Payoshni is an ancient river mentioned in the epic Mahābhārata

Mahabharata

The Mahabharata is one of the two major Sanskrit epics of ancient India and Nepal, the other being the Ramayana. The epic is part of itihasa....

. Pandavas had visited this place as part of their pilgrimage. It lies in the territory of Vidarbha

Vidarbha Kingdom

Vidarbha kingdom was one among the many kingdoms ruled by Yadava kings in the central and western India, in a region still known as Vidarbha. It was the southern most kingdom known to the kings of Gangatic Plain until they explored Southern India.Damayanti, the wife of Nala was the princess of...

. Payoshni is mentioned as lying in the northern entrance of the great Dandaka Forest, an ancient forest that is spread throughout south-central India.

With the geographical description mentioned in epic Mahabharata, modern days river Tapti is considered as Payoshni river.