PLACES TO VISIT Shegaon, a municipal town in tehsil is famous for the samadhi of Shri Gajanan Maharaj - a mystic saint as popular as Saibaba of Shirdi. You'll see a large number of pilgrims here, some from even distant parts of Western and . Allegorically, Shegaon can be described as the Pandharpur of Vidarbha. Thousands of devotees pay their respects to the samadhi every Thursday, which is regarded as a special day. Secondly, the city has got the unique project of Anand Sagar, a place cannot be described properly in words. The city is also famous due to well-managed Engineering College. The distance from is 135 Km (by road). Shegaon is a station on Calcutta route of central railway. For more information please visit:

• http://www.gajananmaharaj.org/ • http://www.ncst.ernet.in/other/mtdc/Shegaon.html • http://www.mumbainet.com/travel/shegaon.htm • http://www.travelmasti.com/domestic/maharashtra/othercities6.htm

Lonar Lonar Crater is situated on the outskirts of Lonar Town in District , Maharashtra, about 200 kms from Amravati. The crater, ranked third largest in the world, was formed by the impact of a meteorite nearly 50,000 years ago. At the surface, the crater has a diameter of nearly 1.75 kms. At the bottom, a beautiful lake has been formed over thousands of years by the perennial streams flowing into the crater. The water of the lake is very salty. A unique eco-system has evolved in the crater, which is nearly 132 meters deep. A visitor is pleasantly surprised to see aquatic birds like the Flamingos, Indian Moorhen, Coot, Dabchick and so on. One can also hear and see many peacocks in the crater's forest Lonar on the Internet

• http://www.mahaforest.gov.in/lonarbuldhana.htm

• http://presidenthotels.com/tour.htm • http://www.travel-india.com/cityko/lonar/index.htm

Karanja (Lad)

Karanja, 70 Km from Amravati is a Jain Pilgrimage center. It is famous for a Jain Mandir with wooden carvings some 300 years old. There are two Gurukul institutions, Kankubai Shravikashram and Mahavir Brahmacharyashram. The Guru mandir there is also famous. (Adjoining photograph: Nrusinha Saraswati Maharaj)

Muktagiri Muktagiri is about 60 Km from Amravati is a Jain Pilgrimage center. It is famous for a Jain Mandir total about 125, waterfall and a hill station.

Chikhaldara It is a hill station and a satpuda range. The place is 80 km from Amravati. It is featured in the and thereby hangs a tale. This is the place where Bheema killed the villainous Keechaka. This pretty little hill station offers you an abundance of wildlife, viewpoints lakes and waterfalls. In fact, the Dhakana-Kolkaz National Park is famous for its tigers. The Tiger Project is located here. What's more? Chikaldhara's cool breezy climate makes it an excellent place to repose. Chikhaldara on the Internet

• http://www.ncst.ernet.in/other/mtdc/Chikhaldara.html

• http://www.mumbainet.com/travel/chikhaldara.htm • http://www.amravati.net/

Melghat Melghat tiger project is located in Chikhaldada and Dharni tehsils of Amaravati districts. This tiger reserve of 1676.93 Sq. km. was founded in 1974 with objectives of maintaining viable tiger population and preserves the national heritage for posterity. Melghat is rich in flora and fauna. Tourists can study korku tribal culture. For more information please visit: http://www.mahaforest.gov.in/gugamal.htm Wildlife Sanctuary This sanctuary is in continuity to the area of famous Melghat Tiger Reserve. It is 80 Km from Amravati. The area is rich habitat of Leopard, Sambar, Barking deer, Wildboar, Serpents, Porcupines and Birds. The area has a historical significance consisting of three distinct forts stretching in a line from East to West. Jafarabad on the East, Narnala the principal in the center and Teliyagard on the West. The main entries to the fort are four, the Delhi darwaza, the Shirpur darwaza, the Akot darwaza and the Shahapur darwaza. The Mahakali gate is best place of work of art in the fort. The gates show evidence of Gond and Mohammaden rule. Narnala on the Internet http://www.mahaforest.gov.in/narnala,akola.htm

Katepurna Sanctuary The sanctuary is situated in district in proximity and is mostly the catchments area of Katepurna reservoir. Major wild animals in this sanctuary are Four horned antelope, Black hack, Wolf, Leopard, Hyena, Barking deer, Wild Hoar, Nilgai, Hare, Jungle cat, Monkey etc. Peafowl is common; many species of common birds are seen. Katepurna water reservoir does attract water birds. No accommodation facility is available in the sanctuary. The place is also famous for Kurankhed Mandir. Akola is 40 km from sanctuary. Katepurna on the Internet http://www.mahaforest.gov.in/katepurna,akola.htm