Tourism | Religious Places

PANCHMARI

PLACES TO SEE

Priyadarshini (Forsyth Point):

This vintage viewing point marks the place from where Panchmarhi was discovered by Captain Forsyth in 1857. The British developed Panchmarhi as a resort and their influence is embodies in its churches and colonial architecture.

Jamuna Prapat (Bee Fall):

A spectacular fall in the stream which provides drinking water to Panchmarhi. The bathing pools above the fall are very popular.

Handi Khoh:

Panchmarhi’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.

Rajat Pratap (Big Fall):

Those seeking adventure will find it in ten minutes walk over rocks and boulders from Apsara Vihar to the top of Rajat Pratap, 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 kms to the base of the fall’s first cascade.

 Sunder Kund (Saunder’s Pool):

Crossing the stream below Duchess Falls and following a footpath about 2.5 kms in a south - westerly direction brings one to a huge rocky pool in the Jambu Dwip stream, an excellent place for swimming.

Mahadeo:

Regarded as holy for countless generations, Mahadeo Hills 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.

 Chhota Mahadeo:

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

Chauragarh:

4 kms form Mahadeo, it is one of Satpura’s prominent landmarks, and the sacred summit is crowned with emblems of Mahadeo worship.

Jata Shankar:

A scared cave under a mass of loose boulders in which the Jambu Dwip stream has is source. A rocky mountain of this place resembles the matted locks of Lord Shiva.

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. Panchmarhi derives its name from these caves which, as the legend goes, once provided sanctuary to the five Pandhav 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 tree, ferns and semi – tropical vegetation.

Reechhgarh:

A wonderful natural amphitheatre 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 meetings of the waters.

Catholic Church:

Built in 1892 by the British, the Catholic Church is a blend of 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 and II.

Christ Church:

Built in 1857 by the British, this church is generally regarded as the most beautiful small church in Madhya Pradesh. The 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 he altar were imported from Europe. They present a gorgeous view as 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.

Satpura National Park:

Set up in 1981, Satpura National Park is 524 sq. kms in area. It spreads through a dense forest of evergreen sal, teak and bamboo. The high peaks of Dhoopgarh and Mahadeo, Bori’s legendary teak and bamboo forests, Panchmarhi’s fascinating natural beauty of deep valleys, high mountains. Rivulets, waterfalls and Tawa’s vast reservoir combine to give this park unique beauty and breathtaking variety of attractions. The Park is home to the bison, tiger, panther, 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 Panchmarhi. It now houses a beautiful museum depicting the rich flora and fauna of Panchmarhi.

 The Cave Shelters:

Some of the best cave shelters and groups of shelters around Panchmarhi are:

Dhuandhar approached from the footpath to Apsara Vihar. The paintings, mostly in white, include a group of archers with a typical Gond bun and hoped earrings.

 Bhrant Neer (Dorothy Deep):

It has well executed animal paintings and, when excavated in the 1930s, yielded many pottery shards and microliths.

 Astachal (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:

 It is 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 Panchmarhi’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.

GETTING THERE AND AWAY

Air :  The nearest airport id Bhopal (195 kms) connected by regular flights with Delhi, Mumbai, Gwalior and Indore.

Rail : Pipariya (47 kms) on the Mumbai- Howrah mainline via Allahabad is most convenient railhead

Road : Panchmarhi is connected by regular bus service with Bhopal, Hoshangabad, Nagpur, Pipariya and Chhindwara. M.P. Tourism also operates regular coach services between Bhopal and Panchmarhi. Taxis are available at Pipariya.