Pachmarhi is Madhya Pradesh's most verdant jewel, a place where nature has found exquisite expression in myriad enchanting ways. Green shades embrace the mountains, and everywhere is heard the gentle murmur of flowing water. Bridle paths lead into tranquil forest glades, groves of wild bamboo and jamun, dense sal forests and delicate bamboo thickets.

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 year was 1857 when Captain James Forsyth of the Bengal Lancers was galloping hard up the Satpura ranges. He chanced upon this saucer -shaped valley and recommended its development as a sanatorium. Churches and cemetries bring back memories of the colonial past of Pachmarhi which has managed to escape reckless plunder suffered by other hill stations of India .

Places to visit

Catholic Church
Built in 1892 by the British, the Catholic Church is a blend of French and Irish architecture. Its Belgium stained-glass win-dows add rare attraction and beauty to the building. The Church has a cemetery attached to it and graves date from 1859, World War I and II.

Christ Church
Build 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-sanctorum' has a hemispherical dome on top with its ribs ending with faces of angels. The stained-glass panes adoring the walls and rear of the altar were imported from Europe. They present a gorgeous view as sun rays pass.

Priyadarshini Point
This vantage viewing point marks the place from where Pachmarhi was discovered. In 1857 Tis Capfrain Forsyth a Bengal Lancer , Approached the plateau at the head of a column of troops. At this point (originally name' after him), he first glimpsed the extraordinary beauty of this aucer-shaped scenic spot. Acting on Forsyth's information the British developed Pachmarhi as a sanatorium and his resort and even today, their legacy remains, embodied Pachmarhi's church and colonial architecture.

Apsara Vibaii
A lovely little bathing pool, and easily accessible from Jai Stambh, this 'fairy pool' is an idea. Picnic spot for families with children, as the pool is shallow. Deepening only towards the base of the fall which cascade gently into its waters.

Rajat Pratap
Those seeking adventure will find it in this ten-minute walk over rocks and boulders from Apsara Vihar to the top of Rajat Pratap, the 'big fall'. A thrilling experience is looking straight down to the bottom of the fall which plunges down a 350-foot-high precipice.

Raj Giri : Also known as Club Hill, this is a short, easy climb from Pachmarhi Club to a 300-feet-high spot from where you get a panoramic view of Pachmarhi.

Jalawataran (Duchess Fall)
3 km along the path fromBelle View, branching off from the milestone for Bhrant Neer, is a route to the beautiful Duchess Fall. The descent is steep and the trek a strenuous one for almost all of the 4 km walk to the base of the first cascade of the fall. This waterfall, which tumbles down in three distinct cascades, is the most picturesque of all Pachmarhi's falls.

Lanjee Giri
This hill can be scaled from both east and west. For the rock-climbing enthusiast, there are some easy scalings to be done near the summit. Near the western summit is an underground passage leading down the northern face.

Sunder Kund (Saunder's Pool)
Crossing the stream below Duchess Fall and following a footpath about 2.5 km in a south-west direction, brings one to a huge rocky pool in the Jambu Dwip stream. This is an excellent place for swimming.

Jata Shankar
A sacred cave under a mass of loose boulders in which the Jambu Dwip stream has its sources. It is said that Lord Mahadeo reached the place by tunnel from Tilak Sindur to save himself from the demon-king

Handi Klioh
Pachmarhi's most impressive ravine has 300-feet-high precipice and dramatically steep sides. A solitary place, with water flowing far, far below with an inces sant murmuring sound, Handi Khoh's overhanging crag shelter gigantic, undisturbed, beehives.

Irene Pool
This pretty pool was discovered by Irene Bose, wife of Justice Vivian Bose, and named after her. The approach to this bathing spot is from the car stop to Reech Garh, The route upstream leads to a cave, through which the stream goes underground and then over a khud in a series of falls.

Jata Shankar
A sacred cave under a mass of loose boulders in which the Jambu Dwipstream has its sources. It is said that Lord Mahadeo reached the place by tunnel from Tilak Sindur to save himself from the demon-king Bhasmasur. A rocky formation of this place resembles the matted locks of Lord Shiva, hence the name.

Chauragarh Four km from Mahadeo, it is one of Satpura's prominent landmarks, the summit crowned with emblems of Mahadeo worship.

Dhupgarh The highest point in the Satpura range, it commands a magnificent view of the surrounding ranges.

Caves
Pandav Caves are the famous caves from which Pachmarhi takes its name. According to popular belief, the Pandav brothers spent a part of their exile here. The Hearer'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. Another painting depicts women and a child sitting in a hut. A terrace that runs the length of the south, south-east and east faces of Kites Crag has some fine cave paintings,most of which are in white or outlined in red. Several animals and birds are depicted.

Access

Air: The nearest airport is Bhopal (195 km), connected by regular flights with Delhi, Gwalior, Indore and Mumbai.

Rail: Pipariya (47 km), on the Mumbai-Howrah main hue via Allahabad, is the most convenient railhead.

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

Best Season : Throughout the year.