|
Panchmarhi
Population : 14,700
Languages : Hindi, English
Best time to visit : Throughout the year
STD Code : 07578
Wanting to get away from it all is common enough but more
often than not ‘it all’ follows one to the very place one
seeks refuge in. This is particularly true of hill stations
where the attraction lies to a large extent in the beautiful
natural surroundings. But more significantly it is for the
silence, serenity and solitude that hill stations offer that
they are places of retreat and get away from the crowds and
confusion of a city. Today, few such remain. Commercialism
and hard sell having eroded all but the natural beauty, at
times sparing not even that
A HILL RESORT WITH A DIFFERENCE
Among the few exceptional hill resorts in India, is Pachmarhi
is Madhya Pradesh. It is not on the usual beat of hill station
buffs and therefore, not over-developed. Though considered
a hill station, it does not offer the predictable mountain
fare of awesome heights and spectacular scenery, for the Satpuras
are low lying weathered hills. Pachmarhi’s appeal is low key.
Peace, seclusion and a quiet unobtrusive beauty are its prime
attractions.
Places of Interest
The Apsara Vihar or Fairy Pool, is perhaps the most beautiful
of pools in Pachmarhi. The descent is easy, the location ideal
for a picnic and the pool shallow enough for a paddle. Some
distance away the Rajat Parbat or the Big Falls, true to their
name gush down from a height of over three hundred feet. Close
to the Ramaya Kund, or Irene Pool, are the Duchess Falls,
ideal for swimming. These are not quite so spectacular but
the setting makes them one of Pachmarhi’s most beautiful and
picturesque waterfalls.
Perhaps the beauty and seclusion led people to believe that
Pachmarhi was a preferred place of the gods, for the area
around abounds in pilgrim spots. The Chota Mahadev, a narrow
point in the hills; Maradeo, the second highest point in the
Satpuras, which comes alive during the annual Shivratri celebrations;
Chauragarh, where a pilgrim path leads to a sacred summit
with several images of Shiva, and the Jata Shankar cave where
Shiva is believed to have hidden himself from the demon king
Bhasmasur. This is a sacred cave under a mass of loose boulders
which resemble the matted locks of Lord Shiva, hence the name.
Handi Khoh, today a deep ravine, was believed to be a huge
lake which was guarded by a snake who terrorized all who came
to visit the sacred spots in the vicinity. Shiva came to the
rescue and succeeded in imprisoning him in solid rock. The
flames of wrath ensuing from this divine battle dried up the
waters of the lake and the empty space assumed the saucer-like
shape of a handi or pot.
Priyadarshini Point, the point from where Captain Forsyth,
first caught a glimpse of Pachmarhi, is an oft visited spot.
Lanjee Giri is of interest to rock-climbers as it offers some
easy scalings near the summit. Jalwataran or Duchess Falls
is another important site and one can trek to this picturesque
water-fall which falls in three distinct cascades. Pandav
Caves are frequented by the tourists. The Pandav brothers
are believed to the spent a part of their exile in these famous
caves from which Pachmarhi takes its name.
HOW TO REACH
The nearest airport is Bhopal (120 kilometers) connected by
regular flights with Delhi, Gwalior, Indore, Bombay, Raipur
and Jabalpur. Pipariya (47 kilometers), on the Bombay-Howrah
mainline via Allahabad is the most convenient railhead. Pachmarhi
is connected by regular bus services with Bhopal, Hashangabad,
Nagpur, Pipariya and Chhindwara. Taxis are available at Pipariya.
|
|
|
|
|
