Pachmarhi - known as the kashmir of Madhya Pradesh, just 2 compare, it has its own importance, best tourist place like a heaven for the visitors in the peak season. Moreover it is open for all though the year but other tourist places it has a specific season for much enjoyment. I am lucky enough that I had been there for three time in my life, I had enjoyed my vacations in Pachmarhi at three different stages of my life, first when I was very young and visited with my lovely family, second time when I was in college and enjoyed with friends and last year with my office team, another great experience...every time I visited there got entirely a new atmosphere...
Pachmarhi can also be called as the Madhya Pradesh's most verdant jewel. It is a place where nature has scattred all its beauty. Greenary around the mountains and beautiful waterfalls all around are very nice to watch and capture for the memory. 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 famous for archaeological treasures. 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.
A must to know about Pachmarhi
It was in 1987 when Captain James Forsyth of the Bengal Lancers visited Satpura ranges, found this valley at its best view 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.
Some Facts about Pachmarhi
The valley, ravines and maze of gorges, sculpted in red sandstone by the wind and weather, add their own colouring to this palette of shades, and cascading waterfalls flash silver in the sunshine. Deep azure pools are hidden delights and everywhere
wild life watchers will be rewarded by fascinating glimpses of the animal and bird kingdoms
Must see Destinations
Priyadarshini or 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 or Bee Fall- A spectacular fall in the stream which provides drinking water to Pachmarhi. The bathing pools above the fall are very popular.
Handi Khoh- Pachmarhi's most impressive ravine has a 300 feet high precipice and dramatically steep sides.
Apsara Vihar or 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 Prapat or 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 or 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 or 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. Also It is one of the higest hill of MP.
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 also for sunrises form the other side.
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 or Piccadily Circus - A popular picnic spot where two streams meet in a junction.
Reechhgarh - A wonderful natural amphitheater in the rock, approached through a cave-like entrance on the South-side.
Sangam or 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.
Satpura National Park - 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.
Some tips for easy Travel
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.
Season - Through the year.
My personal exprience is great with this place, I like all the locations there, each n every place has its own importance. The attractions & locations of pachmarhi alwayz invite me to visit at least once a year. The atmosphere, climate & people are so nice that the tourist never felt like they came to some other place, alwayz gives a feeling of our own city...
Thanks only if you have read this review completely
Regards
Akash Dwivedi
