Chandrapur

Chandrapur

—  city  —

Chandrapur

Location of Chandrapur

in Maharashtra and India

Coordinate 19.95°N 79.3°E19.95°N 79.3°ECoordinates:

s 19.95°N 79.3°E19.95°N 79.3°E

Country  India

State Maharashtra

District(s) Chandrapur

Manohar Pounkar, (2010)

Mayor
altitude = 189

289'450

Population
population_density = (2001)

Time zone IST (UTC+5:30)

Codes[show]
• 442401
• Pincode
vehicle_code_range = MH-34
• Telephone • +91-7172
Chandrapur is city and a municipal council in Chandrapur district in the state of Maharashtra,
India. It is also the headquarters of Chandrapur district.

The city of Chandrapur has ancient temples of the goddess Mahakali and of Anchaleshwar, a
form of the god Shiva. Chandrapur is also known as Chanda. Nayan is also famous in
Chandrapur. The region is very rich in mineral wealth such as iron ore, limestone and coal. Many
cement factories are located in this region. Due to large number of coal mines present around the
city, the city is also known as City of Black Gold.

Narsimha Rao, a prime minister of India, was stationed at Chandrapur during the days when
Nizam ruled Hyderabad. Rao got admission to Nagpur on recommendations of one of the
prominent advocates of the region, Balwantrao Deshmukh. Balwantrao Deshmukh was a
follower of Bal Gangadhar Tilak. It was due to his efforts that Tilak visited Chandrapur and laid
the foundation stone of a school "Lokmanya Tilak Vidyalaya". Shantaram Potdukhe, one of the
ministers of state having charge of finance portfolio in Narasimha Rao's government, is from
Chandrapur. He was the deputy of the current Prime minister Manmohan Singh. Mohan
Bhagwat, senior functionary of Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh, is also from Chandrapur.
Contents
 1 Geography
o 1.1 Physical setting of Chandrapur city & surrounding region
 2 Rivers & Dams
 3 History
 4 Demographics
 5 Industries
 6 Climate
 7 Transport
 8 Culture and Religion
o 8.1 Mahakali Mandir
 9 Education
 10 Visitors's Attractions
o 10.1 Chandrapur Super Thermal Power Station
o 10.2 Steel Plant
o 10.3 Other factories
o 10.4 Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve
o 10.5 Anandvan Ashram
 11 References
 12 External links
Geography
The city is located on the bank of "Erai" river, another river flowing through the city is
"Zarpath". The northern portion of the city is high and southern is low as per topographical map
i.e. 56m. The old city is surrounded by 4 very big walls. The gaontidev Nullah is originating
form the upland of CTPS. The Mucchi Nullah is originating form upland of Ranger college. This
Noullah is merge in the tank "Ramala Talao" located in the heart of city. River Erai has a long
history of floods, the flood marks are appeared on the fort wall of city, i.e. Pathanpura gate. The
North South length of Chandrapur city is about 10 km and East West is 7 km. In the north of
city, there is a dam made on river Erai, having the capacity of 207 million cubic meter.
Foundation stone of the city was laid down by Khandkya Ballalshah, a Gond king.

Physical setting of Chandrapur city & surrounding region

Chandrapur, the headquarters of the district to which it gives its name, is the largest city in the
district. 'The city of Chandrapur is located on 19.57’ north latitude and 79.18’ east longitudes in
the eastern Maharashtra, it is situated at 189.90 meter above form the mean sea level. Altitude of
city railway station is of 189.90 meter above MSL. Area of the city region is about 70.02 km².
The city is at Southeast direction from Nagpur city, on the Delhi-Chennai railway route. About
30 express trains stop here every day of up and down route. Here is a broad gauge double line
railway track. Another railway route is here known as Gondia-Chandafort railway route, on
which four trains operate every day. Mul, Sindewahi, Nagbhir and Bramhapuri are the major
stations on this route in Chandrapur district. The north-south length of the city is about 10.6 km,
while the east-west length is about 7.6 km

Rivers & Dams

The entire area of the district falls in the Godavari basin. The area is drained by major tributaries
of the Godavari river. The major Tributaries are the Wardha, the Wainganga and the Penganga
rivers. The Penganga, flowing along part of the Western boundary, meets the Wardha river near
Ghugus to form the Wardha river. It further flows in NW-SE direction finally merging into the
Wainganga river at the south eastern corner of the district. After this confluence the river along
with their sub tributaries rising in the uplands within the district drain whole area of the district.
Rising in the uplands within the district drain whole area of the district. The Wainganga river
which flows along the border of Chandrapur and Gadchiroli district is the main river of the
district. The Wardha is the only perennial river in the district having the longest river course as
compared to the other two major rivers. The main tributaries of the Wardha river are the Erai
rises in the northern part of Warora tahsil and flows along due south over a length of 80 km. till
it meets the Wardha just south of Chandrapur at Wardha village. The Penganga flowing along
western border takes east west course and then joins the wardha river at Ghugus. The area
occupied by Gadchiroli tahsil and part of Rajura tahsil is drained by the Penganga and its
tributaries.
History
Tradition and legends tell that in Krta Yuga the name of this place was Lokapura and its extent
much wider than what it is to-day. In Dvapara Yuga, during the reign of one Raja Chandrahasa
its name was changed to Indupur and still later as Chandrapur or the city of the moon. During the
period of the British Raj, Chandrapur came to be called as Chanda for no particular reason
perhaps because the short form was more convenient and continued to be so called until 1964
when its name was officially changed to Chandrapur again. In spite of the restoration of the
name it is still known to the general public as Chanda. Puranas mention the town as having been
founded by Krtadhvaja Raja, but modern Chandrapur has grown out of the foundations laid by
Khandkya Ballal Sah, the Gond King, about the year 1450 A.D. Other places of the region in
ancient times include Wairangad, Kosala, Bhadravati and Markanda. Hindu and Buddhist kings
are said to have ruled the area for a long time. Later on Gonds overtook Mana kings who ruled
Chandrapur around 9th century and Gond Kings ruled the area till 1751 after which Maratha
period started. Raghuji Bhosale, the last King of the dynasty, died heirless in 1853 and Nagpur
province together with Chandrapur was declared annexed to British Empire.

In 1854, Chandrapur formed an independent district and in 1874, it comprised three tehsils: Viz
Mul, Warora and Bramhpuri. In 1874, however, upper Godavai district of Madras was abolished
and four tehsils were added to Chandrapur to form one tehsil with Sironcha as its headquarters.
In 1895, the headquarters of one tehsil transferred to MUl to Chandrapur. A new tehsil with
headquarter at Gadchoroli was created in 1905 by transfer of zamindari estates from Bramhpuri
and Chandrapur tehsil. An small zamindari tract from Chandrapur district as transferred to newly
from districts in 1907. In the same year and area of about 1560 km² comprising of three divisions
of the lower Sironcha tehsil namely Cherla, Albak nad Nugir were transferred to Madras State.

No major changes occurred in the boundaries of the district or its tehsils between 1911-1955.
Consequent upon reorganization of the states in 1956, the district was transferred from Madhya
Pradesh to Bombay state. In the same Rajura tehsil, a part of Adilabad district of Hydrabad state,
was transferred to Nanded district subsequently it was transferred to Chandrapur district in 1959.
The district became part of the Maharashtra since its creation in May 1960. For administrative
convenience and industrial and agricultural development, this district was again divided into
Chandrapur and Gadchiroli district after 1981 census. Chandrapur district now comprises the
tehsil of Chandrapur, Bhadravati, Warora, Chimur, Nagbhir, Bramhpuri, Sindhewahi, Mul,
Gondpipri, Pomburna, Saoli, Rajura, Korpana, Jivati and Balharshah.

Demographics
As of 2001 India census,[1] Chandrapur had a population of about 297,612. Males constitute 50%
of the population and females 50%. Chandrapur has an average literacy rate of 73%, higher than
the national average of 59.5%; with male literacy of 81% and female literacy of 65%. 12% of the
population is under 6 years of age. The Chandrapur city constitutes around 25% of the district
population.The total population of the Chandrapur district is 20,77,909 (Male-10,59,875 and
Female-10,18,034).
Industries
Chandrapur Super Thermal Power Station (CSTPS) is the biggest pit head Thermal Power
Station of the MSPGCL and the largest in India among all the state Electricity Boards.•CSTPS
contributes about 25 % of electricity for entire Maharashtra. The power plant, with a capacity of
2340 MW is approximately 5 km from the city. It is the first ever thermal power plant in India to
have commissioned 500 MW Unit(In year 1991-92).CSTPS, the Power Generating giant with
structure sprawling in 12212 Hect. of land and holding national assets to the tune of thousands of
crores and around 3460 people working, has catapulted itself to the status of NUMERO UNO in
the Indian power generating fraternity. Currently there are 4 units of 210 MW and 3 units of 500
MW each. The mammoth coal mines in an around the city also contribute to the heavy
industrialization of the city. These coal mines are administered by WCL (Western Coal-fields
Ltd.). The city also boasts of having the largest paper manufacturing unit of Ballarpur Industries
Limited (BILT), largest manufacturer and exporter of paper in India, in the adjoining Ballarpur.
The city houses various cement factories in its vicinity. Prominent among these are the ones
established by Manikgarh Cement, Ulltratech Cement (formerly L&T Cement), Associated
Cement Companies (ACC) and Gujarat Ambuja (Maratha Cement Works). Various other major
industries include a ferro-manganese and silico-manganese plant of Maharashtra Elektrosmelt
Ltd. (MEL), a subsidiary of Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL). The neighbouring Warora
region has a manufacturing plant, for electrical household appliances, owned by Videocon.
About 6000 small and big scale industries are located at Chandrapur. It is adjudged as the most
polluted city in the world.

Climate
Chandrapur is known for hot and dry climate. Humidity is very less in this region. Temperature
starts decreasing from the month of October with December being the coldest of all with
minimum temperature of 11.6°C and maximum of 28.2°C. The Southern region is warmer than
the Northern. The lowest recorded temperature is 3°C (Northern region) and 8°C (Southern). The
daily mean temperature starts rising from the month of February which continues till June. May
is most hot with mean maximum temperature of 45°C and minimum of 28°C. Often temperature
rises up to 46º and is amongst the highest recorded in the South Asian region. Highest
temperature ever recorded here is 48.3°C on May 16, 1912 and lowest temperature recorded is
2.8°C on January 10, 1899. It starts getting a bit humid from June due to the onset of monsoon,
which lasts till September.

The average annual rainfall is about 1420 mm. The Eastern region receives more rainfall than
Westermonsoon season [Jun-Sep], which exceeds 70%, but it falls down rapidly in Summer
[Feb-May]. Average number of rainy days is 60 to 65 per year. The humidity is relatively more
during the 20%.

The prominent wind direction is from South to North. In Summer the wind direction is from East
to south and in Monsoon from South to East. During Winter [October–January], the wind
direction changes from North to East.
Transport
Chandrapur is located on main New Delhi-Chennai railway line of Indian Rail. It comes under
Nagpur division of the Central Railway. It is connected to Bhopal, Gwalior, Indore, Nagpur,
Jhansi, Agra, New Delhi, Jammu Tawi, Warangal, Vijaywada, Chennai, Kanyakumari,
Bangalore, Secunderabad, Hyderabad, Puri, Ahmedabad, Jaipur, Mumbai by train.

Chandrapur is also connected to many cities in Maharashtra by MSRTC buses. The buses ply to
Nagpur, Gondia, Amravati, Akola, Shirdi, Aurangabad, Nanded, Hyderabad.

Culture and Religion

Mahakali Mandir

Mahakali Mandir in Chandrapur is an icon for Chandrapur. It is symbolic to Chandrapur City

and it has prominent place in the heart of people of Chandrapur. Devotes visit Mahakali Mandir
every day but Tuesdays are special days to visit Mahakali mandir. There is a small Ganesha
temple and Hannuman temple inside the Mahakali Mandir premises. There are two entrances for
the temple. The rear entrance has Ganesh and Hanuman temple. Both the entrances have small
shops for puja supplies like coconut, flowers and cloth. We get lot of other things for home décor
& puja décor items all the time near the temple. There is also Shani temple next to the rear
entrance.

There are two idols (murthys) in the Mahakali Mandir. One standing murthy is the main idol
decorated with red, yellow and orange color cloths. The main idol also associated with Shiv
Ling. The second murthy is reclining position. The second idol is actually below the ground level
and to reach there, devotes need to walk in kind of a tunnel.

Inside the temple the priest will be always there to assist you with puja and offerings. Every year
there is a fair during the month of April, during that period all the devotes from different parts of
state visit the Mahakali Mandir. Now there is a trust formed to take care of temple
administration. There were lot of improvements to the amenities of the temple in last decade.
Temple authority has made dharmashalas for devotes to help them stay near the temple for free
who travels from distant places of the Chandrapur district.

The annual fair that used to happen in the month of April used to be a big festival for the
devotees of Mahakali and also for Chandrapur people. There used to be lots of activities and
events for all the ages and used to be a time for joy and fun for all the people. There used to be
shops selling kitchen gadgets, toys, bangles, imitation jewellry, cloths. Entertainers used to come
from different parts of Chandarpur district and various parts of Maharastra state to show
entertain the people and show their skills. There used to be small magic shows and circus. The
kids used to wait for all the year for this event and which makes it a memorable festival for the
family and kids.
Marathi Sahitya Sammelan, the conference on Marathi Literature were held once in Chandrapur
city. It was presided by President of the Conference Vaman Krushna Chorghade in 1977.

Education
Chandrapur is well known for education facilities in the district.

Chandrapur has Engineering / Polytechnic / medical / Law schools.

Notable educational institutes in the city are (alphabetical order)

 A T Chhotabhai Patel High School

 Bagla Medical college
 Carmel Academy
 Chanda Public School
 Chandrapur Engineering College
 Hindi City Higher Secondery School
 Janta College
 Khatri College
 Late Bapurao Wankhede Vidyalaya
 Lokmanya Tilak vidyalaya
 Montfort Hr Sec School
 Mount Carmel Convent High School
 R A Quidwai Memorial High School
 Rajiv Gandhi College of Engineering
 Rayatwari Telgu High School
 S.P College
 Saint Mary's Convent High School & Junior College, Durgapur
 Sardar Patel Mahavidyalay
 Shantaram Potdukhe National Academy for Legal Studies and Research
 Vidya Niketan
 Vidya Vihar High School
Visitors's Attractions
Chandrapur Super Thermal Power Station

Chandrapur Super Thermal Power Station CSTPS is the biggest pit head Thermal Power Station
of the Maharashtra State Electricity Board and the Giants in India among all state Electricity
Board. The location Of power station is at 6 km from Chandrapur City .The Power station
complex is on the way to the famous Tadoba National Park .The emergence of CSTPS as the
biggest pit Head Power Station in the country as put MSEB one step forward in its endover to
lead in power generation and Distribution among the state Electricity Boards of India . Thus
embarking of the 500 MW units to be consider as modern venture of MSEB and first among all
SEB’s. This giant project is having ultimate capacity of 2340 MW. To cater to the water
requirement of this power station, a dam is constructed on the river Erai at a distance of about
15 km. from power station. The dam on Erai River is composite type. Masonry dam having
length 420 m. With central spillway and earth saddle dams on left and right bank of 800 and 425
meters length respectively. The masonry Dam has severed reservoir during monsoon approx.
7041 Hect. Land is acquired by MSPGCL for construction of this dam. The dam has effective
storage capacity of 198 million cu. Meters. Of which 12 million cu. Meters. Per year is released
to Chandrapur city.
Steel Plant

Maharashtra Electrosmelt Ltd (MEL) is a Subsidiary of Steel Authority of India Ltd,is the largest
Manganese based Ferro Alloy producer in the country. Situated in the outskirts of city.

Other factories

other notable factories in the district are

 Ballarpur Paper mill

 L&T Cement
 Ambuja cement
 Manikgarh Cement

Chandrapur also has one of the oldest coal mines and that is the reason it is also known as 'City
of Black Gold'

Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve

Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve is the pristine and unique eco-system situated in the Chandrapur
district of the Maharashtra State of India. The Reserve contains some of the best of forest tracks
and endowed with rich biodiversity. It is famous for its natural heritage. Tadoba-Andhari Tiger
Reserve is the second Tiger Reserve in the State.Tadoba-Andhari Tiger reserve was created in
1995. The area of the Reserve is 625.40 km2. This includes Tadoba National Park, created in
1955 with an area of 116.55 km2. and Andhari Wildlife Sanctuary created in 1986 with an area of
508.85 km2. The Reserve is constituted with 577.96 km2. Reserve Forest, 32.51 km2. Protected
Forest and 14.93 km2. other areas.

Anandvan Ashram

The seeds of social activism were sown by Murlidhar Devidas Amte, Baba Amte. Regardless of
his parents's disapproval, Baba Amte often ate with servants and played with lower caste
children. As a nine-year-old, he was so moved by the sight of a blind beggar that he dropped a
handful of silver coins in his bowl. He studied law and started a lucrative practice in Wardha, but
was appalled by the poverty in his family estate in the Chandrapur district of Maharashtra. He
relinquished his robes and began working with sweepers and carriers of night soil.

"He came to be known as Baba not because he is a saint or any such thing, but because his
parents addressed him by that name," reveals Sadhanatai, his wife