Pachmarhi – Emerald treasure of the Satpura mountains

Pachmarhi is Madhya Pradesh’s most verdant jewel, a place where nature has found exquisite expression in myriad enchanting ways.
Complementing the magnificence of nature are the works of man;  Pachmarhi is also an archaeological treasure-house. In cave shelters in the Mahadeo Hills is an astonishing richness in rock paintings. Most of these have been placed in the period 500-800 AD, but the earliest paintings are an estimated 10,000 years old.
The town has a quiet gentility about it as if Victorian traditions and high collars still governed most people’s lives. Much of this ambience has been set, and is still being maintained, by the strong presence of the Army whose Education Corps is headquartered here. The old cottages, meticulously maintained by the Military Engineering Services, have changed little since the days of Kipling.
Also, all military stations had to have their churches. Two, dating back to the 19th century, still stand in all their gem-like glory. One of them is Christ Church.

Places to enjoy as Traveller

Priyadarshini (Forsyth Point): This vantage viewing point marks the

place from where Pachmarhi was discovered by Captain Forsyth in 1857. The British developed Pachmarhi as a resort and their influence is embodied in its churches and colonial architecture.

Jamuna Prapat (Bee Fall): A spectacular fall in the stream which

provides drinking water to Pachmarhi. The bathing pools above the fall are very popular.

Handi Khoh– A mile long trek from Bee- Falls takes one to Handi Khoh, a horse-shoe shaped ravine, the edge of which drops a sheer 100m into the earth. The valley is rich in medicinal plants.

Apsara Vihar (Fairy Pool): Easily accessible from Jai Stambh, this

fairy pool is an ideal picnic spot for families with small children, since the pool is shallow, deepening only towards the base of the fall. Vanshree Vihar, Tridhara and Irene Pool are the other pools of Pachmarhi.

Rajat Prapat (Big Fall): Those seeking adventure will find it in this ten-minute walk over rocks and boulders from Apsara Vihar to the top of Rajat Prapat, the ‘big fall’.

Irene Pool: This pool was discovered by Irene Bose, wife of Justice Vivian Bose, and named after her. The route upstream leads to a cave, through which the stream goes underground and then over a khud in a series of falls.

Jalawataran (Duchess Falls): The descent is steep and the trek strenuous for almost all of the 4 km to the base of the fall’s first cascade.

Sunder Kund (Saunder’s Pool):

Crossing the stream below Duchess Falls and following a footpath about 2.5 km in a south-westerly direction brings one to a huge rocky pool in the Jambu Dwip stream, an excellent place for swimming.

Mahadeo: The temple at Mahadeo cave is located at the base of the Mahadeo hill, at a distance of 12 km from Pachmarhi town. There is a pool in the temple which has curative properties. About half a kilometer west of the Mahadeo cave is a natural fissure in the rock, that is worshipped by the locals as Gupt Mahadeo or Chhota Mahadeo.

Chhota Mahadeo: Revered as a sacred spot, this is a narrow point in the valley with rocks overhanging a stream and a small spring from which water cascades down.

Chauragarh Temple: Located at an altitude of 1330 m atop the Chauragarh peak, the trek to the Chauragarh temple comprises of 1380 steps. The temple courtyard is stacked with thousands of tridents offered by the devotees. The temple is a half-built modern structure with an idol of Shiva in the sanctum.

has a cemetery attached to it and graves date from 1859, World War I and II.

Christ Church: Built in 1875 by the British, this church is generally regarded as the most beautiful small church in Madhya Pradesh. The Church’s architecture is fascinating; its ‘sanctum- sanctorurn’ has a hemispherical dome on top with its ribs ending with faces of angels. The stained-glass panes adoming the walls and rear of the altar were imported from Europe. They present a gorgeous view as the sun rays pass through them. The nave of the church does not contain even a single pillar for support. The baptismal font is a rare brass piece and the bell is as old as the church and its chimes can be heard from a long distance.

Dhoopgarh: The highest point in the Satpura range, with a magnificent view of the surrounding ranges. A very popular spot for viewing the sunset.

Pandav Caves: Five ancient dwellings excavated in the sand-stone rock in a low hill. Pachmarhi derives its name from these caves which, as the legend goes, once provided shelter to the five Pandav brothers. These caves are now protected monuments.

Tridhara (Piccadily Circus): A popular picnic spot where two streams meet in a junction.

Vanshree Vihar (Pansy Pool): Abeautiful spot on the Denwa stream, cool and shady among trees, ferns and semi-tropical vegetation.

Reechhgarh: A wonderful natural amphitheatre in the rock, approached through a cave- like entrance on the south-side.

Sangam (Fuller’s Khud -Waters Meet): This is the lowest of the picnic spots on the Denwa and offers fairly good bathing pools both below and above the meeting of the waters.

Satpura National Park: Set up in 1981, Satpura National Park is 524 sq km in area. It Pachmarhi’s waterfalls are every tourist’s delight spreads through a dense forest of evergreen sal, teak and bamboo.
The high peaks of Dhoopgarh and Mahadeo, Bor’s legendary teak and bamboo forests, Pachmarh’s fascinating natural beauty of deep valleys, high mountains, rivulets, water falls and Tawa’s vast reservoir combine to give this park unique beauty and breathtaking variety of attractions. The Park is home to the gaur, tiger, leopard, beer, four-homed deer, blue bull and a rich variety of birds

Bison Lodge: Constructed in 1862, the Bison Lodge is the oldest house in Pachmarhi. It now houses a beautiful museum depicting the rich flora and fauna of Pachmarhi.

The Cave Shelters: Some of the best cave shelters and groups of shelters around Pachmarhi are:

Astachal (Monte Rosa): There are four shelters with paintings,

comparatively early linear drawings. Along the northern side of Jambu Dwip valley are some six shelters with many paintings of animals and human figures, including a detailed battle scene.

Harper’s Cave: So named because of one of its paintings – a man seated and playing a harp is close to the Jata Shankar Shrine.

Chieftain’s Cave: Derives its name from a battle scene showing two chieftains on horses.

Dhuandhar Cave: Asteep trail from Apsara Kund takes the visitor to a massive rock shelter, adomed with hundreds of paintings. The Dhuandhar cave houses striking images of daily life of people who populated the land in the past.

Activities to Do

Rock climbing: The best locations for rock climbing are the cliffs near Jata Shankar and Chauragarh hills.

Cycling: The undulating topography of Pachmari offers appealing ground for cycling. Ridding a bi-cycle may be an environmental friendly and healthy way to discover the splendors of the Satpuras. Bi-cycles are readily available at Madhya Pradesh Tourism units.

Important Note: While visiting Pachmarhi’s beautiful spots, please avoid littering. Carry back with you all empty plastic bags and other trash and leave every point as you found it, spotlessly clean.

How to Reach

By Air: The nearest airport is Bhopal (210 km).

By Rail: Pipariya (57 km), on the Mumbai Howrah mainline via Allahabad, is the most convenient railhead.

By Road: Pachmarhi is connected by regular bus services with Bhopal, Hoshangabad, Nagpur, Pipariya and Chhindwara. Taxis are available at Pipariya.

Best Season: Through out the year.