Balaghat

Infobox Indian Jurisdiction
native_name = Balaghat | type = city | latd = 21.8 | longd = 80.18
locator_position = right | state_name = Madhya Pradesh
district = Balaghat
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altitude = 288
population_as_of = 2001
population_total = 75,061| population_density =
area_magnitude= sq. km
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area_telephone =
postal_code =
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Balaghat is a city and a municipality in Balaghat district in the state of Madhya Pradesh, India. It is the administrative headquarters of Balaghat District. The town was originally called "Burha" or "Boora", but this name was replaced by "Balaghat", which was originally the name of the district only. Balaghat means "above the ghats or passes."

Geography

Balaghat is located at coord|21.8|N|80.18|E| [ [http://www.fallingrain.com/world/IN/35/Balaghat.html Falling Rain Genomics, Inc - Balaghat] ] . It has an average elevation of 288 metres (944 feet).

coor title dm|21|47|N|80|15|E|region:IN_type:city

Demographics

As of 2001 India census [GR|India] , Balaghat had a population of 75,061. Males constitute 51% of the population and females 49%. Balaghat has an average literacy rate of 79%, higher than the national average of 59.5%; with 55% of the males and 45% of females literate. 11% of the population is under 6 years of age.

Transport

Balaghat is situated on the Jabalpur-Gondia section of South East Central Railway. The line was formerly narrow gauge (RailGauge|30) for its entire length, but the section between Balaghat and Gondia was converted to broad gauge in 2005-2006, connecting Balaghat to India's national broad gauge network for the first time. Work is underway to convert the Balaghat-Jabalpur section to broad gauge as well under Project Unigauge. The legendary "Satpura Express" a narrow gauge train used to pass through this town which falls on the Jabalpur Gondia Section of erstwhile Bengal Nagpur Railways (earlier called BNR and now South East Central Railway). This train used to hold the unique distinction of pioneering and operating the only AC chair car service on the Narrow Gauge, and was also supposedly the fastest narrow gauge train of its kind in the world. Since the Gondia Jabalpur route is under conversion to Broad Gauge, the narrow gauge railways in this section are now limited only to the Balaghat-Jabalpur route and the Gondia Balaghat section now runs the "Demu Trains". Being a town on the border of three states namely MP, Chhatisgarh and Maharastra, Balaghat is well connected to the bigger towns in MP and nearby states. Balaghat can be reached via roadways from prime MP towns like Indore, Jabalpur, Bhopal via private and government buses. It is linked through train route to Jabalpur (narrow gauge under conversion to broad gauge line), and also to Nagpur and Raipur through train link to Gondia. It is located at a distance of just 40 km from Gondia, which is the nearest prime broad gauge railway station connected to all East-West trains on Mumbai Howrah route and is just 2 hours away from Nagpur. Nagpur, at a distance of just 3 hrs train journey and approximately 4-5 hours road journey from Balaghat, is a prime town of Central India, and is very well connected to the rest of India by Air and Rail route. One can also hire direct taxis from Nagpur and other cities to Balaghat.

Mobility inside Balaghat town is through Cycle Rickshaws and Autorikshaws. There are various lodges/guesthouses and medium range Hotel accommodations also available easily.

Places of Interest

The following places of interest are located in Balaghat, or in the district:

* Part of Kanha National Park.The gate of Kanha National Park known as "Mukki" is located at a distance of some 13 km from the town Baihar, that itself is at a distance of just 67 km from the district headquarters.
* Bajrang GhatBajrang Ghat is a dream come true for nature lover swimmers who don't like the shallowness and restrictions of the City swimming pools. One can approach this beautiful ghat through various routes including one that passes through the Forest Rangers' College Balghat. "Bajrang Ghat" has small temples and "Akharas" and has a quite safe ghat with very gradually increasing depth, thus making it an ideal "Natural Swimming Pool".This ghat witnesses a large crowd in the summer season. The other side of the ghat called as "Jalaj" is the tip of a big submerged rock, and serves as a resting place for the accomplished swimmers who can cross the river to reach it.
* KaliputliKaliputli is one of the prime squares in Balaghat city near Bus Station and derives its name from a beautiful black stone statue of a Woman in sitting posture,with an Earthen Pot "Matka" on her head, stationed on the square. Generally ignored by th moving traffic, a minute observation will witness the beautiful artwork in this statue.
* Prem NagarPrem Nagar is a prime residential locality of Balaghat City.
* Old Ram Mandir
* Lanji Fort/Temple.
* Nahlesara Dam.
* Rampaily Temple.
* Gomji-Somji Temple.
* Malajkhand copper mines- This is an open pit copper mine at a distance of some 90 km from the district headquarters past Balaghat Baihar route.
* Bharveli Manganese mines- This is an underground Manganese Excavation Mine located at approax. 6 km from the district headquarters.
* Gangulpara DamThe road to Baihar is a sceanic beauty in itself passing through the curvaceous satpura range with lush greenary all around. "Gangulpara Dam" on this route can be witnessed in its full glory in the rainy season with green hills all around reflecting in its silent waters. As one travels down to the dam from the main road and ventures along the wide stop wall of the dam, rainy season fountains and small waterfalls add to the beauty of this part.

* Botanical Garden
* kalipath Temple
* Moti Talav (Pond)
* Hatta Ki Bawari
* Judwa Mandir (Baihar)

Educational Institutions

The following are the prime educational institutions at Balaghat-
*Jatashankar Trivedi Govt. Post Graduate College
*Balaghat English Higher Secondary School
*Govt.Boys Model Multipurpose Higher Secondary School
*Maharani Laxmi Bai Girls Higher Secondary School (MLB)
*Vivek Jyoti Gyanpeeth
*Mission School

More about Balaghat

*Languages - Balaghat is known for pure Hindi speaking population and one would observe very low influence of the local dilects in the Hindi spoken in this part of MP.

*Entertainment - There are three cinema Halls in the city showing the latest releases mostly Bollywood.

*Medical Care - Balaghat houses satisfactory medical facilities with Govt. Hospital, Private Hospital & Nursing Homes. The nearby bigger towns like Gondia, Nagpur, Raipur and Jabalpur can be reached by roadways in case of need for better medical attention.

* Vainganga river passes through Balaghat.

* Balaghat is known for the various earthern tiles (English style roof Tiles) manufacturing facilities that are transported to various parts of India.

* Balaghat city also has an Archieological Musieum at Ambedkar Chowk (square) and a multipurpose outdoor stadium.

References

* malajkhand copper mines
* bharveli meganig mines