Balaghat

About:

Balaghat is a city and a municipality in Balaghat district in the state of Madhya Pradesh, India. It is the administrative headquarters of Balaghat District. The town was originally called "Burha" or "Boora", but this name was replaced by "Balaghat", which was originally the name of the district only. Balaghat means "above the ghats or passes."

District Balaghat looks like a flying bird and is situated in southern part of Jabalpur division. It occupies the south eastern region of the Satpura and Upper Wainganga Valley. The district spans over a degree from 21.19' to 22.24' North and 79.31 to 81.3' East. The total area of the district is 9245 Sq. Km. District Balaghat is bounded by Rajnandgaon in the East, Seoni in the West, District Mandla in the North and District Bhandara of Maharashtra State in the south. The Wainganga River separates the district from Seoni while the rivers Bawanthadi and Bagh define the inter-state boundary.

Balaghat District was constituted during the years 1967-73 by amalgamation of parts of the Bhandara, Mandla and Seoni districts. The headquarter of the district was originally called "Burha" or "Boora". Later, however, this name fell into disuse and was replaced by "Balaghat", which was originally the name of the district only. The Wainganga is the most important river of the district.

Location info:

Climate/Weather:

The climate of the district is temperate. It rains from June to October in the district. The temperature remains the highest in the month of June and the Lowest in the Month of January. The maximum and minimum temperature of the district remains 46oC and 2.6oC respectively.

History of Balaghat:

Balaghat district was constituted during the years 1867-1873 by amalgamation of parts of the Bhandara, Mandia, and Seoni Districts. Its name signifies “above the ghats” and is due to the fact that the original purpose of Government in constituting the District was to effect the colonization of the tracts above the ghats.The headquaters of the District was originally called Burha or Boora. Later, however, this name fell into disuse and was replaced by ‘Balaghat’ which was originally the name of the District only.

At the beginning of the 18th century, the district was divided among two Gond kingdoms; the portion of the district west of the Wainganga was part of the Gond kingdom of Deogarh, while the eastern portion was part of the Garha-Mandla kingdom.

The Deogarh kingdom was annexed by the Bhonsle Marathas of Nagpur in 1743, and shortly thereafter conquered all but the northern section of the district. This section, together with the rest of the Garha-Mandla kingdom, was annexed in 1781 to the Maratha province of Saugor, then under control of the Maratha Peshwa. In 1798 the Bhonsles also obtained the former Garha-Mandla territories.

In MP Balaghat dist. has a lot of natural beauty, mineral deposits and also prosperous with forests. There are too many tells for the nomination of Balaghat. BUDHA, this name is given by the historians of 1743-1751-time period. Balaghat comes under the BHANDARA dist. RAGHUJI is the first Maratha who comes this place from KIRNAPUR SIDE.

In 1818, at the conclusion of the Third Anglo-Maratha War, The Nagpur kingdom became a princely state of British India. In 1853, the Nagpur kingdom, including Balaghat District, was annexed by the British, and became the new province of Nagpur. Balaghat District was then divided among the British districts of Seoni and Bhandara. Nagpur Province was reorganized into the Central Provinces in 1861.

Balaghat District was constituted during the years 1867 by amalgamation of parts of the Bhandara, Mandla and Seoni districts. The headquarters of the district was originally called "Burha" or "Boora". Later, however, this name fell into disuse and was replaced by "Balaghat", which was originally the name of the district only. Administratively, the district was divided into two tehsils, Baihar tehsil in the north, which included the plateau region, and Balaghat tehsil, which included the more settled lowlands in the south. The new district was part of the Central Provinces' Nagpur Division.

In the middle of the 19th Century the upper part of the district was a lightly settled, but a handsome Buddhist temple of cut stone, belonging to some remote period, is suggestive of a civilization which had disappeared before historic times. The first Deputy-Commissioner of the district, Colonel Bloomfield, encouraged the settlement of Baihar tehsil with Ponwar Marathas from the Wainganga Valley. About that time one Lachhman Naik established the first villages on the Paraswara plateau.Malanjkhand is the most populer copper mine in Asian Region.

In 1845, DALHOJI started the tradition of adoption (GOD LENE KI PRATHA). Through this tradition states of the GOND emperors were added to the BRITISH states, at that time the actual name of this place was BARAHGHAT. For the fixing of this name the name is sanded to the capital of that time CALCUTTA before 1911. The name BARAHGHAT is so because all the name of hills contain the word GHAT, In which MASEN GHAT, KANJAI GHAT, RAMRAMA GHAT, BASA GHAT, DONGRI GHAT, SELAN GHAT, BHAISANA GHAT, SALETEKRI GHAT, DONGARIA GHAT, KAVAHRGAD GHAT, AHMADPUR GHAT,TEEPAGAD GHAT are important. When this word was sanded to CALCUTTA it merged with ANGL word and the name was BARAGHAT. When this was return from there the name changed "a" as BALAGHAT means in the position of ‘r’ there is ‘l’ permitted.
In 1956 it was declared as Independent dist.

In 1968-9 the rains ceased a month before time, causing the failure of the lowland rice crop and a famine. The district suffered very severely from the famine of 1896-1897, when the output of all crops fell to only 17 percent of normal. The district suffered again in 1899-1900, when the rice crop failed again, falling to only 23 percent of normal. The population in 1901 was 326,521, having decreased 15% in the decade 1891-1901, due to the effects of famine.

At the beginning of the 20th Century, the district had only 15 miles (24 km) of paved roads, together with 208 miles (335 km) of unpaved roads. The Jabalpur-Gondia railway line through the district was completed in 1904, with six stations in the district.

After Indian Independence in 1947, the Central Provinces became the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh. In 1956, Balaghat District became part of the Jabalpur Division of Madhya Pradesh, when the districts to the south of Balaghat, including Gondiya, Bhandara, and Nagpur districts, were transferred to Bombay State.

Educational Institutions in Balaghat:

The following are the prime educational institutions at Balaghat:

* Jatashankar Trivedi Government Post Graduate College
* Kendriya Vidyalaya (KV)
* Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya
* Balaghat English Higher Secondary School
* Government Boys Model Multipurpose Higher Secondary School
* Maharani Laxmi Bai Girls Higher Secondary School (MLB)
* Vivek Jyoti Gyanpeeth
* Mission School
Also degree colleges such as Govt. Arts Coll. Katangi Near Railway Station, Katangi, Balaghat,Rani Durgawati University
Out of four Ranger college in the Country, one is at Balaghat. Around 40-50 Ranger trainees are admitted per year for three year training programme.

tarun dance class

* Shri Dada Badi Jain School Balaghat
* Vivekanand College
* zoom technology, Balaghat

Langauges:

Culture:

The District is very rich in forest wealth. About 52% of the area is covered with forest. Teak, Sal, Bamboo and Saja are the main trees. Almost 25 years ago the district was nicknamed as "Hunters Paradise". District is still proud of its varied fauna consisting of Tigers, Leopard, Bear, Neel-Gai, Deer & Bison on one side and birds like Peacock, Red Bulbul and Koyal on the other.

Balaghat district occupies a pride place on the mineral map of India. About 80% of the Manganese production of the country comes from Balaghat. The recent discovery of Copper deposit at Malajkhand is regarded as the largest in the country. Over and above this Bauxite, Kyanite and Lime-stone are the other main minerals of the district.

As per the 2001 Census, the total population of the district is 14,97,968 out of which 12,36,083 is rural population and 1,29,787 is urban. Out of the total population, 1,13,105 are Scheduled Caste and 2,98,665 are Scheduled Tribes. The no. of males is 6,82,260 and the no. of females is 6,83,610. The population density of the district is 148 persons per sq. km while the current sex ratio is 1003 females per 1000 males.

The Wainganga and its tributaries are the most important rivers in the district. The town of Balaghat is on the Wainganga, which flows north and south through the district and forms part of the boundary with Seoni District. The Bagh, Nahra and Uskal rivers are tributaries of the Wainganga. The Bawanthadi and Bagh rivers define the boundary with Maharashtra.

About 52% of the district's area is covered with forest. Teak (Tectona grandis), sal (Shorea robusta), bamboo and saja are the main trees. Fauna includes tiger, leopard, bear, nilgai, deer, and gaur, and birds like peacock, Red Bulbul and Koyal. Kanha National Park lies partly within the district.

About 80% of the manganese production in India comes from Balaghat District. The recently discovered copper deposit at Malanjkhand is regarded as the largest in the country. Bauxite, Kyanite, and limestone are the other main minerals of the district.

Geographically the district is divided into three distinct parts:

* The southern lowlands, a slightly undulating plain, comparatively well cultivated and drained by the Wainganga, Bagh, Deo, Ghisri and Son rivers.
* The long narrow valley known as the Mau Taluka, lying between the hills and the Wainganga river, and comprising a long, narrow, irregular-shaped lowland tract, intersected by hill ranges and peaks covered with dense jungle, and running generally from north to south.
* The lofty plateau, in which is situated the Raigarh Bichhia tract, comprising irregular ranges of hills, broken into numerous valleys, and generally running from east to west. The highest points in the hills of the district are as follows: - Peaks above Lanji, 2300 or 2,500 feet (760 m); Tepagarh hill, about 2,600 ft (790 m).; and Bhainsaghat range, about 3,000 ft (910 m). above the sea. The Banjar, Halon and Jamunia rivers, tributaries of the Narmada, drain a portion of the upper plateau.

Administratively, the district is divided into eight development blocks: Waraseoni, Balaghat, Katangi, Paraswada, Baihar, Khairlanji, Laanji, and Kirnapur.

How to reach Balaghat?

Nearest Railway Station:

The District Headquarter is situated on Narrow gauge line of Jabalpur-Balaghat and Broadgauge line of Balaghat-Gondia section of South-Eastern Railway. It is linked through train route to Jabalpur (narrow gauge under conversion to broad gauge line), and also to Nagpur and Raipur through train link to Gondia. It is located at a distance of just 40 km from Gondia, which is the nearest prime broad gauge railway station connected to all East-West trains on Mumbai Howrah route and is just 2 hours away from Nagpur. Nagpur, at a distance of just 3 hrs train journey and approximately 4–5 hours road journey from Balaghat, is a prime town of Central India, and is very well connected to the rest of India by Air and Rail route.

Balaghat and Gondia was converted to broad gauge in 2005-2006, connecting Balaghat to India's national broad gauge network for the first time. Work is underway to convert the Balaghat-Jabalpur section to broad gauge as well under Project Unigauge. The legendary "Satpura Express" a narrow gauge train used to pass through this town which falls on the Jabalpur Gondia Section of erstwhile Bengal Nagpur Railways (earlier called BNR and now South East Central Railway). This train used to hold the unique distinction of pioneering and operating the only AC chair car service on the Narrow Gauge, and was also supposedly the fastest narrow gauge train of its kind in the world. Since the Gondia to Jabalpur route is under conversion to Broad Gauge, the narrow gauge railways in this section are now limited only to the Balaghat-Nainpur-Jabalpur route and the Gondia-Balaghat section now runs the "Demu Trains".

Nearest Airport:

The nearest Airport is at Nagpur.

Road Transport:

The district is well connected by Bus, directly with important places such as Bhopal, Nagpur, Gondia, Jabalpur, Raipur etc. Balaghat can be reached via roadways from prime MP towns like Indore, Jabalpur, Bhopal via private and government buses.

Tourist Attraction of Balaghat:

Balaghat has the following centers as tourists spots :

1. Part of Kanha National Park.
2. Lanji Fort/Temple.
3. Nahlesara Dam.
4. Rampaily Temple.
5. Gomji-Somji Temple.

Kanha National Park:

falls in the Balaghat and Mandla districts. Located in the "Maikal" ranges of the Satpuras. The Park is internationally renowned for its rich floral and faunal attributes. The National Park has distinguished itself in saving, the endangered hard ground barasingha (cervus, duvaceli, branderi) from extinction and has the unique distinction of harbouring the last world population of this dear species. Barasingha is State Animal of Madhya Pradesh. The Present Park area encompasses two important valleys viz the Banjar and the Halon. The Halon vally falls in Balaghat district. The total area of the park is 940 Sq. kms. Of which 530 Sq. kms falls in Balaghat district comprising the three ranges viz Mukki, Bhaisanghat and Supkhar.he National Park has distinguished itself in saving, the endangered hard ground barasingha (cervus, duvaceli, branderi) from extinction and has the unique distinction of harbouring the last world population of this dear species. Barasingha is State Animal of Madhya Pradesh.

The Present Park area encompasses two important valleys viz the Banjar and the Halon. The Halon vally falls in Balaghat district. The total area of the park is 940 Sq. kms. Of which 530 Sq. kms falls in Balaghat district comprising the three ranges viz Mukki, Bhaisanghat and Supkhar.The National Park has two entry points – Kisli and Mukki. Mukki is 82 kms away from Balaghat. The Park opens daily from 1st November to 30th June. Expect Holi festival (One day). Some of the conditions are:

* Heavy vehicles and diesel vehicles are not allowed inside the Park.
* Route Guide is compulsory.
* Speed limits 20 kms per Hour.
* Use of horns and headlights is not allowed.
* Smoking is for bidden in the Park.
* Foot trakking is strictly prohibited.
* Empty tins, Polithin Bages, Boxes or Other litter throwing inside the park area is prohibited.

One can use ones own petrol vehicle for taking round in the park of course with the guide. The diesel vehicles are not allowed inside the park. The tourists who don’t have their own vehicle, can hier Jeep/Gypsy which are available with Madhya Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation or freelance drivers with a rate Rs. 10.00 per km. The guide is compulsory who is available at the entry-point.Two orientation Centres, one on each entry point offer informative displays, signs, graphics and interactive exhibits. Each Centre has a sale counter where park publications, posters, T-shirts and other souvenirs are sold.The Kanha Museum Located at Kanha contains fascinating, well-conceived exhibits relating to the entire eco-system and its fauna & flora.

Lanji Temple/Fort:

The Fort is located at Lanji Tehsil of Balaghat. It was made by Cultury Rajwansh. Which is located in Dense Forest area. The Temple and its Statutes art are of Khajuraho style. The Lanji Fort is also related with Gond dynasty. There are so many temples within Fort with lot of Statutes. Like Mahadev, Mahamaya, Lanjkaidevi etc.

Rampaily Temple:

It is a Historical place located 30 Km away from District head quarter. The temple is built on the bank of Chandan river, in which Shree Ram , Hanuman and Balanji's big statutes are there.

Hatta Bawali [Well]:

The village Hatta is located about 30 Km away from District head quarter. The village Hatta is famous for its historical history. At the time of British government Hatta was centre of a powerful Zamindari. Here one Bawali and old temple is situated. The Bawali was built by King Gond of Devgad in 17th Century. The Bath-room built in the Bawali was for King and Queen.

Nahlesara Dam:

The Dam is built on Chandan River. It's length is 1.5 KM and it is quite old Dam, it was built some where around 1960-1965. It is 58 KM away from district headquarter Balaghat. The Dam is used for irrigation purpose. Behind Dam about one KM away one temple Amma Mai is there which is also famous.

Gangulpara Tank and Water Fall:

From district headquarter Balaghat around 14 km. away on Baihar road the Gangulpara Tank and Water fall is located. The natural beauty surrounding Tank and Water fall looks nice. People at Balaghat used to go there for picnic. The Tank stores the water of Ghysri Nala and it is used for irrigation purpose.

Dhuti Dam:

The Dam is built on Wainganga River and it is around 65 km. away from Balaghat near Lamta. The Dam is quite oldest, it was constructed during year 1911-23. The Dam height is 26.6 ft and it's length is 4040 ft and width 881ft. Maximum water level of Dam is 1077.5 ft. The Dam mainly serves the irrigation purpose of the villages

Hanuman Chowk:

The heart of the Balaghat.

Bajrang Ghat:

Bajrang Ghat is a dream come true for nature lover swimmers who don't like the shallowness and restrictions of the City swimming pools. One can approach this beautiful ghat through various routes including one that passes through the Forest Rangers' College Balghat. "Bajrang Ghat" has small temples and "Akharas" and has a quite safe ghat with very gradually increasing depth, thus making it an ideal "Natural Swimming Pool". This ghat witnesses a large crowd in the summer season. The other side of the ghat called as "Jalaj" is the tip of a big submerged rock, and serves as a resting place for the accomplished swimmers who can cross the river to reach it. There is also a local swimmers club located here.

Kaliputli:

Kaliputli is one of the prime squares in Balaghat city near Bus Station and derives its name from a beautiful black stone statue of a woman in sitting posture, with an Earthen Pot "Matka" on her head, stationed on the square. Generally ignored by the moving traffic, a minute observation will witness the beautiful artwork in this statue.

Prem Nagar:

Prem Nagar is a prime residential locality of Balaghat City. It is a Live Heaven.

Gomji-Somji Temple:

Gomji-Somji Temple is also known as Jwaladevi temple, 15 km far from Balaghat.

Malajkhand copper mines:

This is an open pit copper mine at a distance of some 90 km from the district headquarters past Balaghat Baihar route.

Gangulpara Dam:

Gangulpara Dam is at 13 km from Balaghat on Baihar road. The road to Baihar is a sceanic beauty in itself passing through the curvaceous Satpura Range with lush greenary all around. "Gangulpara Dam" on this route can be witnessed in its full glory in the rainy season with green hills all around reflecting in its silent waters. As one travels down to the dam from the main road and ventures along the wide stop wall of the dam, rainy season fountains and small waterfalls add to the beauty of this part.

Old Ram Mandir

Lanji Fort/Temple

Nahlesara Dam:

Located about 58 km from Balaghat, Nahlesara Dam is an old dam that serves the irrigation purpose of the nearby villages. It was built during 1960-1965. Constructed on the Chandan River, the dam is about 2 km long. The surrounding places of the Nahlesara Dam are ideal for holidaying. Amma Mai Temple, situated at a distance of 1 km behind the dam, is another point of attraction.

Other Places:

* Botanical Garden
* Kalipath Temple
* Moti Talav (Pond)
* Hatta Ki Bawari
* Judwa Mandir (Baihar)
* Old Jama Masjid
* Panchmukhi Bajrangbali Mandir at Chitragupt Nagar Balaghat
* Hatta ka gadtha mandir.
* Boodhi
* Ward no 1 near mata mandir boodhi Balaghat
* Hanuman Chowk (Durga Mandir, Hanuman Mandir)
* khairgaven ka dam
* jonty ki chai
* raju ka dhaba

Hotels/Lodge/Accommodation in Balaghat:

Shere Punjab Hotel:

Category:Lodging
Transit: Balaghat Railway Station (450 m).

Mid Town Hotel:

Category:Lodging
Transit: Balaghat Railway Station (850 m).

Royal Tiger Resort - Kanha:

Royal Tiger Resort has successfully emerged as the best and most well managed resort in Kanha National Park. Hospitality services following the ethics of eco-tourism, International and Domestic tourists, Individuals and organization.
Access
280 kms from Nagpur airport
214 kms from Jabalpur railway Station
Accommodation : 18 suites
18 air-conditiones luxury suites
Restaurant : 1
Multi-Cuisine restaurant

Services & Facilities
Bar
Swimming Pool
Safe Deposit lockers
Telephone
Nature Walk
Willife excursions
Library
24 hours hot and cold running water

Krishna Jungle Resort - Kanha:

Just a short distance from the main entrance gate of Kanha National Park (Village Khatia), The Krishna Jungle resort provides visitors with a truly exciting and rewarding jungle experience. The lodge nests in 8 acres of thick forest and provides an ideal setting for bird watching for a natural history oriented traveller. The ambience makes you feel at home, right from the start. We meet and even surpass our guests’ expectations. Elegant cottages, impeccable service, a well-planned itinerary and a refreshing gourmet experience await you here.
Access
170 kms from Nagpur airport
270 kms from Jabalpur railway Station
Accommodation : 31 rooms & Cottage
31 well appointed rooms or jungle village huts
Restaurant : 1
Banjar - Multi-Cuisine

Services & Facilities
Swimming Pool
Safe Deposit lockers
Telephone
Laundry
Nature Walk
Resident Naturalist
Willife excursions
Library
Lectures on wildlife

Tuli Tiger Resort - Kanha :

Gracing the bank of Ganghar River, Tuli Tiger Resort Kanha depicts the rich colorful heritage of rural India, and provides perfect place to rest weary soul. It's a picturesque wildlife setup where a true jungle ambiance has been created with perfect natural surrounding & wildlife. Tuli Tiger resort in Kanha- Madhya Pradesh is an answer to your prayers. We, at Tuli group, invite you to join us on an adventure into the forests of Kanha and experience the bliss. So just swing your knapsacks over your shoulders and head for a memorable holiday.
Access
260 kms from Nagpur Airport
160 kms from Jabalpur Railway Station
Accommodation : 34 Cottages + Tent
26 Air Conditioned Cottages
08 Tent
Restaurant : 2
The Connoisseur - Multi-Cuisine
Seperate Dinning Hall for tent

Services & Facilities
Bar
Spa
Swimming Pool
Internet facility
Conference Hall
24 hrs room service
Jungle Safari
Running hote & Cold water
Jeep Safari

Banjaar Tola - Kanha :

Located on a 90 acre private concession overlooking the core forest zone of Kanha National Park, Banjaar Tola. Names after the gypsy tribes who camped by the Banjaar River the luxurious ensuite tents are lightweight and eco friendly structures designed with rustic local supplies, leaving a gentle and charming footprint on the sensitive riverine environment.
Access
300 kms from Nagpur Airport
125 kms from Gondia Railway Station
Accommodation : 18 Tent (Air Conditioning)
18 Tented suites
Restaurant : 1
Multi-Cuisine

Services & Facilities
Bath
Swimming pool
Indoor Showers
Outdoor Showers
Private WC
In Room Safe
Personal Bar
Swimming Pool
Telephone facility
Laundry facility
Credit cards accepted
Emergency Medical evacuation
Doctor on call

Kanha Jungle Lodge - Kanha :

Kanha Jungle Lodge is a short walk waay from the Mukki entrance gate of the Kanha national Park. The lodge is in a 11 acre estate of a thick, mature Sal forest, therefore by itself a destination for bird-watchers, though visitors to the lodge clearly come for the excitement of a visit to the neighboring jungle.
Access
300 kms from Nagpur Airport
125 kms from Gondia Railway Station
Accommodation : 20
18 rooms
02 Deluxe cottages
Restaurant : 1
Multi-Cuisine

Services & Facilities
Bar
Running hote & Cold water
Sports and TV
Bird Watching
Nature walks
Safaris
Elephant excursions
Village Safari