Known as the cultural capital of Madhya Pradesh, Jabalpur is one of the most important as well as developed cities in Madhya Pradesh. From the quiet waters of river Narmada to the 100 feet tall astonishing marble mountains, Jabalpur can surely fulfill the demands of any wanderer. But that’s not it! Jabalpur boasts of great history as well and so it also offers a sneak-peek into India’s heritage with the help of many historically significant tourist attractions.
Pack your bags and plan your trip to Jabalpur as soon as possible and we will help you to decide where to visit. Want to know what else this city can offer you? Let’s walk through places to see in Jabalpur with this article.
River and marble mountains together obviously make for a terrific combination. And Bhedaghat in Jabalpur is famous for the exact combination. 100 feet high marble mountains standing on either side of the river Narmada is what Bhedaghat offers to you. These glittering white rocks with black and dark green volcanic marks offer a splendid experience when the moonlight strikes them. For those who love adventures, boating takes place from November to May every year. A ropeway is also there to help you enjoy exhilarating moments with enchanting views of nature. Visit Bhedaghat to enjoy a scenic view of nature along with cascading waterfalls. Another place to visit near Bhedaghat is Chausath Yogini Temple which is dedicated to Goddess Durga and is among the sacred places to see in Jabalpur. The temple has carvings of 64 yoginis, who are female attendants of Goddess Durga. The temple also has beautiful collectives of the deities of the Kalchuri period.
Also known as the “Smoke Cascade”, Dhuandhar falls is a 30 m high waterfall in Jabalpur. The tranquil waterfall is one of the most visited tourist attractions in Jabalpur. River Narmada when crosses through the marble mountains, narrows down and forcefully plunges into a waterfall and creates a mass of mist that seems like smoke or dhuan, and so the waterfall is named as Dhuandhar. As the plunges are powerful, the roar can be heard from far off places as well. No matter what the season or weather is, you’ll always find the waterfall attractive. If you are lucky, you might also witness a beautiful rainbow across the falling water. The view is so astonishing that people from all around the world flock here to spend weekends near the waterfalls. The falls are around 30.5 km to the west of Jabalpur and can easily be reached via any transportation medium.
Madan Mahal Fort bears testimony of the ancient rulers of Jabalpur. Located atop a hill, the fort was built by Raja Madan Singh during the 11th century AD. The fort also depicts the aura of his mother, Rani Durgavati. Though currently in ruins, the fort speaks a lot about the local people and their lives in the bygone era. The biggest attractions of the fort are the pleasure chamber of the royal family, a small reservoir, war rooms, and stables. Recently, the fort has been named amongst the most intriguing ancient monuments in India. The fort is located in the South-Western part of Jabalpur and offers a panoramic view of the countryside around it. If you visit Jabalpur, this fort is a must-visit.
Want to see how nature can play tricks? The Balancing Rock in Jabalpur is the perfect example of it. Located at the base of Madan Mahal Fort, the place is 6 km away from Jabalpur railway station, near Shaliparna. There are several interesting facts related to the topography of the balancing rock. The city is covered with low and rocky barren hillocks because of the volcanic eruption that might have happened years ago. And the balancing rock is a rock that is balancing over another rock. The most amazing fact is the balancing rock has sustained an earthquake of 6.2 on the Richter scale and still didn’t move. The place doesn’t only attract the eyeballs of globetrotters but it also attracts several geologists who wish to understand how the rock has been balancing itself for so long. It is one of the most famous tourist attractions in Jabalpur.
Situated 15 km from the Jabalpur railway station, the Sangram Sagar Lake is one of the most attractive places to see in Jabalpur. The lake is located near the fort Bajnamath. The fort was built by an ancient king named Sangram Shah and is popular for its medieval architecture. The king was one of the most renowned rulers from the Gond Dynasty and has built several other historical masterpieces. The lake is also well known for its large number of different aquatic creatures. Some of the most popular creatures found here include pin-tailed ducks, migratory birds from the central part of western Asia, coots and red-perched pilchards. If you’re looking for a place to spend your weekend away from the city lights, visiting the lakeside for a picnic might help you. The lake is easily accessible too.
The Dumna Nature Reserve Park is an ecotourism spot that has huge forest area along with several animals. The place is also known for a dam. The park can be visited either by foot or a toy train that is especially reserved for children and runs inside the reserve. There are several activities that can make your trip more exciting like bird watching, fishing or just walking around the forest. You can spot many animals like deer, jackal, monkey, porcupine, wild boar, and chitals around the forest area. Apart from all these activities, the dam also offers an intriguing view and boating facilities. You can easily spend your holidays here with your family. The park is nearly 10 km from the Jabalpur City Centre and can be reached easily. The entrance fee is Rs. 20 per person and Rs. 25 per person, if you are taking the toy train.
Located in Gwarighat, the Gurdwara is a famously stepped embankment on the banks of Narmada in Jabalpur. The Gurdwara is located atop a small hill and offers a splendid view of the entire Gwarighat. People can visit this place via local boats. The best time to visit this place is during Gurpurab of Hola Mahlla (Holi) and the birth anniversary of Guru Amardas Ji. During these festivals, you can witness great enthusiasm amongst the Sikhs living here. It is one of the most important tourist attractions for Sikhs in the entire Madhya Pradesh.
Built on River Narmada, Bargi Dam was amongst the first 30 completed dams on the holy river. The dam is named after the nearby village and basically serves three main purposes that are- irrigation, power generation and of course tourism. The state government has tried to make it as attractive as possible by constructing several infrastructures, and by providing sports-related facilities. Other activities around the dam include sightseeing, camping, and a full day trekking near the dam for adventure lovers. The dam is located at a distance of 40km from Jabalpur. The closest railhead is also that of Jabalpur. You can easily book a cab or use public transport to visit the place.
Kachnar City is also called Vijayanagar and is known as the “Pride of the Jabalpur”. Kachnar city is popular because of its tourist attractions and religious destinations. The biggest attraction here is the statue of Lord Shiva which was built in 2004 and was made public in 2006. With a height of 76 feet, the statue is the tallest statue of Lord Shiva in India. There is also a statue of Nandi in front of Lord Shiva statue. Other attractions include the morning and evening Aarti that occurs every day and attract several devotees. The temple also has idols of other Hindu Gods and Goddesses like Ganesha and Saptarishi. The best time to visit the place is during the celebrations of Mahashivaratri and Makarsankranti. During these days, thousands of devotees come here and celebrate the auspicious occasion together.
Built-in 1686 and renovated in the 19th century, the Hanumantal Jain Mandir is one of the most famous places to see in Jabalpur for Jains. The place has great spiritual and historical prominence that attracts the attention of several tourists every year. The main complex of the temple encompasses a series of temples. The biggest asset of the place is the lake in the complex and Hanuman Tal. It is the largest independent Jain temple in entire India and is the main temple in Jabalpur. You can easily use any transportation medium to reach the temple. Also, several eateries are there around the area.
Located on the Bhedaghat road and in village Tewar, Tripur Sundari is around 12 km from the city of Jabalpur. The sacred temple was built during the 11th century by the Kalchuri dynasty. The temple is visited by thousands of Hindu devotees. It also has a huge market area on either side of the road. The thing that makes this temple so special is the idol of Goddess Durga that is said to have emerged from the ground and there are many myths associated with the idol. In addition, the scenic view around the temple also attracts visitors. There are many public means of transport and private transport facilities available for those who wish to visit the temple.
Situated atop the hills, this 10th century Chausath Yogini Temple is a glowing example of ancient architecture. Circular in shape with a diameter of 125-feet, the temple attracts worshippers in abundance. Images placed on its pedestals can be associated to three different periods – a particular type of images belongs to the Kushana Period, the other to post-Gupta Period, and the third set belongs to Kalachuri style that existed between 10th century and 13thcentury. Also, one needs to climb a whopping 108steep steps to reach the temple.
Chausath means the digit sixty-four in English and the name has a direct relation to the structure of the temple. There are exactly 64 carved figures of Yoginis, each one in her own designated shrine, skirting the interiors of the circular premises of the temple. As a bonus, the panoramic view of the mighty Narmada from the high open courtyard presents to you an endearing scene to be captured in the camera as well as to be remembered in the mind.
Once you reach the premises of the temple, you will realize the immense significance of the Yoga tantric beliefs. This is also the only place where you will find the grandest couple of Hindu mythology, Lord Shiva and his consort Goddess Parvati riding the symbolic Nandi Bull. The idols of Shiv-Parvati stand in the Gauri-Shankar Temple, which is in the centre of the temple. This is believed to have been built at a later time than the original temple with Yoginis.
From temples to marble mountains to lakes and dams, Jabalpur has a lot to offer to the discerning tourist. So, make sure you boom your stay in advance and plan a trip when the weather is pleasant.
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