Tumsar — Travel Guide
Tumsar, celebrated across Maharashtra and central India as the Rice City of Vidarbha and the world renowned trading hub of GI tagged aromatic Chinnor rice and rich manganese ore, is an engaging destination in Maharashtra.
It's the home of the historic Kubera City grain mandis, the sacred Madgi Narsimha Temple on the Wainganga River, the scenic Chandpur Hanuman hill shrine, and the massive manganese formations at Dongri Buzurg.
It works as a primary agricultural, industrial, and railway transit hub connecting Nagpur and Bhandara with Gondia, Balaghat, and eastern Vidarbha along State Highway 249.
It represents a rich cultural crossroads where fertile Wainganga river plains produce prized scented Chinnor rice, where dense teak and bamboo forests shelter tiger corridors in Koka sanctuary, and where ancient Gond hill forts watch over mining valleys.
Located at an elevation of 272 meters in Bhandara district, it sits 10 km from Madgi, 18 km from Chandpur, 20 km from Koka Wildlife Sanctuary, 30 km north of Bhandara town, 60 km from Gondia, and 85 km from Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar International Airport in Nagpur.
Morning breezes drifting over the Wainganga river waters and local station dhabas carry the appetizing aroma of authentic Vidarbha Saoji chicken curry cooked in 32 roasted spices and spicy Patodi Rassa served with hot jowar bhakri.
You'll also savor fragrant steamed Chinnor rice with spiced Varadi dal and pure desi ghee, crispy Tarri Poha, sweet Puran Poli, sweet Kharvas, and steaming clay kulhad cups of masala tea, while temple bells sound at dawn.
Active rice mill yards, mineral ore trains, traditional brass craft workshops, and passing South East Central Railway express trains define the daily rhythm of this lively Vidarbha town.
Tumsar is famous for Chinnor aromatic rice, Dongri Buzurg manganese mines, Madgi Narsimha Temple, Koka wildlife sanctuary, and authentic Saoji cuisine.
It's a practical base if you want to explore the lush rice bowl of Vidarbha, take forest wildlife safaris, purchase GI certified scented Chinnor rice, and savor fiery central Indian culinary delicacies.
The surrounding Bhandara territory holds deep antiquity shaped by the Gond kings who constructed Ambagad Fort, the Maratha Peshwas, and generations of skilled rice cultivators and brass metalsmiths. From the tranquil stone sanctum of Madgi Temple to the forested heights of Chandpur, you'll discover rewarding cultural landmarks across the district.
Local life centers around rice milling, manganese mining, brass bell metal craft, tussar silk weaving, and warm Vidarbha hospitality. You can view the sunrise over the Wainganga River at dawn, explore the ancient hill shrines and grain mandis by midday, and watch the sunset from the Chandpur lake shores by evening.
Neighboring destinations like Bhandara, Gondia, and Nagpur offer Gosekhurd Dam, Navegaon National Park, Deekshabhoomi Stupa, and Futala Lake. Adding Tumsar to your travel plans works well for nature lovers, heritage buffs, agro tourists, and road trippers exploring Maharashtra.
You can view the glowing golden sunset reflecting off the waters of the Wainganga River and watch the evening lamps illuminate the temple sanctums by dusk. The journey is worth every rupee. Tumsar provides an authentic, peaceful, and culturally deep travel experience.
Planning your trip around the pleasant winter sightseeing season from October to March, the sacred Makar Sankranti mela at Madgi Sangam on the Wainganga River, or the grand Hanuman Jayanti fair at Chandpur will give you the best experience across Maharashtra. Here is the seasonal breakdown:
Best Time to Visit by Season
• Winter Season (October to March): The premier travel window. Crisp, sunny, and pleasantly cool with daytime temperatures between 14°C at night and 28°C in the afternoon, ideal for wildlife safaris in Koka, dam visits, and temple darshans.
• Monsoon Season (June to September): Rich southwest monsoon rains turn the Vidarbha plains lush green, filling the Wainganga River and Chandpur Dam.
• Summer Season (April to June): Warm and dry with daytime temperatures reaching 44°C. Early morning bird safaris and evening river walks are recommended.
Major Annual Cultural & Spiritual Celebrations
• Madgi Makar Sankranti Fair (January): Huge annual pilgrimage where thousands of devotees gather at the Wainganga river confluence for holy dips and temple aartis.
• Chandpur Hanuman Jayanti Mela (March April): Traditional hill festival celebrated with devotional chanting, folk wrestling bouts, and community bhandaras.
• Gaimukh Maha Shivaratri: All night sacred abhishekams at the natural rock cave spring.
• Ganesh Utsav & Pola: Celebrated with grand Ganpati processions, colorful bullock decorations, and festive sweets across town.
What Tumsar is Famous For
• Chinnor Rice Capital: World famous GI tagged scented aromatic rice.
• Manganese Mines: Asia's major manganese deposits at Dongri Buzurg.
• Vidarbha Flavors: Saoji curry, Patodi Rassa, steamed Chinnor rice, and Tarri Poha.
Reaching Tumsar in Maharashtra is simple because State Highway 249, Tumsar Road Railway Station on South East Central Railway mainline, and Nagpur International Airport provide reliable multi modal transit connectivity. Here is your complete transit guide:
By Air
• Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar International Airport, Nagpur (NAG): Located 85 km southwest of Tumsar (approx 1.5 hours drive via smooth 4 lane NH 53 / SH 249 with flights to major Indian metros and international destinations).
• Birsi Airport, Gondia: Located 65 km east via SH 249.
• Airport Transfers: Pre paid cabs, app taxis from Nagpur, and MSRTC express buses operate frequent direct highway transfers to Tumsar.
By Train
• Tumsar Road Railway Station (Station Code: TMR): Located 5 km south of town on South East Central Railway's Mumbai Howrah mainline with daily superfast express halts.
• Bhandara Road Railway Station (Station Code: BRD): Located 25 km south on the mainline.
• Gondia Railway Junction (Station Code: G): Located 60 km east, a major division connecting trains across Maharashtra, MP, and Chhattisgarh.
• Connecting Express Trains: Vidarbha Express, Maharashtra Express, Geetanjali Express, and local MEMU passenger trains connect nearby stations smoothly across India.
By Road
• State Highway 249 (Nagpur Bhandara-Tumsar Gondia Highway): Smooth 4 lane corridor connecting key Vidarbha commercial hubs.
• State Highway 353: Connecting Tumsar with Mohadi, Ramtek, and Balaghat (MP).
• Bus Services: Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) and private operators run frequent direct Shivshahi AC, Deluxe, and Ordinary buses between Nagpur, Bhandara, Gondia, Wardha, and Tumsar every 10 minutes.
Local Commuting
• Auto Rickshaws & Town Taxis: Readily available at Tumsar Road Station, Bus Stand, and Gandhi Chowk for quick local commuting.
• Rental Private Cabs: Hiring a private taxi is the most convenient way to explore the regional circuit covering Madgi Narsimha Temple, Chandpur Dam, Dongri Buzurg Mines, and Koka Wildlife Sanctuary in a single day.
Exploring local grain mandis and tasting authentic Vidarbha, Varadi, and traditional central Maharashtra culinary specialties is an enjoyable part of visiting Maharashtra. Here are the top items to buy and try:
What to Buy (Chinnor Rice, Brass & Tussar Silk)
• Authentic GI Tagged Bhandara Chinnor Rice: World famous aromatic, slender non basmati rice known for natural sweetness and floral aroma.
• Traditional Handcrafted Brass Cookware & Lamps: Heavy brass cooking pots, frying pans, and temple lamps crafted by traditional Kasar metalsmiths.
• Handwoven Vidarbha Tussar Kosa Silk Sarees: Lustrous natural raw silk sarees woven with traditional border motifs by local weavers.
• Fresh Farm Colostrum Milk Cake (Kharvas): Sweet steamed milk pudding infused with cardamom and nutmeg made from fresh cow colostrum.
• Spicy Homemade Saoji Spice Masala: Traditional blend of 32 roasted aromatic spices, stone ground for cooking authentic Vidarbha dishes.
Famous Local Food Specialties
• Authentic Vidarbha Saoji Chicken/Mutton: Slow cooked spicy meat curry prepared with dry roasted coriander, black pepper, and unique Saoji spice blend.
• Traditional Patodi Rassa with Jowar Bhakri: Spiced gram flour rolls sliced and served in a fiery roasted coconut onion gravy with hot millet flatbreads.
• Steamed Chinnor Rice with Varadi Dal Tadka: Fragrant cooked rice served with tempered yellow pigeon pea curry and a spoonful of pure ghee.
• Spicy Nagpur Style Tarri Poha: Flattened rice tempered with mustard seeds and onions, topped with spicy boiled black chickpea gravy.
• Steaming Clay Kulhad Masala Tea: Strong boiling tea brewed with fresh milk, crushed ginger root, and green cardamom pods.
Must-Visit Places in Tumsar
Tumsar and the surrounding Wainganga Bhandara heritage corridor offer aromatic rice mandis, historic manganese mines, peaceful river temples, and wildlife sanctuaries. Here are the top attractions to visit during your stay.
1. Tumsar Chinnor Aromatic Rice APMC Mandi (Kubera City)
Central India's premier grain trade market, world famous for GI tagged fragrant Chinnor rice, earning Tumsar the title Rice Bowl of Vidarbha.
Timings: 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM daily
Fee: Free access
Route: Located along Mandi Samiti Yard.
2. Chandpur Hilltop Hanuman Temple & Dam (18 km)
Scenic hilltop pilgrimage shrine tucked into dense teak forests, famous for panoramic reservoir views and lively Hanuman Jayanti melas.
Timings: 6:00 AM to 7:00 PM daily
Fee: Free access
Route: Located 18 km north near Chandpur.
3. Dongri Buzurg & Chikla Manganese Mines (MOIL / 15 km)
Asia's premier manganese mining deposits operated by MOIL, featuring dramatic open cast benches and deep underground shafts.
Timings: Daylight hours (External viewpoints)
Fee: Free access to external corridors
Route: Located 15 km north in Dongri Buzurg.
4. Koka Wildlife Sanctuary & Tiger Corridor (20 km)
Protected teak and bamboo forest sheltering Royal Bengal tigers, leopards, spotted deer, and wintering migratory wetland birds.
Timings: 6:00 AM to 5:30 PM daily
Fee: Forest department entry fee
Route: Located 20 km south near Koka.
5. Madgi Shri Narsimha Temple & Wainganga Sangam (10 km)
Sacred river confluence on the holy Wainganga River celebrated for ancient stone shrines, Makar Sankranti fairs, and holy river dips.
Timings: 5:30 AM to 8:30 PM daily
Fee: Free access
Route: Located 10 km east in Madgi.
6. Ambagad Historic Gond Hill Fort (18 km)
17th century hill fortress built by Raja Khan Pathan and Gond rulers, offering 360 degree panoramic views of the Bawanthadi river valley.
Timings: 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM daily
Fee: Free access
Route: Located 18 km northwest near Ambagad.
7. Gaimukh Mahadev Cave Temple & Perennial Spring
Ancient natural rock cave shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva, renowned for a perennial freshwater cow mouth spring and Shivaratri melas.
Timings: 6:00 AM to 7:00 PM daily
Fee: Free access
Route: Located 14 km north in forest foothills.
8. Gosekhurd Dam & Indirasagar Reservoir (35 km)
Massive multipurpose dam on the Wainganga River offering extensive lake reservoirs and water tourism.
Timings: 9:00 AM to 5:30 PM daily
Fee: Free access
Route: Located 35 km south near Pauni.
9. Tumsar Traditional Brass Bell Metal Craft Guilds
Artisan metal workshops crafting traditional brass cookware, temple bells, and decorative brass lamps.
Timings: 9:30 AM to 7:30 PM daily
Fee: Free access
Route: Located in Kasar Oli.
10. Tumsar Traditional Tussar Kosa Silk Weaving Guilds
Local handloom weaver societies weaving lustrous Vidarbha Tussar silk sarees and fabrics.
Timings: 9:30 AM to 7:30 PM daily
Fee: Free access
Route: Located in Weavers Colony.
11. Tumsar Traditional Sweet Marts & Halwais
Renowned local confectioneries serving fresh Kharvas, sweet Puran Poli, Balushahi, and Mawa Pedas daily.
Timings: 7:00 AM to 9:30 PM daily
Fee: Free access
Route: Located along Station Road.
12. Traditional Vidarbha Saoji & Varadi Dhabas
A delightful food street serving authentic Saoji chicken curry, Patodi Rassa with jowar bhakri, steamed Chinnor rice, and Tarri Poha.
Timings: 7:00 AM to 10:30 PM daily
Fee: Free access
Route: Located along SH 249 highway corridor.
Tumsar Photo Gallery & Attractions
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