Nagpur. It might not be the first city that comes to mind when you think of Maharashtra travel, but honestly? This city is an absolute gem and it completely blew us away. From Buddhist pilgrimage sites and colonial-era landmarks to spicy local food and wild tiger country — Nagpur has it all. If you haven’t added it to your travel list yet, you seriously need to.
We spent a few incredible days exploring everything this city has to offer, and we’re here to share every detail so you can make the most of your own visit. Whether you’re a history buff, a foodie, a wildlife enthusiast, or just someone looking for something a little different — Nagpur delivers. Big time.
Start With the Soul of the City: Deekshabhoomi
If you only visit one place in Nagpur, make it Deekshabhoomi. This is not just a tourist attraction — it’s one of the most significant sites in modern Indian history, and standing here gives you genuine goosebumps.
On October 14, 1956, Dr. B. R. Ambedkar converted to Buddhism here alongside approximately 400,000 of his followers in what remains the largest mass religious conversion in history. The enormous stupa you see today — a two-storied hollow hemispherical structure made from granite, marble, and Dholpur sandstone — was constructed in his memory. Construction began in July 1978 and the stupa was officially inaugurated by President K. R. Narayanan on December 18, 2001.
What makes it architecturally extraordinary is that it is the largest hollow stupa among all Buddhist stupas in the world. The inner circular hall alone spans 4,000 square feet. The stupa is also surrounded by a beautifully maintained garden, and a Bodhi Tree grown from branches of the sacred Bodhi Tree at Anuradhapura in Sri Lanka stands on the grounds. Millions of pilgrims visit annually, particularly on October 14 — the anniversary of the conversion ceremony — and the site has been graded an A-class tourism and pilgrimage site by the Government of Maharashtra.
Go early, walk slowly, and take it all in. This place deserves your full attention.
Step Into History at the Zero Mile Stone
Just a short distance from Deekshabhoomi, near the Vidhan Bhavan building, you’ll find one of Nagpur’s most fascinating colonial-era monuments — the Zero Mile Stone. This sandstone pillar, installed during the British Raj, served as the central point from which distances to major Indian cities like Varanasi, Allahabad, Jabalpur, Raipur, and Kanyakumari were measured. The inscription on the pillar reads “G.T.S. Standard Bench Mark. 1907,” a reference to the Great Trigonometrical Survey of India.
Nagpur’s position as the geographical heart of colonial India wasn’t accidental — the British designated it the capital of the Central Provinces, and at one point even considered making it a second capital city. Even today, it retains the status of second capital of Maharashtra.
It’s a quick stop, but it adds a really cool layer of context to your time in the city. Stand in front of it, read the inscriptions, and think about just how central this city once was to the entire country.
Explore One of India’s Oldest Museums
History lovers, this one is for you. The Nagpur Central Museum — locally known as Ajab Bangala — was established in 1863, making it one of the oldest museums in India and the largest in Central India. Housed in a stunning colonial-style building in the Civil Lines area, the museum spans eleven themed galleries with a collection of over 30,000 artifacts.
The highlights? A natural history gallery featuring dinosaur fossils — including one belonging to a Jainosaurus estimated at 67.5 million years old, excavated from Madhya Pradesh in 1932–33. There’s also a prehistoric elephant skull, an arms and armor gallery showcasing weapons used by Mughal, Maratha, Tribal and British rulers, tribal art collections, and a gallery of rare paintings from the Bombay School of Art.
The museum has recently undergone major renovations, including the installation of 10 interactive information kiosks and QR codes in every display gallery — the first museum in Maharashtra to do so. The content is available in Marathi, Hindi, English, and 13 foreign languages. Budget at least two hours here. You won’t regret it.
Visit Kasturchand Park (KP Ground)
Located just around one kilometer from the Central Railway Station, Kasturchand Park — known locally as KP Ground — is a historic 21-acre public ground right near the Zero Mile Stone. Named after philanthropist Sir Kasturchand Daga, who donated land and funds for the site in the early 1900s, this Grade-I heritage space has a beautiful colonial-era bandstand at its center that dates back to around 1908.
Throughout the year, the park plays host to trade fairs, cultural events, book fairs, political rallies, and Republic Day ceremonies. Its most famous event? The Dussehra Ravan Dahan celebration, which draws crowds of over 100,000 people annually and features towering effigies of Ravan, Meghnad, and Kumbhakaran reaching up to 60–70 feet in height. The park recently underwent a major ₹8 crore restoration project, so it’s looking better than ever.
Even on a regular day, the walk around the grounds — past the ornate sandstone bandstand and its colonial-era cannons — is well worth a visit.
Pray at the Ancient Ganesh Tekdi Temple
Perched on a hill in the heart of the city, the Ganesh Tekdi Temple (Tekdi Ganpati) is one of Nagpur’s most beloved spiritual landmarks. “Tekdi” is the Marathi word for hill, and the temple takes its name from its elevated location. Believed to be approximately 250 years old, this temple is considered a jagruta (awakened) devasthan — meaning the deity is believed to be especially responsive to devotees’ prayers.
What makes this temple particularly special is the belief that the idol of Lord Ganesha is self-existent and has grown in size over time. The idol features golden decoration at the forehead and silver ornaments, with a special crown displayed on Chaturthi and Ekadashi. Around 5,000 devotees visit daily, with crowds swelling to around 10,000 on Chaturthi. Three aartis are held daily — at 6:30 AM, 12:30 PM, and 6:30 PM — each followed by the distribution of modaka as a divine offering. The temple is open from 5:30 AM to 9:00 PM every day.
The atmosphere is calm, the views from the hilltop are lovely, and the energy here is genuinely something else.
Eat Like a Local: Authentic Nagpuri Cuisine
Okay, let’s talk food — because no trip to Nagpur is complete without diving headfirst into the local cuisine. And honestly, it was one of the highlights of our entire visit.
Every Indian city has its signature flavors, and Nagpur is no different. The city is famous for its spicy Saoji cuisine and its beloved tarri poha — a flavored flat rice dish you’ll find being enjoyed everywhere, from park vendor stalls to proper restaurants. Nagpur is also, of course, the Orange City, and you’ll find locally grown oranges and orange-based products absolutely everywhere.
For a proper sit-down meal, head to one of the restaurants in Somalwada that serve traditional Nagpuri thali-style cooking. A typical spread includes dal, masala bhaat (spiced rice), vangyache bharit (smoky mashed eggplant), khuskhus curry, chapati, and a rotating cast of locally spiced side dishes. The food is fiery, fresh, and deeply comforting — exactly what home cooking should taste like. Go hungry. Order extra. You’ll thank yourself later.
Unwind at Ambazari Lake and Garden
After all that exploring (and eating), Ambazari Lake is the perfect place to slow down. Nagpur’s largest lake, built in 1870 under Bhonsle rule to supply water to the city, sits near the southwestern edge of the city close to VNIT. The name “Ambazari” comes from the Marathi word for mango — “amba” — a nod to the mango trees that surround it.
Beside the lake lies the Ambazari Garden, established in 1958 across 18 acres and managed by the Nagpur Municipal Corporation. It’s a lovely spot for an early morning walk, an afternoon picnic, or just sitting quietly and watching the water. The lake is particularly popular for sunrise and sunset views — the light reflecting off the water in the early morning is genuinely beautiful.
Ride the Toy Train at the Narrow Gauge Rail Museum
This one is quirky, fun, and absolutely not to be skipped — especially if you’re traveling with kids (or just young at heart). The Narrow Gauge Rail Museum was inaugurated on December 14, 2002, housed in a restored 100-year-old Broad Gauge Steam Loco shed spanning about 5.6 acres on Kamptee Road in Motibagh.
The museum celebrates the history of Nagpur Division’s narrow-gauge railway system — once the largest in Indian Railways, spanning over 1,005 km before gauge conversion brought it to an end. Inside, six thematic galleries cover locomotives, coaches, wagons, signals, and telecom systems. Standout exhibits include a 1916 Bagnall steam locomotive, a wooden Royal Carriage built in 1899, and a commercial gallery featuring a parcel weighing machine from 1897.
The star attraction, though? The “Orange City Express” toy train that circles the outer perimeter of the museum on a 500-metre track, winding through gardens and past exhibits. It’s a hit with everyone. There’s also a revolving restaurant — two vintage coaching cars set on a motorized turntable that rotates once every 15 minutes — currently closed, but worth keeping an eye on for future visits. Entry tickets start at just ₹25 for adults. Seriously great value.
Day Trip: Explore Tiger Country
Nagpur earns its title as the Tiger Capital of India for good reason — it sits at the doorstep of some of the country’s most celebrated wildlife reserves. Pench Tiger Reserve is approximately 130 km from Nagpur’s airport, making it a very accessible day trip or overnight escape. Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve, in the Chandrapur district, is another prime option for wildlife safaris from Nagpur.
The drive out from the city is part of the experience. One minute you’re in buzzing urban traffic, and the next you’re rolling past dense forest as the air cools and the noise of the city falls away. These forests are home to Bengal tigers, leopards, wild dogs, and a spectacular variety of birds, making them a paradise for wildlife photographers and nature lovers alike.
Plan Your Trip to Nagpur
Nagpur is genuinely one of Maharashtra’s most underrated cities, and that is slowly but surely starting to change. It has history that spans millennia, food that’ll make you rethink everything you thought you knew about Indian cuisine, and some of the most accessible wildlife country in the entire subcontinent — all packed into a city that’s easy to navigate and endlessly rewarding to explore.
The best time to visit is between October and March, when the weather is comfortable and the wildlife reserves are open for safaris. Book your accommodation near the city center for easy access to most sights, and give yourself at least three days to do the city justice.
Nagpur surprised us. A lot. And we’d go back in a heartbeat.