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Information about
Panchmarhi |
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Pachmarhi is Madhya Pradesh's most verdant jewel, a
place where nature has found exquisite expression in
myriad enchanting ways.Green shades embrace the
mountains, and everywhere is heard the gentle murmur
of flowing water. Bridle paths lead into tranquil
forest glades, groves of wild bamboo and jamun, dense
sal forests and delicate bamboo thickets.
Complementing the magnificence of nature are the works
of man; 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.
The year
was 1857 when Captain James Forsyth of |
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the Bengal
Lancers was galloping hard up the Satpura ranges. He
chanced upon this saucer -shaped valley and
recommended its development as a sanatorium. Churches
and cemetries bring back memories of the colonial past
of Pachmarhi which has managed to escape reckless
plunder suffered by other hill stations of India. |
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What to see |
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Priyadarshini (Forsyth Point)
This
vantage viewing point marks the place from where
Pachmarhi was discovered by Captain Forsyth in 1857. The
British developed Pachmarhi as a resort and their
influence is embodied in its churches and colonial
architecture.
Jamuna Prapat (Bee Fall)
A
spectacular fall in the stream which provides drinking
water to Pachmarhi. The bathing pools above the fall are
very popular. |
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Handi Khoh
Pachmarhi's most impressive ravine has a 300 feet
high precipice and dramatically steep sides.
Apsara Vihar (Fairy Pool)
Easily accessible from Jai Stambh, this 'fairy
pool' is an ideal picnic spot for families with
small children, since the pool is shallow,
deepening only towards the base of the fall. |
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Rajat Prapat (Big Fall)
Those seeking adventure will find it in this
ten-minute walk over rocks and boulders from
Apsara Vihar to the top of Rajat Prapat, the 'big
fall'.
Irene Pool
This pool was discovered by Irene Bose, wife of
Justice Vivian Bose, and named after her. 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. |
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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.
Mahadeo
Regarded as holy for countless of 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.
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.
Chauragarh
4 kms from Mahadeo, it is one of Satpura's
prominent land marks, 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 sunsets.
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.
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. |
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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.
Catholic Church
Built
in 1892 by the British, the Catholic Church is a
blend of the French and Irish architecture. Its
Belgium stained-glass windows add rare attraction
and beauty to the building. 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 'sanctum-sanctorum' 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. They present a gorgeous view
as the sun rays pass through them. 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 and its
chimes can be heard from a long distance. |
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Satpura
National Park |
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Set up in 1981,
Satpura National Park is 524 sq km in area. It spreads through
dense forest of evergreen sal, teak and bamboo. The high peaks
of Dhoopgarh and Mahadeo, Bori's legendary teak and bamboo
forests, Pachmarhi's fascinating natural beauty of deep
valleys, high mountains, rivulets, waterfalls and Tawa's vast
reservoir combine to give this park unique beauty and a
breathtaking variety of attractions. The park is home to the
bison, tiger, Leopard, bear, four-horned deer, blue-bull and a
rich variety of birds.
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.
The Cave
Shelters
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.
Important
Note:
While visiting Pachmarhi's beautiful spots,
please avoid littering. Carry back with you all empty plastic
bags and other trash and leave every point as you found it,
spotlessly clean. |
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How to Reach |
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By Air
Nearest airport is at Bhopal (195 km) connected by regular
flights with Delhi, Gwalior, Jabalpur, Indore and Mumbai.
By Rail
Pipariya (47 km), on the Mumbai-Howrah mainline via Allahabad,
is the most convenient railhead.
By Road
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. |
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Best
Season |
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Through the
year. |
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