Toranmal

In the extreme northern end of the state of Maharashtra adjoining Madhya Pradesh, there nestles a land which is disconnected from the influences of the urban Indian states. However, the province of Toranmal is not completely cut off as it is frequented with the visitors make occasional expeditions into its vast mountainous areas and here even the court orders by the Government does work only partially and no officials of the State government may have visited the interiors in the last 100 years.

Toranmal is a well-liked hill station positioned in the municipal council of the district of Nandubar in the Indian state of Maharashtra. The seven ranges of the Satpura hills surround the region as is nestled in the Barwani Hills of the Satpura Range in the Khandesh Region adjoining Gujarat and Maharashtra. This small unexplored hill station of Toranmal is densely covered with lush green forests, which has diverse varieties of flora and fauna.

Toranmal is sprawled over an area of about 41.43 sq km and is partitioned from south to north by a brook, which is 1,461 m above sea level. This petite plateau forms the shape of ‘soccer’; it is that point through which the stream flows from north to south. This very stream merges into the Yashwant Lake, which is sprawled over an area of 1.59 sq km and has a depth of 27m.

The hill town is regarded as the second coolest hill station in the entire state; Toranmal was earlier a tribal area and derived its name from the tribal goddess Torana, whose temple is located in the hilly regions of the plateau. In ancient times, Toranmal used to be the centre of control of the Mandu rulers from Madhya Pradesh.

There is another lake called Lotus Lake, which is covered with Lotus flowers almost all the year. The stream, which forms in a lake, also drops down through the cliff in Sita Khai to form a deep cascade. This stream form and show it’s another shade of waterfall especially during the rainy seasons.

There is another attraction in the region especially attracting the pilgrims is the Gorakhnath temple and is frequented by the tourists and devotees, particularly on the occasion of Mahashivratri. There is a grand fair of Mahashivratri which is held for a long one month from March to April and is attended by the people from far off places including districts of Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat; and it is observed every year. The place enjoys fantastic climate all across the year.

The other places holding religious importance include Shiva Temple and Nagarjun Temple, which are also among one of the most visited temples. Machhindranath Caves also known as Machindra Gumpha, Kamal Talao and Khadki are other attractions of this little hill town of Toranmal.

Besides the religious places, there are other attractions of interest in the region which includes Check Dam, Coffee Garden, Forest Park & Medicinal Plant Garden, Aawashabari point, Sat Payri (seven steps) View Point and the popular Sunset Point.