Pachmarhi, Madhya Pradesh

Madhya Pradesh in Central India is home to some of India's beautiful hill resorts. Panchmarhi is lush with greenery, waterfalls cascade down the hills rich in flora and fauna is one of the most beautiful hill resort in India. The Mahadeo Hills offer hidden treasures such as the rock paintings some of which are believed to be over 10,000 years old.

Panchmarhi was developed as a hill resort by the British and retains an old world colonial charm. The architecture of the churches and buildings built by the British, displays this even today.

The landscape of Panchmarhi is sure to enchant every traveller to this beautiful hill resort. The red sandstone has been carved by the forces of wind and water into fascinating shapes and the contrast between the red soil, the green vegetation and the clear rippling water is a delight to the traveller's eye.

How to reach there:

Pachmarhi is 210 km south-east of Bhopal, 244 km from Jabalpur and 47 km from Pipariya.

Air: The nearest airport is Bhopal, connected by regular flights with Delhi, Gwalior, Indore and Mumbai.

Rail: Pipariya (47 km), on the Mumbai-Howrah main railway line via Allahabad, is the most convenient railhead. Bhopal is also a mainline railway station with trains to most major destinations.

Road: Pachmarhi is connected by regular bus services with Bhopal, Hoshnagabad, Nagpur, Pipariya and Chhindwara. Taxis are available at Pipariya.

What to see:
Jata Shanker: A sacred cave under a mass of loose boulders in which the Jambu Dwip stream has it's sources. It is said that Lord Mahadeo reached the place by tunnel from Tilak Sindur to save himself from the demon king Bhasmasur. A rocky formation of this place resembles the matted locks of Lord Shiva, hence the name.

Chhota Mahadeo: Revered as a sacred spot, this is a narrow point in the valley with rocks overhanging a stream and a spring from where water cascades down.

Mahadeo: Mahadeo hill has a shrine with an idol of Lord Shiva and an impressive Shivlinga. On the east side of the hill is an excellent cave shelter with paintings.

Chauragarh: 4 km from Mahadeo, it is one of Satpura's prominent landmarks, the summit crowned with emblems of Mahadeo worship.

Priyadarshini Point: This vantage viewing point marks the place from where Pachmarhi was discovered.

Handi Khoh: Pachmarhi's most impressive ravine has a 300 ft high precipice and dramatically steep sides. A solitary place, with water flowing far, far below with an incessant murmuring sound, Handi Khoh's, over hanging crags shelter gigantic, undisturbed beehives.

Apsara Vihar: A lovely little bathing pool, and easily accessible from Jai Stambh, this pool is an ideal picnic spot for families. The pool is shallow, deepening only towards the base of the fall which cascades gently into it's waters.

Rajat Pratap: Those seeking adventure will find it in this 10 minute walk over rocks and boulders from Apsara Vihar to the top of Rajat Pratap, the `big fall'. A thrilling experience is looking straight down to the bottom of the fall which plunges down a 350 ft high precipice.

Raj Giri: Also known as Club Hill, this is a short, easy climb from Pachmarhi Club to a 300 ft high spot from where you get a panoramic view of Pachmarhi.

Lanjee Giri: This hill can be scaled from both east and west. For rock climbing enthusiasts, there are some easy scalings to be done near the summit. Near the western summit is an underground passage leading down the northern face.

Irene Pool: This pool was discovered by Irene Bose, wife of Justice Vivian Bose, and named after her. The approach to this bathing spot is from the car stop to Reech Garh. The route upstream leads to a cave, through which the stream goes underground and then over a khud in a series of falls.

Jalawataran (Duchess Fall): 3 km along the path from Belle View, branching off from the milestone for Bhrant Neer, is a route to the beautiful Duchess Fall. The descent is steep and the trek a strenuous one for almost all of the 4 km walk to the base of the first cascade of the fall. This waterfall, which tumbles down in 3 distinct cascades, is the most picturesque of all Pachmarhi's falls.

Sunder Kund (Saunder's Pool): Crossing the stream below Duchess Fall and following a footpath about 2.5 km in a south-west direction, brings one to a huge rocky pool in the Jambu Dwip stream. This is an excellent place for swimming.

Around the city:

Tamia: It is 79 kms from Pachmarhi. It has a resthouse overlooking the Narmada Valley. The view of the Dudhi Plateau from 330 metres of sheer, overhanging cliffs is one of the most spectacular anywhere south of the Vindhyas.