Situated at an altitude of 1067 metres, Pachmarhi is a large plateau ringed by hills on the evergreen Satpura range. In the year 1857, Captain James Forsyth of the Bengal Lancers was riding in the Satpura ranges and chanced upon this saucer -shaped valley. He recommended its development as a sanatorium. Being the only hill resort in Madhya Pradesh, it is a popular place for nature lovers and sportsmen. The landscape is characterized by rugged hills, forests and ravines.

Temperature   :  Summer Max: 35°C.        Min: 19.9°C.

Winter            Max: 22°C.        Min: 1.0°C.

Best Season:  September to May.  

Air : The nearest airport is Bhopal 210 Kms. 

Rail  : Pipariya 47 Km. on the Mumbai-Howrah line via Allahabad is the nearest railhead. Regular bus services connect Pipariya with Pachmarhi.

Road : Pachmarhi is connected by motorable road with Allahabad 683 Km., Bhopal 210 Km., Indore 368 Km., Nagpur 262 Km., Rookhad 236 Km and Ujjain 421 Km. Pachmarhi is connected by regular bus services with Bhopal, Hoshangabad, Nagpur, Pipariya and Chhindwara. MP Tourism also operates regular coach services between Bhopal and Pachmarhi. Taxis are available at Pipariya.

Priyadarshini Point (Forsyth Point): This vantage viewing point marks the place from where Pachmarhi was discovered by Captain Forsyth in 1857. 

Handi Khoh: Pachmarhi"s most impressive ravine has a 300 feet high precipice and dramatically steep sides. 

Apsara Vihar (Fairy Pool): Easily accessible from the Jai Stambh, it is an ideal picnic spot for family and children, since it is shallow and deepens only towards the base of the pool.

Bison Lodge: Constructed in 1862, the Bison Lodge is the oldest house in Pachmarhi. It now houses a beautiful museum depicting the rich flora and fauna of Pachmarhi. 

Catholic Church: Built in 1892 by the British, the Catholic Church is a blend of the French and Irish architecture with Belgium stained-glass windows. The church has a cemetery attached to it and graves date from 1859, World War I & II. 

Christ Church: Built in 1875 by the British, this Church"s architecture is fascinating; its altar has a hemispherical dome on top with its ribs ending with faces of angels. The stained glass panes adorning the walls and rear of the altar were imported from Europe. The nave of the church does not contain even a single pillar for support. The baptismal font is a rare brass piece and the bell is as old as the church.

Irene Pool: 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 Falls): The descent is steep and the trek strenuous for almost all of the 4 km to the base of the fall"s first cascade.

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 that is excellent for a refreshing swim. 

Jumuna Prapat (Bee Falls): A spectacular fall in the stream which provides drinking water to Pachmarhi. The bathing pools above the fall are very popular. 

Mahadeo: Regarded as holy for generations, 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 beautiful cave paintings.

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

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

Jata Shankar: A sacred cave under a mass of loose boulders in which the Jambu Dwip stream has its source. A rocky formation of this place resembles the matted locks of Lord Shiva, hence the name. 

Dhoopgarh: The highest point in the Satpura range, with a magnificent view of the surrounding ranges. A very popular spot for viewing sunset. 

Pandav Caves: Five ancient dwellings excavated in the sandstone rock in a low hill. Pachmarhi derives its name from these caves, which, as the legend goes, once provided sanctuary to the five Pandav brothers. These caves are now protected monuments. 

Tridhara (Piccadily Circus): A popular picnic spot where two streams meet in a junction, 

Pandav Caves, Rajat Prapat (Big Fall), Rajendragiri (Panorama Hill), 

Vanshree Vihar (Pansy Pool): A beautiful spot on the Denwa stream, cool and shady among trees, ferns and semi-tropical vegetation. 

Reechhgarh: A wonderful natural amphitheater in the rock, approached through a cave-like entrance on the South-side. 

Sangam (Fuller"s Khud - Waters Meet): This is the lowest of the picnic spots on the Denwa and offers fairly good bathing pools both below and above the meeting of the waters. 

The Cave Shelters: Pachmarhi is also an archaeological treasure house. In cave shelters in the Mahadeo Hills is an astonishing richness in rock paintings. Most of these have been placed in the period 500-800 AD, but the earliest paintings are an estimated 10,000 years old. Some of the best cave shelters and groups of shelters around Pachmarhi are: Dhuandhar, approached from the footpath to Apsara Vihar, the paintings mostly in white include a group of archers with the typical Gond bun and hooped earrings. Bharat Neer (Dorothy Deep), has well executed animal paintings and when excavated in the 1930s yielded many pottery shards and microliths. Asthachal (Monte Rosa), there are four shelters with paintings, comparatively early linear drawings. Along the northern side of Jambu Dwip valley are some six shelters with many paintings of animals and human figures, including a detailed battle scene. Harper"s Cave: So named because of one of its paintings - a man seated and playing a harp is close to the Jata Shankar Shrine. The Chieftain"s Cave derives its name from a battle scene showing two chieftains on horses. A terrace that runs the length of the South, South East and East faces of Kites Crag has some fine cave paintings, the majority of which are in white or outlined in red.

Satpura National Park: Set up in 1981, Satpura National Park is 524 Sq.Km. in area.  Pachmarhi’s fascinating natural beauty of deep valleys, high mountains, rivulets, waterfalls combine to give this park unique beauty and a variety of attractions.  The park is home to the Bison, Tiger, Panther, Wild Bear, Four-horned deer, Blue-bull and a rich variety of birds.

Beni Forest (20 Km.): This forest accounts for much of the country’s supply of teak wood and is being developed as a wild life sanctuary. Gaur (bison), barking deer, sambar and wild boar are among the animals found here.

Tamia (78 Km.): Overlooking the Narmada valley, Tamia is a picturesque holiday and picnic resort on the Satpura range. From the Tamia rest house, the view of the Dudhi Plateau from 330 mts. of sheer overhanging cliffs is one of the most spectacular any where south of the Vindhyas.

 

Located at the centre of the State of Madhya Pradesh in India , Jabalpur is one of the most important cities in the State . It is situated in the "Mahakaushal "  region of the State and gets its name from history being the native land of the great "Jabali Rishi".. Its scenic beauty made it the pleasure resort of the Gond Kings. At present, the divisional headquarters, Jabalpur is a city of growing commercial importance, though it is more renowned for it’s scenic charms, in particular the magnificent Marble Rocks.

Temperature  :  Summer  Max: 42°C.     Min: 21°C.

Winter Max: 28.5°C.  Min: 10°C.

Air  : The airport in Jabalpur is connected with Delhi and Indore  by Air. However the convenient airport is Bhopal   

Rail :  Jabalpur is a railway station on the Mumbai-Howrah line, connected with Allahabad, Bhopal, Kolkata,  Delhi,   Gwalior, Indore, and Mumbai, 

Road  :  Jabalpur is connected by motorable roads with Agra 611 Km.,  Allahabad 343 km., Bhopal 337  Bilaspur 330km.,  Delhi 800 Km., Gwalior 477 Km., Indore 494 Km.,  Jhansi 390km., Kanha 177 Km.,    Khajuraho 270 Km., Mumbai 1126 Km., Nagpur 249 Km., Pachmarhi 235 Km.  Raipur 362km., Sagar 192km., Shivpuri 491 km.,  Ujjain 496km., Varanasi 249 Km.

 

Madan Mahal Fort :   Built by the Gond  ruler,Raja Madan Shah, in 1116 atop a rocky hill, the fort  dominates the skyline and provides a panoramic view of the town and the country-side around it. 

Tilwara Ghat : The place from where Mahatma Gandhi"s ashes were immersed in the Narmada. 

Gwarighat, Mala Devi Temple, Pisan Hari Jain Temples, Rani Durgavati Memorial and Museum (Timings:  1000 hrs. to 1700 hrs. - Closed on Mondays), Sangram Sagar and Bajnamath,

Roopnath (12 Km.): Famous for a lingam placed in a cleft of a rock dedicated to Shiva.  There are three beautiful falls here, the pools of which are named after Ram, Lakshman and Sita. 

Marble Rocks (Bhedaghat) (23 Km.): Connected by an excellent road from Jabalpur, is the Marble Rocks .rising on either side of a mile-long gorge, through which the Narmada flows.  The gleaming, jagged cliffs of limestone are more than a hundred feet high.  Boating facilities are available from November to May.  The Marble Rocks have recently been floodlit (on Saturdays and Sundays) and boating by moonlight is a fascinating experience.   Other places of interest in Bhedaghat include the 10th century Chausath Yogini Temple, dedicated to goddess Durga at the far end of the marble gorge called Dhuandhar or the smoke cascade: The Narmada, making its way through the Marble 

Rocks, narrows down and then plunges in a waterfall Rocks, known as Dhuandhar or the smoke cascade. So powerful is the plunge that its roar is heard from a far distance, the falls and the breaking of the volume of water at the crest present an awesome spectacle of Nature"s power unleashed 

Bilhari (64 Km.): Many pieces of ancient sculpture have been found at Bilhari indicating it’s past importance.  Among these are images of the Hindu gods Brahma, Shiva and Surya.

Nohta (81 Km.): Nohta lies at the confluence of a small stream, Guriaya and the river Berma.  It is believed to have been the capital of the Chandela Kings in the early 12th century.  A few Jain temples can be seen here and 2 Km. away is a Shiva Temple where a Kartik fair is held annually.

National Fossils Park (87 Km.): Famous for the plant fossils in Mandla district. Mandla & Ramnagar (95 Km.): Mandla is known for its 17th century fort situated in a loop of the Narmada river, which protects it on three sides.  About 15 km. away is Ramnagar with a ruined three-storeyed palace overlooking the river Narmada.

Maihar (162 Km.): On the Jabalpur-Satna road, Maihar is famous for its Sharda Devi Temple built on a hill-top and it is also an important centre for Indian classical music. 

Rookhad (163 Km.): Rookhad is wildlife sanctuary adjacent to the Pench National Park and a charming retreat.  It is 101 Km. from Nagpur on national highway no. 7 and 26 Km. from Seoni. .

Amarkantak (256 Km.):  An important pilgrim centre for Hindus, it is the source of two great rivers Narmada and Sone and is situated at an altitude of 1065 metres in the Vindhyas. 

The Present Park area encompasses two important valleys viz the Banjar and the Halon. The Halon vally falls in Balaghat district. The total area of the park is 940 Sq. kms. of which 530 Sq. kms falls in Balaghat district comprising the three ranges viz Mukki, Bhaisanghat and Supkhar.

This is original Kipling country, of which he wrote so vividly in the Jungle Book. The same abundance of wildlife species exists even today in the Kanha National Park, which forms the core of the Kanha Tiger Reserve created in 1974 under Project Tiger.  This park is also the only habitat of the rare hard ground Barasingha.

Area :  939.94 Sq.Km.              

Altitude        :  450-900 Mts.

Temperature   :  Summer   Max: 40.6 Deg.C.   Min: 23.9 Deg.C.

Winter :    Max: 23.9 Deg.C.        Min:   1.1 Deg.C.

Rainfall  :  152 Cms.

 

Air   : Jabalpur (169 Km.) is the nearest airport to visit the Kanha National Park. However convenient airport is Nagpur   

          266 km

Rail  : Jabalpur (169 Km.) is the most convenient railhead to visit Kanha.

Road  : Kanha National Park is connected by road with Jabalpur 169  Km., Khajuraho  445 Km., Nagpur 266 Km., Rookhad 192 Km. and Raipur 219 Km., Bilaspur 182 Km., Balaghat 83 Km.,  Khatia and  Mukki are two main entry points to the Kanha. Mukki on State Highway No. 26 is more convenient. Distances within the park are: Koshi-Kanha: 9 Kms., Kisli-Khatia: 4  Kms. and Kisli-Mukki: 32 Kms.

Local Transport: MPSTDC operates a Jeep service for visitors to go around in the park.  Booking can be made through the Manager, MPSTDC, Baghira Log Huts, Kisli and Kanha Safari Lodge, Mukki. Wild Chalet Resorts at the village  Mocha, can also arrange for local sightseeing.

Forest Department guides accompany visitors around the Park on mapped out circuits, which enable viewers to see a good cross-section of Kanha’s wildlife.

Wildlife in the Park: Kanha has some 22 species of mammals. Those that are most easily spotted are the palm squirrel, common langur, jackal, wild pig, chital, barasingha, sambar and black buck. Less commonly seen species include the tiger, wild dog, barking deer, bison, sloth bear, striped hyena, jungle cat and the chausingha.  Very rarely seen are the wolf, the chinkara, Indian otter and the small Indian civet.

Birds species in the Park: Kanha has over 200 species of birds.  Commonly seen species include the cattle egret, pond heron, black ibis, common peafowl, crested serpent, hawk eagle, red wattled lapwing, flycatcher, woodpecker, pigeon, dove, parakeet, kingfisher and grey hornbill. Bamni Dadar: Known as Sunset Point, this is one of the most beautiful areas of the park from where a spectacular sunset can be viewed.  Animals that can be sighted here are the sambar, barking deer, gaur and four horned antelope.

The Fort is located at Lanji Tehsil of Balaghat. It was made by Cultury Rajwansh, which is located in Dense Forest area. The Temple and its Statutes art are of Khajuraho style. The Lanji Fort is also related with Gond dynasty. There are so many temples within Fort with lot of Statutes.

 

The capital of the Chandela Kings, Khajuraho is famous for its magnificent temples dedicated to Lord Shiva, Lord Vishnu and the Jain Tirthankaras. These temples were built between 950 A.D.  & 1050 A.D. and represent some of the most exquisite specimens of art and architecture in medieval India. Only 22 temples of the original 85 now survive.

Temperature   :  Summer                         Max: 47°C.                Min: 21°C.

Winter :              Max: 32°C.                 Min: 04°C. 

Rainfall  : 114 cms. (July - August)

                

Air :  Khauraho is connected by air with  Delhi and Varanasi.

Rail : Nearest railway station is Khajuraho connected with Delhi. Other convenient railway stations are Jhansi (170kms)                 and Satna (120 kms)  

Road  :Khajuraho is connected by motorable roads with Agra 395 Km. Allahabad 285 Km. Bamitha 10Km, Bandhavgarh 250 Km. Bhopal 340 Km.Chhatarpur 45 Km.

Chitrakoot 175 Km. Delhi 596 Km. Gwalior 276 Km. Indore 575 Km. Jabalpur 296Km. Lucknow  287 Km. Mahoba 65 Km. Mumbai 1250 Km. Orchha 175 Km.Rewa176 Km. & Varanasi 415 Km.

The temples of Khajuraho are divided into 3 geographical groups: Western, Eastern & Southern.

Western Group of Temples: Kandariya Mahadeo Temple, Chausat Yogini Temple, Chitragupta Temple, Vishvanath Temple, Lakshmana Temple, Matangeshwara Temple.. Open on all days from sunrise to sunset. A Son-et-Lumiere ( Sound & Light show )is presented in English and Hindi at 1830 hrs. at the Western Group of Temples. 

Eastern Group of Temples: Jain Temples: Parsvanath Temple, Ghantai Temple and Adinath Temple. Hindu Temples: Brahma Temple, Vamana Temple and Javari Temple. Entrance fee nil. Open on all days.

Southern Group of Temples: Situated about 5 Km. from Khajuraho, the southern group consists of two surviving temples- Duladeo Temple and Chaturbhuj Temple and newly excavated site the Beejamandal Mount  ,Entry Fee for Khajuraho Group of Monuments:  Rs.10/- (Indians) US$ 5 or Rs.250/- (Foreigners) Archaeological Museum: Situated near the Western Group of Temples, this museum has a collection of sculptures, inscriptions, architectural panels and friezes dating back to the 10th and 12th centuries. Timings: 1000 hrs to 1700 hrs. Closed on Fridays.

Beni Sagar Lake (7 Km.): A picnic spot.

Raneh Water Falls (20 Km.): A beautiful picnic spot famous for its granite rock formations. 

Ken Ghariyal Sanctury (25 Km.): A natural house for 

the long snouted Ghariyals (alligators).

Ken Natural Trail (25 Km.): A little jungle track along the beautiful river Ken.

Rajgarh Palace (25 Km.): A picturesque 150 years old palace. 

Ranguan Lake (25 Km.): An ideal angling and boating spot. 

Panna National Park (32 Km.): Situated in a large dense forest belt forming the northern fringe of the natural teak forest, the park provides an ideal habitat for the tiger.  Other rare species that can be seen are the panther, wolf and gharial  Accmm; The Jwel of 

Gangau Dam (34 Km.): A natural dam at the confluence of rivers Ken and Simri.

Pandav Falls (34 Km.): A beautiful picnic spot.

Panna (44 Km.): The capital of Chhatrasal, founder of the Bundela Kingdom.

Diamond Mines, Majhgawan (56 Km.): The only working mines in India and the largest in Asia, under the control of the National Mineral Development Corporation Ltd. (NMDC). 

Dhubela Museum (57 Km.): Located on the banks of a Lake, the Museum houses a wide variety of Shakti Cult sculptures. Timings: 1000 to 1700 hrs. Closed on Mondays.

Ajaygarh Fort (80 Km.): An old fort, it was the capital of the Chandelas.

Kalinjar Fort (100 Km.): The fort stands on an isolated hill of the Vindhyan range and was built during the period of the Guptas.

Nachna (100 Km.): A famous city of the Gupta Empire, it was known for the Chaturmukha Mahadeva Temple.

Satna (120 Km.): An upcoming industrial town, famous for it’s cement factory. Accommodation: Hotel