YAVATMAL

The Chintamani Ganpati Mandir is a famous Mandir which is situated in Kalamb. It is dedicated to Chintamani, who is a form of Bhagwan Ganesh. The Mandir holds special significance as part of the Ashtavinayak of Vidarbha (a group of eight significant Ganesh mandirs that lie across the region of Vidarbha).

The Mandir is uniquely situated underground, approximately 30 ft. below the surface. Fascinatingly, a notable phenomenon occurs every twelve years during the month of Ashwin (September-October in the Hindu calendar), when groundwater rises to submerge the main murti of the Mandir. Many scientists have dubbed this as an unexplained geological occurrence.

Many locals believe that the rising and receding water here is the River Ganga, which visits every twelve years just to touch the feet of Chintamani at this Mandir. This belief is, notably, tied to an intriguing legend which is associated with the Mandir’s creation. This legend is linked to Bhagwan Indra, the King of (Swarg) Heaven and Sky. The legend finds its mentions in the district Gazetteer (1974), where it is noted that “It is told that once Indra, for trying to violate the chastity of the wife of Gautama, was cursed by that mighty sage as a result of which Indra's body became pockmarked.”

It is said that many devis and devtas, upon hearing of Indra’s plight, approached Gautama and pleaded with him to show mercy and find a way for Indra to absolve himself of the curse. Gautama, yielding to their pleas, instructed Indra to recite the Ganapati mantra in “the village of Kalamb which was then called Kadambakshetra”.

Indra, following Gautama’s command, assumed the form of a bhramara (bee) and entered a lotus flower in a large lake. This site, believed to be the location of the Mandir, became the place where Indra recited the mantra for around one thousand years. It was after these one thousand years that Ganpati, in the form of Chintamani appeared before him. Upon seeing him, it is noted in the Gazetteer that, “Indra worshipped him with due ceremonies and brought the heavenly Ganga on earth to give Ganpati a holy bath, further commanding her to bathe him annually on the same day.”

Dhamma Malla is a Vipassana meditation centre located in Yavatmal. Dhamma Malla is affiliated with the Vipassana Research Institute and serves as the main centre for this tradition in the Yavatmal region. It offers residential courses in Vipassana meditation as taught by S.N. Goenka, in the tradition of Sayagyi U Ba Khin, a renowned meditation teacher from Myanmar. These courses are part of a network of Vipassana centres dedicated to teaching the technique of insight meditation (Vipassana), a technique which emphasizes deep concentration and self-awareness through silent observation.

The centre regularly hosts residential courses, during which participants follow a structured schedule that includes periods of meditation, silence, and daily discourses based on the teachings of the Buddha. Accommodation and food are generally provided free of charge, in keeping with the tradition that the teaching is offered freely, supported by donations from former students.

The Kedareshwar Mahadev Mandir in Yavatmal is a historic Shiv Mandir believed to be around 1,100 years old. Being among the oldest surviving structures in the district, it is regarded as the gramdevait (god of the city) Mandir of Yavatmal. The Mandir is constructed in the Hemadpanthi style.

This Mandir is connected to Raja Ramdev of Devgiri, a member of the Yadava dynasty and a dedicated Shaivite known for establishing Shiv mandirs across many parts of Maharashtra and India. Its presence in Yavatmal, in many ways, reflects the lasting legacy of the Yadava dynasty in the region.

Muralidhar Mandir, also known as Gopalkrishna Mandir, is located in the town of Pandharkawada and is constructed in the Hemadpanthi architectural style. According to the district Gazetteer (1974), the Mandir is estimated to be over 350 years old.

Interestingly, the Mandir houses a secret tunnel within its premises. The gazetteer mentions that this tunnel is believed to lead to the nearby “Kelapur gadhi”. Kelapur is a region located near Pandharkawada, and interestingly, it is where Peshwa Baji Rao II, the last Peshwa of the Maratha Confederacy, took refuge and was caught during the Third Anglo-Maratha War (1817-1818).

Pachkhed is a small village which is located in the Babhulgaon taluka of Yavatmal district. The village has made headlines recently for its rich ancient archeological value and history. Recent excavations by researchers from the Department of Ancient Indian History, Culture & Archaeology at Rashtrasant Tukadoji Maharaj Nagpur University have discovered that this small village was once a bustling industrial center dating back to the Iron Age (c. 1500 BCE).

The excavations were centered around an ancient mound that local villagers referred to as “Sasu-Suneche Ukhade” (meaning “The Drum of Mother-in-law and Daughter-in-law”) or “Barad” (meaning “outskirts of the village”). Here, they found remarkable evidence of ancient industry: two furnaces used for melting copper and iron, pottery pieces with ancient Brahmi script, various types of decorated pottery, iron tools, beads made from semi-precious stones, and clay artifacts.

Dr. Prabhash Sahu, Professor and Head of the Department, in an article with Hitavada suggests that there were two distinct phases of industrial activity in Pachkhed when it comes to ancient history. During the Iron Age, it was a metal-working center where craftsmen worked with copper and iron. Later, during the Satavahana period, which is said to have succeeded the Iron Age, the settlement adapted and became a center for processing lime. Making this discovery perhaps even more significant is that it is believed that Pachkhed is located on an ancient trade route that connected two important towns, Bhokardan and Pauni, during the Satavahan period.

This location and the archaeological evidence, in many ways, suggest two key patterns. Firstly, it shows how past industrial activities influenced later economic developments, as the prosperity here continued from the Iron Age into the Satavahana period. Secondly, it illuminates how occupational practices evolved between these two distinct eras. The patterns and discoveries, together, provide valuable insights into a previously unknown chapter of the region’s ancient history. They also demonstrate the long-standing nature of human settlement in Pachkhed, which has persisted from ancient times to the present day.

Raveri Fortress is a historical fortification located in Ralegaon taluka. While the fortress's historical origins and significance are largely undocumented, it receives mention in the district colonial Gazetteer (1908), where R.V. Russell notes that “the village fort is remarkably well preserved.”

Unfortunately, today, the structure is in a state of deterioration, with much of its original architecture lost over time. Present remains include crumbling walls and deteriorated bastions, with modern settlements encroaching on the site. While the fort’s entrance is identifiable, the absence of its original gate and the architectural design obscure interior views from the outside.

Notably, within the fortress lie many mandirs that are believed to be ancient and whose legends are linked to the Ramayan. These mandirs, along with the fortress ruins, in many ways, remain as historical markers of the locality’s past.

The Fakirji Maharaj Mandir is a mausoleum located on the banks of the Vayan River in Dhanaj-Manikwada village. Also known as Sant Fakirji Maharaj Sansthan, it serves as a yatra site for both Hindu and Muslim devotees. The Mandir is dedicated to Sant Fakirji Maharaj, a spiritual figure whose historical details remain largely unknown, though his teachings hold significance for the local community.

The Mandir maintains daily rituals including abhisheka, bhajans, and aarti. A notable weekly tradition practiced in the festival is the distribution of Shira Prasad every Thursday. During the annual Kartik Yatra (a pilgrimage held in the Hindu month of Kartik, which falls between October to November), the Mandir organizes a community feast called Kanya-bhakar, which is notably prepared on 100 stoves.

Shri Ghanti Baba Mandir is located east of Digras town in Darwha taluka, near the river, at the site where the sant is believed to have self-immolated. Built after 1945 through local community contributions, the Mandir stands on a raised paved platform and measures approximately 10 by 10 ft. A striking 50 ft. tall shikhara rises above the shrine, painted in vibrant colors. Within the garbhagriha, a marble murti of Shri Ghanti Baba in a meditative pose is placed on a raised base.

A Hanuman Mandir nearby, where Ghanti Baba is said to have offered daily prayers, adds to the site’s spiritual significance. The Ghanti Baba Jatra is held annually from Ashvina Sud 11 to Ashvina Vad 5 (September–October), marking the death anniversary of the sant. The event draws large gatherings of devotees from Digras and surrounding areas.

The Shri Rangnath Swami Mandir, located in Wani town of Yavatmal district, was built around 1840 by a member of the local Komti community named Padmawar. Constructed in the Hemadpanthi style, the Mandir is dedicated to Shri Rangnath Swami, a form of Bhagwan Vishnu. The murti, carved in black stone and measuring about five ft. in length, depicts Vishnu reclining on the Sheshnag serpent. A tin-roofed sabhamandap near the Mandir hosts bhajan and kirtan gatherings during festive occasions.

The annual Shri Rangnath Swami Jatra, one of the most prominent fairs in Yavatmal district, is held here from Phalguna Vad 1 to Chaitra Sud 15 (February–April). Apart from its religious significance, the jatra has historically served as a major cattle trading fair in the Vidarbha region, drawing people from surrounding villages and towns for both devotional and economic activity.

Sita Mandir in Raveri is believed to be one of the rare mandirs in India dedicated exclusively to Sita Mata. What sets it apart is that, unlike typical Ram-Sita mandirs, this Mandir focuses solely on Sita. Notably, the Mandir contains no accompanying murtis of Ram and Laxman. This absence is symbolic as the Mandir honors Sita as a single mother.

Interestingly, the unique focus on Sita alone in the Mandir is connected to a local legend which centers around the story of Sita’s second exile. According to this local legend, when Sita was abandoned during her pregnancy, she sought refuge in Rishi Valmiki’s ashram, which locals believe to be in Raveri.

The Mandir holds special significance for the locals of Raveri and many consider Sita Mata to be the gramdevi. Each year, they celebrate Sita Navami, which is a festival dedicated specifically to her. The significance of the Mandir and the legend, in many ways, is reflected in the women-centered initiatives that have been organized by the Mandir’s trust.

The trust runs Maher, a shelter for single, abandoned, and widowed women. The trust also started an initiative called the ‘Sita Farming,’ that is meant to support women in agriculture. They have also initiated a program called the Shetkari Sanghatana’s Laxmi Mukti, that encourages male family members to transfer land ownership to women, something that is still a taboo in many areas of the nation. These programs, in many ways, showcase how the Mandir serves not only as a religious site but also a center for initiatives that revolve around women’s empowerment and social change.

The Vitthal Rukhmini Mandir in Yavatmal is dedicated to Bhagwan Vitthal (a form of Bhagwan Vishnu) and his consort Rukmini. According to the district Gazetteer (1974), the Mandir was built around the 1900s by Shivram Sonar in the memory of his son. Much like other Vitthal mandirs across Maharashtra, it serves as a major center of devotion for the Varkari sect.

It is said that the murtis of Vitthal and Rukhmini in the garbhagriha (sanctum) were brought from Pandharpur. The Mandir attracts yatris, especially during festivals like Ashadi Ekadashi, which lasts seven days, and its sabhamandap (assembly hall) is often used for weddings.

The Zhan Bhoomi Meditation Centre is a Buddhist meditation facility located in Chaparda. It was established by Dr. Bodhi Ashok Bhante, a medical doctor and radiologist, who funded the project through savings from his medical practice. Many regard the centre to be among Maharashtra’s first free meditation centers which is dedicated to the teachings of the Buddha.

Dr. Bodhi Ashok Bhante is known for his dedication to the ideals of Dr. B. R. Ambedkar and is regarded as both a scholar and practitioner of Buddhism. Over a period of eight years, he developed the centre with the aim of advancing Buddhist education and meditation in the region. The site includes facilities to support large-scale gatherings and spiritual practice.