BHANDARA

town, northeastern Maharashtra state, western India, on the Wainganga River, east of Nagpur. As a fording place across the river, it developed as a commercial centre; industries include the manufacture of brassware and cigarettes. It houses a college affiliated with the University of Nagpur. Rice covers most of the surrounding cultivated area. The area is rich in mineral resources, particularly manganese, iron, and chromite. Pop. (1981) 56,025.