CHANDRAPUR

The first Tadoba Festival was held in 2024 in Chandrapur, at the Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve. This three-day event aimed to showcase Tadoba's success in wildlife protection and highlight local efforts in conservation and community development. The festival featured presentations by forest experts, scientists, and community members. Discussions focused on tiger conservation challenges and solutions, providing a platform for meaningful dialogue and collaboration.

The Mahakali Mandir in Chandrapur is the city's most important religious site, attracting pujaris from all over. This old mandir houses two separate murtis, one standing and the other curled up. To reach the second murti, visitors must travel via an underground passage, which adds to the mandir's intrigue. The Mahakali Yatra, an annual jatra held in April, is a much-anticipated event among Chandrapur residents.

During the Mahakali Yatra, bhakts participate in various religious ceremonies and practices. They sing kirtans, attend the incredible maha aarti ceremony, and participate in the palkhi procession, which transports the palkhi through the streets. The streets are lined with several vendors and shops selling a variety of items, from jewelry and toys to household appliances.

The Balaji Yatra, conducted near the Balaji Mandir in Chimur, is a major festival in the region. It takes place during the month of Phalgun (February-March) and lasts for 15 days. In contrast, the Bhadranaga Yatra in Bhandak is a month-long celebration that starts on the 5th of Phalgun and ends on the 5th of Chaitra (March-April). This celebration attracts significant audiences from neighboring areas such as Berar and Nagpur.

The mandir was once called the Mandir of Bhadranath, a term associated with Bhagwaan Shiv. Over time, the mandir underwent significant evolution, including a period of Buddhist dominance during which cave mandirs were constructed. When Buddhist power was abolished, the original mandir was restored and renamed Bhadranag, which remains its name to this day.

Jogapur is located in the forests of Rajura Taluka, Maharashtra. It attracts many people from Eastern Vidarbha and Telangana. Jogapur is located in the deep woodlands of Rajura Taluka and is accessible via an 8-kilometer drive through the forests. At the center of Jogapur is the Jagapu Devi Mandir.

The death anniversary of the spiritual Sadguru Ranganath Baba is often observed in Salori village. The 7-day festival involves daily bhajan processions, kirtans, and sermons, culminating in a grand palkhi ceremony on the last day, in which warkaris from adjacent villages participate. From the first to the seventh day, bhajans are held and palkhis are taken to nearby villages to spread Sadguru Ranganath Baba's presence.

On the final day, a huge number of warkaris from nearby villages attend the palkhi ceremony. After the puja of Sadguru Ranganath Baba's Samadhi, aarti is performed, followed by curd breaking. At the same time, people gather to enjoy Mahaprasad.