BHIMKUND, Chikalda, Chikaldhara, Chikhalita

Herbert Daniel Gebauer - 06/01/2018

A natural sacred pool (closed depression) associated with Bhim is situated somewhere at the hill station Chikalda / Chikaldhara (note 1) in Amravati (note 2) district in the Gawilgarh Hills (Gavilgarh Hills) of the Satpura range. At least one Internet website lists Bhimkund as the first of altogether 12 beautiful sights (note 3) in Amravati district. Compare the –>Chikalda dungeon. SITUATION 1: … in south near Alladhoh village [note 4] on the way from pratwada [note 5] to chikhaldara [sic!] via motha [note 6]. Bhim-Kund is nearly 3500 ft. [1067 m] deep (amravati.nic.in/htmldocs/chikhaldara_points.htm accessed 2005.12.19) -- most likely from the cliff edge to the water surface. SITUATION 2: Badnera [note 7] is 105 km, approximately four hours, away from Badnera [sic! qua Chikhaldhara?]. There is a regular bus service between Amravati (10 km from Badnera) and Chikhaldhara. It is possible to hire taxis in Amravati to make the journey. The nearest railway station which is also Badnera is n the main Bombay- Calcutta line. The Howrah Mail, Howrah-Kurla Express, Geetanjali Express and the Vidharbha Express pull into Badnera daily. The nearest airport, Nagpur, is 230 km, approximately five hours, away from Chikhaldhara (rediff.com/travel/1998/jul/25snap7.htm accessed 2005.12.27). DESCRIPTION: Footpaths cut in the hillsides afford pleasant walks along lower ridges, for example to the Devil's Punch Bowl or the Valley of Darkness, a splendid deep chasm walled in by a circle of cliffs up to three hundred feet high, down one side of which a waterfall tumbles after rain (WESTLAKE 1993: 90). LEGEND 1: Legend has it that Chikhaldhara was named after Prince Kichaka who was killed by the powerful Bheem, a Pandava, for offending Draupadi [note 8]. Bheem tossed his body in a valley nearby and the area came to be known as Kichaka bara, and later Chikhaldhara. The hamlet, however, was established as a 'hill station' by the British in the 1830s (rediff.com/travel/1998/jul/25snap7.tm accessed 2005.12.27). LEGEND 2: Chikaldhara […] It is mythological important place for pilgrims. Bhima killed Kichaka and throw his body in the valley called 'Kichakdara' and he bath in the nearby lake, which is then renowned as Bhim-Kund (amravati.nic.in/htmldocs/chikhaldara_points.htm accessed 2005.12.19). LEGEND 3: Bheema famously killed the demon Keechaka and threw the devil in the valley. The corruption of the term has led to the present name of the place. In the Vidarbha region this is the only hill station (travelgomumbai.com/hill-stations-mumbai/chikhaldha… accessed 2005.12.27).n the main Bombay- Calcutta line. The Howrah Mail, Howrah-Kurla Express, Geetanjali Express and the Vidharbha Express pull into Badnera daily. The nearest airport, Nagpur, is 230 km, approximately five hours, away from Chikhaldhara (rediff.com/travel/1998/jul/25snap7.htm accessed 2005.12.27). DESCRIPTION: Footpaths cut in the hillsides afford pleasant walks along lower ridges, for example to the Devil's Punch Bowl or the Valley of Darkness, a splendid deep chasm walled in by a circle of cliffs up to three hundred feet high, down one side of which a waterfall tumbles after rain (WESTLAKE 1993: 90). LEGEND 1: Legend has it that Chikhaldhara was named after Prince Kichaka who was killed by the powerful Bheem, a Pandava, for offending Draupadi [note 8]. Bheem tossed his body in a valley nearby and the area came to be known as Kichaka bara, and later Chikhaldhara. The hamlet, however, was established as a 'hill station' by the British in the 1830s (rediff.com/travel/1998/jul/25snap7.n the main Bombay- Calcutta line. The Howrah Mail, Howrah-Kurla Express, Geetanjali Express and the Vidharbha Express pull into Badnera daily. The nearest airport, Nagpur, is 230 km, approximately five hours, away from Chikhaldhara (rediff.com/travel/1998/jul/25snap7.htm accessed 2005.12.27). DESCRIPTION: Footpaths cut in the hillsides afford pleasant walks along lower ridges, for example to the Devil's Punch Bowl or the Valley of Darkness, a splendid deep chasm walled in by a circle of cliffs up to three hundred feet high, down one side of which a waterfall tumbles after rain (WESTLAKE 1993: 90). LEGEND 1: Legend has it that Chikhaldhara was named after Prince Kichaka who was killed by the powerful Bheem, a Pandava, for offending Draupadi [note 8]. Bheem tossed his body in a valley nearby and the area came to be known as Kichaka bara, and later Chikhaldhara. The hamlet, however, was established as a 'hill station' by the British in the 1830s (rediff.com/travel/1998/jul/25snap7.tm accessed 2005.12.27). LEGEND 2: Chikaldhara […] It is mythological important place for pilgrims. Bhima killed Kichaka and throw his body in the valley called 'Kichakdara' and he bath in the nearby lake, which is then renowned as Bhim-Kund (amravati.nic.in/htmldocs/chikhaldara_points.htm accessed 2005.12.19). LEGEND 3: Bheema famously killed the demon Keechaka and threw the devil in the valley. The corruption of the term has led to the present name of the place. In the Vidarbha region this is the only hill station (travelgomumbai.com/hill-stations-mumbai/chikhaldha… accessed 2005.12.27).