Madhya Pradesh

1. Marble Rocks and Dhundhar Falls, Bhedaghat, Jabalpur, MP:

Narmada River originates at Amarkantak, in Western Madhya Pradesh (MP) and flows eastwards through a rocky terrain. Just South of Jabalpur the Narmada makes a mighty plunge (Dhundhar Falls)and makes its way to the narrow gorges of towering limestone cliffs (Marble Rocks) , an awesome spectacle of nature. Read more…

2. A Panoramic Tour of Madhya Pradesh (MP):

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 post contains photos from Amarkanthak, Jabalpur, Pachmarhi and Bandhavgarh. Read more…

3. Forgotten Milestone, Piparia, Madhya Pradesh (MP):

Located at a tri-junction and next to the MPTDC Tourist Lodge in Piparia, the mile stone has inscriptions on three of the four faces. The inscriptions are on arched marbele plaques and record distance in miles and heights in feats. The milestone looks more like a miniature temple and has inscriptions on three side. The inscription is on arched marble plaques. Two sides contains distances in miles from nearby destinations. The third side contains names of places along with their altitude in feet. Read more…

4. Chausath Yogini Temple, Jabalpur:

“Yogini” represents both a female master practitioner of Yoga, and a formal term of respect for a category of modern female spiritual teachers (in both Hinduism and Buddhism) in eastern countries such as India, Nepal, and Tibet. The Chausath Yogini Temple located on a hill top next to the famous Dhundhar Falls in Bhedagaht, near Jabalpur, is the largest Yogini Temple in India. It consists of a circular structure of inner diameter 116 feet and outer diameter 131 feet. Read more…

5. Jal Mahotsav, Hanuwantiya (Hanumantiya):

Madhya Pradesh State Tourism Development Corporation (MPSTDC) in order to boost tourism in Madhya Pradesh (MP) organized the first ever water festival in the country Jal Maotsav. The 10 day long Jal Mahotsav began on 11 Feb. 2016 and was held at Hanuwantiya (or Hanumantiya), in Khandwa district. Hanuwantiya is a small village on the banks of Indira Sagar of one the largest lakes created by damming the Narmada River. Read more…

6. Mandu, a ruined citadel at the heart of Incredible India:

The citadel of Mandu is perched on upon a rocky outspur of the Vindhya Range, at an altitude of 634 m. It is separated from the main Malawa Plateau by a deep ravine Kakra Khoh, which runs on the eastern, northern and southern sides of the Mandu hill. To southern slopes of the Mandu hill has a 305 m incline and merges to the Nimar plain, which is fed by the mighty Narmada River. Thus Mandu, with its natural fortification and amazing beauty have been the favorite citadel of many a ruler for over a period spanning over a thousand year. Today Mandu is a leading tourist spot in the Dhar district of Madhya Pradesh (MP) and attracts tourist from far and wide throughout the year. Read more…

7. Baobab Juice, the taste of Africa in the heart of Indescribable India:

Baobab (genus Adansonia), popularly known as the upside down tree, is a native of Africa but grows abundantly in the Mandu region of Madhya Pradesh (MP). Baobab was probably introduced in the Indian sub continent, quiet likely by Arab traders, in ancient time. The Baobab bears giant fruit, shaped like a elongated coconut with a velvety shell. In Mandu it is called Mandu ka Imli. In Mandu during the summer season, the seeds and the dried pulp of the Baobab fruit are used to make a delightful sour refreshing drink. Read more…

8. Ancient Temples of Kalachuri Period:

Amarkantak, often refereed to as Tirtharaj or King of Pilgrimage is situated at an altitude of 1000 m in Anuppur district of Madhya Pradesh (MP). Amarkantak is located at the junction of the three central Indian ranges of Vindhyas, Satpuras and Maikal. The mighty rivers of Sone and Narmada originate from Amarkantak. The only old structures in the ancient pilgrimage of Amarkantak are the Ancient Temples of the Kalachuri Period, located bang opposite the Narmada Udgam Temple complex. Read more…

9. Central Group (or Village Group), Mandu:

The Central Group or the Village Group is located at the very centre of the Citadel of Mandu. Today the area serves as the main market and bus stop for Mandu and there are several hotels in the vicinity. Thus the Central Group can well be the launch pad for exploration of Mandu. The Central Group consists of four monuments. They are Jami Masjid, Hoshang Shah’s Tomb, Ashrafi Mahal and Mahmud Khalji’s Tomb. Read more…

10. Cenotaph Complex, Maheshwar Fort, Maheshwar:

The massive Maheshwar Fort stands on hill overlooking the Narmada River on the south. The stupendous walls of the Maheshwar Fort rises straight out of the Narmada River to a height of more than 30 meters.The Maheshwar fort is approached from the Narmada River (boats are available) through a massive arched gateway, approached by a long flight of stairs.  On the top of the gateway are sculptured figures of musicians. The gateway leads to a open courtyard housing a couple of memorials or cenotaphs of the members of the Holkar family. Read more…

11. Darya Khan’s Group, Mandu:

Darya Khan’s Group is a small group of monuments located south of the Central Group and north of Sagar Talao Group. Apart from the Darya Khan’s Tomb, the Darys Khan’s Tomb complex contains another unknown tomb, a mosque and a sarai (inn). The two other structure in the group are Hati Paga Mahal and Roja ki Makbar. Read more…

12. Rewa Kund Group, Mandu:

The Rewa Kund Group, consisting of Rewa Kund, Baz Bahadur’s Palace and Roopmati’s Pavilion is located at the southern end of the Citadel of Mandu in Madhya Pradesh (MP). The most enchanting and romantic of the Mandu groups is the Rewa Kund Group. It stills speaks of the legend of Baz Bahadur and his consort Roopmati. The stories of the love affair of Baz Bahadur and Roopmati make up some of the most enchanting folk lores of Mandu. Numerous ballads and legends were spun and weaved glorifying their eternal love affair. Even today the balladeers of Malawa still sing of the immortal romance of Baz Bahadur and Roopmati. Read more…

13. Abode of Ahila Bai Rajwada, Maheshwar Fort:

Ahilya Bai, was the daughter in law of Malhar Rao Holkar, the founder of Hindu Maratha dynasty of Holkar, who ruled central India from Indore. Ahilya Bai was born in 1725 in the village of Chondi in Ahmednagar district of Maharashtra. Her father was Mankoji Shinde, a village chief. Unusual for the time he tought her daughter to read and write. Ahilya Bai become a widow in 1754, when her husband Malhar Rao Holkar, died during the siege of Kumbher. She ruled ably for 28 years and even led the army in many a successful battle. Rajwada complex in Mahehswar Fort houses a small museum dedicated to the great queen Ahilla Bai. Read more…

14. Sagar Talao Group, Mandu:

Sagar Talao is the largest lake in the citadel of Mandu. It is located on the southern part of Mandu and along its eastern banks are several monuments, which are clubbed together as the Sagar Talao Group. If you are staying in the Malaw Resort, run by the MPTDC, then the best way of exploring the Sagar Talao Group is on foot. Take an early morning wwaalk to explore the Malik Mughith’s Mosque, Caravan Sarai, Dai ka Mahal, Dai ki chhoti Bahan ka Mahal and an unknown tomb. Read more…

15. Jahaaz Mahal, Royal Enclave, Mandu:

The building, which best captures the medieval romance of Mandu is Jahaz Mahal, it serves as a icon of Mandu. Jahaz Mahal is located in the Royal Enclave, which is situated in the northern part of the Citadel of Mandu. An elongated building measuring 110 meters in length and only 15 meters in breadth it stands on a narrow stretch of land with two water bodies on either side, thus giving it a ship like appearance, hence the name Jahaz Mahal or Ship Palace. Built during the reign of Ghiyathuddin Khalji (1469 – 1500) the double storeyed of Jahaz Mahal tower to a height of 9.7 meters. Read more…

16. Omkareshwar, Narmada River Boating:

Omkareswar is an island on the middle of Omkareshwar and houses one of the 12 Jyotirlingas. It is an important stopover during the Narmada Parikrama, a pilgrimage consisting of a arduous trek along the bank of the Narmada River. The best way to explore the island of Omkareshwaris by boat. The boat takes one along the southern edge of the island past the numerous ghats, on both the island and mainland and beneath the two bridges. Read more…