| |
India » Pachmarhi
 City Guide
 
|
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 a getaway 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.
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 is appeal is low key. Peace, seclusion and a quiet unobtrusive beauty are its prime attractions.
|
| |
|
| 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. |
|
|
Top
|
|
Population : 11,374
Language : Hindi and English
STD Code : 07578 |
|
|
Top
|
|
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. The tourists frequently visit Pandav Caves. The Pandav brothers are believed to have spent a part of their exile in these famous caves from which Pachmarhi takes its name.
|
|
|
Top
|
|
| As such there are no shopping Malls in Pachmarhi but one can get good items to purchase from shops around the bus stand. Pachmarhi is famous for items made from jute and marble decorative pieces. |
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
 |
