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.

            

Sanchi is a tourist place on a hill top in Bhopal madhay pradesh india

Sanchi is a tourist place on a hill top  in Bhopal madhay pradesh india

Located on the foot of a hill-Sanchi is just 46 km's Bhopal. it is more a village than town. Sanchi a religious place with histrorical and Archaeological significance. Sanchi is a sitefor the numerous stupas which were built on a hill top. The place is related to Buddishm but not directly to the life of Buddha.

           

It is more releted to Ashoka than ta Budha.Ashoka built the first stupa and put up many pillers here. The crown of famous Ashoka pillers,with lion standing back to back.has been adopted as the national emblem of india.

           

Sanchi adopted Buddhism wich replaced the prominent Hindusim. But time took its toll and slowely both and place were forgotten.In 1818 Sanchi took was rediscovered and it was found that marvelous piese of stucture were not in good shape.Gradully histrorial and religious significance and of the place was recignise d.Restoration work of the stups started in 1888 and finally between 1912 and 1919 these were carefully repaired restored.it was accepted that the structure atSanchi are the most organised construction Which went in to the engineering of temples in the medieval period.The carving here are done with the precision of jewellers.

         

The town of Sanchi is synonymous with Buddhist stupas –hemispherical structures typically containing relics of the Buddha or his followers. The stupas                                                                                                                                                                            of Sanchi were constrautedon the ordersof emperor Ashoka to preserve and spread the Buddhist philosophy. sanchi has been protecting these beautiful and sacred architectural wonder,just the way these wonder have been safeguarding ancienthistory and art of the mauryan period. the numerous stups,temple,monasteries and an Ashokan piller have been the focus of interest and awe for globle audiences as well.In fect,UNESCO has given the status of ‘would Heritages sites,to the Mahastupa . A visit to Sanchi will bring alive the awe you felt as a child as you listened to the tales of Ashoka.

Best season To visit:- This destination can be visited throughout the year, but it’s best to visit in the months of July to April. 

     

What to see

Stupas :- Sanchi has been famous for the stupas which were built on the top of a hill. The purpose of these was mostly religious.The most likely use of the stumps has been said to keep the relice. Some of these stupas have been found countaining relices of disciples of Buddha. Though most of the stupas have been found countaining relices of disciples of Buddha. Though most of the early as the 3^rd century and are built in brick made of stone. Though most of the stupas arec in ruins now three remain intact and are of great archaeological value.The designs and the carvings on the walls and gates of these stupas spell a heaventy grace & are very tastefully done.

           
                     

The four Gate Ways :- The Four gateways constructed in 35 BC are the best form of Buddhist expression one can find any where in the world.Gateways or torans as they are called are covered with explicit carving which depict scenes from the life Buddha and jatakas,the stories relating to Buddha and his earlier births.At this stages Buddha was not represented dierectly but symbols were used to portray him-the lotusrepresentes his birth, the tree his enlightenment,the wheel,derived from The titles of his first sermon,the footprints and throw symblosing his presence.

           

The Ashoka Pillar :- The Ashoka pillars is one many pillars which are scattered in the area some of these are in broken and some in shape. This is on southern entrance. Today here only the shaft stand  and the crown is kept in the museum.The crown is the famous four lions which stand back to back. This figure was adopted as the national Emblem of India. This are an execellent example of he Greco-Buddhist style and is known for the aesthetic proportions and the exquisite structural balance.

         

The Buddhist Vihara: The earlier monasteries were made from wood which was exquisitely carved and tastefully decorated. The present monasteries are not even the shadow of what they were in the past. A few Kms from sanchi are the relics of the satdhara stupa. The relics are kept in glass casket which is placed on the inner sanctum of the modernmonastery.

The Great Bowl: sanchi had a huge bowl carved out of single rock. Grain was stored in this bowl and it was distributed among the monks in sanchi.

The Museum: ASI maintains a museum which house many items which were discovered during the excavation of sanchi area. Most prized possession of the museum is the lion crown from Ashoka pillar. The museum has a sizeable collection of utensils and other items used by the monks who leved here.

Gupta Temple: This temple is now ruins. The temple was build in 5 the contry and is an excellent of ancient temple architecture in India.

           

How To Reach

By Air: Nearest airport is at Bhopal 46 Km via Diwanganj and 78 Km via Raisen.

By Rail: Nearest Railway Station vidhisha 10 Km. & Bhopal 46 Km.

By Road: Sanchi Well connect roads with Bhopal, Indore, Vidhisha & other place.

Mahakaleshwar mandir in ujjain city Madhay pradesh's india

Mahakaleshwar mandir in ujjain city Madhay pradesh's India

       

The ancient city of ujjain lies on the banks of  river Kshipra.The number of temples in ujjain,it is popularly held,is large that if one comes here with two cartloads of grain and offers only one handful  at of the  saptapuris,or the seven short of

             

offering.Legend has it that ujjain is one of the saptapuris,or the seven and death.Ujjain  hosts the Simhastha,as the Kumbh Mela is know here,every 12 year,the latest of which was in 2016.

Best season to visit:- This destination can be visited throughout the year.but its best to visit in the  months of July to April. 




    

What to see :- 

RAM GHAT :- Flanking the eastern bank of  Shipra,Ramghat stretches for almost a kilometres from pashupati Temple in the south to the road bridge across the river in the north. The wide promenade is dotted with temples,old and new and the air is full of  the  sound of temples bells and incarnations. The best time to explore the Ghats is early morning and late evening. 
     

                                                     

              

Mahakaleshwar Temple :- One of the twelve jyotirlingas,Mahakaleshwar Temple, popularly referred to as Mahakal Temple, is one of the most sacred Shiva temples in India. Located at heart of ujjain,is also the best place to start exploring this ageless town. Market around the temple is also Ujjain's commercial never centre. 

                   

Harsiddhi Temple :- A major seat of Shakti sect occupies a special place in the galaxy of temples in ujjain.  Seated between the idols of Mahalaxmi and Mahasarawati ,Goddess Annapurna,the main deity worship in the temple, is painted a brilliant vermillion. 

Gopal Temple :- Gopal Temple,one of the largest temples in ujjain is located at the heart of the town's main market, constructed in the mid-19 century by Bayajbai Scindia,wife of King Daulat Rao scindia it is striking example of Martha temple architecture. As in the Martha tradition, the temple is encouraged by a high wall pieced by an ornate gateway with the distinctive bangaldar roof.

                   

Gadkalika:- Located 2 kms north of mahakaleshwar is Gadkalika Temple. It is said that the duty enshrined in the temple, was one worshipped by Kali das.The legend goes that Kalidas,whose verses were  one quite ordinary,gained his literary genius,through the blessings of Gadkalika. 

      

Pirate Matsyendranath:- The Shrine of pir Matsyendranath is located on top a hill ,on the banks of the Shipra,closed to the Gadkalika Temple and the Bharatrihari caves.Matsyendranath also known as to pir maccinder is said to be founder of the Nath sect of Shaivism.it is said he was given the name Matsyendranath because he was born from the stomach of a fish.Incidentally,a fish or Matsya is one of the Vishnu's ten Avataras.

                         

Kal Bhairav Temple :- Crossing the bridge over the Shipra,near the Bharatrihari caves,one reach,Kalidas Bhairav Temple, barely a kilometres away. 

Ram janardan Temple :- A short walk of the kal bhairav Temple leads to one of Ujjain's architectural gems.The temple dedicated to Ram and Vishnu janardan were built in the 17 century by Aurangzeb's close confidant Sawai Jai singh,who as the governor of ujjain also built the ved Shala. The boundaries  wall that now encircles the temple and the tank inside were latter added by the Martha's.

MangalNath Temple:- Further down the river on the opposite bank from Siddhavat it is mentioned in the Matsya purana as the birth place of Mars  (Mangal).

                         

Ved Shala :- Ved Shala,the observatory, was the built in the 17 century by Sawai Jai singh  (1688-1743) during his tenure as governor of Malwa. Its located on the ujjain -Fathabad road about 2 kms south West of Mahakal Temple.

Jantar Mantar:- Jantar mantar is an observatory built in the 17th century by RaJa Jai singh  (1688-1743 )it is on the ujjain-Fathabad Road, 2 kms from mahakaleshwar Temple.Jai sing also construction similar observatories in Jaipur,Delhi and varanasi. 

Sandipani Ashram :- ujjain has enjoyed a position of pre-eminence as centre of learning in ancient India.Sandipani  Ashram is where Krishna and his Brahmin friend Sudama are said to have received their early instructions from Guru Sandipani.The ashram exist to this day in the Ankapata area of ujjain. 

         

Kalidas palace :-Away from the bustle of the city, outside it's northern border lie the scenic Kalidas palace.The serene environs of this sprawling complex on the Shipra river gives the travellers a fair idea of what ujjain might have looked like in the height of glory. 

How to Reach 

By Air :- Nearest Airport is Devi AhiLiya Bai International airport at  indore (55 kms).

By Train :- well connected to the major cities of India mostly train running Bhopal, indore Mumbai, Delhi etc.

BY Road :- Regular bus service contact ujjain to all near major cities  as Bhopal  surat ,indore Jaipur etc 

Pachmarhi is Madhay Pradesh's most verdant gem in India.

Pachmarhi  is Madhay  pradesh's most verdant  gem in India. 

A Lovely hill resort  grilled by the Satpura rangers, it  offers  absolute tranquillity. Bridale path lead in to placid forest groves of wild bamboo,  jamun,dense sal forest and delicate  bamboo  thickets.

                                 

Complementing the magnificence of nature are the  works of man;Pachmarhi is also an archaeological  treasure -house.In cave shelter  in the  Mahadeo Hills is an astonishing richness in rock paintings.Most of these have been  placed  in  the  period 500-800AD,but the  earliest  paintings are an estimated  10,000 years  old. In pachmarhi  Bagpipes  skirted  in a flower-bright  valley while ancient dancers were  separated by thousands of years ;typical of this  little  town in the Satpura Mountains.Contrasting cultures and  ages exis  in harmony as if time and trends  means little  in this serene,wooded place.Pachmarhi  is for unwinding,effortlessly. Road meander gently  groves of tree,open space and heritage cottages sitting contentedly in their old gardens.The town has a quiet  gentility  about it as if victoriana tradition and high collars still governed most people 's lives.Much of this ambience has been  set,and is still  being Headquartered here.the old cottages,meticulously maintained by the Military  Engineering  Services, have changed  little since the day of Kipling. 

Situated at 1100 m, Pachmarhi, popularly know as'Satpura  kind Rani' (queen  of Satpura ),sits beautifully, embellished by nature and history, amidst the  Satpura rangers.Legend says the pandava brother visited Pachmarhi during their exile. 

This  beautiful region in the  hills,was discovered by Captain  James Forsyth in 1857.This most  popular hill station of Madhay  pradesh's is a treasure with ancient caves of  theBuddhist era residing in harmony with serene waterfalls . Pachmarhi  sure to make you feel calm,the way you felt when you put your bare feet on the  garden  grass 

for the first time  as a child. 

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

                            

What To see.

Apsara vihar (Fairy pool):Easily accessible from Jai Stambh,this fairy pool is an ideal picnic spot fro families with  small children since the pool is  shallow, deepening only towards the Base of the  fall.

Sunder Kund :- Crossing the stream below duchess fall & following a footpath  about 2.5 Km in a south West direction,bring one to a huge rocky pool  that  is excellent for a refreshing swim.

Vanshere vihar (pansy pool): A beautiful spot on the  Denwa stream,cool & shady among trees,ferns & semi tropical vegetation. 

Sangam  (water  Meet ): this is  the lowest of the  picnic spot on the Denwa and offers fairly good bathing pool below  and above  the  meeting  of  the water.

Big Fall:- Those seeking adventure will find it in this ten -minute walk over rock and boulders from Apsara Vihar to the top RaJat pratap,the big fall, I rene pool this pool was discovered by Iren boss,wife of justice  Vivien bose and 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.

Jamun a Fall (Bee Fall): A spectacular fall in the  stream  which provides drinking water to pachmarhi. The bathing  pool above the  fall are popular.Handi Khoh pachmarhi's most impressive ravin has a 300 feet high precipice and dramatically steep sides. 

                   

Jalawataran (Duchess Falls ): The descent is steep and the trek strenuous for almost of 4 km to the  base of the fall's first cascade. 

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 fro 1859, world war I&II.

Dhoopgarh: The  highest point in Satpura range, with a magnificent view of the surrounding rages. A very popular spot  for viewing sunsets.

Priydarshini (Forest  Point  ): This vantage  viewsing point  mark 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 & colonial architecture. 

Mahadeo :- Regarded as holy for countless of generations,Mahadeo Hill has a Shrine with  as idol of Lord shiva and an impressive Shillinga.On the  East  side  of  the  hill is an excellent  cave shelter  with beautiful cave paintings. 

Chhota Mahadeo : Reserved  as a sacred spot ,this is  a narrow point in the  valley with rocks overhanging a stream  and a springs  from where water cascade down. 

          

Chauragarh: 4 km from Mahadeo it is Satpura's prominent landmarks,summit  crowned with emblem of Mahadeo 

Jata shankar: A sacred cave under a mass of this place resembles matted looks Dwip stream has its source. A rocky formation of this place resembles matted looks of Lord Shiva, hence the name.

Pandava cave : Five ancient dwelling excavated is sandstone rock in a low hill. Pachmarhi derives it's name from those caves which,as the legend goes, once provide sanctuary to the pandav brothers.There caves are now protected mountains.

Tridhara: A popular  picnic spot where two Streams meet in a Junction. 

Reechhgar : A wonderful  natural  amphitheatre in the rock,approached through a cave-like  entrance on the south -side.

Satpura  national  park : Set up in 1981, Satpura National  park is 524 Sq km in area It spread through dense forest of evergreen  sal,teak and bamboo. The high Peaks of Dhoopgarh and Mahadeo, Bori's legendry teak and bamboo forest,pachmarhi's fascinating natural  beauty  of  deep valleys,high mountains, rivulets, water  and Tawa's vast reservoir combine to give this park on the tiger, Leopard,bear,four-horned deer,blue-bull and a rich variety  of  birds.

  
     

The cave Shelter : Some of  the  caves shelter groups of  shelter around  pachmarhi are Dhuandhar,approached from the footpath to Apsara vihar

Vihar,the painting mostly in white include a group of archers with the typica Gond bun and hooped earrings.Bharat  need  (Dorothy  Deep ), has well executed  animal paintings  and when excavated in the 1930s yielded money pottery shards and microlight. 

                 

            

How to Reach :-

By Air:- Nearest Airport is at Bhopal 219km.

By Train :- Nearest  Relway  station  Pipariya 57 km on Mumbai How rah main line via Allahabad ,is the most convenient railhead.

By Road :- Pachmarhi  to connect  by regular  bus service  with Bhopal,Hoshngabad ,Nagpur, Pipariya  and Chhindwara Taxis are available at pipariya.