Madhaorao Patil's ancestors Kolhu & Chimna, scions of Bija Patil Dongarwar. This diligent brother-duo, first made alternate arrangements to resettle the displaced inhabitants of 12 villages, that were going to be affected by the construction of lake and that is today's Navegaon village. Hundreds of labourers were employed in construction of the lake and dam-wall. Mode of payment to labourers was in the form of conches and mollusc shells. Herds of cattle were pressed into service, to trample the freshy excavated and water-sprinkled soil dumped for the dam-wall, to provide solidity. Water stored in the reservoir, would be provided free of cost to all farmers.
After completing the dam, to express their gratitude to God, a fish of the ‘Wadis’ species was caught and adored with 30 Tolas of Gold ornaments and again released in the tank. This fish was reported to be sighted for several years, resplendent in all its ornaments. While constructing the dam, a temple of God Hanuman was simultaneously constructed. Here, the lookers on the construction site, first paid obeisance daily, before commencing the work. For accumulation of water, a 200-yard sloping waste weir was built which also facilitate Eel fish from the back-waters of the sea to enter the lake by rivulets for spawning. The Govt took over the management of this dam in 1951. They dismantled this waste-weir and reconstructed another waste-weir in the form of water-fall.
Kolhu and Chimna Patil had 7 sisters, and in their love for them, constructed a tank bund and named it as “Sat-Bahini” or dam of seven sisters. Kolhu Patil was childless and to keep alive his memory and as a tribute, the hillock within the dam was named as “Kolhasur” or Kolhu Patil lake. Eleventh line generation of Chimna Patil viz. Madhaorao Patil, has son Shrinarayan Patil and grandson Bhimsen Patil are today residing at village Dhabe-Paoni which is 10 km from Navegaon Bandh in Moregaon Arjuni Takuka of Gondia district and easily accessible to vouch for the authenticity and veracity of this write up. The island in the middle of the lake is known as "Maldonger" and was used by the villagers as a refuge from the marauding 'Pindaris'
It was established 22 November 1975 and is located in the eastern part of Maharashtra state and covers an area of 133.78 km2. It has great importance from nature conservation point of view. It is indeed nature priceless assets and beckons one and all to enjoy its picturesque landscape, its pure and fresh air. It has got immense potentials from biodiversity conservation point of view. One can also join the jungle safari and stroll through the beautiful forest, crossing paths with leopards, sloth bears, gaurs, sambars, chitals and langurs. Staying in the unique tree-top house, riding a power or sail boat on the lake, are thrilling pastimes. Nearly 50,000 tourists visits this tourist complex annually. Places of interest around the national park are Nagzira Wildlife Sanctuary (60 km), Itiadoh Dam (20 km), Tibetan Camp at Gothangaon (15 km) and Pratapgad (15 km). Madhavzarichi chittarkatha is a beautiful article wriiten by chitampalli sir. It is a story of building a pond "Madhavzari" for forest animals. It is a mesmerizing and a beautiful experience.
The following are some of Chitampalli Sir’s works:
Ratawa (रातवा) Chaitrapalavi (चैत्रपालवी) Ranvata (रानवाटा)
Nilawanti (निळावंती) Pranikosh (प्राणीकोश) Pakshikosh (पक्षीकोश)
Suwarna Garud (सुवर्ण गरुड) Nisargawachan ( निसर्गवाचन)
Shabdanche Dhan (शब्दांचे धन) Jangalache Dene (जंगलाचं देणं)
Mrugpakshishastra (मृगपक्षीशास्त्र) Kesharacha Paus (केशराचा पाऊस)
Gharatya Palikade (घरट्या पलिकडे) Anandadayi Bagale (आनंददायी बगळे)
Pakshi Jaya Digantara (पक्षी जाय दिगंतरा) Chitragriwa: Eka Kabutarachi Katha (चित्रग्रीव : एका कबुतराची कथा) Navegavbandhache diwas: (नवेगाव बांधचे दिवस) Chaitrapalawi: 2004 Chakva Chandan : Ek Vanopanishad (चकवा चांदण : एक वनोपनिषद) (Autobiography) An Introduction to Mrugpakshishastra of Hansadev (in English)
My Sincere thanks to,
BGM Flute : Mr. Ainuddin Warsi Sir
Photography : Saurabh J.
Books Available at : www.flipkart.com/books/maruti... www.amazon.in/-/hi/s?i=stripb... www.bookganga.com/eBooks/Book...