Yavatmal district, formerly known as Yeotmal, is situated in the Vidarbha region of Maharashtra, India. It’s located in the eastern-central part of the state and is the third-largest district in Vidarbha by population, following Nagpur and Amravati. Yavatmal city serves as the district’s administrative headquarters.

Believed to have been part of the legendary kingdom of Vidarbha mentioned in the Mahabharata, Yavatmal District lies in the southwestern area of the Wardha Penganga-Wainganga basin. The major language spoken is Marathi, while Urdu, Hindi, Telugu, Banjari, Gondi, Kolami, and Andh are also spoken. Yavatmal has good transportation connectivity to major Indian cities and Maharashtra locations via road and Jawaharlal Darda Yavatmal Airport.

Yavatmal is recognized as the “Cotton City,” with cotton and jowar being the primary agricultural products. The district also exports teakwood, lime, wooden furniture, and oranges. Soybean cultivation is significant, and the region hosts important soybean plants.

In terms of development, Yavatmal was classified as one of India’s 250 most-backward districts by the Ministry of Panchayati Raj in 2006. It’s also among the districts in Maharashtra benefiting from the Backward Regions Grant Fund Programme (BRGF).

Forests are present at Bitargaon, Tipeshwar, Tiwsala, and Umbarda, containing diverse tree species like teak, tendu, hirda, apta, moha, and bamboo. Wildlife sanctuaries at Tipeshwar and Painganga house animals like wild bear, deer, nilgai, sambar, hyena, and peacock. The Tipeshwar sanctuary aims to become a Tiger Reserve.

Within the district, Arni and Digras tehsils hold pilgrimage sites like Baba Kambalposh R.A. Shrine, Shri Ghantibaba Temple, Shri Chintamani temple of Kalamb, Ghatanji Maroti Maharaj Yatra, and Shree Datta Jayanti festival at Jambhora Mahur. Ner tehsil features Shri Fakirji Maharaj Sansthan, Dhanaj Manikwada, a Grade ‘B’ pilgrimage site by Maharashtra’s Gramvikas Department.

Kalamb houses the Shree Chintamani Ganesh Temple on the banks of the Chakravati River.