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  :: W E S T  I N D I A   >  P A C H M A R H I ::  
     
 
Brief -
  
 
As a hill station, this place has been untouched and unexplored.The natural beauty of Pachmarhi, lies in a group of waterfalls, and the green colour of nature. Bridle paths lead into tranquil forest, groves of wild bamboo and jamun, dense sal forests and delicate bamboo thickets, the fruit bearing mahua, aoia and gular trees all lend their distinctive colour tones. The valley, ravines and maze of gorges, sculpted in red sandstone by wind and weather, aeons ago, 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, wildlife watchers will be rewarded by fascinating glimpses of the animal and bird kingdom. Though Pachmarhi has no comparison with the hill stations of the Himalayas, still it carries a charm of its own, which is unique to this place.
  
     
 
History -
 
 

In 1857 Captain Forsyth of the Bengal Lancers, discovered the spot, on which Pachmarhi came to be built. He was said to have headed a column of troops, but in fact was accompanied by just two others. The beautiful landscape of the plateau of the Satpura range, impressed him, with its tranquil forests of wild bamboo, sal, Jamun, amla and gular trees, interspersed with deep pools, fed by the streams that ran across the lava hills. Later, the British developed Pachmarhi, as a military sanatorium and hot weather resort.

  
     
 
Culture -
 
 
Every February/March up to 100,000 Shaivite pilgrims, sadhus and adivasis attend the Shivaratri Mela celebrations, at Mahadeo Temple, 10km south of Pachmarhi. Complementing the magnificence of nature, are the works of Man, for Panchmarhi is also an archaeological treasure house. Cave shelters in the Mahadeo hills, contain an astonishing wealth of rock paintings. The bulk of these, have been placed in the 500 - 80 AD period, but the earliest paintings are an estimated 10, 000 years old.
  
     
  Climate & Geographical Location -  
 
Pachmarhi is surrounded by hills, so the weather is very pleasant, throughout the year. At the height of summer, the air remains pleasantly fresh and cool. It is very cold in winters. At an altitude of 3,555 feet, surrounded by the Satpura hills, is located, the summer capital of Madhya Pradesh- Pachmarhi.
  
     
 
How to Reach -
  
 
Pachmarhi is well connected by rail, road and air. By air, the nearest airport is at Bhopal, about 195km from Pachmarhi and is well connected by regular flights with Delhi, Gwalior, Indore and Mumbai. By rail, Pipariya at 47km away on the Mumbai - Howrah mainline via Allahabad is the most convenient railhead. By road, Pachmarhi is connected by regular bus services with Bhopal, Hoshangabad and Pipariya in Madhya Pradesh and Nagpur and Chhindwara in Maharashtra. Taxis are available from Bhopal and Pipariya.
  
     
  : T O U R I S T   P L A C E S :  
     
  Apsara Vihar -  
 
A lovely little bathing pool and easily accessible from Jai Stambh, this fairy pool, is an ideal picnic spot for families with children, as the pool is shallow, deepening only towards the base of the fall, which cascades gently into its waters.
  
 
 
 
Others -
  
 
 
 
B - FALLS - About 3 Km from Pachmarhi, is a very beautiful waterfall, called the B Falls. About half a kilometer below Pachmarhi, one gets the feeling, that molten silver is being poured from this fall.
  
 
 
 
BHARAT NEER (DOROTHY DEEP) - It is accessible, via a steep descent from the footpath around the Astachal Hill. It has well executed animal paintings and when excavated in the 1930's, yielded many pottery shards and microliths.
  
 
 
 
CAHURAGARH DHUPGARH - These are two separate hills in Pachmarhi. From here one can watch the spectacular Sunrise and Sunset. It is one of the Satpuras prominent landmarks, the summit crowned with emblems of Mahadeo worship.
  
 
 
 
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.
  
 
 
 
HANDI KHOH - Panchmarhis most impressive ravine, has a 300 feet high precipice and dramatically steep sides. A solitary place, with water flowing far, far below with an incessant murmuring sound. Handi Khoh's, over hanging crag shelter, gigantic, undisturbed, beehives.
  
 
 
 
IRENE POOL - This pretty pool, was discovered by Irene Bose, wife of Justice Vivian Bose, and named after her. The approach to this bathing spot, is from the car stop to Reech Garh.
 
     
 
JALWATARAN (DUTCHESS FALL) - 3 km along the path from Belle View, branching off from the milestone for Bhrant Neer, is a steep and the trek, a strenuous one, for almost all of the 4 km walk, to the base of the first cascade. It is the most picturesque, of all Panchmarhi's falls.
  
 
 
 
JATA SHANKAR - 1.5 Km from the bus stand, is the natural caves of Jatashankar. A sacred cave under a mass of loose boulders, in which the Jambu Dwip stream, has its source, these caves display the unique architecture of nature.
  
 
 
 
MAHADEO - Regarded as holy for countless generations, Mahadeo hill, has a shrine, with an idol of Lord Shiva and an impressive Shivling. This cave is 30 meter long and water, is always seeping inside the cave. The source of this water, has been traced to a waterfall.
  
 
 
 
PANDAV CAVES - These are the famous caves from which Pachmarhi takes its name. Considered, to be carved out, during the Buddha period, mythology supports this version of the historians, by saying, that during the Mahabaharata Era, the five Pandav brothers, had spend a few years in these caves.
  
 
 
 
RAJAT PRATAP - Those seeking adventure, will find it in this ten-minute walk, between rocks and boulders, from Apsara Vihar, to the top of Rajat Pratap, the big fall. A thrilling experience, is looking straight down to the bottom of the fall, which plunges down 350 ft.
  
 
 
 
SUNDER KUND (SAUNDERS POOL) - Crossing the stream, below the Duchess fall and following a footpath ,about 2.5 km in a southwest direction, brings one, to a huge rocky pool, in the Jambu Dwip stream. This is an excellent place for swimming.
  
 
 
 
TAMIYA - Tamiya is more beautiful than Pachmarhi and is totally unvisited by tourists. The Sunset point at Tamiya, is a place where you can sit for hours and enjoy the setting sun. Any other thing cannot match this experience.
  
 
 
 
THE CAVE SHELTERS - Some of the best cave shelters and groups of shelters, around Panchmarhi, are Dhuanddhar, approached form the footpath to Apsara Vihara. The paintings are mostly in white and include a group of archers, with the typical Gond bun and hooped earrings.
  
 
 
 
THE HARPERS 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. Chieftain's cave, derives its name from a battle scene, showing 2 chieftains on horses.
  
 
 
 
VANTAGE POINT - This vantage point, marks the place, from where Panchmarhi was discovered. In 1857, Captain Forsyth, a Bengal lancer, approached the plateau, at the head a column of troops.