A Panoramic Tour of Madhya Pradesh (MP)

Compilation of Panoramic Photos from Amarkantak, Pachmarhi, Bandhavgarh, Jabalpur, Omkareshwar, Maheshwar. Hanuwantiya and Mandu

Also see: My collection of Panorama Compilation

Panoramic photography is a technique of photography, using specialized equipment or software, that captures images with elongated fields of view. It is sometimes known as wide format photography. Panorama photos are normally shot by stitching  series of photos with sightly overlapping fields to create a panoramic image.

This blog post contains panoramic photos from Amarkantak, Pachmarhi, Bandhavgarh, Jabalpur, Omkareswar, Maheshwar, Hanuwantia (Jal Mahotsav) and Mandu of Madhya Pradesh (MP).

Amarkantak

Amazing mix of old and new temples

Amarkantak, the source of the Rivers Narmada and Son, is a important pilgrimage for for both Hindus and Jains.

Narmada Kund Temple, Amarkantak, Madhya Pradesh (MP)

No wonder Amarkantak has innumerable temples and still newer ones are being constucted. Thus the ancient pilgrimage offers an interesting mix of old and new temples.

The source of the Narmada houses a Narmada Kund Temple Complex. The complex consists of several temples centred round a kund (water body).

Ancient Temples of Kalachuri Period, Amarkantak, Madhya Pradesh (MP)

Just behind the Narmada Kund Temple Complex is a complex of complex of ancient temples. According to the legend Shankaracharya built the Surya Kund to mark the origin of Narmada and installed the idol of Shiva in Pataleshwar in Amarkantak in 8th century CE.

However the Pateleshwar Temple was constructed much later during the reign of Maharaja Karnadeva (1041–1073 AD) of Kalchuri dynasty. Today the Kalchuri Temple Complex contains several temples spread over a large complex and is maintained by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).

Bandhavgarh National Park

Amazing landscape of the tiger land

Bandhavgarh National Park, with the highest density of tiger population in India, is famous for its tiger spotting. The Bandhavgarh also has an amazing landscape and the park is centred around a hillock of the same name.

Bandhavgarh Hillock, Bandhavgarh National Park, Madhya Pradesh (MP)

The Bandhavgarh Hillock rises of a height of 811 meters and is crowned with a fort. According to legend the Fort was built by Lord Rama and given to his brother Lakshman to keep a watch on Lanka. Hence form brother’s fort the name Bandhavgarh. There are no valid records about the history of the fort.

Pachmarhi

Beyond the days of the British Raj

Pachmarhi, the a hill station on the Satpura Range has been a cantonment town since the days of the British Raj. It is often referred to as the “Queen of Satpura.”

Pandava Caves, Pachmarhi, Madhya Pradesh (MP)

The history of Pachmarhi, dates far beyond the days of the British. The word Pachmarhi, literally translate into five caves. Legends say that the caves were built by the Pandava Brothers of Mahabharata during their fourteen years of exile.

The Pandava Caves exists to this day and are a protected monument under the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). The massive caves curved out of a hillock offers a grand view of the Pachmarhi town.

Marble Rocks and Dhuandhar Falls

Amazing creation of Nature

Just south of Jabalpur, the Narmada plunges through a 10 meter fall creating the magnificent Dhuandhar Falls.  Dhuandhar literally means misty falls and the water sprays coming out of the gallons of falling water really creates a misty environment.

Dhuandhar Waterfall, Bhedaghat, Jabalpur. Madhya Pradesh (MP)

After the massive fall the Narmada makes her way through the towering lime stone cliffs of the Marble Rocks.

Marblerocks Panorama, Bhedaghat, Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh (MP)

The Dhuandhar Fall is best viewed from the couple of viewing platforms, which are located just next to the thundering fall. Also a ropeway offers a magnificent bird’s eye view of the Dhuandhar Falls.

Marble Rocks Panorama, Bhedaghat, Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh (MP)

There are even structures representing the three monkeys of Gandhi ji or the Hindu trinity of Bramha, Vishnu and Maheshwara, but one needs a lot of imagination to visualize these figures.

The boat makes it way through the Bandar Kodini (Monkey’s Leap) and terminates just before the small water fall.

Omkareshwar

Om shaped island at the middle of Narmada

Omkareswar, an om (ॐ) shaped island located at the confluence of Narmada and Kaveri, is an important pilgrimage centre in Madhya Pradesh (MP).

South bank of Narmada, as viewed from the Omkareshwar Mahadev Temple

The Island and the banks on both sides of the Narmada and Kaveri houses several temples but the Mahadev Temple in the Omkareswar Island houses the holy Jyotirlingas. There are only 11 other Jyotirlingas. (Also see: Omkareshwar, Narmada River Boating)

Maheshwar

In the stronghold of Queen Ahilyabai

Maheshwar, located on the banks of the river Narmada, the pilgrimage centre of Madhya Prasdesh (MP) still leaves in the shadows of Queen Ahilyabai.

Ahilya Fort, Maheshwar, from the banks of Narmada

Today a flight of stairs leads from the ghats of Narmada to a massive walled complex of the Ahilya Fort, which contains an interesting cenotaph of Vithoji Rao Holkar. (Also see: Cenotaph Complex, Maheshwar Fort and Rajwada, abode of Ahilya Bai)

 Hanuwantia (Jal Mahotsov)

A Paradise of Adventure Lovers

Hanuwantiya (or Hanumantiya) is the latest addition to the tourist map of Madhya Pradesh. Hanuwantiya is located on the banks of the Indira Sagar, a huge artificial water body formed by damming the Narmada.

Cottages at the Hanuwantiya Tourist Complex

A small tourist complex have been set up at the banks of the lake. The tourist complex was the host to the Jal Mahotsav during 11 – 21 Feb. 2016.

Tented Complex Hanuwantiya, viewed from a hot air balloon, Jal Mahotsav

A whole tented complex was set up for the Jal Mahotsav and the festival focused on adventure activities like Para Motoring, Hot Air Ballooning, Para Sailing, Zorbing, etc.

Mandu

Where time strands still

Mandu, known as the City of Joy or the Celebration in Stone, it has been a stronghold of medieval rulers during the 14th – 16th century.

Mandu Royal Palace and Jal Mahal from Jahaz Mahal, Mandu

Perched on a rocky spur on the Vindhyan Range the citadel of Mandu have enchanted travellers for centuries.

Royal Palace and Jahaz Mahal from Jal Mahal, Mandu

During this period the Malwa sultans have built royal palaces, exquisite tombs and magnificent mosques.

Darya Khan’s Tomb Complex

Even today the visitor in Mandu is enchanted by the legend of the poet prince Baz Bhadur and her beautiful consort Roopmati.

Kapoor Talao from Jahaz Mahal

The ruins of Mandu are broadly classified under four groups, namely Royal Group, Central Group, Darya Khan Group and Sagar Talao Group. Apart from these there are several other ruined structures scattered all over Mandu.

Note:

• This is a compilation post and would be updated from time to time.

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