Kardha: Bridge History on the Wainganga

The small bridge built in 1929 and the replacement constructed directly beside it tell the story of two building phases on the Wainganga in Kardha. An account of Navratri from 2021 adds a cultural perspective on the river. If you are looking for a holiday rental, you can consider whether historic structures and local festival traditions suit the kind of trip you have in mind. The wider destination of Bhandara offers other, separate themes.

The Old and New Bridges

The small bridge over the Wainganga near Kardha was built by the British in 1929. As it neared the end of its service life, a new bridge was built directly beside it. The year 1929 belongs to the old structure; the replacement was added as its service life was drawing to a close. This specific example illustrates the transition from an older structure to its replacement.

A report dated January 20, 2026, described the old bridge as dangerous; its service life was considered to have ended. The district administration had restricted traffic on it. According to the same report, heavy traffic on the national highway used the new bridge beside it. The report also noted that people continued to cross the old bridge despite a ban on its use that had been in place for ten years. These details reflect the situation at the time of the report. If you are planning a trip, check the current traffic regulations for the old bridge in advance.

A Navratri Account from the Wainganga

An account from October 2021 described how, during Navratri, a local group swam from the banks of the Wainganga near Kardha to the Pinglai Mata Temple in the village of Korambhi. According to the account, this practice had also taken place during the four preceding years. The episode connects the river with a specific festival and a temple in the village of Korambhi. It adds a cultural perspective on a local practice reported at the time to the bridge history.

Bhandara: Landscape, History and Craft

In the wider destination of Bhandara, the focus shifts from river and bridge history to landscapes and wildlife. The district is known as the “District of Lakes” and has more than 3,500 lakes. Koka Wildlife Sanctuary covers 92.34 km² and is home to tigers, leopards, gaurs, chital and sambar deer. Umred Karhandla Wildlife Sanctuary is home to resident breeding tigers as well as herds of gaur, wild dogs, flying squirrels, pangolins and honey badgers. Forest along the Wainganga connects this sanctuary with Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve.

History and craft offer other points of interest in the Bhandara context. Mahasamadhi Bhoomi was established in 1987 in Ruyad, Pauni, in Bhandara district and is a Buddhist pilgrimage site. Raja Khan Pathan built Ambagad Fort in the early 18th century. Bamboo baskets and mats are made in Adyar; saris with silk borders, fabrics and dhotis are produced there on handlooms organized as cooperatives. The region’s themes thus bring together nature, religious sites, fortifications and textile crafts.

As a travel tip for the wider Bhandara area: the train journey from Nagpur Railway Station to Warthi Railway Station near Bhandara takes about one hour. Check the timetable before travelling.

Choosing the Right Focus for Your Holiday Rental

A clear priority can help you choose where to stay: if you want the bridge history to shape your stay, focus on Kardha. If you are interested in lakes, sanctuaries, pilgrimage sites, the fort or crafts, plan around Bhandara as the wider destination.

Discover more destinations: Bhandara, Khairi.

Go to the wider travel overview: Bhandara.