Marble Rocks at Bhedaghat

Soaring in glittering splendour, the Marble Rocks at Bhedaghat rise to a hundred feet on either side of the Narmada. The serene loveliness of the scene is one of cool quiet, the sunlight sparkling on the marble-white pinnacles and casting dappled shadows on the pellucid waters. These white rocks with views of black and dark green volcanic seams are truly majestic, and produce a magical effect on moonlit nights

The holy river flows by tranquilly flanked by the towering cliffs which reflect in it like a mirror the changing moods of nature. A little distance away, it becomes turbulent as it plunges in a mighty water fall known as Dhuandhar.

In his Highlands of Central India Captain J. Forsyth speaks eloquently about the infinitely varied beauty of the rocks :

"the eye never wearies of the . . . effect produced by the broken and reflected sunlight, now glancing from a pinnacle of snow-white marble reared against the deep blue of the sky as from a point of silver, touching here and there with bright lights the prominence of the middle heights and again losing itself in the soft bluish grays of their recesses. . .
Here and there the white saccharine limestone is seamed by veins of dark green or black volcanic rock; a contrast which only enhances like a setting of jet, the purity of the surrounding marble."

Places to visit

Marble Rocks
The perpendicular magnesium limestone rocks fringe the crystal clear placid waters of the Narmada providing a fascinating site. Boating facilities are available between November-May. Boating on a moonlit night, when the whole stretch of water is transformed into a sheet of liquid silver is absolutely magical. In the narrow channel of the mighty river, there is a place approached so closely from the opposite banks that the local people have aptly named it the "Monkey's Leap" .

Dhuandhar Falls
The Narmada, making its way through the Marble Rock,s narrows down and then plunges in a waterfall known as Dhuandhar or the smoke casade. So powerful is the plunge that its roar is heard from a far distance. The falls and the breaking of the volume of water at the crest present an awesome spectacle of Nature's power unleashed.

Chausat Yogini Temple
Situated atop a hillock and approached by a long flight of steps, the Chusat Yogini Temple commands a singularly beautiful view of the Narmada flowing through the jagged Marble Rocks. Dedicated to goddess Durga, this 10th century temple has exquisitely carved stone figures of deities belonging to the kalchuri period. According to a local legend, this ancient temple is connected to the Gond Queen Durgavati's palace through an underground passage.

Soapstone Artefacts

The soapstone revealed by the Narmada provides occupation to families of carvers of gods and goddesses, lingas, crosses, madonnas, ashtrays and trinket boxes.

Access

By Air : Jabalpur (23 km) is the nearest airport.

By Rail : Jabalpur, on the Mumbai-Howrah via Allahabad main line, is the main railhead. All mail, express and passenger trains halt here.

By Road : Frequent buses, tempos and taxis are available from Jabalpur