Pachmarhi - Satpura ki Rani (Queen of Satpura)
STATE - MADHYA PRADESH
DISTANCE - 195 KM From Bhopal, 47 KM From Pipariya
CONNECTION
By Air : The nearest airport is Bhopal (195 km), which is connected by regular flights to Delhi, Gwalior, Indore and Bombay.
By Rail : Pipariya (47 km), on the Bombay–Howrah mainline via Allahabad, is the most convenient railhead. From Pipariya, there are frequent buses for Bhopal.
By Road : Pachmarhi is connected by regular bus services to Bhopal, Hoshangabad, Nagpur, Pipariya and Chindwara. M.P. Tourism as well private operators ply buses from Pachmarhi to the places listed above. Taxis can also be hired for this journey.
ABOUT PACHMARHI
It's widely known as Satpura ki Rani, situated at a height of 3500 ft. in a valley of the Satpura Range in Pandav Caves PachmarhiHoshangabad district. The area was discovered in the modern times by Captain James Forsyth of the British army in 1857 Pachmarhi became a hill-station and sanatorium for British troops in the Central Provinces of India. The population in 1901 was 3020, rising to double that number in the hot summer months. Pachmarhi also served as the summer capital.
Pachmarhi has a somewhat fateful history. The year that Rani of Jhansi and her Maratha soldiers declared Mutiny, a rather prosaic English officer who had a way with words, was sent to the dense Satpura jungles to quell a rebellion. After walking for 17 miles, Captain Forsyth of the Bengal Lancers found himself 2000 feet above the sea and a saucer-shaped plateau spread out before him. The vegetation had changed. The dry yellow grass and naked tree stems had given way to dense green undergrowth, moist banks of streams were covered with ferns and mosses and clear brooks refreshed the tired troops.
PLACES OF INTERESTS IN PACHMARHI
Pandav Caves : The Pandav Caves is also has its mythological Belief. The caves were supposed to be constructed around 6th to 7th century. According to the saints, the Pandavas are said to have spent their period of exile in these caves. It is said that Arjuna in the guise of a eunuch taught music to Nagpati and wedded the daughter of Nagraj Vasu, who lived in Nagdwari about 15 Km from Pachmarhi. Nagpanchemi mela is held annually. These caves are now under the archeological survey of India. Caves of All the five brothers Yudhishthira, Arjuna, Nakul, Sahdeo, Bhima and Draupadi are worth visiting.
Handi Khoh : It is 300 feet deep ravine in V-shape created by two gigantic hills. It is said that the British officer Handi has committed suicide by Jumping into the ravine.
Priyadarshini : This is the point from where the captain Forsyth first viewed the beauty of Pachmarhi in 1857. It is also called as Forsyth Point. When Smt. Indira Gandhi visited here in 1964, this was named as Priyadarshini Point. The point gives a breath taking view of scenery of Pachmarhi.
Bade Mahadeo : This cave is about 60 feet Long. It is a mythological belief which says that Lord Vishnu incarnated as Mohini Killed the demon King Bhasmasur here. Large idols of Lord Brahma, Vishnu, Mahesh and Lord Ganesha have been enshrined inside the 60 feet long cave. A Serpentine road adorned with stark green trees and shrubs goes to Bade Mahadeo. Water constantly falls upon the shivlinga inside the cave. A kund is situated in the middle of the cave. There is another cave situated near bade Mahadeo, the cave of Goddess Parvati. There is large of pilgrims on the occasion of Nagpanchemi MahaShivratri.
Gupt Mahadeo : This cave is about 40 feet long. The path of Gupt Mahadeo goes from inside the Bade Mahadeo. There is a narrow path which leads to Gupt Mahadeo. There is idol of lord Ganesha and Shivlinga enshrined inside the cave. Only eight persons can pass at a time. An idol of lord hanuman has been enshrined at the entrance.
Bee – Fall : The height of this waterfall is about 150 feet. It is also known as Jamuna Prapat It gives a feel of Milky Way when water comes down. It is one of the most spectacular water falls of Pachmarhi. No visitor can resist the temptation of the taking a bath in B Fall. Bathing pools here are very popular among the tourist of all age groups.
Dhoopgarh : Dhoopgarh is the highest point in Pachmarhi. Earlier it was called as Harvatsa Kot. Visitors can enjoy the view of sunrise and sunset from this point. Nobody miss the chance to be in dialogue with the sun god, when it is innocently cool. Dhoopgarh is 4429 feet above the mean sea level. Once you are stop you desire to stay there forever. To see the sun rising and setting is unique experience beyond verbal expression.
Rajendra Giri : This hilltop was named as Panorama girl in honor of the visit of Dr. Rajendra Prasad. A Sapling he planted there is now a grown tree. Clearly visible from here are the hill of satpura range in their inviting gesture. Ravishankar Bhawan here was constructed for the comfortable stay of Dr. Rajendra Prasad. It is also called VIP Bhawan.
Chauragarh : A passage from Bade Mahadeo leads to Chauragarh, where a life style size Idol of lord Shiva has been enshrined. Large numbers of stairs; more than 1000 in number have been constructed to reach the blissful seat of Lord Shiva. To reach Chauragarh, it takes around two to three hours to climb the 1200 stairs. Large number of Shiva Bhakt climbs the stairs with enthusiasm to worship the lord Shiva idol in Chauragarh.
Apsara Vihar (Fairy Pool) : This pool is located near the Pandava caves and is accessible only on foot. A waterfall plummets from a height of 30 ft to form this pool. The water gets deeper as it nears the fall, but the shallow ends of the pool remains ideal for swimming and diving. Tourists flock to this place to take refreshing dips in the mountain water.
Dutch Fall : Dutch Fall is another beautiful waterfall in Pachmarhi. The beauty of waterfall gets many more times at the time of rainy season. The fall can be visited from near. You can experience the water droplets coming at you when you go close to the waterfall.
RELIGIOUS PLACES IN PACHMARHI
Jata Shankar : The place is named after the mythological belief that lord Shiva shaded his matted lock here. The place is formed inside a cave. It was a belief that when the Shiva wants to hide himself due to the fear of Bhasmasur he rested at this place. There is about 108 Shivalinga formed naturally inside this cave. There is water opening from the cave which nobody knows that from where this water comes, it is popularly known as “Gupt Ganga”. Large number of visitors comes here every year. The caves are resounded by the chirping of birds. A shivlinga is enshrined inside the cave. Large number of pilgrims arrives here to visit this place during the festive season shivraatri. Temperature inside the cave is very less. Upper part of the cave has a platform where idols of lord Shankar Godess Parvati and Shivlinga have been enshrined. Sadhu and Saints visit Jata Shankar with the holy purpose.
Catholic Church : Built by the British in 1892, this ancient monument displays a striking blend of French and Irish architecture. The stained glass windows beautify the edifice and add to its magnificence. It also has an old cemetery attached to it. The tombstones here dates back to 1859, World War I and World War II.
Christ Church : The British built this church in 1875. Considered as the most stunning small church in Madhya Pradesh, the building displays an artistic architectural style. It has a hemispherical dome on top of its 'sanctum-sanctorum'. The tinted glass panes gilded on the walls and the altar present dazzling views as sunrays pass.
WHEN TO GO PACHMARHI
The best time to visit Pachmarthi September to May.
WEATHER FORECAST
Climate during summers from May to June remain highly bracing and pleasant. Maximum temperature during summers does not exceed 35°C. Winters starting by November and extending up to February are very cold and minimum temperature can cross 4°C. Monsoons during July to September offer moderate rain in Pachmarhi. Post monsoons are very fresh and attractive.
EVENTS AND FESTIVALS IN PACHMARHI
The most famous festival at Pachmarhi is Maha Shivratri that marks the occasion of Lord Shiva’s marriage with Goddess Parvati. Shivratri Mela is held in February or March every year to mark the occasion. The main attraction of the fair is the great procession of devotees with tridents that starts at the Mahadeo Temple, 10 km south of Pachmarhi, and marches all along the way to top of the Chauragarh Hill, where tridents are finally planted.
