About Nagpur
Nagpur, popularly known as the ‘Orange City’, is one of the fastest growing metropolis and the third largest city after Mumbai and Pune in Maharashtra. The city is located on the eastern part of the state and is the geographical ‘center’ of India. Nagpur also has a rich history which can be traced back to 8th century BC. Present city Nagpur is originally established by tribal King of Gond dynasty. Also known as the tiger capital of the state, the city has completed 300 years of establishment in the year 2002.The city is also counted amongst the most secure cities of the country; and hence, India’s majority gold asset is kept in Nagpur’s Branch of Reserve Bank of India. As far as roads, railways and air- flights are concerned, the city is well connected and well served to all the major cities of India. Since ages, it has been a city of cultural and political importance. It is worth mentioning that the MIHAN is the biggest project of its type concerning economic investments.
Interestingly, MIHAN has a Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul facility constructed by Boeing and it is the second such facility in the world after Shanghai.
Nagpur is a hub of different activities such as IT and Technical hubs, different occupations, educational centers, Government establishments and various acclamatory buildings and associations. Nagpur is a culturally rich Indian city with an agglomeration of people from different castes and creed. The city holds a number of events and festivals that interests all the inhabitants of the city, and everyone participates happily. Religious occasions are watched in the city all around the year.
Places to visit in Nagpur
Ambazari Lake
is situated near the Southwest border of Nagpur. It is one of the 11 lakes in Nagpur and is the largest lake in the city. The Nag River of Nagpur originates from this lake. This was built in the year 1870, under Bhonsle rule, for supplying water to the city. This lake is behind the University campus and surrounded by mango trees, gaining the name Ambazari as “Amba” means “mango” in Marathi. The lake is beautiful and serene.
Balasaheb Thackeray Gorewada International Zoological Park
in the honour of Late Marathi leader Balasaheb Thackeray(earlier known as the Gorewada Zoo ) is a zoo which is 08 Km away from the University. On commission, this is likely to be one of the largest captive Zoo Safari in India with over 1914 Hectares of land adjoining the Gorewada Lake. The Park shall be having various features showcasing Tribal Art, Rescue Centre for Wildlife, Indian Safari, African Safari, Interpretation Centre, Trail of Senses, and Night Safari.
Deekshabhoomi
is a sacred monument of Navayana Buddhism located at Nagpur city in Maharashtra state of India, where B. R. Ambedkar, embraced Buddhism on the day of Vijaya Dashami, 14 October 1956. Deekshabhoomi is a location regarded as a sacred place, prernabhoomi (inspiring land) of social revolution and also the first pilgrimage centre of Ambedkarite Buddhism in India.
Dragon Palace Temple :
also known as the Lotus Temple of Nagpur, is a Buddhist temple in Kamptee, Maharashtra, India. The temple was established in 1999 with funds from the Japan based Ogawa Society, a charitable trust. The temple complex encompassing the Dragon Palace houses a carved sandalwood idol that is associated with the Buddha, and the building is a pilgrimage site for practitioners of the faith. The foundation envisioned the Dragon Palace Temple as both a place for Buddhist education and meditation, as well as a symbol of Indo Japanese friendship.
Futala Lake
is a lake 200 Meters away from the University. The lake covers 60 acres (24 ha). Built by the Bhosle kings of Nagpur, the lake is known for its coloured fountains. In the evenings, the site is illuminated with halogen lights and Tanga (carriage) rides. The lake is surrounded on three sides by forest and a landscaped beach on the fourth side. It is recently beautified with a worldfamous colourful fountain to attract the visitors round the year.
Gorewada Lake
Beautiful bio reserve created around the Gorewada lake and surrounding forest. It is a bird-watcher’s paradise. Other than the conveniently placed sitting benches and a gazebo, the place has not been unnecessarily spoiled in the name of ‘development for the sake of tourism’. The scenery is breathtaking! It is a place to experience raw nature and various ecosystems that is, the birds, the wetlands, the marine life that is seen at the edge of the lake, bamboo groves, squirrels and at times, large monkeys on the trees, a variety of migratory and local birds. Herons, egrets, ducks, cormorants etc. are seeing plenty. This Lake which is located almost 10-12 Kms from Nagpur.
Japanese Rose Garden :
is located near the Civil Lines area of Nagpur city. It is about 4 km northwest of the city. The Japanese rose garden is designed in such a way that people in Japan grow roses or any type of flower and hence it is called Japanese rose garden. Red and yellow roses are most beautiful here. Some of these are hybrid varieties, some are local. Apart from these there are other green plants and trees as well Many birds of different species are seen soaring above the clear sky of the Japanese rose garden, while some chirping while sitting on one of the branches.
Lata Mangeshkar musical garden
is located in east Nagpur. There is a fantastic aquarium where many varieties of fishes and rare species are seen. The musical fountains are the major attraction of this place. This garden has a good musical show at evenings. Located in Surya Nagar Colony in East Nagpur, it is exactly opposite to a Durga Maa Temple. The Garden is full of lush green trees and lawn, nice place for doing morning walks and yoga.
Raman Science Centre
and Raman Planetarium Complex is an interactive science centre affiliated with Mumbai’s Nehru Science Centre. The centre was developed to promote a scientific attitude, portray the growth of science and technology and their applications in industry and human welfare, and hold science exhibits. The centre is named after famous Nobel Prize winnerIndian physicist Chandrasekhara Venkata Raman. The Raman Science Centre was inaugurated on 7 March 1992 and the planetarium was started on 5 January 1997.The centre is located opposite Gandhi Sagar Lake in the heart of Nagpur
Ramtek temple or Ram temple
Located at Ramtek area of Nagpur which is 45 Kms from Nagpur city and is dedicated to Lord Rama. According to popular belief, Lord Rama rested in this place while he was in exile before he went ahead to win over Lanka. Tek in Marathi means vow and thus Ramtek signifies ‘Vow of Lord Rama’. The present temple is believed to be over 400 years old. It is away from the hustle bustle of city life and located inside a fort on a hill. It has a tranquil atmosphere, the mystical surrounding of a fortress and a place of worship so very rich in Mythological value. It is also very popular and revered for its OM structure that is a whopping 350 feet long. The temple is also famous for its notorious yet super smart monkeys roaming around the premises. Cars can go up to the last step post which you need to climb around 60 steps to the temple.
Shri Ganesh Mandir Tekdi
is one of the oldest temples in the city of Nagpur and is one of the most famous too. It is dedicated to Lord Ganesha. The temple is situated at the top of a hill and thus the name of Tekdi Ganesh as tekdi in Marathi means hill. It is an extremely serene place, ideal for those who like to worship in solitude away from the noise of the city. The temple is believed to be constructed over 250 years ago. The idol of Lord Ganesha’s head is decorated with gold and has other silver ornaments. The devotees refer to the place as Jagrata Devasthan since pilgrims flock to the place from dawn till midnight. However, it is suggested to visit this place late afternoon to witness the beautiful setting of the sun and the lush greenery along with the cool air of the
hilltop.
Swaminarayan temple
located near Middle Ring road is the largest Swaminarayan temple among over 1,000 temples set up by Swaminarayan Sanstha across the world. It’s grand architecture and illuminating hues during the night forms the main attraction. The temple holds regular Satsang programmes and has idols of various deities. The architecture is stunning and had beautiful carvings on the roof. If one goes just before sunset, the temple looks ever more glorious with the rays shining on it directly.
Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve
is a wildlife sanctuary in Chandrapur district of Maharashtra state in India. It is Maharashtra’s oldest and largest national park. Created in 1955, the reserve includes the Tadoba National Park and the Andhari Wildlife Sanctuary. The reserve consists of 577.96 square kilometers (223.15 sq mi) of reserved forest and 32.51 square kilometres (12.55 sq mi) of protected forest. Melghat Tiger Reserve (258 Kms), Navegaon Nagzira Tiger Reserve (118 Kms), Pench Tiger Reserve (60.8 Kms) and Bor Wildlife Sanctuary (63 Kms) are some other nearby wildlife sanctuaries. Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve is a wildlife sanctuary in Chandrapur district of Maharashtra state in India. It is Maharashtra’s oldest and largest national park. Created in 1955, the reserve includes the Tadoba National Park and the Andhari Wildlife Sanctuary. The reserve consists of 577.96 square kilometres (223.15 sq mi) of reserved forest and 32.51 square kilometres (12.55 sq mi) of protected forest. Melghat Tiger Reserve (258 Kms), NavegaonNagzira Tiger Reserve (118 Kms), Pench Tiger Reserve (60.8 Kms) and Bor Wildlife Sanctuary (63 Kms) are some other nearby wildlife sanctuaries.
Zero Mile Stone :
is a monument built by British during the Great Trigonometrical Survey of India in 1907 in Nagpur. Considering it as geographical centre of India, British used this point to measure all the distances. The Zero Mile Stone consists of a pillar made up of sandstone and another small stone representing the GTS Standard Bench Mark, and four stucco horses that were added later. The height of the top of the pillar is 1020.171 feet above mean sea level.
Chikhaldara
is a hill station and a municipal council in Amravati district which is 230 Kms from Nagpur city.Featured in the epic of the Mahabharata, this is the place where Bheema killed the villainous Keechaka in a herculean bout and then threw him into the valley. It thus came to be known as Keechakadara—Chikhaldara is its corruption.The sole hill resort in the Vidarbha region, it is situated at an altitude of 1118 meters with highest being Vairatpoint 1188 meters and has the added dimension of being the only coffeegrowing area in Maharashtra. Chikhaldara has an annual rainfall of 154cm. Temperatures vary from 0 0 39 C in summer to 5 C in winter. The best months to visit are from October to June.
It abounds in wildlife, such as tigers, panthers, sloth bears, sambars, wild boar, and rarely seen wild dogs. Close by is the famous Melghat Tiger Project which has 82 tigers.The scenic beauty of Chikhaldara can be enjoyed from Hurricane Point, Prospect Point, and Devi Point.