Balaghat

This article is about the municipality in Madhya Pradesh, India. For its namesake district, see Balaghat District.
Balaghat,Madhya Pradesh
Burhaghat ,बालाघाट
city
Balaghat,Madhya Pradesh

Location in Madhya Pradesh, India

Coordinates: 21°48′N 80°11′E / 21.8°N 80.18°E / 21.8; 80.18Coordinates: 21°48′N 80°11′E / 21.8°N 80.18°E / 21.8; 80.18
Country  India
State Madhya Pradesh
District Balaghat
Government
 • Type Madhya Pradesh State
Elevation 288 m (945 ft)
Population (2011)
 • Total 84,261 (UA) 93,313
Languages
 • Official Hindi
Time zone IST (UTC+5:30)
PIN 481001
Vehicle registration MP 50
Website www.balaghat.nic.in

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 "बूढा", but this name was replaced by "Balaghat", which was originally the name of the district only. Balaghat means "above the ghats or passes."

Geography

Balaghat is located at 21°48′N 80°11′E / 21.800°N 80.183°E / 21.800; 80.183.[1] It has an average elevation of 288 metres (944 feet).

This is separated in north by Bamhni Banjar valley from Mandla and Dindori Districts, in the east by Maikal range from Chhattisgarh i.e. Rajnandgaon , Durg and Kabirdham districts, in the west from Seoni District and separated in south by Bagh river and Wainganga River from Gondia, Bhandara and Nagpur districts.

Demographics

As of 2011 India census,[2] Balaghat had a population of 84,216. Males constitute 51% of the population and females 49%. 11% of the population is under 6 years of age. A river, Wainganga flows beside the town.

Resources

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". The district is still proud of its varied fauna consisting of tigers, leopard, bear, neel-gai, deer and 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.The Manganese is mined under Manganese Ore India ltd (MOIL) while copper under Hindustan Copper Ltd (HCL).Balaghat lies on the manganese nod of triangular formation of Balaghat-Nagpur-Raipur. It is served by Balaghat Junction railway station

Places of interest

The following places of interest are located in Balaghat, or in the district:


Kanha National Park

Part of Kanha National Park. The gate of Kanha National Park known as "Mukki Gate" is located in Baihar Tehsil at a distance of some 125 km from the District Headquarters i.e. Balaghat there are so many lodges Motels & Resorts to stay there and special facilities for the foreigners.There is a small sir strip too for small planes to land for tourist purposes.

Bollywood connection

Film nartaki was shot in balaghat in 1963 with sunil dutt. Pranjal Kochar who is very famous amongest the youth of the city is on his way to debut in bollywood.

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 which is known as the jila tairaki sangh balagaht (BALAGHAT SWIMMING ASSOCIATION)

Kaliputli

Kaliputli is one of the prime squares in Balaghat city near Bus Station was Constructed in year 1975 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.

Rampaili Temple (Balaji temple)

Rampaili Temple is situated in Rampaili (Rampayali) village at 28 km far from Balaghat on Waraseoni-Tumsar road. The mythology about this temple is that when Shri Rama was going to Lanka he made a shivalinga which was made up of sand and it is present still now. The temple is built on the bank of river Chenayi. Beside this temple there is a Hanuman Mandir. An old saying about this is that "one foot of the statue is underground". After 50 ft excavation had been done, but no one could find its end. Actually they found that statue and tried to shift it inside the temple but as they did not get the end of statue they built a small temple there.which is commonly known as Langda Hanuman

Gomji-Somji /JwalaDevi Temple

Gomji-Somji Temple with a sister temple known as Jwaladevi temple, located on the peak of Bharveli region's mountains and around 10 km far from Balaghat is one of the places of religious importance in the region. Jwaladevi attracts thousands of pilgrims from Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra every year, specially during Navratri Festival.

Malajkhand copper mines

This is an open pit copper mine at a distance of some 90 km from the district headquarters on Balaghat - Baihar Road. This is a very good place especially for roamers because of lots of hillstations around it. Here you will find peoples from different parts of India and an amalgamation of different cultures.

Bharveli Manganese mines

This is an underground Manganese Excavation Mine located at approx. 6 km from the district headquarters in village of Manjhara. It is the deepest underground Manganese mines in Asia, and with a wide span in area. There are many hills and some temples around it, which makes it one of the 'must visit' place in Balaghat. This mine is owned by MOIL Limited with its own Beneficiation plant.

Gangulpara Dam

Gangulpara Dam is at 13 km from Balaghat on Baihar road. The road to Baihar is a scenic beauty in itself passing through the curvaceous Satpura Range with lush greenery 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 which is known as Pandhar Falls,In rainy season fountains and small waterfalls add to the beauty of this part. Waterfall includes satnari. Very few people know about this, one has to walk deep in forest crossing. Gangulpara village to reach there. It is an awesome experience to be there.

Old Ram Mandir

The Lord Rama's old Temple in the center point of Balaghat City. The distance of old ram mandir to kaliputli is around 1.2 km. The new Lord Rama's Temple location in Hanuman Chowk and the distance around 2.5 km. of them. The vegetable market (Gujari) is very close to lord Rama's old temple. Very old book store Prem Pustak Mandir beside to it.

Lanji Fort/Temple

Lanji tehsil is situated in the South eastern direction of Balaghat, and is a beautiful place and having historical importance too. There is an very old fort which is also known as Lanji Fort which was built by the Gond(gondi) kings who were related to the Durg kingdom. Lanji Town also has an special attraction, there are 52 ponds in the city. There is an old temple in the fort which has many idols in it, most of which are of Lord Ganesha. Lanji also has a temple dedicated to Goddess Lanjkai considered as Goddess of the town. It also has an old Shiva temple known as Koteshwar Temple which is considered divine by the people in Balaghat.

Nahlesara Dam

Located about 58 km from Balaghat in Katangi Tehsil, 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.[3]

Hatta Ki Baodi

This Famous Heritage site is situated nearly 20–23 km from District Headquarters on Balaghat -Saleteka -Hatta Road Near Home of Kishor Dinnewar Sachiv ( Secretary ) Gram Panchayat Hatta. which is easily approachable by any vehicle. This Baodi has been built in the 17th and 18th centuries by cutting and dressing of huge rocks and by constructing decorated pillars. It has ten pillars on the ground floor, beneath which the verandahs resting on light decorative rooms are there. Two sculptures of four armed Siva and Ambika holding Sriphal, belonging to the 16th century are carved on the entrance door of the Baodi. After the Haiheya rulers of the place, Hatta passed in the hands of the Gonds and through Gonds it passed in the hands of Marathas and Bhonsles. As, a result the decorations of the pillars are representatives of all these styles. This Baodi was built as a source of water as well as used resting and hiding place for the soldiers. During the reign of Bhonsles the Samantas used to hide their armies here......Director :Archaeology Archives and Museums Madhya Pradesh Bhopal and the king is aditya on hatta today.It is known as Hatta ki Bawali or Hatta ki Bawadi also.

Other places

Educational institutions

The following are the prime educational institutions at Balaghat:

References

  1. ↑ Falling Rain Genomics, Inc - Balaghat
  2. ↑ "Census of India 2001: Data from the 2011 Census, including cities, villages and towns (Provisional)". Census Commission of India. Archived from the original on 2004-06-16. Retrieved 2008-11-01.
  3. ↑ http://www.india9.com/i9show/Nahlesara-Dam-18243.htm

Further reading

Wikisource has the text of the 1911 Encyclopædia Britannica article Balaghat.
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