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Chikhaldara
Located
in the district of Amaravati, amongst the Satpuda ranges, this
hill-station named Chikhaldara is situated. The historical background
of Chikhaldara takes us way back to the great legend of Mahabharata.
It is said that the Pandavas spent their exile period here. The
king of Viratnagar had a minister named Kichak. The minister was
killed by the legendary Bhima and thrown into a valley near Viratnagar.
This valley, which was known as Kichakdara earlier came to be
known as Chikhaldara as time passed by.
Chikhaldara
is 3564 feet above sea level. This makes the atmosphere here,
very cool and healthy. As it is a part of the Amaravati district.
Among
the seven mountain ranges of Satpuda, Chikhaldara is located in
Melghat. Project Tiger has been implemented in the Melghat ranges,
which makes it a home for many tigers. Sometimes, tigers can be
spotted on the ghats of Chikhaldara and on the road to Samode
from Chikhaldara. A plethora of peacocks, jungle cocks and bears
can also be seen here. However there is a difference in the Sahyadri
ranges and the Satpuda ranges. Due to the lush green forests forming
a mountain cover in the Sahyadris, the ranges look evergreen.
Its not so with the Satpuda ranges. The ranges of Satpuda many
a times portray a blanket of dry leaves as a mountain cover. Hence
muddy brown-coloured trees camouflage well with the mountains.
The main produce of the region is coffee, as the 70 deg C temperature
here is apt for the growth of coffee plantations.
How
to access the place
Many
trains are available for Bednera Junction. From Bednera to Amaravati
many S.T buses are available. From Amaravati direct S.T buses
leave for Chikhaldara, which is 94 kms away.
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