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Brief -
  
 
The main gateway, to two of the finest wild life reserves of India - the Kanha and Bandhavgarh national parks, Jabalpur is a major administrative and educational centre, and the army headquarters, for the states of Orissa and Madhya Pradesh. While Jabalpur is principally famous today, for the gorge on the Narmada River, known as the Marble Rocks, the British imprint is also visible in the spacious cantonment, colonial-style residences and barracks. Jabalpur also has some interesting temples, known for its architecture.
  
     
 
History -
 
 
The original settlement in this area was ancient Tripuri and the rulers of this city, the Hayahaya, are mentioned in the Mahabharata. It passed successively into Mauryan and then Gupta control, until, in 875 AD, it was taken by the Kalchuri rulers. Later, it fell to the Marathas and finally the British, who took it in 1817 and developed the town in the mid-19th century.
  
     
 
Culture -
  
 
The original settlement in this area was ancient Tripuri and the rulers of this city, the Hayahaya, are mentioned in the Mahabharata. While, it passed successively into Mauryan, Gupta and later the Kalchuri control, it was overrun by the Gonds, to become the powerful state of Gondwana. Jabalpur has some interesting temples, which are noted for their architecture. The marble rocks, found aplenty here, has the locals, carve out fine marble images and products.
  
     
 
Climate & Geographical Location -
  
 
Summers are hot and dry and winters are cool and pleasant. Almost due south of Khajuraho and east of Bhopal, the large city of Jabalpur is principally situated on the Narmada River.
  
     
 
How to Reach -
  
 
Jabalpur is well connected by road, rail and air. By air, the nearest airport is at Bhopal at 294 km, which is well connected to Delhi, Mumbai, Indore and Gwalior. By rail, Jabalpur on the Mumbai-Howrah, via Allahabad, mainline is the nearest railhead and is well connected to Kolkata, Allahabad, Nagpur, Mumbai, Varanasi etc. By road, Jabalpur is on the T-junction of national highway 10 and is well connected to major centers within the region. Some road distances are Gwalior (486 Km), Khajuraho (257 Km), Orchha (399 Km), Indore (480 Km) and Ujjain (482 Km).
  
     
 
: T O U R I S T   P L A C E S :
  
     
 
Marble Rocks -
  
 
Known locally as Bhedaghat, this gorge on the Narmada River, is 22km from Jabalpur. The gleaming white cliffs, rise sheer from the clear water, and are a very impressive sight, especially by moonlight. The first 500m is pretty dull, but as you glide upstream with the massive, naturally sculpted marble crags crowding in around you, it is difficult not to be impressed.
  
     
 
Dhuandhar fall (Smoke Cascade Waterfall) -
  
 
Here the Narmada plunges through a narrow chasm, Hathi-ka-paon (Elephants Foot Rock) and Monkeys Leap ledge.
  
 
 
 
Kanha National Park -
  
 
Situated 173 km away from Jabalpur, the Kanha National Park, form the core, of the Kanha Tiger Reserve, created in 1974, under Project Tiger. Spread over an area of 940 sq. km, it is the only habitat, of the rare barasingha (Cervus Duvaceli Branderi). The best places to view the animals-blackbuck and chital - are the meadows around Kanha.
  
 
 
 
Bandhavgarh National Park -
  
 
It is 197kms north-east of Jabalpur in the Vindhyas, that divides the northern plains from the Deccan plateau. The park, is known to have the highest desity of tigers in India and gained fame, for producing the first white tigers, ever to have been found in the wild. Another attraction of Bandhavgarh is the fort, thought to be some 2,000 years old, and storehouse of ancient sculptures.
  
     
Others -
     
CHAUSATH YOGINI MANDIR - A 10th century temple, with stone carvings. legend suggests, that it is connected to the Gond Queen Durgavatis palace, by an underground passage. Approached by a long flight of steps, there is an excellent view of the Narmada from the top.
 
 
 
NARSINGHPUR - 84km west of Jabalpur, Narsinghpur is just a sleepy town, but worth a stop, if you were interested in the Sleeman trail. There is a fascinating account of Sleemans anti-thug detective work in Sir Francis Tuckers - The Yellow Scarf.
  
     
 
RANI DURGAVATI MUSEUM - South of the bazaar, next to the tempo stand, this museum's diverse collection is worth a look. The ground floor has 10th and 11th century sculptures from temples in the Jabalpur district. Upstairs, are letters and photographs, relating to Mahatma Gandhi.