Toranmal Tour Guide

Toranmal is situated in Satpura hills of Maharashtra, India. Nestling in the Barwani Hills of the Satpura Range at a height of 3,750 ft, little known Toranmal is in Maharashtra’s Khandesh Region bordering Gujarat.

The journey is a long and tedious one not to mention bone rattling that cuts through swathes of boring countryside and there aren’t too many fancy resorts or picnic spots to choose from in this adivasi tribal region. But Toranmal’s secret lies in the fact that it’s a parallel track on the well-travelled tourist road a soothing unpolluted confluence of hills waterfalls and valleys.

There are two guessing games about Toranmal’s name both of which underline its location, toran in the Marathi language means a welcome arch and mal means garland. The image of arches strung together like a garland is what you see when you look down on Toranmal from the heights of the Satpura. It’s a;sp believed that Toranmal is named after the ancient for tree which blossomed so prolifically that locals began worshipping Torna Devi as a goddess of fertility. The fabled for tree no longer exists what does is a hilltop temple dedicated to the goddess.

Toranmal has several little surprises along the way but the biggest surprise is scattered in bits and pieces all over this hill station. Ruins of broken sculptures of Hindu gods and goddesses are strewn around Toranmal an dthough hey’re believed to be centuries old the Archaeological Survery on India doesn’t appear to be too interested. The toranmal Hill Resort the biggest hotel here has mounted several of the broken sculptures on a raised platform.

Take along a local from the resort to guide you to the many interesting spots of this hill town. Count yourself lucky if you get the serices of the very well informed and very lively guide Samadhan Patil. In the evening sit by the lakeside and listen to the lilting voice emanating from a distant adivasi hut.

If you have hired a vehicle from Shahada or Dhule keep it and your driver for the duration of your stay. Do not depend on transport at the hill station. Keeping a Sumo will cost you about Rs 600 per day. Shahada with its numerous educational institutions is where you must fill up your fuel tank because there’s no gas station in Toranmal.

Yashwant Lake

No matter where you are in Toranmal you can be sure that Yashwant Lake isn’t too far behind. It’s named after the late Yashwant Rao Chavan, Maharashtra’s former chief minister who is said to have rolled into Toranmal on horseback. The lake is surrounded by hills. An hour long ride on a pedal boat here costs Rs 100. Overlooking the lake is a quaint blue Protestant church a little over a century old.

Khadki Point

This is a trekking area with a colourful past. In ancient times a wall ran along the length of Toranmal. When the wall was dug up century old bricks that have survived the cruel march of time and nature where found here. Khadki Point affords picturesque views of the valleys below.

Torna Devi Temple

Perchad on a hilltop the emple is only eight years old. But the black stone idol of Torna Devi placed outside the temple is steeped in antiquity. The locals say it is more than 600 years old. Also check out Gorakshanath Temple.

Sita Khai

Despite its name this magnificent gorge has nothing to do with godess Sita. The gorge gets its name from seedha Khai straight ditch. A waterfall flows from here and the sight gets only prettier during the monsoon. Sita Khai also has an echo point.

Machindranath Cave

This is a natural formation that emerged from the mountain. Legend has it that Sage Machindranath used to meditate here.

Nearst Railway Station: Nandurbar 122 km 3 hours. Cab costs about Rs 600 to Tornamal via Shahada.

Road NH3 to Songdir Phata 20 km ahead of Dhule 144 km from toranmal. Turn left for Shahada about 67 km away. Toranmal is 58 km from here.

Nearest Airport: Nasik 305 km 6 hours. Hire a jeep or Sumo for Toranmal Rs 5 – 6 per km for non-AC vehicle.