Weekend getaway from Nagpur · #10 of 10
Markanda Temples
Known as the Khajuraho of Vidarbha, this cluster of 8th-12th century temples sits on the banks of the Wainganga river in Gadchiroli district. Intricate stone carvings in a genuinely offbeat riverside setting.
Meet Vidarbha's own Khajuraho! Tucked away 185 km from Nagpur near Chamorshi in Gadchiroli, these 8th-to-12th century riverside ruins on the Wainganga are a beautifully restored ASI secret, blending gorgeous stone art with pure peace.
Getting there
You will head down the state highway through Gadchiroli. It is slower than Nagpur's standard highways, so be sure to allow extra travel time.
Day 1
Road trip out and exploring the temples- 17:00 AMDrive
Drive Nagpur to Markanda
Rise and shine! We are driving through Chandrapur and Gadchiroli before hitting Chamorshi. Starting early helps make the most of the day for this long run.
Tip · Start early and keep a buffer. Gadchiroli's roads are narrower and slower than Nagpur's other highway routes.
- 210:30 AMFood
Breakfast stop in Chandrapur
Time for a pit stop! This is the largest town on our route, making it the perfect spot to refuel and grab a bite before the road narrows further south.
- 312:30 PMSight
Arrive at Markanda Mahadev Temple Complex
Explore around two dozen temples from the 8th to 12th centuries on the Wainganga bank. Peak building happened under Parmar ruler Jagat Dev Parmar in the 12th century.
📍 Markanda Mahadev Temple, Chamorshi
- 41:30 PMFood
Lunch near the temple
Refuel with a simple, tasty local meal at the small eateries that serve visiting pilgrims right near the temple complex.
- 53:00 PMSight
Explore the temple carvings
Spot the Khajuraho influence! Intricate figures and mythological scenes cover the temple walls, beautifully restored in phases by the ASI.
📍 Markanda Mahadev Temple, Chamorshi
- 65:00 PMSight
Evening by the Wainganga river
Unwind at this peaceful riverside stretch behind the temples. It is believed to have once sat on an active medieval trade corridor along the river.
📍 Wainganga River, Chamorshi
- 77:00 PMStay
Overnight in Chandrapur
Since Markanda has very limited stay options, we will head back to Chandrapur, about 90 minutes away, to base ourselves for the night.
Tip · Book your Chandrapur stay in advance, as finding any lodging directly at Markanda is tough.
Day 2
Lazy morning and the road trip back home- 89:00 AMFood
Breakfast in Chandrapur
Enjoy a relaxed breakfast before the drive back, since we have already checked off all the main sightseeing spots.
- 910:00 AMSight
Optional stop at Chandrapur's old fort walls
Check out Chandrapur's old city walls and historic gates, a quick and fun detour if you have some time to spare before the drive home.
📍 Chandrapur Fort, Chandrapur
- 1011:30 AMFood
Lunch in Chandrapur
Grab one last delicious local meal in town before starting the drive north.
- 1112:30 PMStay
Checkout
Take your time checking out today. The drive back is a straightforward run on the highway.
- 121:00 PMDrive
Drive back to Nagpur
Cruise along the direct highway stretch leading from Chandrapur all the way back to Nagpur.
- 133:30 PMFood
Chai break en route
Stop for a quick roadside chai to stretch your legs before the final stretch back into the city.
- 144:00 PMDrive
Arrive back in Nagpur
We will roll back into the city by late afternoon, wrapping up the longest trip in our catalog.
Where to eat
Chandrapur town is the practical base for this trip and offers the widest selection of simple, tasty vegetarian and non-vegetarian meals along the route.
Grab a cup of hot tea and some simple snacks at the small stalls catering to pilgrims near the Markanda complex.
When to go
Cooler weather makes the long drive and the time spent exploring the temple complex on foot so much more comfortable!
It gets incredibly hot in Gadchiroli now. If you are visiting, make sure to plan your temple walks for early morning or late afternoon.
The Wainganga can run very high during the monsoon, and the state highway sections might be slower going in heavy rain.
Good to know
- As the farthest and least-visited spot in our book, treat this as a genuine, offbeat expedition rather than a quick detour, and start early!
- Be sure to book a stay in Chandrapur beforehand rather than counting on finding any lodging at Markanda itself.
- Combine your trip with Chandrapur's own neat sights, like its old city gates, to spice up the long return leg.
- Always carry cash. The smaller towns along the Gadchiroli stretch are definitely not all card-friendly.
