It is a major administrative and educational center. The spacious cantonment area is dotted with an unusual number of Christian schools, colleges, churches, and colonial residences. Jabalpur was the pleasure resort and capital of Gond Kings during the 12th century and was later the seat of the Kalchuri dynasty.

The main attractions are – Madan Mahal Fort, Sangram Sagar, and Bajnamath and Rani Durgavati Memorial and Museum.

Around Jabalpur

Marble Rocks, Bhedaghat (23 kms.)

The magnificent marble rocks soaring in glittering splendor rise to a hundred feet on either side of the Narmada river. Boating facilities are available from Nov. to May. Boating by moonlight is a thrilling experience.

• Dhuandhar Falls: The Narmada river meanders through the Marble Rocks and plunges creating spectacular falls known as Dhuandhar or Smoke cascade.
• Chausath Yogini Temple: The 10th-century shrine of goddess Durga is set atop a hillock. It affords a fine view of the Narmada flowing through the Marble Rocks.

Mandu

Mandu, set picturesquely at the edge of the Vindhya range, overlooking the Narmada river was once known as Shadiabad, the Citadel of Joy’. It was the pleasure resort of the rulers of Malwa and echoes with love tales of poet prince Baz Bahadur and Rani Rupmati.

Jahaz Mahal: The 400 ft. long and 50 ft. wide double-story pleasure palace built between two lakes resembles a ship. This remarkable edifice in stone is said to have been built by Sultan Ghiyas-ud-din Khilji for his large harem of 15,000 women.

Hoshang Shah’s Tomb: The beautiful tomb is one of the finest specimens of Afghan architecture and the first marble structure of the country.

Jami Masjid: It is patterned on the great mosque of Damascus and is another great example of Afghan architecture in India.

Ashrafi Mahal or the ‘palace of gold coins: It was built by Mahmud Shah Khilji and was conceived as an academic institution. In the same complex, he built a seven storeyed victory tower to celebrate his victory over Rana Kumbha of Mewar.

Rupmati’s Pavilion: It was built by Baz Bahadur for his queen Rupmati, on the southern crest of a hill, overlooking the Nimar valley. The pavilion commands a panoramic view of the meandering Narmada river, especially on full moon night.

Hindola Mahal: The ‘swinging palace gets the name from its leaning walls that resemble a swing. It combines immense proportions with a simplicity of design. Other attractions include Jami Masjid, Rewa Kund, Baz Bahadur’s Palace, Nilkantha, etc.

Chitrakoot

Chitrakoot, ‘the hill of many wonders’, a legendary Hindu pilgrim center is set picturesquely in the northern spurs of the Vindhyas. Legend has it that Brahma, Vishnu, and Mahesh took their incarnations on the sacred soil of Chitrakoot. Lord Rama and Sita are believed to have spent eleven of their fourteen years of exile in their peaceful forests. The great sage Atri and Sati Anusuya meditated here and poet Tulsidas came to Chitrakoot in search of spiritual solace.

Ramghat: The ghats that line the banks of the river Mandakini reveal a constantly moving and changing kaleidoscope of religious activity. The rippling blue-green waters of the Mandakini can be traversed by boats, readily available for hire.

Other attractions are – Janaki Kund, Kamadgiri, Sphatik Shila, Hanuman Dhara, and Bharat Koop. Sati Anusuya (16 kms.) and Gupt Godavari Caves (15 kms.) are also worth visiting.

Pachmarhi

Picturesque Pachmarhi, the peaceful hill resort amidst Satpura ranges is noted for its natural beauty and salubrious climate. It is said to be named after the ancient rock-cut caves, where the five Pandava brothers, the heroes of Mahabharta, are said to have taken refuge. However, the lovely hill station was discovered and developed by Cap. Forsyth. in 1857. Pachmarhi offers a park-like woods and glades for quiet walks, shady bridle paths that ribbon through the wooded landscape and lead to breathtaking views at the edge of the plateau, a profusion of streams and waterfalls that collect into cool pools for bathing, the challenge of rugged hills for rock climbing. Another special attraction is the splendor of the red sandstone scarp that reflects fantastic shades of mauve and violet at dusk. The tranquil hill station also provides comfortable inexpensive accommodation and facilities that include a golf course, a recreation center with a skating rink and a school of oriental music.

The famous park set amidst the outlying hills of the Vindhyan ranges was earlier maintained as a “shikargarh” or the game preserve of the Maharajahs of Rewa. The density of the tiger population at Bandhavgarh is the highest known in India. It is also renowned as the “White Tiger Country”, as Maharaja of Rewa discovered the world’s first white tiger in the forests of Bandhavgarh. The small park is home to 22 species of mammals and 250 species of birds. The most commonly seen animals are, gaur or Indian bison, sambar, barking deer, chinkara, nilgai, leopard, jackal, Bengal fox, hyena, etc. Birdlife can be viewed along forest streams and clearings. The best season to visit the park is from November to June.

The ancient Bandhavgarh Fort nestled atop a hill dominates the park. It is considered to be over 2,000 years old and finds mention in the ancient mythological texts. There are also numerous prehistoric caves adorned with fine inscriptions and drawings by pre-historic man.

Spectacular Sanchi is recognized as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO for its archaeological and historical value. The Sanchi hill teems with stupas, monasteries, temples, and pillars and is the largest site of Buddhist remains in India. However, it is not directly connected with the life of Lord Buddha as other Buddhist pilgrim centers. The history of Sanchi dates back to Emperor Asoka’s reign in the 3rd century BC and continues up to the 11th century AD. It is one of the most revered centers of Buddhist art in the world, its architectural forms and sculpture display the Jataka tales in cinematographic continuity.

The Great Stupa (No. 1): The world-renowned stupa was originally built by the Mauryan emperor Ashoka and is an icon of India’s cultural heritage. The present study is a superstructure over the original brick stupa and comprises a hemispherical dome. It measures 36.5 mts. in diameter and 16.4 mts. in height.

Toranas or gateways: The reliefs on the toranas depict the Jataka tales of Buddha’s incarnations and the main events associated with his life.

Stupa No. 2:The 2nd century BC. stupa lies on the edge of the Sanchi hill.

Stupa No. 3: This stupa was built during 150 140 BC. The relics of Sariputta and Mahamogallan, two of Buddha’s chief disciples were found in this stupa. These relics are at present housed in the Sri Lankan Vihara here.

Asoka Pillar: The fragments of the Asokan Pillar dating back to the 3rd century BC lie near Stupa 1. The Chunar sandstone pillar is known for its polished surface and carries emperor Asoka’s edicts to his people.

Site Museum: This must-visit site exhibits the antiquities recovered from excavations of Sanchi hill and few sculptures from Gyaraspur.

Around Sanchi

Besnagar (Vidisha) (13 kms.)

The remains of the ancient city of Vidisha are located3 kms. from the modem township. The inscription on Heliodorous Pillar (2nd century BC) refers to the conversion of a Greek ambassador to Vaishnavism. The Vidisha Museum is worth visiting.

Gyaraspur (50 kms.)

It is known for the monuments dating back to the medieval Hindu period. Notable among them are- Maladevi Temple, Vajra Matha, Atha Khamba and Hindola Torana, etc.

Udaigiri (18 kms.)

It is a famous rock-cut cave built during the ‘Golden Age’ of the Guptas between 4th – Sth Century A.D. is 4 kms. from Vidisha. The exquisite sculptures in the caves are noted for their unique vitality, vigor, and richness of expression.

Khajuraho, the World Heritage Site is studded with ornately carved shrines built by the Chandelas. Over 85 temples were built between 950-1050 AD, in a truly inspired burst of creativity. Today, only 22 temples have survived, which constitute one of the world’s great artistic wonders. Each shrine stands on a high, masonry platform, with a marked upward direction in the structure, further enhanced by vertical projections to create the effect of grace and lightness. The temple walls are embellished with exquisite stone carvings that portray every facet and mood of life, from the erotic to the divine, the commonplace to the subline. The temples are geographically divided into three groups – western, eastern and southern.

Western Group: Kandariya Mahadeo, the largest and most typical temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. Chaunsath Yogini is the only granite temple and the oldest surviving shrine of the group. Other important shrines in the western group are Vishwanath, Lakshmana, Varah and Matangeswara, etc.

Eastern Group: Parsvanath Temple, Ghantai Temple, Adinath Temple.

Southern Group: Duladeo Temple, Chaturbhuj Temple, etc.

Sound & Light Show: The spectacular show held at the western group of temples, Sound & Light narrates the life and times of Chandela kings.

State Museum of Tribal & Folk Art: A rich collection of tribal and folk arts and exhibited at the Chandela Cultural Complex. The State Museum displays items of terracottas, metal craft, woodcraft, tribal artifacts,etc.

Khajuraho Dance Festival: This festival of classical dances is celebrated in Feb./Mar. Eminent dancers perform against the backdrop of the floodlit temple.

Around Khajuraho

Panna National Park (32 kms.)

The jungles spread along river Ken amidst Vindhya ranges are home to some of the best wildlife species in India. The Panna National Reserve was created in 1981 and declared a Project Tiger Reserve in 1994. Its most famous inhabitants are wild cats as well as deers and antelopes. Other animals seen here are – wild dog, hyena, sloth bear, crocodile, etc. Best season – November to February.

Indore, the seat of Holkars is set on the banks of river Saraswati and Khan in the heart of picturesque Malwa plateau. It was planned and built by Rani Ahilya Bai and named after the 18th century Indreshwar temple. Formerly a major textile trading center, the city has emerged as a throbbing mini-metropolis with a cosmopolitan culture.

Around Indore

Bawangaja (175 kms.)

Important Jain pilgrim center with temples dating back to the early 15th century.

Dhar(47kms.)

It was the glorious capital of Paramara kings, of whom Raja Bhoj is the best known. The city came under the Muslim influence with the rule of Delhi Sultanate and exhibits a fine blend of Hindu, Afghan and Mughal architectural styles.

Maheshwar (90 kms.)

An ancient pilgrim site on the banks of river Narmada finds mention in epics Ramayana and Mahabharta. Its glory was revived by Rani Ahilya Bai, who built and renovated several shrines here. The main attractions are Rajgaddi and Rajwada. the ghats and the temples of Kaleshwara, Rajarajeshwara, Vithaleshwara, and Ahileshwar. Rani Ahilya Bai also introduced the famous Maheshwari sarees well known for its unique weave, patterns, and colors.

Omkareshwar (77 kms.)

This holy island shaped like the sacred Hindu symbol OM is set amidst sceninc surroundings on the confluence of the rivers Narmada and Kaveri. Shri Omkar Mandhata temple of Lord Shiva is the main attraction here. It enshrines one of the tweive Jyotirlingas. Other sites worth visiting are – Siddhnath Temple. 24 Avatars (a group of Hindu and Jain temples), Satmatrika Temple and Kajal Rani Cave.

Ujjain (55 kms.)

Ujjain, one of the oldest and holiest of the Indian cities lies on the banks of river Shipra This ancient center of learning is sanctificd with the memories of Sandipani, Kalidasa. Asoka and Vikramaditya. It is also the venue of mammoth Kumbh Mela, held once in twelve years.

• Mahakaleshwar Temple: The famous shrine of Lord Shiva cnshrines one of the twelve.hotirlingas in the country. It was destroyed by the Altamish of Delhi in 1235 and was restored in the 19th century by the Scindias.
• Bade Ganeshji ka Mandir: It is located near the Mahakaleshwar temple and is known for the large ornate statue of Lord Ganesh.
• Harsiddhi Temple: It houses the famous image of the goddess
• Annapurna Gopal Mandir: The 19th-century shrine was built by the queen of Maharaja Daulat Rao Scindia. The silver-plated doors of the sanctum were originally taken from the temple at Somnath to Ghazni in Afghanistan and then to Lahore. The gates were rescued by Mahadji Scindia and installed in the temple.
• Chintaman Ganesh Temple: This ancient temple on the opposite bank of the river Shipra has artistically carved pillars in the assembly hall.
• Vedh Shala (Observatory): It was built by Raja Jai Singh ll of Jaipur in 1730 when he was the Governor of Malwa under the Mughal Emperor Muhammad Shah. Ujjain has been India’s Greenwich since the 4th century BC., as it stands on the first meridian of longitude for Hindu astronomers, who believed that the Tropic of Cancer also passed through the site.
• Kaltadeh Palace: This ‘Water Palace’ of the Mandu Sultans was built in 1458, on an island in the Shipra river. Its central dome is a fine example of Persian architecture.