Fast Facts
Area: 443,446 sq km
Population: 60.4 million
Capital: Bhopal

Climate:
Summer
(Mar to June) - Warm
Monsoon
(August to September) - Warm
Winter
(November to February)-
Mildly Warm and Pleasant

Clothing:
Summer - Cottons
Winter - woolens.

Languages spoken:
Hindi

Best Time to visit:
September to February

INTRODUCTION:

Madhya Pradesh is India's largest state and the geographical heartland of the country. Most of the state is a high plateau and in summer it can be very dry and hot, but it also has the highest percentage of forest in India, sheltering a wide variety of wildlife including 22% of the world's tiger population.

Virtually all phases of Indian history have left their mark on Madhya Pradesh, historically known as Malwa. There are still many pre-Aryan Gond and Bhil adivasis (tribal people) in the state, but Madhya Pradesh is overwhelmingly Indo-Aryan.Madhya Pradesh is part of what is known as the Hindi belt, a region of northern India inhabited predominantly by Hindus. One of the best things about Madhya Pradesh is its accessibility. Bordered by seven states, it is equally close to major tourist destinations in the north, south, east and west.

 The state of Madhya Pradesh (MP), is unique in its tourism offering being one of the most prominent states of India that is topographically land locked. But the lack of a coastline has not taken away from its charm, because quite evidently Madhya Pradesh’s unique selling point (USP) is its rich and varied forest cover, easily making it one of the most promising eco-tourism products of India. Playing its strength to its advantage, the state has slowly but surely metamorphosised into an internationally recognized and sought after eco-destination.

The department of tourism, government of Madhya Pradesh understands of the importance of tourism and the benefits derived from it are well presented in their eco-tourism policy. This policy was the outcome of the realization that the discerning international tourist has become more demanding and seeks newer and more novel forms of tourism. Eco-tourism and adventure tourism has been the recent focus of the state and has taken precedence over all else.

Madhya Pradesh’s tourism policy announced in 1995 highlighted the importance of eco-tourism as an essential component of tourism growth of the state and subsequently the nation. It ear-marked several eco and adventure tourism projects to be promoted in both the national and international market.

Eco-tourism enables tourists to enjoy nature and see wild life in its natural habitat in quiet and serene surroundings. Adventure tourism on the other hand provides the tourist with a special thrill and feeling of adventure whilst participating in sporting activities in rivers, water bodies and hills and mountains. Madhya Pradesh with its richly endowed natural environment, unexploited so far, has immense potential for such sports. Instead of depending on its limited resources, the state government has decided to open up this sector for private participation for optimum utilisation of these natural resources.

Advantage Eco-Tourism

Madhya Pradesh formulated its first but progressive eco-tourism policy in the year 2001-02. The policy reflects the seriousness of the state to develop and promote eco-tourism zones and circuits. The state’s eco-tourism policy identified areas and a host of districts and regions within its fold for eco-promotions, inviting investments and participation from the private sector. New products and tourist attractions have been developed by the state government to lure the eco-tourist. Attractions such as national parks and wild life sanctuaries and activities like canoeing, trekking, jungle safari, white-water rafting, rock climbing, mountaineering, para sailing, para gliding and hot-air ballooning have risen to the fore. Tour operators, travel agents and different members from the hospitality industry along with several other private investors have been urged to partake in the mission of developing and popularising these forms of tourism.

National Parks and WildLife Sanctuaries

Madhya Pradesh is known for its forest reserves and wildlife sanctuaries and is famous for its national parks. Kanha and Bandhavgarh, arguably India’s most premium tiger sanctuaries, are both housed in this state. The two parks are today being recognised as examples in wildlife preservation and according to nature experts the national parks thoroughly follow the principles of eco-tourism and are committed to maintaining the ecological balance in nature. Focused drives and initiatives have been taken by the state government and the department of forest, government of MP to maintain the region, keeping the basic essence of the forest and its reserves intact. Serious eco friendly measures have been incorporated to protect the reserve.

Special patrol jeeps are being used across the area for movement and travel. Diesel jeeps are completely banned from the area as they have proven to be hazardous to the wildlife in the region. The entire zone has been recognised as pollution free making it conducive for the tigers and other species and wildlife to live in the region.

Special programmes had been designed for the tribals living within the forest limit. They have been given alternate accommodation, being relocated on the periphery of the national park. The primary philosophy and understanding of eco-tourism warrants eco-projects to be ecologically, socially, culturally and economically sustainable. All these fundamentals have been diligently adhered to at both Kanha and Bandhavgarh. The original tribals of the region apart from receiving alternate accommodation facilitates have also been involved in the activities of the forest preservation and protection plan.

Special revenue generating opportunities and schemes have been provided so that the tribals and locals from the region can benefit from the eco tourism developments in the region. They have been involved in the eco-tourism initiatives of the region. Promoting their local handicrafts, providing them with jobs within the forest territories have been some of the methods undertaken to involve the local manpower into eco tourism projects. Conscious efforts have also been made to minimize human intervention in the area. Tourists are also provided with the most appropriate orientation on the region. Maintaining eco-balance is regimental and severe action is taken against those who have gone against the prescribed rules and regulations of the forest.

The state, apart from gaining popularity in the international market due to the two sanctuaries, also receives large sums of foreign exchange. It is recognised as a major revenue spinner due to a number of international tourists visiting the region.

The private sector has also taken conscious efforts in preserving the sanctity of that place. Apart from the accommodation facilities provided by the government, there are a number of private players who have offered living facilities totally in harmony with the eco tourism concepts. Thus apart from traditional eco-tourism examples, new regions and national parks are gaining prominence. Panha National Park, Pench National Park and Satpura National Park are the new kids on the block.

CANOEING SAFARI AND WHITE WATER RAFTING

Special water sports projects based on the eco tourism concept have been ear-marked by the state government for future development. Water sports projects along the Ken river on the periphery on the Panna National Park would be developed soon, which will include activities such as canoeing safari and white water rafting. A crocodile sanctuary on the Ken river is also initiated for further development. Apart from these, a few scenic spots, especially the Rangaun Dam area close to Khajuraho, Rane waterfall, Pandav falls etc in the Panna region are all part of the special projects for eco tourism initiatives. Apart from river Ken, river Narmada, river Tons, river Chambal, river Son have also been identified as special regions for eco tourism initiatives in the region.

Developing Water Sports

Though the state is not blessed with a sea front, water sports have been planned in various districts across the state. Projects that are part of the development plan of the eco tourism policy of the state in the area of water sports are as follows,

• Tawa Project, District Hoshangabad

• Kaliasot Project, District Bhopal

• Halali Project, District Raisen

• Barna Project, District Raisen

• Gandhi Sagar Project, District Mandsaur

• Tigra Project, District Gwalior

• Harsi Project, District Gwalior

• Mohini Sagar Project, District Shivpuri

• Kolar Project, District Sehore

• Rani Avanti Bai Project, District Jabalpur

Rock Climbing and Mountaineering

The state has also identified a few areas suitable for the promotion of eco tourism associated with mountain activities such as rock climbing, mountaineering, trekking etc. Pachmarhi, has been identified as one of the most promising areas for eco tourism promotion in the area of mountaineering. It is one of the most celebrated hill stations of the state girdled in the Satpura range. The region possesses rock paintings in the cave shelters of the Mahadeo hills. Special measures have been identified to preserve the natural highlights of the place. Also popular for its forts, the state has formulated eco tourism measures for fort protection and preservation. Within its latest eco tourism policy, forts such as the Raisen Fort, Gwalior Fort, Narwar Fort, Asirgarh Fort etc have been identified for further development and protection. The Pachmarhi escarpment in the district of Hoshangabad is one of the most ambitious eco tourism initiatives scheduled to be undertaken by the state government.

The state has also set into motion special eco initiatives in the area of rural or village tourism. Special schemes and projects are underway to protect the historical and natural attractions from environmental hazards. Sanchi and Chanderi, regions near the Jabalpur Marble rocks etc have been included under special environment friendly projects. Apart from these, a number of eco-measures have been taken to protect the forest areas, forts and other heritage sites. Investments have been invited from private players in the area of eco tourism. There have been detailed guidelines put into place according to which investments can take place. The state’s heritage tourism policy followed by a proactive eco- tourism policy, has done wonders in boosting tourism into Madhya Pradesh projecting it as one of the must visit destinations of India.

The world Heritage sites:

Khajuraho, the exuberance of Indian spirit represents a paean to life, love, to joy-perfect in execution and sublime in expression. The Khajuraho temples are internationally famous for the erotic sculptures that adorn the walls. Life in every form and mood has been captured in stone, testifying not only to the craftsman’s artistry but also to the extraordinary breadth of vision of the Chandela Rajputs under whose rule the temples were conceived and constructed.

Western Group of Temples

The most prominent structure at Khajuraho is the Kandariya Mahadeo temple, which is the largest soars 31 km high, dedicated to Lord Shiva; the sanctum enshrines a lingam (a phallic symbol, a symbol of energy, fertility and potency).

The amorous couples are most sensuously depicted in the Chaunsath Yogini temple, the only granite temple and the earliest surviving shrine of the group (900 A.D), is dedicated to goddess Kali.

Facing eastwards to the rising sum, Chitragupta temple is dedicated to the Sun God Surya. The image of the deity in the inner sanctum is particularly imposing; five feet high and driving a horse drawn chariot.

A three headed image of Brahma is enshrined in Vishwanath Temple. The approach is equally impressive, with lions flanking the northern and elephants the southern steps that lead up to it.

The lintel over the entrance of beautiful Lakshman Temple shows the trinity of Lords Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva, with Lakshmi, Vishnu’s consort. The finely carved sanctum has a three-headed idol of Vishnu’s incarnations, Narasimha and Varaha.

One of the oldest temple, Matengeswara temple, is dedicated to Lord Shiva and has an eight feet high lingam.

Eastern Group of Temples

The temples in this group can be subdivided into two one being a cluster of Jain temples and another scattered through the small village

Parsvanath Temple is the largest in this group. The temple was initially dedicated to Adinath but the statue was replaced by that of Parsavanath in 1860 A.D.

The Jain temple, Gantai temple, has a frieze, which depicts the 16 dreams of Mahavira’s mother and a Jain goddess on a winged Garuda.

Dedicated to the Jain saint Adinath, Adinath Temple is lavishly embellished with sculpted figures, including Yakshis. The three Hindu temples of the group are the Brahma containing a four-faced linga; the Vamana, which is adorned on its outer walls with carvings of Apsaras in a variety of sensuous attitudes; and the Javari, with a richly carved gateway and exterior sculptors.

Southern Group

This comprises only two temples. A track running south from Jain enclosures reaches the first called Duladeo Temple. It is among the latest built temples at Khajuraho, more accurate, finer and equally graceful, with figures of Mithuna (sexual intercourse) and women in various poses. The other temple is Chaturbhuj Temple which has a three meter image of Vishnu.

 SANCHI -A symbol of great victory of peace over war.
More than 20 centuries ago, young prince Ashoka had married a Vidisha merchant’s daughter when his royal carven on its way to an other town had camped here. Princes and merchant princes in those days had a great need to live in harmony. Eight years after Ashoka ascended the throne, he went to war with and conquered the state of Kalinga. It was a terrible war in which one hundred and fifty thousand persons were carried away captive, one hundred thousand were slain and many times that the number perished. It was at this point of history that the peace began to win over mind and heart of the warriors. Walking across the bloodied field, Ashoka’s ears were assailed with the bellows of wounded horses, the moans of dying men and orphans searching hopelessly in the carnage The miracle had happened then is inscribed in rock Edit X111
" Thus arose his sacred majesty’s remorse for having conquered the Kalingas. Of all the people who were then slain, done to death or carried away captive in Kalinga ,if the hundredth of the thousandth part were to suffer the same fate, it would now be a matter of regret to his Majesty" Emperor Ashoka, in a historical dramatic change of heart, renounced war, turned his back on conquest and embraced that most gentle of religions: Buddhism. From digvijaya, a conqueror of territories, he became a dhamma-vijaya, a conqueror of men’s hearts. And in his quest to proclaim his new faith for the entire world to see, he returned to Vidisha, the town of his loved wife. There, on a wooded knoll, at a short riding distance from the metropolis, he established a spiritual center that was to last for 1300 years. Never before and never since, has peace scored such a great victory over war as in the triumph we know as Sanchi.

The Grand Stupa built by Ashoka at Sanchi is focal point of a 91 –meter-high turf covered and tree-dotted hill and marks an important stage in the evolution of Indian architecture. The great Stupa is 36.5 meters in diameter and rises almost 16.5 meters high.A balustrade encircles the entire structure and provides incarnations as Bodhisattva have provided the principal inspiration for the artistes.

The intricately carved gateways hold the greatest fascination for visitors. Gateways, the four ornamented (torans) built at the cardinal points in front of the entrances were erected around 3.5 B.C by the Satvahana ruler, Satkarni. Each torans consists of two upright pillars nearly 34 feet high. The two richly carved pillars, rise to be crowned by carved lions-the famous Ashoka Lions, now the official seal of India –elephants and dwarfs.

The eastern gateway depicts Buddha’s journey towards enlightenment. It shows the young prince Siddhartha Gautama , leaving his father’s Palace and setting off on his journey to enlightenment.
The western gateway depicts the seven incarnation of the Buddha.
The northern gateway, crowned by a wheel of law, illustrates the miracles associated with the Buddha as told in the Jatakas.
The southern gateway is the oldest and reveals the birth of Gautama in series of dramatically rich carvings. It also depicts the wheel of forth, the first sermon given by the Buddha at Sarnath.

Ashokan Pillar Just to the right of the southern gateway lie the remains of Ashokan pillar erected by Ashoka in the 3^rd century, displaying all the characteristics of such monoliths – exquisite proportion, brilliant polish, succinct instructions. Centuries of exposure to weather has not diminished its metallic glow.

Excursions from Sanchi In the area around Sanchi there are a number of site, some of which are Buddhist.

Vidisha In the 5^th-6^th centuries BC Videsha was an important trade center of the Sunga dynasty where Ashoka was governor in the 3^rd century BC. He married a local princess, establishing his contact with Sanchi. The ruins of Bijamandal Mosque and Gumbaz- Ka Makbara, both dating from the Muslim period with remains of votive pillars nearby. The museum at Vidisha contains some of Bbesnagar’s earliest antiquities.

Udaygiri caves (13 km) Udaygiri caves were produced during the regime of Chandraguta II (382-401). The caves have all distinct features that gave Gupta art its unique vitality, vigour and richness of expression. The beautifully molded capitals, the design of the entrance gateway and the system of continuing the architrave as a string course around the structure.

Besnagar 3 km after crossing the Betwa river. The Heliodorus Pillar, A monolithic free standing column, similar to Asokan pillars but much smaller in size has been dated to 140BC. The inscription states that it was a Garuda pillar erected in owner of Vasudeva by Heliodorus, a resident of Taxila (now in Pak) who had been sent as an envoy to the court of Bhagabhadra . This is a part of the evidence, which shows that relations existed between the Greeks in the Punjab and the kings of this area and that Heliodorus had become a follower of lord Vishnu.

Udaypur 60 km from Udaygari. The colossal Neelkantheswara temple is the center- piece, an outstanding example of 11^th century Paramara architecture.Its beauty lies in its well proportionate and gracefully designed Shikhar (spire) and the delicate carving adorning its sites. Some regard the spire as being unequalled. Built of red stand stone and standing on a high platform the temple consists of garbha-griha (shrine room). A sabha mandap (Hall) and three pravesh mandaps (entrance porches)

Gyaraspur (40 km North East of Sanchi) :-Important place of the medieval period, now lies in ruins, where one can see temples called Athkhambha (Eight Pillars) and Chaukhamba (four pillars) belonging to the 9^th and 10^th centuries A.D. The 10^th century MAHADEV temple on the hill above the village, is the most striking of the remains with the ruins of stupa. The ruins of an 8-pillared temple,"Athakhambe" and a 4 pillared "Chaukhamba" date fro m 9^th and 10^th centuries

 Bhimbetka

…..130 rock shelters….Biggest repository of prehistoric art in India. Continuous habitation from the Early Stone Age…." One of the earliest dwellings of human beings, Bhimbetka will take you back to the history 35000 years old. In fact, the place has witnessed a cultural sequences right from the late stone age to the early historic period. The pre historic caves which are in true sense "the portal to the ancient gallery of Bhimbetka" preserves some fascinating   paintings dating back to Paleolithic times.
They had lived here for one hundred millennium and had created their own stone floors, left behind hand-axes, cleavers, scrapers to remove flesh and fat from the skin of slaughter animals and tiny needles made from hard quartz in all its sharp and colorful forms. Also stone hand mills for grinding grain and nuts and the colored earth called "Ochers".

Stone age artists painted their fears and hopes on rocks, weaving an enchantment that still ensnares us
Over these caves the Stone Age artists painted their hopes and fears, weaving an enchantment that still ensnares us. These specimen, display great vitality and narrative skill. One sees on the weather worn walls, rhinoceros, elephants, horses, as well as domestic animals. There are scenes of domestic bliss-a women with a child or performing household chores, and documentation of a hunt, raid during warfare. One cannot remain immune to the excitement that slowly builds up- a memorable moment in time when our ancestors were taking the leap from animal to human existence-groping cautiously to achieve social organization. Experimenting with community life.  

To really experience the journey back to Stone Age Man one should move around the place gently and examine minutely the whole surroundings because each boulder and every overhanging rock speaks of the magical history.

Barkhera 7 km from Bhimbetka, One of the richest open air Stone Age sites in South Asia. There are thousands of Acheulian tools scattered in the thick teak forest, and fields on the other side of the road. Barkhera was a large camp site of the final Acheulian hunter-gathers. 

National parks:

Kanha National Park:

Mowgli’s Sweet Home: And, Kipling uncle gave me a human shape in my own nature and ecosystem. He named me, Mowgli-- I was lucky that in the most natural habitats of Kanha, with the innocent creatures. I was brought up in the laps of mother Wolves, the avuncular Bhaloo-the bear; my wise mentor Bagheera- the panther; Kaa- the Python; and those rowdy monkeys, the bunder log and Sher Kahn- The tiger

Rudyard Kipling: - British author and Nobel Laureate set his tales of the boy brought up by wolves in the Jungle of Kanha National Park in ’The Jungle Book'. By a special statue in 1955, Kanha national park came into being since then, a series of stringent conservation programmes for the protection of the park’s flora and fauna has given Kanha its deserved reputation for being one of the finest and best     administered national parks in Asia, an irresistible attraction for all wild life lovers a true haven for its animal and avian population. Kanha national park has 22 species of mammals. Those most  easily spotted are TIGER, Indian hare, Indian wild  dog, the Stripped Palm  Squirrel, Common  langur, Jackal, Wild Pig, Chital or Spotless deer, Barasingha or Swamp deer, 
 Sambar and black  Buck.

 Patient watching should reward the visitor, with a sight of Indian Fox, Sloth bear, striped hyena, 
 Jungle cut, Leopard, Mouse Deer, Chausingha or four horned antelope, Nilgai, Ratel and Porcupine

 Avian Species: Kanha National Park has some 200 species of birds. Watchers should station themselves in the hills, where the mixed and bamboo forests harbour many species and in the grassy forest clearings. Water birds can be seen near the park’s many rivulets and at Sarvantal, a pool that is frequented by water birds and the area in front of the museum.

Kanha’s Sal and Bamboo forest, rolling grasslands and meandering stream stretch over the 940 km. The abundance and wild life species in Kanha national park forms the core of the Kanha tiger reserve created in1974 under project tiger. The park is only habitat of the rare hard grounder Barasingha. (Cervus Duvaceli Branderi). In 1930s, the Kanha area was divided into two sanctuaries; Hallon and Banjar of 250kms to 300kms each. Though one of these was subsequently disbanded .The area remained a protected one until 1947. Depletion of the tiger population in the year that followed led to the area being made an absolute sanctuary in 1952.

 Bandhavgarh National Park:

 Known as white tiger country, this is a small National park, compact yet full of game. The forests of Bandhavgarh is most deciduous. The density of tiger population at BANDHAVGARH is the highest known in India

Bandhavgarh is densely populated with other species the great Gaur, or Indian Bison can be seen with ease as they come onto the meadows to
graze at dusk Sambas, Chital, Chinkara, Muntjac, wild pigs and Barking Deer are a common sight and Nilgai and Chinkara are to be seen in the more open areas in the park.

 About Bandhavgarh National Park
It is equally rich in bird life, boasting of over 200 species. The flowering and fruit trees attract woodland birds, which include green pigeon, Jerdon’s leaf bird, crested serpent eagle, and variable hawk eagle.

Prior to becoming a National Park, the forests around Bandhavgarh have been maintained as Shilagarh or game preserve, of the Maharaja of Rewa in 1947. Rewa State was merged with M.P (Madhya Pradesh) Bandhavgarh came under the regulation of M.P.

Covering 448 Sqm, Bandhavgarh is situated in Shadhol district among the outlying hills of Vindhya Range. At the center of the park in Bandhavgarh hill, rising 811 meters above MSL surrounding it a large number of smaller hills separated by gently sloping valleys.

Over the Bandhavgarh hills, dominating the park stands Bandhavgarh Fort on the highest point, thought to be some 2000 years old. Scattered through out park and particularly around the fort are numerous prehistoric caves rich with shrines and ancient Sanskrit inscriptions.  

Pench national park:

 Pench national park is situated in the area of 542.66 Square km. The Park is famous for the elusive tiger, Indian bison, leopard, wild dog and a host of other wildlife and avian species like Chital, Sambar, Nilgai, Deer and Wild Boar

 Ethnic Tourism:

Call them indigenous people, Gonds, Kols, Bhills, Murias, Baigas, Korkus, Kamaras, Marias and Oraons. They have preserved very remarkably their distinct way of life in small isolated communities.

Traditionally, the tribal were semi-nomadic, some living solely off what they could hunt, others relying on shifting cultivation. Most have now been settled, many it would seem as unhappily as the Australian aborigines, country liquor and drug dependency are said to be common among the men. Many cling to their older beliefs, such as buying there dead, rather than burning them according to Hindu tradition. In the last hundred years the Baigas, have been forced to abandon shifting cultivation (the burning of forest strips and sowing of seeds in the ashes, the cultivation of crops for a few years on this land and its abandonment for regeneration) and to move from this axe and hoe agriculture to the plough. Over the centuries, tribal territory has gradually been nibbled away, and every where their way of life is under threat. The Gonds, the largest of the tribes, managed to maintain their independence and retain their so- called ‘primitive’ ways until the last century. From 1200 A D there were as many as 4 Gond Kingdoms .One had an initiation ceremony centered on eating wild orchids. Today one of the biggest threats to the tribal comes from that symbol of modernization, irrigation dams. The proposed building of a succession of dams across the Narmada River in southern MP threatens hundreds of thousands of hectares of tribal forest land. Loud political protests are a feature of the states current politics.

Tribal culture & tradition
Many of the tribal traditions in the state are still vital and strong, although they have been exposed in varying degrees to outside cultural influences. A great deal tribal traditions, especially mythology and folklore, have been preserved, though they have been exposed to out side culture influences. The Pondwani and the Lachmanjati legends are the Gond equivalents of the Mahabharat and Ramayana.

 The Bards of the Gond continue to sing of the legendary deeds of Lingo-pen, the mythical originator of the Gond tribe. All tribe retain myths and legends regarding their origins, and they have songs for the ceremonies of birth and marriage, together with folktales, riddles, and proverbs illustrating their culture heritage. Gonds in Bastar remain perhaps the least in contact with the world outside due to the remoteness and ruggedness of the terrain. The institution of Ghotul at Abujmarh- a dormitory for the unmarried teenagers to live together, select their mate and gain valuable experience to set up their own household-has attracted considerable scholarly attention. Similarly, the Bhagoriya festival at the time of Holi, the festival of colours, in the Jhabua region cannot be compared with any other celebration. Bhil youths indulge in colourful frolic excited by the prospects of meeting their future spouse. If some maiden strikes the prospective groom’s fancy, all he has to do is to offer a betel leaf to the girl. If she accepts, the two elope in the time honoured tradition to set up their house together.

 The marriage can be solemnized subsequently. Incidentally the word bhagoriya may be literally translated as elopers

Hill Stations in Madhya Pradesh:

Pachmarhi is Madhya Pradesh’s only hill station with the definite air of a cantonment town. Nestled in the Mahadeo Range of the Satpura Hills, it is a paradise for trekkers, rock climbers, nature lovers and history freaks. A special mention must be made of the various Shiva temples in the area and the annual festival of Shivaratri which attracts lakhs of devotees and scores of trishuls which are offered to Lord Shiva.
Pachmarhi, like most hill stations and monuments of India, was rediscovered by a British officer, Captain Forsyth, in the year 1857. He obviously realized that the saucer-shaped valley would serve as an excellent retreat in the summer and truly peaceful environment for convalescing British soldiers.
About 210km southeast of Bhopal, this sleepy hill resort stands at an altitude of 1,067m. Though foreign tourists rarely ever make their way to Pachmarhi, a vacation here can be quite rewarding. You could simply drink in the beauty of the landscape etched to perfection with red sandstone hills, sal forests, bamboo clusters, jamun groves, pools and waterfalls. The place is pockmarked with trekking and walking trails that either lead to a waterfall, temple or a cave painting in the Mahadeo Hills