Amarkantak Temple in Anuppur district of Madhay Pradesh india

                   Amarkatank the source  of Narmada River

   Amarkantak Temple  in Anuppur district of Madhay Pradesh india

Situated at an altitude of 1000 mtr. In Anuppur district of Madhay Pradesh, Amarkantak is well frequented Hindu pilgrimage center that is popularly know as Teerthraj-the king of pilgrimages’.Amarntak lies at the meeting point of the three central Indian hill ranges-Vindhyas’Satpuras and Maikal. This small town with its innumerable temple and holy pound’ and bordered with lofty hill and dense forest,is a southt-after destination both with spiritually inclined as well as nature-lovers.

                     

The Amarkantak region has a rich natural hertiage . Itg is the meeting point of the vindhya and the satpura Ranges, with the maikal hills being fulcrum. Three rivers-the holy narmada, the sone and the johila- emerge here.

         

Narmada is considered one of the mostsacred rivers of india & pilgrims bathe in its waters to away their sins. It is believed that the mere sight of river is enough to purity oneself!A charming folk tale speaks of the holy Ganga, dressed as a beautiful young woman, visiting Narmada to take a purifying dip in its waters!

There are several stories regarding the origin of the Narmada ; and river has been bestowed various name,among them Rewa  Shankari and Maikalsuta.

Amarkantak is a place of worship for all the three worlds of hindu mythology-the heavents,the earth and the netherworld.Gods,  gandharvas (celestial beings) asuras (demons) saints and. According to the puranas, the region was know as Ayodhaya and Hd ashrams of Kapil Muni and rishi  markand.It is believed that whoever dies at Amarkantak is assured aplase in heaven.Mystic poet sent Kabir,Is said to Have meditated At Kabirchabutra in Amarkantak.

             

                                              

The forest surrounding amarkantak have a rich veriety of plants with medicinal properties,which make it extremely significant from an ecological point of view.

Best season to visit :-  This destination can be visited throughout the year.

What to see

Narmada Udgam Temple :-  The small town of Amarkantak has as many as 24 temple Narmada  Udgam,a temple built to mark the sorce of the Narmada,is considered the holiest place in the town.facing the Narmada udgam temple is the Mata Narmada temple a shaktipeeth.Just in frount of Narmada Udgam is an open pool called the Narmadakund. South of this kund are ancient temple which were built by the Kalachuri king, Karnadeva (1042-1072 AD).

           

Sonmuda  :- Situated 1.5 kms from Narmadakund is Sonmuda, the source of the river sone. From here it flows on to join the Ganga near patna.

Mai ki Bagiya: Around a kilometer from Narmadakund is Mai ki Bagiya, an orched, where it is believed to nature flowers that refuse to blossom elsewhere.

             

 

Kapildhara: 6 kilometers from the source of the narmada, is kapildhara. It is a spectacular sight as the small stream of the Narmada plunges down a 24 m high vertical cliff-face into a gorge,transforming in to a large river It is believed that in he ancient times,the sage Kapil performed server austerities here.Legend has it that he had ordered Narmada to stop flowing but river defied him and plunged itself down the chiff. The sacred Kapileshwar temple is situated nearby.

Dugdhadhara Water Fall :- Alittele dowenstream from Kapildhara, the Narmada creates another waterfall,Dugdhadhara. Literally, the milky stream the fall gets Its name from the frothing waters of the river.

             

                                                  DUGDHADHARA WATER FALL

Bhrigu Kamandal :- One of the greatest sages of ancient india, bhrigu, chose Amarkantah as his place of meditation. It has the spot is now known, can be reached after a difficult, three-hour long trek that passes through dense forests.

Kabir Chabutra :- A small tank near which the saint Kabir ( 1440-1518 AD) is said to have meditated,known as Kabir chabutra.

Jwaleshwar Temple :- In Hindu mythology, when Loard Shiva destroyed Tripura (the three mythical cities ) by fire some of the ashes accidentally spilt over Mythologically important jweleshwar Temple is situated 8 kms from Amarkantak. A part from its religious importance the Amarkantak plateau has great ecological significance. The entire plateau is carpeted with lush green forest.

               

               

How to Reach

By Air :- The nearest airports are at Jabalpur (228kms) and in Raipur in Chhattisgarh ( 230kms),There is a airport helipad at Amarkantak .Helicopters can be chartered from Jabalpur, Bhopal or Raipur.
 

By Train :- The nearest railway station is at pendra Road (42kms), in Chhattisgarh.

By Road :- It is 71kms from anuppur,the district headquarters. Direct buses are available from all near major cities.