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Hill Station - Chikaldhara |
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 Situated
at an altitude of 1,118
m , Chikhaldara is the
only hill resort in the
Vidarbha region, and has
the added distinction
of being the only coffee-growing
area in Maharashtra. Chikhaldara
is full of deep valleys,
and these valleys are
full of velvet mist and
majestic trees. All this
makes it a very popular
summer retreat. With abundance
of natural scenery, exciting
wildlife, breathtaking
waterfalls and a placid
lake, the beauty of Chikhaldara
is overwhelming. The scenic
beauty of Chikhaldara
can be enjoyed from Hurricane
Point, Prospect Point
and Devi Point.
It is
named after "Keechaka".
This is the place where
Bheema killed villainous
Keechaka and threw him
into the valley. It thus
came to be known as "Keechakadara"
- "Chikhaldara"
is its corruption.
Tourist
attractions around Chikaldhara
Chikhaldara
Wildlife Sanctuary :
Chikhaldara Wildlife Sanctuary
is located in Amaravati
district of Vidarbha region.
This sanctuary is named
after "Keechaka".Tourists
can find Panthers, Sloth
Bears, Sambar, and Wild
Boar. One can even spot
Wild Dogs over here.
Melghat
Tiger Reserve :
Melghat Tiger Reserve
is located in Chikhaldara
and Dharni tehsils of
Amaravati district in
Satpuda hill range. This
tiger reserve of 1676.93-sq-km
is one of the last remaining
habitats of Indian tiger
in Maharashtra.
Wan
Sanctuary : Wan
sanctuary is located in
Melghat area of Amravati
District. It is an extension
to the Melghat Sanctuary
on southeastern part.
This area is part and
parcel of Melghat and
is rich in floral and
fauna biodiversity. The
hilly rugged terrain possesses
Tropical Dry Deciduous
forests.
Points
in Chikaldhara
Gavilgadh
Fort: Shrouded
in mist and myths is the
Gavali tribal fort of
Gavilgad or Gavaligad,
on the Chikhaldara plateau,
now under the Melghat
Tiger Project. Featured
in the epic, 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.
Bhimkund:Located
1.5 km from the village,
this is the place where
Bheema is said to have
washed his hands in a
pond after killing Keechaka.
A 3500-foot deep valley
and a stream on the left
of the valley are the
attractions
Devi
Mandir:This point
is nearer to the shakkar
lake, the cave temple
lies under three huge
slabs of rock. Water from
the shakkar lake continuously
seeps through the ceiling
of the cave.
Shakkar
Lake:This lake
is near Devi point. It
is on the way to Gavilgad
fort. Boating is available
here.
Hariken
Point:It is situated
at southern region of
the upper plateau of chikhaldara
near government garden.
One can see the Gavilgarh
fort, Mozari village,
Vairat hills and the huge
area of the under the
hills side.
Sunset
–Point:The point
is situated on the Vairat
hills at Vairat. Which
is considered to be King's
Vairat capital in the
Mahabharata era. Sunset
is very attractive to
see. Chikhaldara in the
east from here and on
west lays the numerous
hill ranges befitting
the name Satpuda's
Panchbol
Point: This is
one of the famous and
important points, The
five hills edges are connected
naturally and it becomes
a common huge valley,
sound echoes five times
hence its called panch
valley...
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