Bhandara: Lakes, Wildlife Sanctuaries and Regional Culture

When choosing a hotel in Bhandara, it is worth first deciding what you want to focus on during your trip. In Bhandara district, the range of themes spans lakes and wildlife sanctuaries, religious sites, a historic fort and regional crafts. When choosing your hotel, you can first decide whether nature or culture will be the main focus of your trip.

Nature and Waterways in the District

Bhandara district is known as the district of lakes and includes more than 3,500 lakes. Chandpur is in Tumsar taluka; a reservoir surrounded by hills and dense vegetation is located there. The Indirasagar Dam, also called the Gosikhurd Project, was built with the aim of providing irrigation to villages in the districts of Bhandara, Nagpur and Chandrapur. This means the area offers both a specific reservoir landscape and an irrigation purpose connected to three districts, illustrating different aspects of water.

Koka Wildlife Sanctuary covers 92.34 km² and is home to tigers, leopards, gaurs, chital and sambar deer. A route in the sanctuary is 44 km long and takes about 3–4 hours. If you plan to take this route, check local conditions in advance.

Umred Karhandla Wildlife Sanctuary is home to resident breeding tigers, herds of gaur, wild dogs, as well as flying squirrels, pangolins and honey badgers. It is connected to Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve by forest along the Wainganga River. Koka stands out for its area and route duration, while Umred Karhandla is notable for its wildlife and forest connection. This makes it possible to distinguish between the two sanctuaries based on their different natural features.

Pilgrimage Sites and History

Mahasamadhi Bhoomi was established in 1987 in Ruyad, Pauni, in Bhandara district and is a Buddhist pilgrimage site. Korambhi Temple is a Hindu sacred site on Korambhi Hill. The village of Korambhi lies on the banks of the Wainganga River. Ambagad Fort in Bhandara district was built by Raja Khan Pathan in the early 18th century. The religious sites and the fort represent different cultural themes and historical periods.

Crafts and Regional Traditions

Adyar brings together bamboo and textile crafts: bamboo baskets and mats are made there, and cooperative handlooms are also used to produce saris with silk borders, fabrics and dhotis. The products range from bamboo goods to handwoven textiles. Andhalgaon’s weaving history includes fabrics with silk borders for women.

Getting There by Train

Allow about an hour for the train journey from Nagpur Railway Station to Warthi Railway Station near Bhandara. As this is an approximate journey time, check the timetable before departure.

Discover more destinations: Khairi, Bhandara, Kardha.

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