Phansad Wildlife Sanctuary, Maharashtra

Phansad Wildlife Sanctuary, Maharashtra

Phansad Wildlife Sanctuary is a wildlife sanctuary located in the Murud and Roha Taluks of Raigad District in the Indian State of Maharashtra. The sanctuary is a paradise for photographers and nature lovers. Bird watching and trekking are the popular activities here.

History

The sanctuary was established on 25^th February 1986. The sanctuary was handed over to Wildlife Division of Thane for wild life management and protection in 1994. The sanctuary was once part of the hunting reserves of the princely state of Murud-Janjira (Siddi Nawabs).

The Wildlife Sanctuary

The sanctuary consists of 6979 hectares of forest, grasslands, and wetlands. The sanctuary hosts four trails including Phansadgaan, Chikhalgaan, Ghunyacha Maal and one along the waterholes. These trails are the best places for viewing wildlife. The sanctuary has pockets of open grassland called malls throughout the forest. The sanctuary hosts 23 water holes called gan in local language. The sacred grove (Devrai) is located near Supegaon.

Flora:

The sanctuary comprises of semi-evergreen, evergreen, mixed deciduous, dry deciduous and coastal woodland ecosystem of the Western Ghats. The sanctuary has 710 species of Plants which include 179 species of trees, 66 shrubs, 141 herbs etc. The forest on the top of the hill in the sanctuary are evergreen which include mostly Anjan (Memecylon umbellatum), Phansada (Garcinia talbootii) while those on the slopes are dry deciduous which include ain, kinjal, teak, hirda, jamba, mango, and various ficus. 

Fauna:

The sanctuary is home to 279 species of fauna including mammals, reptiles, avifauna, and butterflies. The animals found in the sanctuary are Indian giant squirrel (Ratufa indica), Indian muntjac (barking deer), Gaur (Bos Gaurus), Dhole (Cuon alpinus), Indian crested porcupine (Hystrix indica), Indian leopard (Panthera pardus), Indian pangolin (Manis crassicaudata), Sambar (Cervus unicolour), Lesser false vampire bat (Megaderma spasma) and Mouse deer (Tragulus meminna). The Giant Indian Squirrel is the one of the major attractions of the sanctuary. The reptiles found in the sanctuary are Python (Python molurus), Bombay earth snake (Uropeltis macrolepis), Giri's bronzeback tree snake (Dendrelaphis girii) and Southern Birdwing (Troides minos).

The sanctuary is home to more than 150 species of birds.  The birds found in the sanctuary are Sri Lanka frogmouth, Spot-bellied eagle-owl, Green Billed Malkoha, Plum-Headed Parakeet, Yellow Footed Green Pigeon, Asian Paradise Flycatcher and Malabar Piped Hornbill. Large number of migratory birds visit the sanctuary between the period of November and January. The White-rumped vulture (Gyps bengalensis) which is noted as critically endangered is also found in the sanctuary.

Connectivity

The wildlife sanctuary is located at about 7 Kms from Mazgaon, 14 Kms from Murud, 14 Kms from Murud Bus Stand, 30 Kms from Roha, 31 Kms from Roha Railway Station, and 132 Kms from Mumbai Airport. The wildlife sanctuary is situated on the Murud to Roha route via Mazgaon.

Location

Gugamal National Park, Amravati – The National Park

Gugamal National Park, Amravati – The National Park

The national park spreads over an area of about 361.28 sq. kms and elevations ranging from 350 to 1,178 m. It is situated in the Melghat hills in the southern part of Satpura range. The national park forms the core of the Melghat Tiger Reserve. The park is named after the Gugamal Range, a hill range that runs through its core. This national park is popular for its huge number tiger population. It is considered to be the Indian national park with highest number of tigers present. The park is traversed by Tapti River, Melghat River (Khandu River), Dolar River, Sipna River, Gadga River, Khapra River and Wan River.

The Tapti River is the major river that flows along the northern border of the park. The park receives around 1,850 mm rainfall on an average. The national park is inhabited by the Korku Tribe and Gond Tribe. The best time to visit the park is between October and June, especially during early morning hours. Winter season is ideal for bird watching. Tourists can enjoy a stay in the park and do night safari. Kolka Rest House is the forest guest house of the area, where standard accommodations are available based on permission taken from the Amravati Forest Office.

Flora:

The habitat is a typical representative of the Central Indian Highland, forming a part of the Deccan Peninsula- Central Indian Highland biogeographically. The forest is southern tropical dry deciduous in nature, dominated by teak (Tectona grandis) and bamboo. The forests comprised of more than 750 species of plants including 316 herb species, 66 shrub species, 56 climbers, 23 sedge species and 90 tree species. The trees found in the forest are teak (Tectona grandis), ain (Terminalia alata), Indian gooseberry (Emblica officinalis), lendia (Lagerstroemia parviflora), dhawada (Anogeissus latifolia), and kusum (Schleichera oleosa) trees. Some orchids and strobilanthes are present in the upper hills. The area is rich in medicinal plants.

Fauna:

The mammals found in the park are Bengal tiger, Indian leopard, sloth bear, Ussuri dhole, Indian jackal, striped hyena, four-horned antelope, sambar, gaur, barking deer, honey badger, flying squirrel, cheetal, nilgai, wild boar, langur, rhesus monkey, and macaques. The reptiles found in the park are Indian cobra, skink snake, Indian python, dwarf & bark gecko, common Indian monitor, Dhamen and crocodiles. The crocodiles were reintroduced in the region in a systematic manner in Siddu Kund (river Gadga) near Dhakna and Hathi Kund (river Dolar) in the 1990 & 1991.

The national park is also home to 25 types of fishes and many varieties of butterflies. The birds found in the park are jungle & common babbler, green bee-eater, crested bunting, yellow-billed babbler, white-checked barbet, laughing dove, common kingfisher, white-eyed buzzard, common stonechat, black-shouldered kite, honey buzzard, white-throated kingfisher, Indian peafowl, black kite, rose-ringed parakeet, black-throated munia, rock pigeon, forest spotted owlet, serpent eagles, paradise flycatcher, Indian roller, Malabar pied hornbill, greater racket-tailed drongo and white-bellied drongo. Several migratory birds can also be observed during winter months.

Gugamal National Park, Amravati, Maharashtra

Gugamal National Park, Amravati, Maharashtra

Gugamal National Park is an Indian national park located in the Chikhaldara and Dharni Taluks of Amravati District in the Indian State of Maharashtra. It is one of seven protected areas in the Melghat Tiger Reserve. It is situated in the Satpura Range of hills, specifically in the Melghat region. 

History

The national park was established on 22 February 1974. It was included as part of the Melghat Tiger reserve in 1975.

The National Park

For brief details, please refer below link;

https://explore-natural-beauty-of-india.blogspot.com/2025/02/gugamal-national-park-amravati-national-park.html

Safari

Jeep safari is available to explore the national park. The safari timings are from 07.00 a.m. to 06.00 p.m. The charges for the safari are INR 2000; however, they are subject to change.

Connectivity

The National Park can be accessed from Chikhaldara, Semadoh, Kolkas and Harisal. Semadoh is considered as the main entrance for this national park. Semadoh is located at about 24 Kms from Harisal, 27 Kms from Chikhaldara, 33 Kms from Kolkas, 46 Kms from Paratwada Bus Stand, 47 Kms from Paratwada, 50 Kms from Dharni, 94 Kms from Amravati, 96 Kms from Shahanur, 98 Kms from Amravati Railway Station, 131 Kms from Burhanpur, and 236 Kms from Nagpur Airport. Semadoh is situated on Paratwada to Harisal route. Local state buses run from Paratwada, Dharni and Burhanpur every day to the park area.

Location

Narnala Fort, Shahanur – The Fort Complex

Narnala Fort, Shahanur – The Fort Complex

The fort complex is situated on an isolated hill at the southernmost tip of the Satpura Hills at an elevation of 932 meters above sea level. The fort is situated within the Melghat Tiger Reserve. The fort covers an area of 362 acres (1.46 km2). The forts are enclosed by a curtain wall of about nine metres high except in those places where the natural escarpment of rock renders artificial defenses unnecessary. It has 360 watchtowers, six large and twenty-one small gates. The fort complex consists of three small forts namely Jafarabad fort on the east, Narnala in the centre and Teliagarh to the west.

The fort can now be ascended by a motorable road. About halfway up it crosses first one and then another piece of level ground, each thickly sprinkled with Islamic tombs. The fort can now be ascended by a motorable road. There are two grounds one after the other in the middle of the hill. These grounds are called Lallan and Motha Sati Maidans. These grounds house the Islamic tombs. There is a small broken stone carved with an upraised hand, the sun, and the moon on the left side of the road in the Motha Sati Maidan. The hand is described as Saticha Hat (Sati’s hand).

The lower fortifications can be seen immediately after the Motha Sati Maidan. The main entrances to the fort are the Delhi darvaza, the Sirpur darvaza, the Akot darvaza, and the Shahanur darvaza. The first gateway to the fort can be seen after ascending the three quarters of the hill. The Shahanur entrance is the main entrance. It consists of three separate gateways on the same path. The outermost gateway is the Shahanur gate. It is the first and main gate of the fort and is a plain structure. It is flanked by walls and bastions built of cyclopean masonry, some of the blocks are over six feet long.

The gateway is provided with an arch lofty enough for elephants to pass through. A curtain wall projecting on the other side of the gateway is called Saha Gotyachi Sapili because its full height, about 30 feet is made up of six great stones placed one on top of the other. Lions in different attitudes ornament both the outside and the inside of the gateway. The second gateway of this entrance is the Mehudi darvaza. There are the domed tombs of Bagh Savar Wali and Gaz Badshah in between the second and third gateways. The third and innermost gateway called Mahakali gateway is the best piece of work in the fort. It is built of white sandstone and is highly ornate.

An inscription records the fact that the gate was built in the reign of Shahab-ud-din Mahmud Shah (Bahmani) by Fathullah Imad-ul-Mulk in 1486. A short verse from the Quran is also inscribed. The fort still display eight petals lotus which was the symbol of Narnal Singh's Solanki dynasty Goddess Khimaj or Mahalaxmi. These lotuses are visible on the mosques and many other places. Hence it is evident that Islamic rulers made changes in Narnal Singh's original architectural construction and converted the place in Mughal/Islamic form. It was impossible for any ruler to rebuild the entire fort considering the geographical location of the fort.

It consists of the great entrance archway, nineteen feet from the ground to the apex of the arch and ten feet six inches wide. The whole height of the gateway is thirty-seven feet three inches. Arabic inscriptions can be seen in this gateway. The gateway is flanked upon either side by galleries and rooms, probably the original guardrooms. The most notable feature is the overhanging balconied windows, two on either side. These windows are supported by corbels or brackets below and having deep cornices and eaves boards protecting them above. There is a quadrangle surrounded by guardrooms can be seen in front of the gateway.

Mahakali Temple:

A Mahakali Temple existed on the staircase of the Mahakali gateway which is in ruins now. The gateway is named after this temple. Goddess Mahakali is considered as the family deity for the Qiledar family. It has been said that the temple had idols of deities which were later stolen. The idol was possibly destroyed by Mughal rulers.

Jama Masjid:

The Jama Masjid is the principal mosque in this fort. It is now in ruins. It occupies a commanding position and was perhaps an imposing structure. It is said that there was an Arabic inscription recording its construction in 1509 CE by Mahabat Khan, but this inscription has been lost permanently.

Nau Gazi Tope:

There is a large cannon known as the Nau Gazi Tope (nine-yard) cannon on a mound in the fort. It is about 27 feet in length and was commissioned by Aurangzeb during the Mughal rule on this fort. This canon is said to be built by Abu Beg one of the Mughal slaves. The cannon had a range of 20 kms and had another bigger gun near to it known as Kadak Bijli, the gun has now fallen into the valley. There is an inscription recording the commissioning of this cannon by Aurangzeb.

Shakar Talav:

This is a lake called Shakar Talav situated in the central fort of the complex. It is said that the water of the lake has powers which can cure the wound from a dog bite. The water of the lake and the mud have some unique powers. According to legend, the lake contained the philosopher's stone, though no stone was found when the lake dried up in the drought and Indian famine of 1899-1900.

Peshwa Mahal:

This structure served as the residential place for the Peshwa during their visit. The Peshwa used to stay with the Bhonsale Kings of Nagpur for important meetings. It is now in ruins.

Rani Mahal:

It is the residential chamber for the queens, concubines, and the guest women. The structure survived to this day.

Other Structures:

The other structures found in the fort complex are Baradari, Ambar Khana, Saraf-Khana, Elephant stables of Narnal Singh & Bhonsle Maharaja, ruins of a palace erected in the honour of Raja Raghoji Bhonsle, a mosque in Teliagarh fort built by the Bahamanis, a mosque built during the reign of Aurangzeb, mint and ruins of gun foundries.

Tanks:

The fort complex has around twenty-two tanks, most of them are in the central fort. It has an aqueduct and drains to catch rainwater. Six of the tanks still hold water all through the year.

Narnala Fort, Shahanur – History

Narnala Fort, Shahanur – History

The fort is said to have been built in the 10th century CE by the Gond rulers. The fort was named after the Rajput Solanki Chaulukya Ruler, Raja Narnal Singh, also known as Narnal Singh Swami, who migrated from Patan in Gujarat. The fort is well known for its association with the Muslim saint Burhanuddin, (Bagh Sawar Wali) and it is said that many white tigers were seen with him at that time. It is said that the fort was rebuilt by the Sultan Mahmud Ghaznavi because he was a follower of Bagh-Sawar Wali Burhanuddin. Firishta, the Persian historian (1570 – 1620 CE) records that Shahab-ud-din Ahmad Shah I Wali (1422 – 1436 CE), the nineth Sultan of the Bahamani Sultanate during the construction of Gawligarh Fort, made repairs to the Narnala fort when he camped at Achalpur (Ellichpur) from 1425 CE to 1428 CE.

When Nashir Khan, the subhedar of Khandesh invaded Berar in 1437 CE, the governor of the province (also called Khan-i-Jahan), remained loyal to his master, Ala-ud-din Ahmad Shah II (son of Ahmad Shah I Wali) and retreated to Narnala. He was besieged by disaffected nobles and Nashir Khan, but managed to break through the besieging force with the help of Khalaf Hasan Basri who was sent by Ala-ud-din Ahmed Shah II. Nasir Khan was defeated. Narnala along with Gawilgarh came under the control of Fathullah Imad-ul-Mulk, the founder of Imad Shahi dynasty at Ellichpur (or Achalpur) in 1487 CE. Kunwar Rao Narnal Singh earned the title Rao Rana becoming Rana of the Mahurgad & special rights of the Narnala fort, from Imadshahi Dynasty ruler, son of Fathullah Imad-ul-Mulk.

Kunwar Rao Narnal Singh was a scion of Chalukya ruler, on whose name the fort is named. Along with Mahurgarh, he was granted Bhawargarh from Rana of Bijagad. His younger brother got special rights of the Narnala fort, by Rajgond of Deogarh, later continued by son of Fathullah Imad-ul-Mulk. Burhan Imad Shah of the Imad Shahi dynasty was confined in Narnala by his minister Tufal Khan in 1572 CE. This gave Murtaza Nizam Shah of Ahmednagar a pretext to lay siege to the fortress. He captured both king and minister, subsequently putting them to death. Thus, the fort passed into the hands of the Ahmednagar kings. The fort was captured by the officers of Mughal Emperor Akbar named Saiyid Yusuf Khan Mashhad, and Shaikh Abul Fazl from the Ahmednagar Kingdom.

The fort was renamed Shanur. Narnala was one of the Sarkars of Berar Subah (imperial first level provinces) during the rule of Emperor Akbar. Sardar Beg Mirza and Qader Beg Mirza, hereditary descendants of the Mughal dynasty in the 18^th century, stayed near Argaon because Shah Beg Subedar of Berar held the fort. Narnala fort is also the birthplace of the Mughal Aurangzeb's great-grandson. After fall of Imad Shahi Dynasty, the Rana left Mahurgarh, because of disagreement with the later rulers, the Mughal, declining Mughal sovereignty thus lost the land and fort rights in a small battle to Mughal subhedars. After this the Rana joined Gonds of Devgarh, and his descendants fought against Mughals alongside Rani Durgawati, and were granted the title Thakur Rao of Narnala Sarkar, by the Gond ruler of Deogarh. Narnala was captured by Parsoji Bhosale in 1701 CE. After the fall of Gonds, they were invited to join Marathas by Raja Bahadur Bhonsle of Nagpur who discovered this family to be of great valour and experienced in Narnala and surrounding forts.

Thakurrao Harisingh Rana joined Bhonsle and served Maratha Empire, after knowing that the Bhonsles are descendants from Maharanas of Mewar. Raghoji I Bhonsle, granted him title Qiladar of Narnala, Gawilgad and eight other forts of Melghat, along with the Zamindar Patilki rights of 13 villages and Deshmukh of 21 villages in Malkapur pargana in the sarkar of Narnala. Even after being promoted to title Deshmukh, most of the family members carry the surname Patil or Sarpatil / Ranapatil, as this title has different respect amongst people of Maharashtra and due to respect of the trust shown by the Raghoji I Bhonsle, the Bhonsle Raja of Nagpur Kingdom. Narnala remained with the Marathas till it was taken over by the British in 1803 CE.

Narnala Fort, Shahanur, Maharashtra

Narnala Fort, Shahanur, Maharashtra

Narnala Fort is a hill fortress situated in Shahnoor Village in Akot Taluk in Akola District in the Indian State of Maharashtra. The fort is also called as Narnala Qila Sarkar / Shahnoor Fort. The fort complex is situated on an isolated hill at the southernmost tip of the Satpura Hills at an elevation of 932 meters above sea level. The fort is situated within the Melghat Tiger Reserve.

History

For brief details, please refer below link;

https://explore-natural-beauty-of-india.blogspot.com/2025/02/narnala-fort-shahanur-history.html

The Fort Complex

For brief details, please refer below link;

https://explore-natural-beauty-of-india.blogspot.com/2025/02/narnala-fort-shahanur-fort-complex.html

Connectivity

The fort complex is located at about 15 Kms from Popatkhed Dam, 26 Kms from Akot, 26 Kms from Akot Bus Stand, 27 Kms from Akot Railway Station, 75 Kms from Akola, 78 Kms from Harisal and 269 Kms from Nagpur Airport. The fort complex is situated at about 15 Kms to the north-west of Popatkhed Dam on Akot to Harisal route.

Location

Sulai Waterfall, Palaspani, Maharashtra

Sulai Waterfall, Palaspani, Maharashtra

Sulai Waterfall is a waterfall located in Palaspani Village near Popatkhed Dam in Akot Taluk in Akola District in the Indian state of Maharashtra. This waterfall is situated inside the Melghat Tiger Reserve. There are entry fees for the people and vehicles to enter this place. The best time to visit this waterfall is during monsoon period.

Connectivity

The waterfall is located at about 25 Kms from Akot, 25 Kms from Akot Bus Stand, 26 Kms from Akot Railway Station, 63 Kms from Harisal, 75 Kms from Akola, 112 Kms from Amaravati, and 267 Kms from Nagpur Airport. The waterfall is situated at about 6 Kms to the west of Khatkali on Harisal to Akot route.

Location