Nagpur, India

Overview:

This old city founded by Bhakt Buland, a representative of the Gond clan is the heart of India - literally. With Nagpur being zero milestone, all distances across the length and breadth of the country is mapped from Nagpur as starting point. At one point, the British in India had grandiose plans of making Nagpur the second capital among other things but time and circumstance saw all the blueprints for Nagpur's glory petering out.

Today, Nagpur is a quiet town that is warm, hospitable and friendly at heart. The old meets the new on almost every street with old family houses and historical meetings sitting peaceably with the newer dwellings. Famed for its oranges, Nagpur is also a flourishing dry port and is known for its cool cotton saris.

All in all, Nagpur is a city that has easily settled to its potential and seems very comfortable to take second place to the more gregarious city of Nagpur. Visit this place though, its pleasant environs and spicy food along with the warmth that the people of Nagpur so effortlessly disseminate will make for an experience that might not be significant but might garner more appreciation for the ordinary.


Population: About 2,051,320

Climate: With summer temperatures of 48°C and winters at a more moderate low of 27°C, the monsoons are by far the most pleasant.


Main Language(s): Marathi, Hindi and English

Time Zone: GMT + 05:30

Phone Area Code: 0712

Best Time To Visit: Unless you are going to Nagpur for specific occasions like the Ganesh Utsav or Dusshera, the best time to visit here is between the months of September and end-October.


Airport Distance from City Center: 10 kms

Taxi Rates from Airport to City: Pre Paid taxi service available at a flat rate of Rs. 200

Places To Visit:

Deeksha Bhoomi
One more instance of how different religions sit calmly within this large country. Deeksha Bhoomi is a haven for Buddhists and is spread over 14 acres. Every year on Ashok Vijaya Dashmi, Buddhists assemble here for 'deeksha'. Not to say that it is an exclusive Buddhist affair, this is quite a popular place with a lot of people coming here from different parts of the country.

Bada Taj Bagh
Contemporary India might be as modern on the surface as any other country in the world, but there are destinations that evidence the deep-rooted faith in the heavenly. One of four such destinations or dhams of contemporary India is the dargah of Tajuddin Aulia, the other three being Gajanan Maharaj at Shegaon, Saibaba at Shirdi and Dhuniwale Dadajee at Khandwa.

Sevagram
Years after the passing of the Mahatma, this village in Wardha, renamed as Sevagram by Gandhiji continues to follow his principles and life teachings. His beliefs make the essence of this place. While visiting, check out the Gandhi Ashram and the Gyan Mandir.

Tadoba National Park
120 sq km of forests with occasional glimpses of the tiger, panther, bison, jackal, sloth bear, hyena, wild dog, blue bull and deer is what you can expect to find here. If it is a getaway that you are looking for, Tadoba in the midst of Chandrapur district is it.

Shopping
If you cannot wait to get your bags and go shopping, we guarantee that you will have nothing to complain of in Nagpur. Shop for saris, cool cotton materials, woollen carpets and durries. There are lots and lots of shops to pick from with something for everyone. You might want to check out the retail shopping area at Sitabuldi, or the wholesale shopping area at Gandhibagh Market or the one place that seems to have everything - Sadar.