Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve, renowned as the Jewel of Vidarbha is undoubtedly the pride of Chandrapur district, Maharashtra. Tiger Reserve is surrounded by a diversified landscape like dense dry tropical southern forest, hillocks and Swampland. This reserve has rich wildlife which include leopards, sloth bears, reptiles, hyenas and a variety of species of birds. Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve (TATR) is the perfect wildlife destination for all the wildlife enthusiasts as it will not disappoint the excitement of sighting a Tiger. Our resort in Tadoba is privileged to be situated on the border of Tadoba’s Zari gate which is a more serene and undisturbed area of the park which makes the possibility of sighting the tiger higher.
Tadoba is not just for wildlife lovers, it also interests the tourists who are keen about historic monuments and age-old temples, Interestingly the Tadoba Andhari National Tiger Reserve got its name from God “Tadoba” or Taru is believed and worshiped by the Gond tribes, the tribes of Tadoba . Other than Tadoba tiger reserve there are many must-see places to visit in Tadoba, Sankatmochan Hanuman Mandir, Tadoba Lake, Shiv Mandir, and Urjanagar Lake tops the list of popular tourist places of Tadoba.
Below we have listed the 5 must-see places to visit in Tadoba to make your trip in Tadoba easy.
Mahakali Mandir
Mahakali Mandir is one of the ancient temples of Chandrapura city. According to the mythology, the kali idol which is in this temple was found near the Zarapat river and as per the command of the Gonda dynasty Queen Hirawati , the temple was forged and the idol was placed in the sanctum around the 16th century. The carving on the wall of this Mahakali temple is the blend of spectacular Hindu and Tibetian tradition.
Mahakali Mandir has two idols , the main standing idol along with a Shiva linga and second main idol situated in the ground level in the reclining pose is the goddess Mahakali Mata, the devotees should walk through the tunnel to see the goddess in the sanctum. The temple has two entrances, one entrance has lord Ganesha and Shani temple and the other rare entrance has Hanuman temple. Tuesday is marked as the auspicious day to visit this. Every year, on the eve of Hanuman jayanthi, the temple will be crowded by the pilgrims
Tourists who travel to Andhari tiger reserve via Moharli gate don’t miss to visit this famous temple and this temple is just 38km away from the Tadoba Tiger Reserve.
Chandrapur Fort
The ancient forts of Chandrapura city take the tourists back to the legacy of the Gond Dynasty. One such fort is the Chandrapur fort, which is in the confluence of Irai and Zarpat rivers. In the 13th century, Gond King Khandkya Ballal Sah initiated the construction of this massive fort but this was completed by the king Dhundya Ram Sah in the 16th Century. This huge stone structure has glorious and detailed carvings on the walls and it is elevated to 15-20 feet high.
There are 8 gates to the forts, namely Jatpura Gate(north), Anchaleshwar(east), Pathanpura(south) and Binba Gate(west) , Bagad Khidki(northeast) , Hanuman Khidki (southeast), Vithoba Khidki(southwest) and Chor Khidki (northwest). Interesting part of the fort is that it has mausoleums built in the memory of Gond kings and these mausoleums are adjecent to the Anchaleshwara temple which is inside the fort complex. The significant mausoleum is that which was built by Queen Rani Hirai in the memory of her husband, who ruled the Gond Dynasty around 1704. From Tadoba Tiger Reserve, Chandrapur fort is at a distance of 37 Km.
Balaji Mandir
Hari Balaji temple was built way back 350years ago during the rule of Bhosales. Balaji temple is the most significant temple of Chandrapur district and one of the most visited places in Chimur . The Balaji idol is similar to the Venkateshwara idol of Thirupati.
Every year during the Full Moon of Magha Shuddha trayodashi “Ghoda Yatra” festival is celebrated in this temple, in which the colorful procession goes through the roads of Chimur, large number of localities and pilgrims attend this Ghoda Yatra and seeking the blessings of the lord Balaji. This temple is in Chimur which is around 30km from Tadoba Tiger Reserve.
Manikgarh Fort
Manikgarh or Manikgad or Gadchandur is an ancient fort of Chandrapur District. Manikgarh fort is a hill fort which is 507 metres above the sea level, it was buit by the last king of Mana Naga – Gahilu in the 9th century. The Manikagad fort derived its name from the patron deity of Mana Nagas – Manikadevi, but in later days it was called Manikgad.
Inside the fort, we can witness the water tank built to store water, living quarters, storehouses and in the down valley we can see the cannon built with iron strap that had fallen from the embankment wall. Today Manikgarh is a symbol of strong fortification of the historic days . As the fort is almost in ruins, wildlife wander there after sunset, so it is advised to tourists to visit this fort in groups.
Manikgarh Fort is in a place called Gadchandur, it’s about 85 km away from Tadoba Tiger Reserve.
Ballarpur Fort
Ballarpur Fort is also called as Ballarshah Fort is located in Ballarpur City, it’s on the east bank of river Wardha. Ballarpur Fort was built by the Gond king Kandhakya Ballal Sah(1437-62) who was the successor of Ser Sah. Ballal Sah was also the founder of the Chandrapur city, he also found the holy water pond called Ankaleshwarth Tirth which healed the boils and tumors of the King.
Ballarpur Fort was constructed of large black stones and was a sign of defense of those times. The fort is in the rectangle shape, though the old building is ruined, the bastion walls are still intact. Ballarpur Fort is 50km away from the Tadoba Tiger Reserve and just 37 km away from our resort in Tadoba
