Yavatmal is known for the famous Shakunatal Express. It is the only train in India named after a citizen. Yavatmal is called the “Cotton City of Maharashtra”. The district lies in the South-Western part of the Wardha Painganga-Wainganga plains. It is also the place where many big industries as Hindustan Unilever have their plants. Yavatmal has many other tourist places as well. So let’s dive into it. 

Shakuntala Railways at Yavatmal

Shakuntala Railways is an unknown narrow gauge line in Maharashtra that ran between Yavatma to Achalpur including Murtizapur. It is a 190 kilometres long line that was started by a private British company Killick-Nixon in 1910. Trains on this track were run by Great Indian Peninsular Railway (GIPR) during the colonial era. It operated across Central India.

Surprisingly, when the railways were nationalized in 1952, this line was made an exception. The tracks were owned by the firm till 2016, even after 70 years of Independence.

At that time, the train took around 20 hours to cover the 190 km distance between Yavatmal and Achalpur in the Amravati district. The trip used to cost about Rs 150. It was a lifeline for the rural people of backward Maharashtra at that time. People used to commute in passenger trains.

Train Engine

The train used to run on a ZD-steam engine till 1994 when it was replaced with a diesel engine. The original engine was built in 1921 in Manchester.

It was a wonder in itself that till 1994, the train used to run on a STEAM engine when almost all other locomotives were replaced with diesel ones.

The narrow gauge line was built as a means to carry cotton from Yavatmal to the main line and from there to Mumbai (Bombay). From Mumbai, it was shipped to Manchester in England. Eventually, the line was used to ferry passengers.

The train when it was running had Train Numbers 52137 and 52138 up and down. Also, the service frequency was daily. It ran with the maximum permissible speed of 22 km/h. However, there were no catering or entertainment services provided. The tickets were of the general unreserved category with sleeping arrangements (no sitting arrangements).

Murtizapur-Yavatmal Gauge Conversion

Surprisingly, the British company received more than 1 crore rupees from Indian Railways for running a train on its tracks as royalty till 2016.

In 2016, the narrow gauge line was nationalized and the then Union Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu sanctioned 1,500 crores for converting the narrow gauge Yavatmal-Murtizapur-Achalpur railway line into a broad gauge.

Wagon and Locomotives Stationed at the Murtizapur 

At present, the wagon and the locomotives are stationed at the Murtizapur Railway station. It is sad that once a heritage of India is now replaced with a broad gauge. It will always remain a golden memory for the people who used to travel by train at their times.

The American author Marianne Williamson said, “It is not your train if it doesn’t stop at your station.” But the Shakuntala Express used to stop, whenever one wanted it and wherever one wanted it. It was therefore popularly begin to be called the ” PEOPLE’S TRAIN “.

The passenger train had seats made of wood. 

Who Was Shakuntala?

Shakuntala Express was the only train in India that was named after a common citizen. So let’s know who she was.

In 1944, Shakuntala Jadhav got married to a Daryapur landlord, Balawantrao Deshmukh, at an age of 16. Balwantrao Deshmukh was a freedom fighter. Balwantrao’s family, taking the newlyweds home, boarded the train from Murtizapur. A British railway officer offered them the first-class coach for travel after seeing the newlyweds.

Shakuntala Jadhav’s daughter Lalita Deshmukh told later that her mother told that it was dream come true to her.

The train lost its glory after independence as it was not owned by the Indian Railways. Lalita also told that her mother described the entire experience of her journey to Sudam Deshmukh, who was a Member of Parliament at that time. Thrilled by her description, he helped revive its glory and also named it Shakuntala Express. In this way, the passenger from Yavatmal to Murtizapur got its name – Shakuntala Express.

The train was a national heritage but was lost instead of being preserved. The iron bridges across the Chandrabhaga and Sapan rivers which were built during the British Raj were grand structures that have been demolished due to the widening of the rail line. Presently work is ongoing to replace the lines with broad gauge ones.

Yavatmal Railway Station

Yavatmal is a preferred tourist destination by many. It is because of the many old temples and wildlife sanctuaries that offer the perfect blend of religion and nature.

There are many factories including Raymonds and HLL Unilever has set up their plants in Yavatmal. Yavatmal was declared a hill station in the Colonial era because of its weather and remoteness from major trading cities. Today the railway station has been renovated.

Tourist Places in Yavatmal

• Shri Chintamani of Kalamb

  • One of the Ashtaganesh (8 Ganpati Temples), of Vidarbha
  • Unique in that the temple is underground (around 27-30 feet).
  • It is one of the 21 Kshetras of Ganpati in Maharashtra 
  • It was constructed in the 7th or 8th Century.
  • Located on the banks of the River Chakravarti
  • Lord Ganesh blessed Lord Indra, who prayed to him to get relieved of the curse of Rishi Gautam
  • The idol is dakshinabhimukh, i.e. facing south!
  • It is located at Kalamb Village which is about 20-22 km from Yavatmal city.
  • The road is motorable right up to the temple parking.

• Baba Kambalposh Dargah of Arni

  • Arni city is known as a unique example of unity between Hindus and Muslims
  • Dargah has located on Nagpur – Tuljapur highway.
  • The Baba Kambalposh R.A. Dargah Sharif is situated at the bank of the Arunavati river.
  • Urs of Hazrat Baba Kambalposh R.A. is celebrated annually from the 5th to the 10th of February. In Urs, various programs like Mahefil-e-Qawwali, Bhajan program etc. are held.

• Tipeshwar wildlife sanctuary

  • Jungle safari has now become a favourite for tourists. The sanctuary is situated at Pandarkawada Tehsil, Yavatmal.
  • The sanctuary has an area of around 148.63 sq. km
  • There are various villages located around the sanctuary that depends on it for sustenance.
  • The topography is quite hilly and undulated hence a good trekking option.
  • Fauna includes Hyena, Chital, Blackbuck, Sambar, Jackal, Wild boar, Peacock, Monkey, Blue bull, Wild cat, Bear etc.

• Sahastrakund Waterfalls

  • It is situated on the boundary of the Marathwada and Vidarbha regions.
  • One part of the waterfall is in Umarkhed Tahsil whereas another part comes under Kinwat Tahsil of Nanded (Marathwada Region).
  • The waterfall is 45.5 K.M. away from Umarkhed 
  • The best time to visit this waterfall is in the rainy season.
  • The water falls from 30-40 feet.
  • There is a beautiful garden on the bank of the waterfall.
  • Panchmukhi Mahadeo temple is also there giving it a religious touch.

• Shri. Jagdamba Devi Sansthan, Kelapur

  • It is 20 km from the Andhra-Maharashtra border and 4 km away from Pandharkawada.

Best Time To Visit 

• Yavatmal can be visited at any time of the year.
• Yavatmal doesn’t witness extreme weather conditions.
• Best Season-
  • October to February.
  •  April to May.

How to Reach

By Road 

• Maharashtra State Transport Corporation buses are available from the ST Bus dept.
• Nagpur Hyderabad National Highway connects Wadki, Karanji, Pandharkawada, Patanbori amd Kelapur.

By Train 

• Nearest Railways Station is Dhamangaon (Railways) 49 km from the district headquarters.
• Wani railways station is 103 km away from the Yavatmal.
• Badnera(Amravati) railways station is 83 km away.
• Yavatmal and Darwha are still on the narrow gauge line.

By Air

• Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar International Airport Nagpur is 151 km. 

FAQs

What is the distance between Yavatmal to Nagpur?

• 147.1 km via National Highway 361.
• It passes through Wardha.

What is the nearest Railway to Yavatmal?

• Yavatmal Railway station is on a narrow gauge.
• Major railway stations near Yavatmal are –
  • Pulgaon Junction (PLO) 42 km.
  • Dhamangaon (DMN) 44 km.
  • Wardha (WR) 63 km.

Is Yavatmal in Nagpur?

• Yavatmal in not in Nagpur.
• Yavatmal is about 148 km away from Nagpur.