This holy Wainganga, Bhandara district, witnesses the highest inspirational development in the entire Vidarbha region of Maharashtra-not just rice, but with a fulfilling history, natural beauty, and spiritual heritage. The lovely lakes interspersed with dense forests rich in wildlife and cultural heritage form a veritable gem for an upcoming tourist destination. If you are looking for a place to experience natural tranquillity, intellectual richness, and historic glory, Bhandara district is one such.
So, come, let us traverse these five major places in Bhandara district for everything-peacefulness, adventure, and spiritual energy.
Mahasamadhi Bhoomi at Pavani-the center for the revival of Buddhism
Mahasamadhi Bhoomi arose as a vast symbol for the newly-founded revival of Buddhism, established in Ruyad village of Pavani tehsil of Bhandara district. The site during Ashoka’s reign was very much among an important center of Buddhist culture in its own right, and even today it reverberates with echoes of such grandeur. The inauguration of the grand “Mahasamadhi Bhoomi Mahastupa” in 2007 is on the banks of the Wainganga.
Every full moon and new moon day, thousands of devotees assemble here. The site is open to followers of the Buddhist faith and indeed to adherents of all other religions for offering meditation worship and experiencing peace inside. Its specialty is an intricate sculpture of the life events of Buddha.
Ravanwadi Dam: With nature and irrigation
Inaugurated in 1960, the Ravanwadi Dam supplies not only the irrigation needs of the Bhandara district but also attracts touristic fame. Lending out smouldering under the capacity of 6.9 million cubic metres, this dam is a lifeline to the farmers around.
Situated amidst beautiful green hills and forests, this dam has always been a famous picnic corner. It provides a great site for family outings with breath-taking views, calm waters, chirping bird sounds, and the natural ambiance surrounding it. Visiting is best from October to March.
Umred-Karhandla Wildlife Sanctuary-Land of Tigers
Umred Karhandla Sanctuary is perhaps the purest casket of natural biodiversity in the Umred-Kuhi area of Nagpur district and Bhandara district Pavani tehsil. Those forest corridors further link it with Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve for the movement of tigers.
Here, apart from tigers, you can find other species including Gaur (Indian wild buffalo), leopards, bears, and the rare pangolin. This place is also home to numerous bird and reptile species. From October to June, this treasure is a heaven for nature enthusiasts and wildlife photographers.
Gosikhurd Dam-Powerful source of irrigation and energy
This is also Indira Sagar Dam and an enormous irrigation and hydropower project in Bhandara district. Extending to a length of 653 m (2142 ft) and height of 92 m (302 ft), this dam was inaugurated in 1984 by the then Prime Minister Smt. Indira Gandhi for extending agricultural and energy needs of Nagpur, Chandrapur and Bhandara districts.
The project affected 249 villages, of which now, thousands are benefiting. It enhances agricultural productivity and at the same time acts as a guard against floods and droughts. A visit here is mandatory for any engineering enthusiast.
Koka Wildlife Sanctuary-New Dwelling for Biodiversity
Declared in 2013 as a protected area, the Koka Wildlife Sanctuary is only a few kilometers from Bhandara yet almost 60 kilometers from Nagpur. This sanctuary stretches over 92.34 square kilometers and boasts the presence of tigers, leopards, deer, and many other wild animals.
Here, a jungle safari trail stretching for 44 km has been created, where one can enjoy riding from 6 am to 10 am and 3 pm to 6 pm. The sanctuary is closed on Thursdays. The best time to visit it is from November to June since wildlife sightings are regularly encountered.
CONCLUSION
Bhandara District is not just agriculture but a remarkable melting pot of the three-beautiful elements-nature, history, and spirituality. Whether you want to delve deep into Buddhism or simply find refuge in anything that feels natural, Bhandara will, in all probability, have an answer for you. Now it’s about time to unearth this hidden treasure and do the planning for an earlier visit.
This timeshare vacation is pulled away from sky-merry-go-round this holiday for a journey embroidered in cultural tranquillity with nature-Bhandar.
