Yedshi Ramling Wildlife Sanctuary and a Heritage Guesthouse

There used to be a narrow gauge train in Maharashtra from Pandharpur to Latur. Known as ‘Devachi Gaadi”, or the train to the Gods, this train carried pilgrims to the religious city of Pandharpur. The narrow gauge has long since been discontinued, but the line still runs through what is now the Yedshi Ramling Wildlife Sanctuary.  In the Osamanabad district, this dry deciduous forest sanctuary is home to a range of fauna that include wolf, fox, blackbuck and hare.  A 100 species of birds have been recorded here. The sanctuary has been named after the famous Ramling temple. It is believed that Lord Ram sought refuge here during his long banishment and also where Jatayu gave his life for his lord.

There is also something else unique about this place.  The narrow gauge tracks are in disuse, the train station a ramshackle shell, but what is still intact is the railway guesthouse. Built in 1907, this heritage building is very much in use as a guesthouse with four exquisite suites.  The beautiful mosaic floors have been maintained as also the old antique furniture. There is also a quaint model of an old inspection trolley. One hopes that this beautiful guesthouse continues to be managed as a heritage property.

A Heritage Property

Mosaic Tiles in the Bathroom

Antique Furniture

A Railway Trolley Model