BHANDARA

Ambagarh Fort, located in Tumsar taluka of Bhandara district, was built in the 17th Century under the rule of Bakht Buland Shah, a Gond king of Deogarh. Surrounded by dense forests, the fort held strategic military importance and played a notable role in both regional politics and the early resistance against British colonial rule.

According to the Bhandara District Gazetteer (1908), Bakht Buland fortified the region during a period of intense upheaval. After being deposed by Aurangzeb (r. 1658–1707), the 6th Mughal emperor, in 1691, Bakht Buland later rejoined the Mughal camp in 1695, before escaping and retaking the Deogarh throne in 1700. In 1701, he allied with the Marathas, launching a campaign against Mughal forces in Berar, and in 1702, he shifted his capital to Nagpur, laying the foundation of the modern city.

The fort later came under the control of Raja Raghuji Bhonsle (r. 1739–1755), founder of the Nagpur Bhonsle dynasty. In 1818, during the Lanji Rebellion, it became a key site of anti-British resistance led by Chimna Patel (close associate of Appa Sahib Bhonsle, r. 1816–1818), the then-ruler of Nagpur. The fort served as part of a rebel network across Ambagarh, Chandpur, Rampaili, and Sangarhi. This made it difficult for the British forces to launch an effective attack.

To suppress the rebellion, the British first sent a detachment under Captain Gordon, who captured the town of Kamtha. Six days later, a second detachment, led by Major Wilson, was dispatched to seize Ambagarh Fort. Despite being heavily garrisoned by around 500 revolutionaries, Wilson’s forces were able to capture the fort without any significant fighting. The revolutionaries, after a strategic withdrawal, fled to a neighboring hill, allowing the British to take control.

A grim chapter followed, with local accounts claiming that captured prisoners were forced to drink poisoned water from a well inside the fort. Though much of it lies in ruins today, Ambagarh Fort remains a site of historical importance, in many ways, symbolising both regional resistance and colonial repression.

Ambai Nimbai Mandir, located in Bhandara city, is built in the Hemadpanthi architectural style and is believed to be around 400 years old. It is dedicated to Ambai and Nimbai, who are twin devis worshipped as the gramdevis of the Santaji locality of the city.

The mandir has a very interesting origin story. According to local tradition, during the time of Yadava kings Ramachandra and Mahadev (13th century CE), a mango and neem tree once stood at the site. When the trees withered, murtis of the devis are said to have emerged from them. Locals say that these original murtis remain unaltered.

During Navratri in Chaitra (March–April) and Ashwin (September–October), a havan is held at the mandir, and participants offer lemon garlands, a tradition unique to this site.

Bahirangeshwar Mandir, located in Bhandara city, is approximately 225 years old and is dedicated to Bhagwan Shiv, who is worshipped here as the gram-devta (village deity). This association is partly rooted in local accounts of miraculous events linked to the Shivling, which has a distinctive split structure.

One legend tells of a milkmaid (gavlan) who, to prove her devotion and loyalty to her husband, leapt into the Shivaling. It is believed that the Shivaling split to protect her and absorbed her within, which is why it remains bipartite. Locals also recount an incident from a few years ago in which the symbol of Om is said to have appeared on the frontal side of the Shivling. Although broken murtis are typically not worshipped, this mandir is considered an exception by practitioners.

A major jatra is held during Mahashivratri, drawing visitors from nearby towns and villages. Other important festivals celebrated here include Gudi Padwa, Ram Navami, and Diwali, along with ongoing religious activities such as Bhagwat Puran Katha, kirtans, Sundarkand recitations, and yadnyas.

Bhrushund Ganesh Mandir, located in Mendha, is a 12th-century mandir constructed in the Hemadpanthi architectural style. It is dedicated to Bhrushund Ganesh and recognised as the fourth of the eight Ashtavinayakas in the Vidarbha region.

There is an interesting story tied to the Devta, Bhrushund Ganesh. According to this, there was once a Koli bandit who lived in the forests that surround the mandir. It is said that after encountering Rishi Mudgal (Vedic-era sage and Upanishad author), the bandit gave up violence and began reciting the Ganesh mantra. Over time, his devotion is beleived to have transformed him, with a tongue emerging from between his eyebrows, symbolising his connection to Ganesh. A murti was later consecrated in his honour as Bhrushund Ganesh. Interestingly, a Nag (cobra), said to have protected him during his penance, is also represented at the site.

Chaundeshwari Devi Mandir is located on the banks of the Gaimukh River in Mohadi and has a history spanning approximately 200 years. The mandir is dedicated to Devi Chaundeshwari, who is regarded to be the gram-devi of Mohadi.

The mandir holds special importance in local tradition due to its association with a moment of collective crisis and divine intervention. It is believed that the village was once afflicted by a devastating epidemic. In response to the villagers’ pleas, Narayana Swami, a revered spiritual figure, is said to have performed a yadnya on the banks of the river. According to legend, Devi Chaundeshwari emerged from the sacred fire, bringing an end to the suffering.

The murti of the Devi is regarded as Swayambhu and is partially made from raakh (ash), symbolising her fiery origin. Half of the murti remains buried beneath the earth, while the upper half is visible above ground, believed to reflect her emergence from the Yadnya Kunda.

The mandir becomes a major yatra site during the Navratris, celebrated in the months of Ashwin (September–October) and Chaitra (March–April). On both occasions, a grand jatra, religious rituals, and cultural programmes are held, drawing visitors from Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, and Madhya Pradesh.

Gaimukh Devasthan is a hilltop mandir site in Bhandara district, known for a natural spring that emerges from a cow-shaped spout, or gaumukh, which gives the place its name. Locally, it is also referred to as Chhota Mahadev.

Very interestingly, locals say that the site was once the private shrine of Ganapatrao Bhosale, Malguzar of Bhandara (landholder). Today, it has become a large Mahadev Mandir which stands alongside a smaller shrine dedicated to Durga Devi. The surroundings are forested, and the ascent to the mandir is known for its scenic landscape. A yatra is held annually on Mahashivratri, drawing visitors from nearby villages.

Pingleshwari Devi Mandir, also known as Korambhi Mandir, is located atop a hill in Korambi village which overlooks the Wainganga River. The mandir is believed to be around 400 years old and was restored in 1988. It is dedicated to Pingleshwari Devi, who is regarded to be the gram-devi of Korambi, and holds deep religious significance in the region.

Vistors climb a flight of 251 steps to reach the mandir, which faces east, allowing the first rays of the sun to fall directly on the sanctum, a moment considered especially auspicious for darshan.

Pingleshwari is often regarded as a counterpart to Bamleshwari Devi of Chhattisgarh, with both believed to share the same divine origin. The most important time for pilgrimage is during Navratri, celebrated twice a year—in Chaitra (March–April) and Ashwin (September–October)—when the mandir hosts special rituals, community gatherings, and a vibrant jatra.

Mahasamadhi Bhoomi in Sindhpuri, established in 1987, commemorates the Mahasamadhi of Gautama Buddha. The site includes a Buddha Vihara designed in Japanese architectural style, surrounded by Ashoka trees and landscaped for meditation and reflection.

Inside the complex, sculptural panels illustrate key episodes from the life of Gautama Buddha, including the moment of enlightenment and the first sermon at Sarnath.

The complex sees large gatherings during Dhammotsav, observed in October to commemorate Dr. B.R. Ambedkar’s conversion to Buddhism, and Mahaparinirvana Day, held annually on 6th December to mark his death anniversary. Both events attract visitors from across the region, particularly from Ladakh and surrounding states.

Narasimha Mandir is located between Devhadi and Madagi villages in Bhandara district. The structure stands on a hill surrounded by the Madagi River, regarded as one of the sources of the Wainganga. The site is believed to be over 300 years old.

According to local tradition, Shri Ram, during his exile, passed through Rampayli (a village in Balaghat district, Madhya Pradesh), and later offered prayers at this spot. The site has since been associated with Narasimha (the fourth avatar of Vishnu, known for his lion-headed form and the slaying of the rakshas Hiranyakashipu), whose presence is said to have remained ever since.

The complex includes shrines dedicated to Narasimha, Devi Lakshmi, and very interestingly, Garchiri (identified locally as Hiranyakashipu’s sister). A jatra is held annually beginning on Margashirsha Pratipada (November–December), drawing visitors from the surrounding areas. The hilltop setting and encircling river define the site’s distinct geography.

Panchmukhi Ganpati Mandir in Pauni is part of the Ashtavinayak circuit of Vidarbha region and is home to a distinctive five-faced murti of Ganpati. Believed to date back to the 11th century, the murti is carved from the trunk of a Shamipatra tree, stands 32 inches tall, and is interestingly, embedded 18 inches into the ground.

Each face is said to represent a different aspect of Shri Ganesh, and the murti holds various symbolic objects including a trishul, parashu, modak, and laddoo. The mandir has a plain, tiled roof, and beside the murti stands an intricately carved Garud Stambha, considered a significant architectural feature.

Pauni Fort, built in the 15th century, stands on the western edge of Pauni town, Bhandara district. Its establishment is attributed to Panwar, a legendary Gond king whose name is believed to have given the town its identity. The fort was constructed to protect what was then a flourishing settlement. The fort was likely built to protect Pauni’s growing prosperity, as the town served as a vital stop along inland trade and tirtha yatra routes.

Very remarkably, the Pauni has a very long and rich history. The town held regional importance for centuries, with its earliest traces going back to the Mauryan period (4th–2nd century BCE). Excavations in the area have uncovered Buddhist stupas, Satavahana-era pottery, and ancient inscriptions, pointing to its role as a thriving religious and commercial centre.

As power shifted between dynasties like the Vakatakas, Chalukyas, Yadavas, and later the Gonds, Pauni continued to grow in strategic importance. The fort was designed with this in mind—enclosing the town with eight defensive walls, while the Wainganga River on the northeast and the Satpura hills to the west offered natural protection.

Today, parts of the fort remain intact, including five turrets and a 508-ft. long section of the original stone wall. Though time has worn it down, the fort continues to stand as a marker of Pauni’s long and layered past.

Pir Shah Dargah, also known as the Takiya Dargah is located in the Takiya area of Bhandara district. It is believed to have been built in the 15th century and is associated with the Madar Shah sect, a Sufi order also known as the Madari Faqir. Very remarkably, the dargah stands on loose sand, a feature that practitioners believe holds spiritual cleansing qualities, purifying those who walk across it before entering the site.

The main tomb in the complex belongs to Jinda Shah Baba (Shah Buddin Qutbul Madar), a Sufi saint said to have arrived in India from Syria in the 14th century. A black flag placed at the entrance of his tomb marks his spiritual lineage. Also buried at the site is Pir Shah Baba, believed to have settled here around 1730. 

Locals say that within the dargah complex lies a distinctive grave, believed to be that of Prabhu Shah, a Hindu Brahmin who is said to have married Pir Shah Baba’s daughter. His burial at the site is often regarded as a reflection of the dargah’s longstanding tradition of interfaith harmony. Interestingly, locals also highlight a historical connection between the dargah and the nearby Hindu saint Devsant, who resided at Khamb Talao in the district. Devsant was a devotee of Shiv and is said to have been a close companion of Pir Shah Baba. During Ram Navami and Gokulashtami, Devsant would send prasad to the dargah, a gesture that led to the tradition of serving only vegetarian food during rituals, a practice that continues to this day.

Ramdas Math, located at Hedgewar Chowk in Bhandara city, is believed by locals to date back to the 17th century. It is associated with the visit of Samarth Ramdas, a Marathi sant and the author of the legendary text Dasbodh. His jholi, padukas, and danda are preserved here and continue to be venerated.

The math hosts the annual Das Navami festival (celebrated in Margashirsha, usually November–December) with Dasbodh recitations, bhajans, kirtans, and a ceremonial paduka procession. Other major events include Ram Navami (March–April) and daily Kakad Aarti during Kartik month (October–November), concluding on Tripuri Poornima.

Sitamai Dongri is the local name for a group of prehistoric caves situated along the Bawanthadi River in Bhandara district. Believed to date back nearly 40,000 years, these caves are among the earliest known archaeological sites in the region. They were identified by the Archaeological Department of Rashtrasant Tukadoji Maharaj Nagpur University during a recent survey of the area.

The paintings depict human figures, animals, and geometric forms, created using reddish-brown, dark grey, and white pigments. Interestingly, the artwork spans two distinct periods—some belong to the Upper Paleolithic, while others are dated to the Mesolithic, around 10,000 years ago.

Very remarkably, fossil evidence and stylistic similarities link these caves to other prehistoric sites in the Balaghat region of Madhya Pradesh, located just north of the district boundary.

Swayambhu Hanuman Mandir, located in Adyal village, was built in 1895 and restored in 2002. However, the site is believed by locals to date back to the Vakataka period (3rd–5th century CE). The mandir is known for its 9 ft. murti of Hanuman, regarded by many to be swayambhu. The iconography of the murti is very distinct and interesting. It notably depicts Hanuman crushing the asur Jambumali, which is an episode described in the Ramayan.

A major event held here is the Ghodyachi Yatra, a 150-year-old tradition observed on Ram Navami (March–April). On this day, a wooden murti of Balaji Maharaj is carried through the village on a wooden horse, accompanied by a large jatra.

Vaijeshwar Mandir, located on the banks of the Wainganga River in Pauni, around 48 km from Bhandara, is a Hemadpanthi-style mandir dedicated to Bhagwan Shiv.

Major festivals such as Tripuri Purnima, Rishi Panchami, Guru Purnima, and Mahashivratri are celebrated here with much fervor, drawing visitors from across the district.

Ziri Mountain Point is located in Jawahar Nagar, Bhandara, and is associated with local traditions that describe it as a site where Mahadev performed penance. The mandir here is located near the Kanhan River, and features a wide spring that flows during the monsoon, as well as a water tank known as Shiv Kunda.