Seoni is a municipal city of Seoni district. Seoni`s economy banks heavily on the rich timber resources of the district. The city, which is spread over an area of 8758 square kilometers, enjoys a pleasant and equable climate throughout the year.
History
According to common people Jagat Guru reached here on the way of visiting Kerala & considering pleasant place and called it Shrioni. After some time it is known as a Seoni. And also called a Shiv Nagri.
The second reason behind this name is availability of Savan tree, which is found here in innumerable digits, which causes name Seoni.
The third reason of it is Allha married to the sonarani sister of indraman in 13th century & started living in Amodagarh near Seoni. There is clout of him near by forest area Seoni name is given due to queen sonarani, which turn to Seoni.
Geography
Seoni is bordered by Jabalpur, Narsinghpur and Mandla districts in North, Balaghat in East and Chhindwara in West and the Southern boundary of the district lies in juxtaposition to Nagpur (Maharashtra). Seoni is located at 22.08° N 79.53° E . It has an average elevation of 611 metres (2004 feet). The city is 2,043 ft. above sea-level, half-way on the road between Nagpur and Jabalpur.Bainganga river is the life line of Seoni.
During the summer the average maximum temperature is 40°C and minimum temperature is 25ºC.. The temperature in winter varies between 21°C to 5°C. January is the coldest month when the temerature drops to a minimum of 0 °C.
Government
Collector, who is an officer belongs to Indian Administartive Division is the head of the Seoni district. He is assisted by several other officers forconducting day to day activities in Seoni. . Seoni`s law and order is maintained by the Superitendent of Police, who is an officer belongs to the Indian police Service.
Transport
By Rail- There are important railway stations in Seoni to all minor destinations in Madhya Pradesh & Maharashtra. Trains run from Main the parts of the Madhya Pradesh & Maharashtra to Seoni.
By Road - Seoni is well connected by road to all major destinations in Madhya Pradesh & Maharashtra . The Govt. & Private Bus Stand is located at center of city.
Demographics
As of 2001 India census Seoni had a population of 89,799. Males constitutes 52% and female constitutes 48% of the population.12% of the population is under 6 years of age.
Seoni has an average literacy rate of 77%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 82%, and female literacy is 71%.
Culture
The seoni city was founded in 1774 and contains large public gardens a fine market place and a handsome tank.It has 37% forest cover. The major languauge spoken in seoni is Hindi and followed by English.
The popular fairs occur mostly in the months of Phalguna, Chaitra, Bhadra, Asvina and Kartika. During Phalguna many fairs coincide with the Holi and Shivratri. Sankranti Melas are held at various places. Melas held around Basant Panchami are also important. Baldeviji Ka Mela (Panna), Rajim Mela are worth notice.
Visiting Places
There are several places in Seoni, which are worth seeing because of their beauty and importance.
They are-
Bheemgarh Dem: This dem is Asia`s largest mud dem (according to folktale). This Asia`s largest mud dem has been built on Bainganga River at Bheemgarh village in Chhapara block of the district. Sanjay Sarovar project is very big project made upon a Bainganga river situated in Seoni district. This dem is situated below the 90 km from origin of river in Jabalpur-Nagpur national highway.
Dalsager Sarovar: Between two metro city Jabalpur & Nagpur, in NH-7 Dalsagar Sarovar is situated. It is spread over 50 sq.kms. Land .It is popular for its beautiful beach. It is a historical place of Seoni. Once here pink & white lotus was a center of people attraction.
Asta Kali Mandir: This temple is situated 43 kms. from Seoni. The story of Asta temple is very interesting. Seoni & near by area is ruled by Yadav king, on that time the king was Mahadev & his minister was Himadri Brahman. This Himadri Brahman was eulogized in the history of C.P. & Barar. Himadri Brahman had knowledge of math, chemistry, Sanskrit & astrology. Himadri Brahman would take pledge to construct lot of temple in all Devghiri state.
It was impossible to construct temple with in a 12 hour. Then chemist Himadri discover the method through which stone can be joining with the mixture of lead & some other chemical. With in a night worker constructed innumerable temple & evolve outstanding art of architecture which is known as Himandpanthi art.
Mata Rajrajeshwari Mandir: This temple is Located at 0.5 kms. from the Seoni city.There is a great temple of mata Rajrajeshwari where mata ensconced in silver chariot. All desire is fulfilled here. Goddess grumped daily which is worth seeing as well as provide peace in mind. Earthen lamp is placed here not only of district but also of division.
Banjari Mandir:This temple is located at a 47 kms. distance from Seoni. Banjari temple charms the devotee the natural site of temple in chain the people. There is a beautiful & charming idol of Banjari mata. In the second side of road idol of hanuman is placed. After blessing in the feet of goddess people go ahead.
Shri Ram Mandir: It is Located at 1 kms. distance from Seoni.Ram temple of Seoni is historical & ancient. Right side of the temple god Sankar ensconced with their family. Idol of god Ram, Sita, Laxman & Krishna is established there. South side of this temple there is two hundred year old tree of pipal where one beautiful idol of Hanumanji is established.
Digamber Jain Mandir: Radiant from the light of prestige`s history the skyscraper of Digamber Jain temple of Seoni attract every one who passes from it. There are three temple of Digamber Jain communities. Big Jain temple is famous for big idol of god Parshavnath.
This big Jain temple is mainly mentioned in the history of Jain temple in India. It starts building on 1813 and completed in various stages. It is a group of 18 temples but when visitor watch it at a glance, it is seen that all this is made in one time.
Gurudham -Dhighori: There is a little village Dhighori in Seoni. Here Jagetguru Sankaracharya swami swarupanandji born in religious Hindu family. From his childhood this village is famous for his miracle art.
Now in their birthplace Dhighori there is a washed & magnificent temple situated in pious Bainganga this place is known, as Gurudham & Seoni become the Vrindavan of Madhya Pradesh.
Flora and Fauna
Pench National Park: The Pench National Park on the border of Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra has been known through the ages for its rich flora and fauna. Many writers like Captain Forsyth, A.A.D. Brander, R.A. Strendale, and Rudyard Kipling have all mentioned Pench in their books as the place with rich and beautiful flora and fauna.
Named after the river that flows nearby, Pench was declared a Wildlife Sanctuary in 1983, though it had been declared a notified area in 1972. Today, the park is the 19th Tiger Reserve in the country and takes pride in its tigers and other wildlife. The total area under the Pench Tiger Reserve comes to about 758 km, out of which a core area of 299 sq km is the National Park and 464 km the buffer area.
The park is situated in the Seoni district of southern Madhya Pradesh and runs in continuation with Pench National Park of Maharashtra. It is located between latitude 21°40` in the North and longitude 79°15` in the east. It is connected with an all weather metalled road network to other places of importance in Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra.
It is blessed with forests spread in all the direction. As per general physiognomy, the forest type here is southern tropical dry deciduous teak and southern tropical mixed deciduous forest with other species of shrubs, trees, and climbers. There are many rare varieties of herbs and grasses in this region that are known to be of medicinal use.
The park is very rich in fauna and a number of endangered species have made it their habitat. There is high density of the wild pig, nilgai, chital, muntjac, gaur and four horned antelope. Sighting a tiger is as difficult here as in the other national parks in the country and it needs a lot of patience and luck to sight one.
Apart from mammals and other land-based wildlife, the park is also rich in bird life. According to an estimation of the wildlife authorities, the bird population in the park stands at over 125 species like barbets, bulbuls, minivets orioles, wagtails, munias, mynas, waterfowls, and blue kingfishers. The Pench River, water streams, and nallahs provide the best playground for the water birds of this region. They are also the habitat for crocodiles and fresh water turtles.
Media
In Seoni the popular newspapers are, Dainik Nav Bharat, Dainik Bhaskar Jabalpur, Dainik Hitwad, Dainik Jagran, Dainik Nai Duniya, Dainik Sambad Kunj, Dainik Lokmat, and Dainik Sudur Sandesh, Dainik Janprakash, Jabalpur Express etc.