Madhya Pradesh

Madhya Pradesh, literally meaning the “central region” is often known as the heart of India. Endowed with rich and diverse forests, Madhya Pradesh is a reservoir of Biodiversity, the home to National parks and Natural Reserves and a watershed of a number of rivers including the Narmada and the Tapti. Madhya Pradesh’s Natural Heritage welcomes visitors to nine national parks including Bandhavgarh National Park, Kanha National Park, Waterfalls at Jabalpur, beautiful forest Eco systems and Natural Reserves such as Amarkantak, Bagh Caves and Pachmarhi Biosphere Reserve.
The cultural heritage of many religions is well represented in this predominantly Hindi speaking state. Innumerable monuments, exquisitely carved temples, stupas, forts and palaces on hilltops bring to mind visions of empires and kingdoms, of the great warriors and builders, poets and musicians, saints and philosophers; of Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism and Islam. Some are the Lakshmana Temple, Devi Jagdambi Temple, The Sanchi Stupa and Masoleum on the banks of the Betwa River. The Khajuraho Group of monuments along with Buddhist Monuments at Sanchi and Rock Shelters of Bhimbetka are among declared UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Madhya Pradesh has an extensive railway network and a good road network connecting almost all parts of the state. The state has two international airports, one in Indore and another in the state capital Bhopal and three domestic airports at Gwalior, Khajuraho and Jabalpur. The climate is characterized by hot and dry summers, a varied rainy season over different parts of the state and pleasant winters.

Dhuandhar Fall and Bhedaghat

Dhuandhar Fall and Bhedaghat

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अमरकंटक से निकलती नर्मदा नदी जब भेड़ाघाट तक आती है तो उसका यौवन अपने उफान पर होता है। हालांकि ना ही ये किसी किस्म के आक्रोश की गर्जन है और ना ही किसी दर्प का प्रर्दशन, लेकिन एक स्वाभाविक आवेग जब क्रीड़ा करने पर उतारु हो तो उसका प्रतिलक्षण शायद इतना ही विहंगम होगा। जी हां धुआंधार प्रपात को भारत के नियाग्रा प्रपात की संज्ञा दी जाती है और इसका अहसास इस जगह पर आकर ही किया जा सकता है। नर्मदा की लहरों का शोर, उस तेज बहाव के चट्टानों पर टकराने से उठती धुंध और उसकी वजह से बनता एक रहस्मयी आवरण, पल भर में ही आपको सम्मोहित कर देगा।

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Excursion to Bhedaghat

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It was April and temperature had risen to 42 degrees in Bandhavgarh. Traveling to Madhya Pradesh at this time meant burning ourselves in scorching sun. But this was the best time to spot “The Tiger” in the wild. The tiger lover in us overpowered our delicate personalities and we decided to visit Bandhavgarh Wild Life sanctuary to see the Royal cat in his natural habitat.

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Khajuraho : Exotic and Unbelievable

Khajuraho : Exotic and Unbelievable

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It is hard to think that why these marvel of architectures are build here in complete isolation? There is nothing of significant interest or beauty to recommend Khajuraho as a building site and also there is no big population so some big fort nearby. Whatever be the answer the truth is that this isolated location helped preserve it from the vandalism of Muslim invaders. Due to the threat of Afghan invaders, Chandela kings forsook Khajuraho for their forts. Also all the religious activities were abandoned so that this should be kept away from the eyes of invaders. With the passing time forest covered this entire region.

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Panna Tiger Reserve, Pandava Falls and Ken River Lodge

Panna Tiger Reserve, Pandava Falls and Ken River Lodge

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One of the practical benefits that I enjoy most working in News Channel is the man-power available at every nook and corner of the country and that too is very resourceful. Bottom line is that resort as well safari was completely free. Rajasthan has best tourist facility to explore national parks. Solo traveler like me can book his own ticket only and he will get accommodated with others without any pain. But here in Panna one need to hire a complete Gypsy that charges around 3600 for a safari. The same situation is with Kanha that I visited later in this month. With little delay we started our journey at 6:30.

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Vanya Resort in Kanha and Bargi Dam : Jabalpur

Vanya Resort in Kanha and Bargi Dam : Jabalpur

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Courteous staff and very helpful management were ready to offer any possible help to make my stay more pleasurable.  The rooms were spacious and clean. They have nicely maintained dining area and well equipped kitchen. What I liked specially was their finger-licking food.

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Kanha Tiger Reserve: Call of the wild

Kanha Tiger Reserve: Call of the wild

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Like in party after eating every crap we go for some delicious, mouth watering sweets, so here in the similar fashion I am going to present you the king of the forest, the nocturnal, the royal, the BAAP of everyone, when he walks on green carpet peacocks stop dancing, sambhar left their doshas, languor’s stick to their branches and few lucky like us start clicking to their heart content, the tiger.

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The Journey into Madhya Pradesh

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After a few days, its time to explore another Hindi heartland right in the middle of India, Madhya Pradesh. This time I have to go to Ashta and Harda. I take the Samta Express which would arrive in Bhopal in the evening.
Now, in Bhopal, the train is on time and as I get down, I have made better plans this time and have already checked out which hotel I would be checking into. It is a stone’s throw from the railway station but for that you need to get past the shield of Auto Rickshaw Drivers who behave as if they have been sent there by god themselves and will not leave unless death do them apart from you. After using the technique of not looking at them, I check into the hotel and just fall asleep.

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Pachmarhi – In Heaven’s Abode (Trek 2)

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he points in this trek mostly included temple caves and shrines. I was greatly exhilarated because i will be surrounded by mysticism and divinity of Mahadev Shiva for the whole day. Mahadev is a great source of inspiration ,he is a yogi and a warrior bestowed with great powers.
Jatashankar is a cave temple.One has to go deep into the ravine about 200-400 meters with the help of narrow stairways laid down supported by enormous rocks on both sides.These are sedimentary rocks mainly sandstone thus having loose gravel.In simpler words if one throws a sandstone it breaks.

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Pachmarhi – In Heaven’s Abode (Trek 1)

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We started walking carrying our backpacks to our first destination .. towards Pandav Caves .
While walking through the city , which is mainly an Army Cantonment area housing many servicemen, we happened to see a church named “Protestant Church” it was bolted and locked with some buffaloes grazing in the area enclosed within the walls of the church. Probably the church only opened on Sundays for public prayers,sermons and religious meetings.
This magnificent structure reminds one of the British annexation of this region and making it a summer hill resort.By looking at the church its medieval architecture and grandeur can easily be apprehended.
A few minutes walk ahead lead us towards the Pachmarhi lake towards the south surrounded by the Golf Course with local habitation around its pockets.

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Pachmarhi – In Heaven’s Abode (Part 1)

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It was the day before Vijay Dashmi (Dusherra) I along with my companion , butterflies in our stomach , an eject button that one calls ,far away from the hustle bustle of this metro polis,in order to embark on an escapade , boarded the Jabalpur bound train from Delhi in the evening of 5th October 2011 heading towards the thick meadows and lush green washed Satpura Ranges to feel the heavens abode in a place popularly known as the “Queen of The Satpura Mountains” — Pachmarhi.

The train was late by 45 minutes . It started staggering at a snail pace at Jhansi till Itarsi but gained momentum steadily towards the destination.The station had only two platforms occupied by almost all locals,many squatted relaxing & staring at the people ,hurriedly we moved out of the station to find a bunch of taxiwallas encircling us ….. I said we’ll return after visiting the town in a bid to get rid of them.

There was a mad chaos towards the streets with cows and bulls roaming in their most fashionable gait.One can push you very easily with an unapologetic face,throwing a sigh at you saying “bhaiya dekh ke chalo” with a dissenting and relentless tone on all your protests.

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सतपुडा नैरो गेज- बालाघाट से जबलपुर

सतपुडा नैरो गेज- बालाघाट से जबलपुर

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अभी तक आपने पढा होगा कि मैं सतपुडा इलाके में फैले नैरो गेज के जाल को देखने सबसे पहले छिंदवाडा पहुंचा। छिंदवाडा से नैरो गेज की गाडी में बैठकर शाम तक नैनपुर चला गया। अभी मेरे पास एक दिन और था। सोचा कि बालाघाट चला जाऊं, कल बालाघाट से जबलपुर खण्ड भी देख लेंगे। रात तीन बजे तक बालाघाट जा पहुंचे। यहां से पौने चार बजे एक डीएमयू (78810) चलती है गोंदिया के लिये। गोंदिया भी चले गये।

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सतपुडा नैरो गेज- दिल्ली से नैनपुर वाया छिंदवाडा

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अब शुरू होती है नैरो गेज की सवारी। इस सिलसिले में अगर कोई और होता तो वो सीधा जबलपुर जाता। लेकिन इधर ठहरे टेढी खोपडी वाले, छिंदवाडा जा पहुंचे। छिंदवाडा से नैनपुर तक कई गाडियां चलती हैं, सारी की सारी पैसेंजर। मैं साढे बारह बजे चलने वाली गाडी (58853) में जा धरा। यह गाडी शाम को सात बजे नैनपुर पहुंचा देती है। यह इलाका भारत का सबसे व्यस्त और घना नैरो गेज वाला इलाका है। यहां रेल लाइन की शुरूआत 1905 के आसपास हुई थी। यहां सतपुडा की पहाडियों का बोलबाला है। ये पहाडियां इस मार्ग पर सफर को और भी मजेदार बना देती है। आबादी बहुत कम है। हालांकि ट्रेन में भीड बहुत होती है। गाडी की रफ्तार भी कम ही रहती है। लोगों को तेज यातायात उपलब्ध कराने के लिये इस नैरो गेज को उखाडकर ब्रॉड गेज में बदला जायेगा। जबलपुर-बालाघाट खण्ड पर आमान-परिवर्तन का काम शुरू भी हो चुका है।

छिंदवाडा से नैनपुर तक कुल बीस स्टेशन हैं। इनमें छिंदवाडा के बाद सिवनी सबसे बडा स्टेशन है। सिवनी जिला भी है। बीस स्टेशन और उनकी समुद्र तल से ऊंचाई इस प्रकार हैं:

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