With my previous post on the Tadoba–Andhari Tiger Reserve, here comes the promised second part. As mentioned earlier, we had dedicated the first and third days of our trip to safari drives. The day in between was left free for us to explore the surrounding areas at a relaxed pace. We decided to begin the day with a morning boating session at Irai Lake. Later in the afternoon, we planned visits to the Butterfly World near the Agarzari Buffer Zone in Tadoba and Chandrapur Fort, located about 30 km away.
Boating under the scorching morning sun was not exactly comfortable. Yet the calm waters of the lake and the vast blue sky created a soothing and picturesque setting. Our boatman shared several stories of tiger sightings along the banks of the lake. He even mentioned that a cattle kill had occurred near the ticketing area just a couple of days earlier. The landscape around the lake was beautiful and peaceful, though the boating activity itself felt somewhat uneventful.
We returned to our stay at MTDC for lunch. After a short rest, we set out again—this time to visit Butterfly World of Tadoba. The Butterfly Garden is located on the Chandrapur–Moharli Road in the buffer zone of the Tadoba–Andhari Tiger Reserve. Spread across nearly five acres, the garden is designed to support butterflies through the various stages of their lifecycle—egg, larva (caterpillar), pupa (chrysalis), and adult. A variety of flowering plants attract these delicate creatures, making the garden a quiet and pleasant place to spend some time.
After enjoying the peaceful surroundings of the butterfly garden, we continued towards our next destination—Chandrapur Fort. We had also hoped to visit the Shradheya Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Botanical Garden nearby. However, just like during our previous attempt, we were out of luck—the garden remains closed every Tuesday, and unfortunately, it was Tuesday again.
Chandrapur Fort is located in Chandrapur city, within the Chandrapur district, the same district that houses the Tadoba–Andhari Tiger Reserve. The region has a long and fascinating history. Archaeological evidence suggests that the area has been inhabited since Neolithic times. Over the centuries, it has come under the rule of several powerful dynasties and empires, including the Mauryas, Shungas, Satavahanas, Vakatakas, Kalachuris, Rashtrakutas, Chalukyas, and the Yadavas of Devagiri. Later, the region was ruled by the Gonds, followed by the Marathas, and eventually the British.
The city of Chandrapur lies at the confluence of the Irai and Zarpat rivers. The Chandrapur Fort was built by the Gond kings in the 15th century as a defensive structure to protect the settlement from external attacks. The walled city once had eight entry gates—Jatpura Gate, Bagad Khidki, Anchaleshwar Gate, Hanuman Khidki, Pathanpura Gate, Vithoba Khidki, Binba Gate, and Chor Khidki.
Today, what remains of the fort are fragments of the ancient walls, the old gateways, and a few temples. We visited the Anchaleshwar Temple located near the Anchaleshwar Gate. The temple, situated beside the Zarpat River, had a quiet rustic charm. The surviving fort walls, once symbols of strength and protection, now stand interwoven with local homes and community spaces.
From there, we walked a few meters further to visit the famous Mahakali Temple of Chandrapur. On the way, we also passed by the Gurdwara Singh Sabha.
After spending a pleasant afternoon exploring Chandrapur, we began our return journey to MTDC Tadoba. By then, darkness had fallen. Driving along the forest road at night was an experience in itself. The sky was clear and filled with countless twinkling stars, while the vehicle’s headlights cut through the darkness of the forest road.
Everyone in the vehicle remained alert. After all, one never knows—perhaps a tiger might cross the road, or maybe even a leopard might appear in the headlights. With such hopeful thoughts and quiet excitement, we finally returned to our stay, ready for a good night’s sleep before the next morning’s safari.
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