A symbol of Chandrapur is the Mahakali Mandir, one of the must visit places in Tadoba. It holds a special place in the hearts of Chandrapur residents and serves as a symbol for Chandrapur City. Every day, devotees attend Mahakali Mandir, but Tuesdays are a particular day to go. Within the walls of the Mahakali Mandir are miniature temples dedicated to Ganesha and Hanuman. For the temple, there are two entrances. The Ganesh and Hanuman temple is located beside the back entrance. Small stores with puja goods like coconut, flowers, and linen are located at both entrances. Near the temple, we constantly find various additional goods for home and puja décor. In addition, there is a Shani shrine close to the back door. Visit this beautiful temple by staying at Red Earth resort in Tadoba, located at a drivable distance.
History
Chandrapur’s Mahakali Temple’s history
According to mythology, Khandkya Ballal, the son of Gond King Surja (also known as Ser Sah), succeeded his father in the kingdom in the 13th century A.D. The body of this prince was covered in tumours. His attractive and knowledgeable wife took care of him. She persuaded Khandkya to leave Sirpur and settle on the northern bank of the Wardha, where he built a fort known as Ballalpur, after discovering that no treatment could cure him. According to folklore, the monarch once became parched while out hunting to the northwest of Ballalpur and rode up to the dry Jharpat river bank in search of water. After drinking, he bathed his face, hands, and feet with the water he had found dripping from a hole. For the first time in his life, he slept well that night. The queen was overjoyed to see that many of her husband’s tumours had vanished the following morning. After further investigation, the amazing recovery was attributed to the Jharpat water, which the King drank and used to wash his face. Khandkya was asked to escort the queen to the location of where he had quenched his thirst. Both continued to the Jharpat, where the hole was eventually discovered. After removing the grass and sand, we could see five water-filled cow footprints in the solid rock. The area has an endless supply of water. The Tirtha of Acalesvar of the Treta Yuga renown was a sacred location. All the tumors on the king’s body disappeared as he took a bath.
Image credits: etvbharat.com
Two idols (murthys) can be found in the Mahakali Mandir in Chandrapur. The main idol is a single-standing Murthy covered in red, yellow, and orange fabrics. Shiv Ling was also connected to the primary idol. The second Murthy is curled up. Devotees must travel through something resembling a tunnel to get to the second idol, which is located below ground level.
The priest will always be present within the temple to help you with puja and offerings. Every year, a fair takes place in April, and during that time, all of the state’s devotees come to the Mahakali Mandir. Trust has now been established to handle temple management. Over the past ten years, the temple’s amenities have undergone significant renovation. The temple’s administration has built a Dharma shala for pilgrims who travel from outlying areas of the Chandrapur district to give them a free place to stay close to the temple.
For both Chandrapur residents and Mahakali worshipers, the yearly fair that took place in April used to be a major holiday. It used to be a time of excitement and fun for everyone, with many activities and events for all ages. Shops are used to sell kitchen appliances, toys, bangles, counterfeit jewelry, and clothing. To entertain the populace and display their talents, entertainers used to travel from various locations throughout the Chandrapur district and the state of Maharastra. Small magic shows and circuses used to exist. The family and children will always remember this celebration because they used to look forward to it all year.
