Tadoba is a very popular tourist destination in Maharashtra and lakhs of tourist visit every year just to get a glimpse of the wild striped cat of India. Tadoba houses the highest number of tigers in Maharashtra. The park is overflowing with tigers, however there are other things that must be tried and tested whenever you visit Tadoba.
1. Jungle excursion
The best way to see Tiger in the wild is by going on a jungle excursion. The most popular method is a gypsy Safari. The park can be explored thoroughly using a four wheel drive gypsy all you need to do is get your hands on the permit which are generally sold out due to high demand . You can also explore the forest by walking in designated areas for walking Safari or using boats for boat safaris. Tadoba also offers an opportunity to explore Forest on bicycle. All of these activities are regulated and monitored by forest department. Hence ensuring you have the permits beforehand and planning your excursions with help of an expert is a must.
2. Visiting historic places of Tadoba
Only a handful of people are aware of the historic importance of the region surrounding Tadoba.It was home to the Gond King who fought with Britishers. They also fought with Marathas for the sovereignty before accepting subjugation. The road to Kolara gate on Chimur side has open step well built by Peshwa about 400 year old. The city of Chandrapur also known as Chanda was the epic centre of Gond kingdom. The fort in the city of Chandrapur must be visited. The path from Chanda to Brahmapuri which passed through core area of forest via Chimur houses many historical pillars used as guide pathways to tourists. Other story of stone pillar is that it was alarm system indicating movement of king.
Chimur is a tehsil place, which played a very important role in India’s freedom struggle. Did you know, it was the first on which declared itself independent from the British rule.
3. Attending Ghoda Rath Yatra
The Ghoda Yatra festival starts on the day of Vasant Panchami with Balaji Navratra. The Ghoda Ratha Yatra concludes with Rudra Swahakar Yadnya presided over by local priest on Maha Shivaratri. The temple was constructed by Jankoji Bhosale in the year nine 1750 on the recommendation of Sardar Devji Pant Chaudhary who was the minister under the Maratha empire. He had donated 200 acres of land for construction of the temple. The temple entry happens through a large gate which has beautiful carvings on it. The Sabha Mandap has 12 pillars. These players have designs of elephants, Tigers etcetera. Another Sabha Mandap with four pillars is placed right across it. All this information is available on the stone inscriptions in the temple complex. This temple of Srihari Balaji is exact replica of the Balaji Temple in Tirupati. This temple is also located in the small town of Chimur.
4. Shopping
Areas surrounding Tadoba was important trade route within India during British raj. Further the eastern Maharashtra receives heavier rainfall compared to central Maharashtra due to SW monsoon winds. This has resulted in high volume production of rice with unique taste and fragrance called Ambemohar and special jaggery made around Sindewahi. Not to forget the special GI Bhiwapur chillies which are very hot but don’t create intestinal issues. Further oranges which are produced across the Vidarbha belt are very well known. Special saree worn by women called “Karwath Kathi” is handwoven and sold only in vidharbha region of Maharashtra. This saree is dying art in Maharashtra.
5. Participate with NGOs
Many NGOs operate in the landscape of Tadoba. Most of these NGOs work in the field of conservation of wildlife and local population. These NGOs don’t just need funds for operations but also regularly need manpower on the field to get many issues sorted. You can volunteer and contribute with your time and physical effort towards these non-profit operations. Most of these NGOs work closely with forest department, local government, WWF, WWI and the likes.
Out of all the above-mentioned five activities, only, the first one takes the highest precedence at Tadoba. Tourist generally visit Tadoba only for Wildlife and related activities. It is high time that the local leaders, tour operators and other stakeholders start promoting cultural and the regional history of places around in Tadoba. It is time for the local government to intervene and develop other tourism spots around the cultural history of Tadoba. It is only by bringing the cultural and the natural history of Tadoba and its surroundings to the world that a wholesome development of tourism benefiting all local populace can be expected.