Pachmarhi

Evergreen jewel in Satpura Hills

 

The only hill resort in Central India snuggled in the Mahadeo Hills of Satpura Range is Pachmarhi that forms a veritable delight for travellers and adventure buffs. During one of our annual visit to Madhya Pradesh, we had set off to explore the colonial out-of-the-city haunt and were carried away with its fascinating ambience replete with waterfalls, gently flowing streams, ravines, gorges and pristine rock shelters.

 

For Pachmarhi, we started off from Pipariya and took a 48 km drive along the banks of river Denwa and there was no looking back. Our premier destination was Pandav Caves comprising five sandstone rock dwellings dating back to Buddhist period. 

 

Resting on a hill, the 4^th century caves have pillared verandah and is believed to have offered shelter to Pandavas during exile. The heart of the town has Christ Church with stained glass panels that reflect bygone colonial architecture.

 

Forsyth or Priyadarshini Point

 

The attractions are many like Priyadarshini or Forsyth Point- a vantage location that traces the discovery of the hill resort by Captain Forsyth sometime in 1857. If you are interested to view ravines, head to Handi Khoh that has a steep slope and a 300 feet high precipice.

 

If the pre-historic era excites you, there is the Paleolithic Mahadeo Cave with the deity of Lingaraj and rock shelters nestling in Mahadeo Hills at a height of 4,360 metres. Made of sandstone rocks, the rock shelters have overhanging streams and cascades that make the sight tempting. From here, we proceeded further to Gupt Mahadeo, the narrowest point in the valley that has a tunnel-like cave with an overhanging stream and we had to enter the cave with caution.

 

Our next exploration site was Jata Shankar, a unique rock shelter seated at the source of Jambu Dweep stream. We had to take up a short steep trek and could view rock formations in the form of matted locks of Lord Shiva. We were stressed-out but more excitement awaited us when we moved to Jamuna Prapat or Bee Fall. We gathered a lot of stamina to climb the 490 metres rocky terrain that has a roaring cascade with swarms of bees buzzing around.

 

No visit to Pachmarhi is complete without a trek to Chauragarh, possibly the most prominent landmark in the Satpura range. The next day, we made our way through bridle path criss-crossed by streams and we passed through 4 km inhospitable terrain without any human habitation. It was a journey from one hill to another with rock shelters and dense groves and climbing the huge boulders was quite tough for us. We climbed around 1,365 steps and paused for breath when the age-old shrine of Lord Shiva appeared. We were closed to the summit. 

 

A view from Chauragarh Hill

 

The Chauragarh hill provides a spectacular view of a host of Satpura Range infested with lush greenery. We paid our obeisance to the life-size statue of Lord Shiva with a smiling face.

 

Before bidding adieu to Pachmarhi, we hurried to Dhoopgarh in the midst of Satpura Tiger Reserve with massive hanging cliffs. Resting at a height of 4,329 metres, Dhoopgarh provides grand views of sunset.