The Great Maharashtra: Amravati

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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><o:p> </o:p>Amravati</span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">LITERALLY MEANING, 'ABODE OF IMMORTALS', AMRAVATI DISTRICT
IS THE MOST SACRED BUDDHIST PILGRIM CENTRE IN SOUTH INDIA AND IS HOME TO THE
GREAT STUPA OR MAHA CHAITYA. WATERED BY THE PURNA RIVER, THE DISTRICT COMPRISES
OF TWO DISTINCT GEOGRAPHICAL REGIONS - THE HILLY 'MALAGHAT' REGION AND THE
‘PAYAN GHAT’ PLAINS. AMRAVATI TOWN IS THE DISTRICT HEADQUARTERS.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Places of Interest:</span></h2>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">AMBADEVI TEMPLE: </span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Situated in the heart of the city, this temple is dedicated to
Goddess Ambadevi. One of the major attractions of the temple is the Navratri Festival,
when the whole temple gets beautifully decorated. People from neighbouring
cities false congregate here during this time, to catch a glimpse of the Goddess.
During Navratri, a huge mela (fair) is organised on the grounds of the Ambadevi
Temple, in which the devotees participate with full enthusiasm.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">CHATRI TALAO: </span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Situated on the Malkhed Railway Road, this is a small
reservoir built in 1888 on a small spring known as Kali Nadi. The reservoir
provided drinking water to the Amravati city before the construction of the
Upper Wardha Dam. It houses a beautiful garden and boating facilities are
available here.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">SHRI EKVIRA DEVI TEMPLE: </span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Situated near the famous Ainhadevi Temple, dedicated to
Goddess Ekvira Devi, it dates back to the year 1660. The Goddess enshrined here
is believed to be an incarnation of the Shakti. There is a huge rush every
year, during the Navaratri festival.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">SATIDHAM TEMPLE: </span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Situated at Rallies Plot, the temple enshrines the idols of
a several Gods and their consorts, including Lord Krishna and Radha, Lord Ram
and Sita and Lord Shiva and Sati, along with Lord Ganesha. One of the major
attractions of the temple is the fair organised every year, on the occasion of
Janmashtami.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">SHRI BHAKTI DHAM TEMPLE: </span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Situated on the Badnera Road, this temple is dedicated to
Lord Krishna and His consort, Radha. Also enshrined inside the temple is an
idol of Shri Sant Jalaram Bappa The temple, with its small park, is also very popular
among children.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">VENKATESH DHAM TEMPLE:  </span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">An ancient shrine located in the heart of the city, it enshrines
the idol of Lord Tirupati Balaji (Venkateshwara). Adjacent to the temple is the
Jaistambh, which was built on the occasion of Indian independence in 1947.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">WADALI TALAO: </span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Situated on the Chandur Railway Road, it is approximately 3 km
away from the Amaravati Camp. It is another reservoir, built with the purpose of
serving clean and fresh water to the people of Amaravati. A small garden and a
zoo, a favourite amongst the kids of the city are located here. A popular
picnic spot, people come here during weekends.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Execursions:</span></h2>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">BIR LAKE: </span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Situated at Chikhaldara, Birr was built by the British
Government in December 1890. The soldiers in the British Government used it.
Hence the lake is named so. There is an old garden near the lake.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">CHILKALDARA:</span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The only hill station in the Vidarbha region of Maharashtra,
it derives its name from Kichaka, who was killed by Bhima for insulting
Draupadi. Chikaldara Wildlife Sanctuary that forms a
part of the hill station boasts of a rich and varied wildlife. Of the valley
below. Spots like Hurricane point, Prospect point and Devi point offer amazing
views of the wildlife sanctuary. The best time to visit the sanctuary is From
October to June. Gavilgad Fort, Narnala Fort, Pandit Nehru Botanical Gardens,
Tribal Museum, and Semadoh Lake are nearby, and worth visiting.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">GUGAMAL NATIONAL PARK: </span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Known as a core area of the Melghat Tiger Reserve, it spreads
over an area of 361 sq. km of dry deciduous type. The inhabitants include leopard,
panther, tiger, sloth bear, fishing cat, four horned antelope, sambar deer, barking
deer, wild beer and cheetah. Python and various bird species are also
sheltered. The best season to visit is March to June.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">MELGHAT TIGER RESERVE: </span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A prime habitat of tigers, this reserve is located on the
southern offshoot of the Satpura Hill Range in Chikhaldara. Gugamal National Park
forms part of this reserve. It spreads over 1,597 sq. km of tropical dry deciduous
forest. Tapti River borders the northeastern boundary of the reserve. Leopard, sloth
bear, wild dog, jackal, sambar deer, flying
squirrel, wild boar, langur, rhesus monkey, pangolin, mouse-deer, python, caracal and black napped hare also dominate the reserve. The best time
to visit is October to June. Wan Sanctuary is an extension of the reserve.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">PANCHBOL: </span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">One of the famous and important points in Chikaldhara, the
specialty of this place is that, the echoing sound which is considered to be
five times - hence also known as five echo Point. A deep valley, formed by four
mountains, makes it more attractive.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">RIDHPUR: </span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Also known as the 'Kashi of Mahanubhav’, it is a major
pilgrim centre for the Mahanubhav cult throughout the country. Thousands of
pilgrims visit Ridhpur on Ashadhi Purnima, Chaitra Purnima and Govind Prabhu
Jayanti (August-September).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">SHAKKAR LAKE: </span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Located on the way to Gawilgarh Fort, it is an ideal picnic spot.
Boating facilities are available here. Devi Point is a nearby attraction.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">VISAPUR FORT: </span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Located at Visapur to the east of Lohagad Fort and built in
the 18th century, the fort is situated at an altitude of 3,550 ft above sea
level and is renowned for its protective walls with intricate designs. There is
a semicircular pass between Visapur and Lohagad forts, which can be seen from
the railway bridge at Lonavala Railway Station.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">THE WILSON DAM: </span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Built in 1910 on the Pravara River, almost 150 m above sea level,
a marvellous swimming pool and a circular garden are located at the base of the
dam. When the water level in the lake is high, one can catch sight of the beautiful
Umbrella Falls from here.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">WAN WILDLIFE SANCTUARY: </span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Located in Melghat area, Wan Wildlife Sanctuary is an extension
of Melghat Sanctuary. Vegetation consists of dry deciduous forests; tigers,
leopards, hyena, wild dogs, bison, sambar deer, barking deer and wild boar are
found in large numbers here. The best time to visit is October to February.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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Amravati: Most Sacred Buddhist Pilgrim In South India

Amravati LITERALLY MEANING, 'ABODE OF IMMORTALS', AMRAVATI DISTRICT IS THE MOST SACRED BUDDHIST PILGRIM CENTRE IN SOUTH INDI...