Bandhavgarh is the name of tehsil in Umaria District. Formerly it was the capital of the Bandhavgarh Kingdom of the Magha dynasty, then the head-quarters of the tehsil. At present its headquarters is Umaria.
The fort of Bandhavgarh is a place of considerable archaeological and historical importance. It is a natural impregnable fort and stands on a hill, at an attitude of about 2430 metres above sea-level. The Bamnia hill is also a part of the fort, because it is enclosed by a rampart. The fort is on the Rewa-Umaria road, at a distance of about 41Km from Umaria Town.
Chandia is situated on the Umaria-Katni road, at a distance of about 21 km. from Umaria. The railway station of Chandia Khas, known as Chandia railway station. The most important spot of Chandia Khas is a small temple, enshrining Goddess Kalika. Her mouth is wide open, but her out-stretched tongue is broken. There is also an old temple of god Rama and his consort Janaki. It was the seat of Thakur of Chandia. A small fair meets at Suraswahi Chandia for 3 days in February/March, on the occasion of Shivaratri.
Pali is situated on the Umaria-Shahdol road, at a distnace of about 36 km. from Umaria. Another road goes from Pali to Mandla via Dindori. Pali is also a railway station, and there is a rest house for the tourists to stay. The Station is known as the Pali-Birsinghpur station. Near the railway station there is a temple, enshrining Birasinidevi. By popular belief she is Goddess Kali, represented here as skeleton Goddess, but with her mouth closed. Many remains of old jain idols kept here in some Hindu temples. The annual fairs are held both in October and March, on the occasion of Navaratri, Near the temple of Goddess.
The headquarters town of the Umaria district and Bandhavgarh tehsil, formerly umaria was the headquarters of the South Rewa District. It is situated at a distance of about 69 km from Shahdol. Near the railway station stands a Siva temple, known as the Sagara temple. It was an old shrine, recently remodeled. Its main gates are still intact with beautiful stone statues, carved in Khajuraho models. Near about is Jwalamukhi templ about 6.5km away from the town, there is another temple,. with similar carvings of the Khajuraho pattern. It is known as the Mariwal temple. Umaria is famous for its coal-mines, which were opened in 1881 by the Government of India and transferred to the Rewa Darbar in the same year, mainly to meet the requirement of railway at Katni.
The major heritage sites near the Umariya is the beautiful caves .There are 39 caves in the Bandhavgarh fort and in the surrounding hillocks up to a radius of about 5 km. The oldest cave is of 1st century. Several caves have inscriptions in Brahmi script. Some caves have embossed figure such as those of tiger, pig, elephant and horseman. Badi gufa, the largest cave, has broad entrance, nine small rooms and several pillars. It has been dated back to the 10th century. The cave appears to be primitive lacking the elaborate statues and carvings seen in the caves of Buddhist period. Its purpose remains mystery. This mysterious place in the region is place of great gathering of tourists. The panoramic view of these caves is really very beautiful.
Baderi is a village in umaria district. It was the province of Baghela Dynasty. It is situated about 5km from Umaria in Bandhavgarh Road. In 16th and 17th century, it was the capital of Rewa Riyasat before Umaria. There is Nand Mahal, ruled by Thakur Ranmat Singh in 16th century. It is famous for its beautiful scene and it is also a photography spot.
Manpur is a block and the biggest tehsil in umaria district. It is situated about 45 km from district headquarter and about 12 km from Bandhavgarh National Park in Tala-Jaisinghnagar road. There is 84 Gram Panchayats in Manpur tehsil. There is Hanumant Kunj Aashram Chhapdaur famous for the religious view in Manpur-Byohari road.