NAGPUR
Pop: 1.8million Tel Area Code; 0712
Situated on the River Nag, Nagpur is the orange-growing capital of India. It was once the capital of the central province, but was later incorporated into Maharashtra. Long ago it was a centre for the aboriginal Gond tribes who remained in power until the early 18th century, and many Gonds still live in the region.
In recent years there has been some desultory agitation for a separate India State of Vidarbha, which would have Nagpur as its capital.
On 18 October each year the town is host to thousands of Buddhists who come to celebrate the anniversary of Dr Ambedkar's conversion to Buddhism in 1956. Dr Ambedkar, a low-caste Hindu, was an important figure during the fight for independence, and was Law Minister and leader of the Scheduled Caste. An estimated three million low caste Hindus followed him in converting to Buddhism.
There is little of interest to attract travellers, except those heading for Gandhi's ashram at Sevagram or taking a break on the long journey across the subcontinent.
Information
There's an MTDC office (ph. 533325) at Sanskritik Bachat Bhava, Sitabuldi, which has no information on Nagpur, but arranges bus and car tours to Wardha, Sevagram, Ramtek and Chilhaladara. There's a foreign exchange desk in the State Bank of India on Kingsway, 250m north of the railway station, open from 10.30am to 2.30pm Monday to Friday and until 12.30om on Saturday.
Places to Stay
If you arrive by train there's a number of budget and mid-range places to stay within walking distance. Make a right turn as you leave the station concourse, then right again across the bridge over the railway tracks, into Central Ave. A 10-minute walk brings you to a string of hotels.
Hotel Blue Diamond (ph. 727461), at 113 Dosar Chowk near Central Ave, has rooms for Rs 55/90 with common bath, Rs 100/155 with attached bath, or Rs 250/350 with air-con. It has a restaurant and bar.
Blue Moon (ph. 727460) at 129 Central Ave and the adjacent Midland (ph.726131) are similar value.
Hotel Rajdhani (ph.728773), nearby, has comfortable rooms ranging from Rs 200/325-325/400 or Rs 425/525 with air-con, all with TV and phone.
Pal Palace (ph. 724724) at 25 Central Ave is clean and quiet and is similarly priced.
Rawell Continental (ph. 523845), 7 Dhantoli, Wardha Rd, is centrally air-conditioned and more expensive, with rooms for Rs 750/900 and suites for Rs 1500.
The Hotel Centre Point (ph. 520910; fax 523093), 24 Central Bazaar Rd, Ramdaspeth is about three km from the railway station. In has standard rooms for Rs 700/900 or Rs 850/1050 with air-con and suites for Rs 1800/2200. There's a swimming pool, restaurant and bar.
Jagsons Regency (ph. 228111; fax 224524), opposite the airport, is the city's top hotel and is slightly more expensive.
Getting there & Away
Indian Airline (ph. 533962) has flights daily to Delhi (US$120) and Mumbai (US$100) and three times a week to Hyderabad (US$80), Calcutta (US$135) and Bhubaneshwar (US$100)
Nagpur Junction railway station and the main MSRTC bus terminal are roughly tow km apart. Buses for Madhya Pradesh operate from a stand less than one km due south of the railway station. There are trains to Bangalore, Mumbai, Calcutta, Delhi and Hyderabad, among other places.
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