Among
the few exceptions is Panchmarhi in Madhya Pradesh. It is not on the
usual beat of hill station buffs and therefore, thankfully, not
over-developed. Though considered the state’s 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.
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 Shvia is believed to have hidden himself from the
demon king Bhasmasur.
There’s more to the legend
than this, but that would from another story. 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. Recently, botanists examining
the area have reported the evidence of the existence of plants
normally found beside large expanses of water. This gives part of
the myth credence.
Pachmarhi has a somewhat fateful
history. The year that Rani of Jhansi and her Maratha soldiers
declared Mutiny, a rather prosaic English officer who had a way with
words, was sent to the dense Satpura jungles to quell a rebellion.
After walking for 17 miles, Captain Forsyth of the Bengal Lancers
found himself 2000 feet above the sea and a saucer-shaped plateau
spread out before him. The vegetation had changed. The dry yellow
grass and naked tree stems had given way to dense green undergrowth,
moist banks of streams were covered with ferns and mosses and clear
brooks refreshed the tired troops.
Attractions to
Visit
- Jamuna Prapat
- Handi Khoh
- Jatashankar
- Pandav Caves
- Christ Church
- Satpura National Park
How to Reach
- By Air
The nearest airport is Bhopal (195 km),
which is connected by regular flights to Delhi, Gwalior, Indore
and Bombay.
- By Rail
Pipariya (47 km), on the Bombay–Howrah
mainline via Allahabad, is the most convenient railhead. From
Pipariya, there are frequent buses for Bhopal.
- By Road
Pachmarhi is connected by regular bus
services to Bhopal, Hoshangabad, Nagpur, Pipariya and Chindwara.
M.P. Tourism as well private operators ply buses from Pachmarhi
to the places listed above. Taxis can also be hired for this
journey.
