BHANDARA

Built by the Yadav dynasty in the 13th century, the pond is part of an ingenious water system comprising three interconnected bodies: the Devaki Talao in the north, which served as a cremation site; the central jail pond; and the Miskin Tank. These ponds, situated at different elevations, form a cascade system that efficiently conserves water.

At the center of the Kham Talao stands a unique pillar called the Khamb. This architectural marvel features a square base, hexagonal middle, and rounded top, showcasing the craftsmanship of the era. It is believed that an ox was sacrificed before the Khamb's construction, a common practice believed to imbue structures with sacred energy.

Several mandirs surround the pond, adding to its significance. These include the Bahirangeshwar Mandir dedicated to Shiva, the Graam Devta, the Ram Mandir, and the Laxmi Narayan Mandir. The area was also frequented by Chakradhar Swami, a respected leader who would cook and rest by the pond's banks. A powerful local belief is that if the Khamb sinks beneath the water during monsoon, Bhandara will suffer a severe flood. This belief, which has reportedly been proven multiple times, has strengthened the pond's importance in local culture.

Pratapgad is a small village located about 40 kilometres southeast of Bhandara in the Sakoli tehsil. It's believed to have been originally built by the Gonds and later controlled by Raj Khan, a Pathan official serving the Raja of Devgad. The village sits on a hill that's part of the Navegaon or Pratapgad range.

Long ago, a terrifying rakshas lived in the hills of Pratapgad. From his high perch, he studied the world below, grabbing away any unfortunate victim who dared to pass. The villagers lived in perpetual fear until one day when a pir baba arrived and offered to emancipate the village from the terror of the Rakshas.. They fought for seven days and nights, with the baba eventually emerging victorious, freeing the area from the raksha's curse.

To honour his victory, the baba constructed a mandir on the hill that he named "The House of Victory." He subsequently entrusted the place to the local Gond Raja, assuring that it would be safeguarded for future generations. Today, thousands gather here, especially during Mahashivratra, to pay their respects to Bhagwan Shiva. Among them are the Mahars, who have long regarded the hill as the home of the rakshas-slaying sant.

As time passed, the stories of the baba and the rakshas became permanently associated with the story of the river Gadhvi. According to locals, the river was created as a result of Pir Baba’s prayers. But when the waves moved slowly, the angered baba yelled out, "Hatt Gadhvi (Begone Gadhvi!)" And so the river was eternally known as Gadhvi, a monument to the power of the baba's words.

Every morning, a woman named Sita, who was a gaulan (a woman who owns cows and is in charge of milk distribution), would go sell milk. She came across a Shiva mandir on her route named Bahirangeshwar mandir, where the Shiva murthi was considered swayambhu, She used to pour milk on the Shivapinda every day before returning home after delivering milk to one of her customers. 

One day, her husband worried about why she was so late. To clear up any confusion, he directly asked her why she was taking so long. She explained that she was taking so long because she needed to deliver milk to a customer. However, he did not trust her, so he decided to follow her.

When he saw her stopping at the Shiva mandir and discovered that no customer had come to buy milk, he questioned her again. Displeased by his wife's responses, he began berating her. This deeply distressed her, and she appealed to the Shivapinda, saying that if she was loyal to her husband, i.e., a 'pativrata,' then the Shiva murthi should incorporate her into itself right then in front of the entire community.

An unexpected event occurred in front of everyone; the Pinda shattered, and Sita Mata flew into it. This proved her innocence in front of her husband and the entire community. Her pativrata had enabled her to connect with the Shivapinda and take her place next to Shiva.

The Nag Janm Navaratri celebration in Puani is a unique custom that has been passed down for generations, based on an old tale. The ritual is observed until Nag Panchami, rather than the more common 'Nag Panchami' celebration held in other places.

According to the story, a child in a family was born with a small serpent on its stomach, as if the child and the snake were twins who became one. The serpent, known as the "nag," was believed to protect the infant from harm. Tragically, the snake died in an accident one day. To honor the serpent and seek its aashirwad for future generations, the family continued doing puja, believing that its protection would continue. Today, the tradition continues.

Ravi, a young boy in the village of Sakoli, Bhandara district, Maharashtra, had an unusual talent for stealing the tastiest mangoes without getting caught. Thanks to his quick reflexes and intelligence, Ravi escaped the vigilant eyes of the local orchard owners, much to their disappointment.

One hot summer day, Ravi was scanning the lush orchards for the ripest, most juicy mangoes. He climbed trees with the quickness of a squirrel, selecting the most appealing fruits and stuffing them in his pockets. Just as he was about to flee, an elderly man's firm voice interrupted him.

"What do you think you're doing, boy?" asked the elderly man, his aged face wrinkled with disapproval. To Ravi's amazement, the old man's frown melted into a cheeky smile. "You've got quite a knack for this, don't you?" the elderly man chuckled. "Tell you what, if you help me find something I lost long ago, I'll let you in on a secret that will change your life forever.”

Ravi was interested, so they agreed to go on a treasure hunt through Sakoli's winding streets. The old man brought him to a rundown haveli that featured elaborate woodwork and faded murals.  "My family once owned this place," the elderly man stated. "And somewhere within these walls lies a secret that could unlock a long-lost inheritance."

After hours of searching, they discovered a concealed chamber on the floor containing a faded map and a sparkling golden key. "This is it!" the elderly man said. "The key to the treasure that will change both our lives forever." Ravi could not believe his luck. In a single day, he had progressed from mango thief to treasure hunter. As they followed the route to an abandoned well on the outskirts of town, Ravi couldn't help but wonder what other adventures lay ahead.

In the village of Mohadi, an epidemic had spread, leaving a path of illness and death in its wake. The villagers, overcome with anxiety and uncertainty, went to Narayana Swami, a famous guru, for guidance and assistance.

Narayana Swami listened closely to the farmers' complaints, his heart aching with the weight of their plight. He understood that extreme measures were required to stop the disease's unrelenting spread. He gathered the elders and proposed a sacred yagnya, or purification and invocation rite, to be performed on the banks of the Gaymukh River.

As the locals assembled, the air was filled with anticipation and nervousness. Narayana Swami, his face molded with concentration, began the yagnya by chanting ancient mantras and making offerings to a fire. The flames flickered and cracked as if possessed by an unknown force.

Suddenly, a dazzling light exploded from the yagnya kunda, blinding anyone nearby. The ground trembled, and a figure emerged, partially submerged in the earth. Gasps of shock and wonder filled the air as the villagers saw what lay before them. Devi Chaundeshwari had come to their aid.

With her luminous presence, the Devi brought peace and hope to the people's worried hearts. Her eyes, filled with compassion, scanned the gathering, and a gentle breeze passed across the air as if conveying the hope of healing. Since then, the residents of Mohadi believe that her miraculous appearance had protected them from the horrors of the plague.

Ganesh, a renowned Kirtankar, had dedicated his life to the intriguing duty of recounting timeless tales from Indian epics and Puranas, enticing audiences with his distinct manner and deep knowledge of the texts.

Ganesh's journey as a Kirtankar began at an early age when he would sit captivated and listen to the hypnotic performances of his village's elders. The rhythmic chanting, deep melodies, and vivid images of the stories inspired him to take up this profession and uphold history and culture. Ganesh dedicated himself to the study of the Vedas, Mahabharat, Ramayan, and Puranas, methodically perfecting his knowledge and perfecting the art of storytelling.

As Ganesh's popularity increased, people came from all around to see his captivating performances. Whether he was describing the epic battle of the Pandavas and Kauravas or the love story of Radha and Krishna, his words created imagery that captivated his audience's minds and emotions. Ganesh's powerful voice and expressive movements brought the characters to life, giving the audience the impression that they were walking alongside the stories' protagonists. His thorough study of the texts enabled him to dive into the subtleties of the stories, revealing the deeper philosophical and spiritual insights hidden within. Ganesh used his skills to not only entertain but also educate his audience, motivating them to think about the timeless lessons and ideals that pervaded the ancient epics.