Tourist spots of Nagpur District
Adasa
Adasa is a tiny village in the district of Nagpur and situated 45 Kms. from Nagpur. It is a village that houses a plethora of ancient and magnificent temples. The Ganapati temple, that exists here lodges an idol of the Lord, which is a single stone,. On a hill near the village is a temple of Mahadeo with three lingas, which are believed to have come out of the ground by themselves.
Khekranala
Khekranala is where a beautiful dam is located. It is situated in the Khapra range forest. The land displays a fine harmony of lush greenery and fascinating surrounding along with healthy environment. Dense foliage blankets the water reservoir. Khekranala is situated at a distance of 55 Kms. from the main city of Nagpur
Markanda
Markanda, a small parish, located on the left bank of Vainganga river, is famous as a religious site. The land get its name from Sage Markandeya. A cluster of temples exists here housing Shiva Linga which Markandeya is believed to have worshipped. The cluster has an approximate 24 temples and the architecture strongly resembles that of the Khajuraho temples.
Dhapewada
Dhapewada, lies peacefully on the banks of the Chandrabhaga river, and plays dwelling to a small temple of Vithoba. The temple was the brainchild of Umaji Aba, Diwan to Raja Baji Rao Bhonsle. This place is affectionately termed as the Pandharpur of Vidarbha.
Nagardhan
Nagardhan, a majorly prehistoric town, has been of great importance since ages. The town came into existence because of a Suryavanshi King but Mr.Hiralal supposes it to have been established by King named Nandvardhan belonging to Shail Dynasty. The land houses a fort, supposedly built by the Bhonsles comprising of brick walls.
Ramtek:
Ramtek is a small town situated at a distance of approximately 42 Kms. to the north east of Nagpur City. This town is very famous because it is believed to be associated with Lord Rama. The story goes that Sri Ram tarried here a while with Laxman and Sita. Hence, the name. There is a hill situated near Ramtek, known as Ramgiri Hill. The Hill houses a historical temple of Lord Rama, which is said to be more than 600 years old.
It was here that prolific Sanskrit poet Kalidasa wrote his epic “Meghdootam”. Besides, Sri Ram Temple and Kalidas Memorial, there is Ram Ramsagar Lake. Khindsi near Ramtek is famous large and picturesque lake.
Totladoh:
Totladoh Dam is situated about 70 Kms., from Nagpur. was built between 1975 to 1985 on the Pench River near Madhya Pradesh’s boarder. Pench National Park is situated in this area and it is declared as a wildlife sanctuary in 1983 and 25th Tiger Reserve in the country of India. There is also a lot more wildlife that can be found in Pench National Park aside from its tigers.
Ambhakhori:
Ambhakhori is situated around 60 Kms. from Nagpur. It is best in winter, though it tends to be crowded on week ends. Water falls and forest are the main attractions. It is yet to be developed to its full as potential tourist spot.
Tourist spots of in and around Nagpur
Nawegaon National Park:
Nawegaon Bandh Wildlife Sanctuary is situated in Sakoli Tahsil, in the adjacent district, Bhandara. It is situated approximately 142 Kms. away from Nagpur on Nagpur-Bandara-Sakoli-Nawegaon Road. It has a railway station at Deulganv on the Gondia-Brahmapuri N/G railway line and about 40 Kms. away from Gondia. Nawegaon is Vidarbha’s most popular forest resort and one of the ultimate adventure sport. The park is spread over an area of 135 sq.kms It is said to have been built by Kolu Patel Kholi in the beginning of the 18th centuary. There’s a picturesque lake set in the midst of hill ranges with watch towers that enable you to view wildlife. The Deer park, Dr.Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary, beautiful gardens, children’s park etc. are other important spots. Almost 60% of the bird species found in Maharashtra have been recorded in Nawegaon. Every winter, huge flocks of migratory ducks visit the lake. You can also see leopards, sloth bear, gaur, sambar, chital, langur etc. One can also join the jungle safari and stroll through the beautiful forest, crossing paths with leopards, sloth bears, gaurs, sambards, chitals and langoors. Staying in the unique treetop house, boating on the lake are some other other pastimes one can enjoy over here.
Nagzira Wildlife Sanctuary:
Nagzira is a famous wild life sanctuary situated at the Tirora Range of adjacent Bhandara District. It is approximately situated 130 kms. from Nagpur. The sanctuary serves as the perfect place for all those who love to explore nature and its various facets Bird and animal lovers will find a visit to the Nagzira Wildlife Sanctuary, one of the best ways to spend their weekends. The wild animals found here consist of tigers, panthers, leopards, bison, gaur(world’s largest cattle), sloth bears, sambar deer, fourheaded antelope, blue bull etc. The other wildlife attractions are animals like chital, barking deer, mouse deer, civet cats, jackals, jungle cats, spotted hyena and hare. The birds seen nesting inside the premises of the sanctuary include peafowl, grey jungle fowl, red spur fowl etc. Endowed with excellent natural forest, abundance of vegetal cover and the presence of small and big water bodies are other attractions of Nagzira Wildlife sanctuary.
Tadoba National Park:
Tadoba National Park is situated in the district of Chandrapur in the north-eastern part of Maharashtra, often referred to as “The Jewel of Vidarbha”. It is the oldest national park in Maharashtra.
The park was established in 1935 and declared as a National Park in 1955 and since 1995, the area comprising the Tadoba National Park and Andhari Wildlife Sanctuary together was designated as Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve. It is the second The area of the reserve is 625.40 sq.km. This includes Tadoba National Park, created in 1955 with an area of 116.55 sq.km and Andhari Wildlife Sanctuary created in 1986 with an area of 508.85 sq.km. The park consists of around 50 Bengal Tigers. Along with this, other frequently spotted wildlife are sambar, gaur, chinkara, leopard cat, pangolin, panther, spotted deer, sloth bear, chausinga, nilgai, barking deer, Indian bison, wild dog, hyena, jackals etc. Late nights are best to see tigers, leopards, gaur, nilgai, sambar and chital. Tadoba National Park also an ornithologist’s paradise with a varied diversity of migratory bids and water birds. Python, Bengal monitor lizard and crocodiles are other inhabitants of this park. The main attraction of the park is the jungle safari.
Bor Dam:
Formed by the Bor Dam(a key feature of the Bor River Project), this reservoir is a gret picnic spot and a show case of wide spectrum of wildlife, including sambhar, cheetal, barking deer, nilgai, tigers, leopards and wild dogs. It is situated 80 Kms. away from Nagpur. Nearest Railway Station is Wardha which is about 35 Kms. away.
Chaprala Wildlife Sanctuary:
Chaprala Wildlife Sanctuary is situated near 24 Kms. from Nagpur(via Chandrapur). The nearest Railway Station is Ballarshah. It is a home for a variety of wild animals including a few endangered species namely the tiger, leoprd, jungle cat, sloth bear and wild dog. There are 131 species of avi-fauna recorded in the protected area of which as many as three bird species are of endangered status. There are two species of reptiles which are of endangered status : the Indian Python and common Indian monitar. It is common to spot the following wild animals as well: wild boar, spotted deer, sambar, barking deer, blue bull, jungle cat, jackal, peacock, jungle fowl and flying squirrel.
The local people in and around the Chaprala Wildlife Sanctuary are mostly tribals belonging to the Gond community. The local language is Marathi, Telugu, Madia and Gondi. These people are mainly dependent on the forest for their day to day needs such as wood, timber, grass, etc. Other places of other interest around the sanctuary are Prashant Dham at Chaprala, Chaprala Temple and Markanda Temple.
Sewagram Ashram
Sevagram Ashram is situated at Sevagram Village in the adjacent Wardha District, approximately 75 Kms., away from Nagpur City. The main attraction of Ashram is that it served as the H/Quarters of Mahatma Gandhi for 6 years from 1934 to 1940. It was here only that he lived along with wife Kasturba for a few years. Mahatma Gandhi built this Sewagram Ashram himself with the material that was available locally.
Pavnar Ashram:
The historical Village of Pavnar, said to be named after the legendary Rajput King Pavan is situated on the banks of Dham River in the adjacent Wardha District. It is the site of an Ashram, which was founded by the great social reformer and activist Acharaya Vinobha Bhave for the treatment of leprosy patients and also the location of the Gandhi Kuti.
CHIKHALDARA HILL RESORT:
Chikhaldara is the sole hill resort in the Vidarbha Region. It is situated at an altitude of 1118 m and hs the added dimension of being the only coffee-growing area in Maharashtr. It abounds in wildlife – panthers, sloth bears, sambar, wild boar and even the rarely seen wild dogs. Close by is the famous Melghat Tiger Project which has 82 tigers. The scenic beauty of Chikhaldara can be enjoyed from Hurricane Point, Prospect Point and Devi Point. Other interesting excursions include Gavilgad and Narnala Fort, the Pandir Nehru Botanical Garden, The Tribal Museum and the Semadoh Lake. The nearest railhead is Badnera on the Central Railway.