Queen of Satpura or Satpura ki Rani is the popular name of Panchmarhi. It is the lone hill station of India’s second largest state of India, Madhya Pradesh. Situated at a height of 1,607m above sea level, it is a perfect place for travellers to mesmerize in scenic landscapes, torrential waterfalls, primeval lakes and lush green forests and National Parks etc.
Spend some quality time, stress free life in calm, quiet and serene place and make your vacation a memorable one.
Pachmarhi offers:
Panchmarhi is not only a part of the Satpura Biosphere Reserve, but also it homes to Satpura National Park and Tiger Reserve. It offers something for everyone that includes spiritual sites, natural caves, torrential waterfalls, water reservoirs, sunset point etc. You can also enjoy paramotoring (i.e., Paramotor is the generic name for the harness and propulsive portion of a powered paraglider), ATV (All-Terrain Vehicle), Paragliding, Rock Climbing etc. If interested in Architecture then pay a visit to colonial architecture of Christ Church.
How to reach Pachmarhi
By Air
Raja Bhoj Airport, Bhopal is the nearest airport which is around 222 km from Panchmarhi. Take a taxi from Bhopal to Pachmarhi which will take around 4 -5 hours to reach there. But, if you want to visit Dhundhar waterfall, Narmada River and related places in Bhedaghat, then choose Jabalpur Airport which is 300 km from Panchmarhi.
By Train
Pachmarhi is just 54km by road from the Pipariya railway station. Several direct trains link Pipariya with important cities like Surat, Nagpur, Ahmedabad, Kanpur, Patna, Pune, Kolkata, Agra, Delhi, Varanasi, etc. One can easily get a taxi from Pipariya to Pachmarhi as it is the most accessible way of reaching Pachmarhi.
By Road
Plenty of state-owned and private buses are available for Pachmarhi from nearby cities like Bhopal, Jabalpur, Nagpur, Indore, and from prominent tourist attractions like Kanha National Park and Pench National Park. Being a cantonment town, the road conditions here are quite good.
Best Places to visit
Chauragarh Temple or Chota Mahadeo Temple:
Chauragarh Temple or Chota Mahadeo is a well-regarded Hindu shrine located atop Chauragarh hill at a distance of 15 km from Pachmarhi, Madhya Pradesh. Chauragarh Hill is the second highest peak of Pachmarhi at an altitude of 1330 m. A very well-known spot for sunrise viewing surrounded by spectacular hills and green valleys.
Chhota Mahadev by mptourism.com
During the festivity of Nagpanchami and Mahashivratri, devotees climb1300 steps and offer Trishuls to Lord Shiva which is considered auspicious and a way to offer obeisance to the God. Witness the glossy mountain streams tumbling down the steep slopes to give rise to cascading waterfalls all along the way to the temple. A pool of natural water and naturally formed shivling in the cave attracts the devotees and nature lovers to reach this place to find tranquillity and serenity. Some caves of the hill believed to be lived by the Pandav brothers of the Mahabharata during their exile.
Plenty of state-owned and private buses are available for Pachmarhi from nearby cities like Bhopal, Jabalpur, Nagpur, Indore, and from prominent tourist attractions like Kanha National Park and Pench National Park. Being a cantonment town, the road conditions here are quite good.
Christ Church
Christ Church by mptourism.com
The Protestant Church of Christ, also known as the Christ Church is a true-blue colonial architecture of the British era. Built around 1875 by the British, this church’s architecture is fascinating. Built on the Gothic lines, this church is a red sandstone structure, with the sanctum- sanctorum surmounted by a hemispherical, ribbed dome.
Twelve stained glass panes adorning the walls and alter the present exquisite depictions of Christ’s last journey and were imported from Europe. The glass presents a magnificent view when the sun rays fall on it. The nave of the church has been constructed without a single pillar for additional support. Located on a gentle mount that is speckled with large trees, the surroundings give this edifice a noticeably peaceful character.
Jatashankar caves:
Jatashankar cave by mptourism.com
Jata Shankar cave gives an impression of matted dreadlocks of Lord Shiva. Folklore says that Lord Shiva was supposed to have hidden here from the Demon Bhasmasur. Basically, these are the structures of stalactites and stalagmites lime stone caves. The ceiling of the cave resembles with the mythological serpent hood ‘Sheshnag’.
Dhoopgarh
Dhoopgarh is the highest point in the Satpura Range and witness a magnificent sunset.
Water Falls:
Rajat Prapat by mptoursim.com
There are three waterfalls around Panchmarhi viz. Bee Falls, Apsara Vihar Falls and Silver falls.
Bee Falls takes its name from bees since this place is famous for honeybees. Also known as the Jamuna Prapat is the most magnificent waterfall and is just 5 km from the Pachmarhi bus stand. Cascading down from a height of 150 feet, the fall is named as such because from a distance the waterfall sounds like a bee as the water flows through the rocks and makes a buzzing sound.
Silver Falls, aka Rajat Prapat, is falling from a height of 350 feet and looks like a silver strip when sunlight falls on it, hence is called Silver Falls.
Apsara Vihar Falls is just a 10-minute downhill trail and one of the must-visit falls in Pachmarhi. During colonial period, British ladies used to bathe here, so locals started calling them as apsaras (means beautiful women), so, the pool was named Apsara Vihar and water fall as Apsara Vihar Waterfall.
Satpura National Park
Satpura National Park by mptourism.com
Satpura, a Sanskrit Word, means seven mountains, houses a Satpura National Park which is also known as Satpura Tiger Reserve and is located in the Hoshangabad district of Madhya Pradesh in India. It covers an area of 524 sqkm. It makes a unique 2,200 sqkm central Indian highland ecosystem with adjoining Bori and Pachmarhi wildlife sanctuaries.
Rugged terrain of the national park consists of sandstone peaks, narrow gorges, ravines and dense forests. Dhoopgarh peak is the highest peak which is about 1,350 metres (4,430 ft) from the sea level. However, the altitude of the park ranges from 300 to 1,352 metres (984 to 4,436 ft).
Handi Khoh by mptourism.com
The nearest town to the national park is Pachmarhi and the nearest rail-head is Pipariya 55 kilometres (34 mi) away. The state capital Bhopal is 210 kilometres (130 mi) away.
Satpura national park is a part of Satpura tiger reserve which has two most popular entrance gates i.e. Madhai gate and Panaarpani gate. Madhai zone and Panaarpani zone are core safari zones where as Jamanidev zone and Parsapani zone are buffer safari zones. From Madhai gate, safaris can be undertaken in Madhai zone, Parsapani zone and Jamanidev zone but not possible in Panaarpani zone because of its long distance. From Pachmarhi hill station safari can be done in Panaarpani zone.
Some popular safari routes of Madhai gate safaris are Lagda camp, Jhinjini Mahal road, Chutki Dev route, Churna safari route. They have different costs as per travel distance, hence, it’s better to choose your route as per your requirement at the time of booking from ticket counter near entry gate.
Madhai Gate is the popular main entry gate which is 88 Km from Panchmarhi. This area is dotted with deep, wide valleys and gorges, spectacular sandstone peaks, gurgling rivulets and streams, cascading waterfalls, dense forests with plenty of medicinal plants.
Satpura National Park is rich in biodiversity. It’s a bird watcher’s paradise because of the water bodies that attracts variety of local and migratory birds. Over 300 species of birds are found in this bountiful landscape. Best time to see migratory birds from November to March. The grasslands and fields of the Satpura National park make hotspot for birding with Tawa reservoir and Denwa Backwaters.
The animals here include Spotted Deer, Indian Bison (Gaur), Tigers, Leopards, Wild boars, Wild dogs (locally called Dholes), Sloth bears, Black Bucks, Porcupine, Sambhar, Four Horned antelopes (Chowsingha), Otters, Crocodiles, Malabar squirrels, Langurs, Honey badgers, etc. Hornbills and peafowl are common birds found here. The flora consists of mainly sal, teak, tendu, mahua, bel, bamboo, and many medicinal plants.
Some other nearby tourist attractions:
1. Tamia Village
Tamia is just 49 KM from Panchmarhi, so it is a hidden treasure destination near the Panchmarhi to explore. It is untouched, unexplored terrain, so you can experience absolute tranquillity here. It offers scenic and breath-taking landscape, views of dense forests and mountains. From the mountain top of Tamia you can witness horseshoe-shaped Patalkot Valley surrounded by thick forests.
Tamia by mptourism.com
Tamia is just 49 KM from Panchmarhi, so it is a hidden treasure destination near the Panchmarhi to explore. It is untouched, unexplored terrain, so you can experience absolute tranquillity here. It offers scenic and breath-taking landscape, views of dense forests and mountains. From the mountain top of Tamia you can witness horseshoe-shaped Patalkot Valley surrounded by thick forests.
Tamia waterfalls
It is popularly known as Jalvihar Waterfall. Best time to visit Tamia is during monsoon season i.e., between June and September when the waterfall is in its full glory which enhances its beauty. The surroundings are perfect for picnics and relaxation in nature’s embrace. Tamia allows you to connect with nature without much disturbances.
2. Pench Tiger Reserve
Pench Tiger Reserve is almost 128 Km from Tamia and 208 Km from Panchmarhi hill station while it is just 80 Km from Nagpur, Maharashtra. It lies both in Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra. It can be reached from Seoni, Madhya Pradesh which is 57 Km while from Chhindwara, Madhya Pradesh it is 90 Km. Pench National Park Museum lies in Madhya Pradesh. There are several resorts in this area which may be better option to enjoy nature and forest.
This tiger territory also houses a dense population of chital, gaur (Indian Bison), leopard, small Indian civet, sambhar, chinkara, barking deer, porcupine and migratory birds such as osprey, Malabar pied hornbill and Indian pitta.
Rudyard Kipling’s Mowgli adventure and his battle with the furious Sher Khan was also based on the fascinating landscape of Pench Tiger Reserve.
Best season to visit Pench Tiger Reserve is winter and early summer. There are 6 tourist safari gates for visitors for easy access to the reserve i.e. Sillari, Chorbahuli, Khuraspar, from NH 44 and Kolitmara, Khubala (Saleghat) and Surewani (Nagalwadi) from Parseoni and Saoner.
Nagpur Airport, Maharashtra is 86 km away from Pench National Park while Seoni Railway Station, Madhya Pradesh is just 56 Km away. You can reach the National Park through various gates by buses and taxis also.
3. Tawa Reservoir & Madai Reserve Forest:
Tawa Reservoir is just 114 Km from Panchmarhi hill station. Tranquil Tawa reservoir dam and Madai reserve forest attracts tourists to enjoy the raw nature, scenic landscape. It becomes a hot spot in monsoon season which offers adventure amidst lush greenery. It forms boundary of Satpura National Park and Bori Wildlife Sanctuary. You can experience an amazing an hour long cruise ride around the panoramic hills of the Satpura to Churna.
Pachmarhi comprises three protection sites: the Bori Sanctuary, Satpura National Park and Pachmarhi Sanctuary – otherwise known as the Satpura Tiger Reserve. It covers around 4,926 sq kms of area. Satpura National Park is the core zone whereas the Panchmarhi and Bori Wildlife Sanctuary constitute the buffer zone.
Madai Reserve Forest:
Madai is a part of the reserved forest and an integral part of the Satpura Biosphere Project. It amuses you with its rich wildlife, sprawling meadows, endless backwaters. At Madai and Satpura Tiger Reserve, you can enjoy jungle safari and have an amazing wildlife and bird watching experience.
How To Reach Tawa Dam?
By Air: Raja Bhoj Airport of Bhopal is around 130 Km via Narmadapuram from Tawa. Raja Bhoj Airport has daily flights to Delhi, Mumbai and is well connected to more than 11 major cities of India. Taxis are widely accessible from Bhopal to Tawa.
By Train: Closest railway station is Narmadapuram which is about 25 kilometres away from Tawa.
By road: Tawa is 25 kilometres from Narmadapuram and 120 Km from Bhopal City. You can reach the Tawa Reservoir in 30 minutes to 2 hours from Narmadapuram or Bhopal city, respectively.
