Chikhaldara

Chikhaldara
—  city  —
Chikhaldara Location of Chikhaldara in Maharashtra and India
Coordinates	21°13′N 77°43′E / 21.21°N 77.72°E / 21.21; 77.72Coordinates: 21°13′N 77°43′E / 21.21°N 77.72°E / 21.21; 77.72
Country	India
State	Maharashtra
District(s)	Amravati
Population	4,718 (2001[update])
Time zone	IST (UTC+05:30)
Area • Elevation	• 1,118 metres (3,668 ft)

Chikhaldara is a city and a municipal council in Amravati district in the state of Maharashtra, India.

Chikhaldara is a plateau and is one of the cool air locations of Maharashtra. It is located in cotton growing area also a Historical valued place where, Lord Krishna carried away Rukminee. It is the only coffee growing area of Maharashtra.

Chikhaldara is named after the king Kichak , who was killed by Bheema, one of the Pandava brothers in the Mahabharata. He is said to have been killed by Bheema and thrown in the deep valleys called dari in Marathi language ( language of the State of Maharashtra ) hence the name Kichakdara which was later on spelled as Chikhaldara.

Brief history

Chikaldara was discovered by Captain Robinson of the Hyderabad Regiment in 1823. The Englishmen found it particularly attractive because the lush green hue of the place reminded them of England. When the leaves fell in September/October, they were reminded of autumn in England. There was even a proposal to make it the seat of the Government of India.^{[citation needed]}

Demographics

As of 2001^[update] India census,^[1] Chikhaldara had a population of 4718. Males constitute 58% of the population and females 42%. Chikhaldara has an average literacy rate of 80%, higher than the national average of 59.5%; with male literacy of 86% and female literacy of 72%. 12% of the population is under 6 years of age.

Water supply

Water is supplied from Sakkar taalab.

Local features of importance

1. Melghat Tiger Reserve, which includes the Gugamal National Park
2. Gawilgad fort
3. Bhim-kund: This is the place where Bhima washed his hands off the blood of Keechaka.
4. Forest garden
5. Wildlife museum

Chikhaldara Tourist Points

• Bhimkund (Kitchakdari)
• Vairat Devi
• Sunset Point
• Bir Dam
• Panchbol Point
• Kalapani Dam
• Mahadev Mandir
• Semadhoh Tiger Project
• Hariken Point
• Mozari Point
• Prospects Point
• Devi Point
• Monkey Point
• Goraghat
• Shakkar Lake
• Malviya and Sunrise Point
• Government Garden
• Museums
• Waterfall
• Dharkhura
• Bakadari
• Muktagiri

External links

• http://www.maharashtratourism.gov.in/mtdc/Sanctuaries.aspx?strpage=Sanctuaries_chikhaldara.html
• Chikhaldara

References

1. ^ "Census of India 2001: Data from the 2001 Census, including cities, villages and towns (Provisional)". Census Commission of India. Archived from the original on 2004-06-16. http://web.archive.org/web/20040616075334/http://www.censusindia.net/results/town.php?stad=A&state5=999. Retrieved 2008-11-01. 

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