its north-west. The geographical area of Satara district is 10,480 Sq. Km. which is about 3.4 per cent of the state’s total geographical area. Satara district is situated in the river basins of Bhima and Krishna. Satara, Panchgani, Mahabaleshwar, Karad, Wai, Rahimatpur, Mhaswad, Phaltan and, Malakapur are the Statutory towns of Satara District. Historically Satara was the capital of the Maratha kingdom, land of great warriors, saints and great personalities namely Rani Laxmibai, Krantisinha Nana Patil (Patri sarakar), Savitribai Phule and Karmaveer Bhaurao Patil. This land has rich heritage. Mahabaleshwar, one of the most beautiful hill stations of India, is located in this very district. The physical settings of Satara shows a contrast of immense dimensions and reveals a variety of landscapes influenced by relief, climate and vegetation.