A trip to Bhopal, Pachmarhi via Bhimbetka was scheduled for us from 10th to 13th of July 2013.
We were a group of 40 people n the trip and there is no need to mention that we enjoyed and at the same time learnt a lot from each other.
Our journey starts as:
10th July 2013
We departed from New Delhi Railway Station at 6:00 am by Shatabdi Express and reached Bhopal at 2:45 pm. We all reached the Hotel by Bus and there we had our Lunch.
After then we moved forward towards the trip and reached Manav Sangrahalaya as the first place of visit in Bhopal.
Manav Sangrahalaya
The Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Manav Sangrahalaya (IGRMS) is an interactive Museum Movement in India, to celebrate the ‘simultaneous validity’ of various valuable cultural patterns evolved over thousands of years. The museum is spread over 200 acres of undulating land on the Upper Lake front at Shamla Hills, Bhopal. The museum exhibits various outdoor and indoor galleries that present the lifestyles of various Indian communities in different eco-climatic zones of India. The Organization is working for national integration, and promotes research and training and inter-institutional networking for Salvage and revitalization of vanishing but valuable cultural traditions and highlights the unity and diversity; and organizes exhibitions to present an integrated story of biological evolutions and variations. The IGRMS, through its exhibitions and salvage activities, demonstrates the aesthetic qualities of India’s traditional life styles; local knowledge and mores cherished for thousands of years, and caution the people against unprecedented destruction of ecology, environment, local values, customs etc.
Badi Jheel – Then we headed to Badi Jheel (Upper Lake), i.e., a beautiful water body of the 11th century, Upper Lake is the oldest man-made lake in India. it is a massive earthen bund constructed across the Kolar River. Legend says that King Bhoj constructed this gigantic lake, which is believed to have cured his skin disease. A massive lake with a catchment area of 36.1 sq km, the Upper Lake happens to be the major source of potable water for the people of Bhopal. It can be termed as the Life – line of Bhopal. An attractive royal garden called Kamla Park in the vicinity makes the surroundings more scenic. A favourite spot of the water enthusiasts, this lake is the hub of all water sport activities in Bhopal. All of us along with Ms. Bhatnagar enjoyed a boating trip as well.
We also visited the tomb of Hazrat Ali Shah (Takia) built amidst the lake.
Birla Mandir – Our group then moved towards Birla Mandir.
Dedicated to goddess Lakshmi, Lakshmi Narayan Birla Mandir is situated atop the Arera Hills, the highest point in Bhopal District. Placed in a hilly terrain, this temple commands a panoramic view of the picture perfect city. Apart from Lakshmi and her husband Vishnu, this temple also houses a beautiful shrine of Lord Shiva, with his wife Parvati.
Birla Manir also has a museum where one could find a rich collection of sculptures that dates back to the 12th century. The serene atmosphere of this magnificent shrine gives spiritual solace to the devotees.
After that we went to hotel for our dinner at around 8:30.
11th July 2013
We had our breakfast in the hotel and left for Pachmarhi. In the way we took a halt at Bhimbetka Rock Shelters.
Bhimbetka Rock Shelters
It is located in the Raisen District in the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh, 45 kilometers south of present-day Bhopal at the southern edge of the Vindhyachal hills. The name Bhimbetka is associated with Bhima, a hero-deity of the epic Mahabharata. The word Bhimbetka is said to derive from Bhimbaithka, meaning "sitting place of Bhima".
Bhimbetka caves have recorded the human history over some 300,000 years or may be even more number of years.
These caves contain the oldest known petro glyphs in the world, some of the most impressive galleries of ancient paintings and even the remnants of Buddhist temples and paintings from 11th – 14th century AD.
There are hundreds of caves with paintings and some 12 – 15 are open for visitors. It was declared a UNESCO world heritage site in 2003.
Then after lunch we moved on to Pachmarhi, which is situated at a distance of 200 kms from Bhopal. Our journey took more than 9 hours to reach Pachmarhi at 10:30 pm. We were even struck in between for almost 2 ½ hours. We stayed in a Hotel, a Madhya Pradesh State Tourism and had our dinner.
Pachmarhi - Pachmarhi is Madhya Pradesh's most verdant gem. A lovely hill resort girdled by the Satpura ranges, it offers absolute tranquility. Bridle paths lead into placid forest groves of wild bamboo, 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.
In Pachmarhi, Bagpipes skirled in a flower-bright valley while ancient dancers cavorted on a rock. The pipes and the dancers were separated by thousands of years: typical of this little town in the Saptura Mountains. Contrasting cultures and ages exist in harmony as if time and trends mean little in this serene, wooded place. Pachmarhi is for unwinding, effortlessly. Roads meander gently groves of trees, open spaces and heritage cottages sitting contentedly in their old gardens.
12th July 2013
After having our breakfast we moved towards Bison Lodge.
Bison Lodge - It is the oldest house in the town of Pachmarhi that was constructed in 1862. This house serves as a museum, which is dedicated to Captain Forsyth, who is considered to be the founder of Pachmarhi. The museum houses several pictures, models, maps, graphs and samples of the flora and fauna on the display. This museum also has an open-air theatre that shows documentaries and presentations on wildlife.
The next destination was Pandava Caves.
Pandava Caves - Pandav Caves lend their name to this picturesque hill resort of Madhya Pradesh. According to local legends and popular beliefs, the five Pandav brothers of Mahabharata, along with their wife 'Draupadi', spent a part of their exile here. Five ancient caverns carved out on a sandstone rock, in a low hillock, forms these famous caves of Pachmarhi. Currently, they stand as protected monuments of the hill station.
This reiterates the lore that the caves were home to the five Pandava brothers. These 1,000-year-old rock-cut caves also overlook an attractive garden. Thus, the scenic beauty of the backdrop and their mythological significance makes these caves one of the most famous tourist attractions of the state.
Among these five caves, the most well ventilated and the spacious one is the 'Draupadi Kuti', named after Draupadi. The darkest of all the caves is the 'Bhim Kothari', named after the toughest of the five brothers - Bhima. All the five caves are hewed in a rough manner, which however do not mar their beauty or attraction. People visit the humble sanctuaries that relate their name with the Mahabharata, round the year.
Next place of visit in the queue was Silver Fall.
Silver Fall (Rajat Prapat) is a glorious single drop cascade of around 107 meters. The waterfall got its name from its silvery appearance when the sun shines on the cascading water. It is a short trek across rocks and boulders to the top of the falls and from there it is possible to follow a route down to the popular bathing pool and picnic area at the base.
Then our journey took us to Apsara Fall. It is a small fall with a shallow pool below it. The pool is not so deep and hence people find it safe and fun place for swimming, this pool is located near Pandava Caves. It has a nice story behind the name “Apsara Fall”. It’s said that during British rule, wives of British officers used to come here to take bath. Seeing their fair skin local people thought that they are celestial women or “Apsaras” and hence they gave the name Apasara Fall to the pool.
Panchali Kund
The serene ambiance of the landscape is such that one can attain instant solitude. I was leaning over every cavity of the fall and the water body to get a glimpse of any scenic image.
(Sorry, I could not click a picture of this place)
Then we came back to hotel, had lunch and again started our journey. This time we reached Bee Fall.
Bee Fall
A spectacular fall in the stream, which provides drinking water to Pachmarhi, Bee Falls presents a picturesque look. One of the most beautiful waterfalls of Pachmarhi, this charming water stream, which is also called as Jamuna Prapat in hindi, flows and jumps into the valley and makes a buzzing sound. This magnificent cascade fills ever-lasting memories when one stays under its cold, fresh and pure water.
This spectacular fall offers a wonderful holidaying in a solitary and heavenly atmosphere.
In the evening we headed to Jata Shankar Mandir.
Legend says that Bhasmasur was devotee of Lord Shiva and wanted to get a special ability to turn anyone in ashes by touching the head of the victim by his hand. After getting this ability from Lord Shiva Bhasmasur turned into an enemy and wanted to test this ability on Lord Shiva himself. Shiva escaped through tunnel from Tilak Sindur and finally reached remote cave – Jata Shankar. While running through the cave he lost his hair.
Cave contains a number of stalagmites, revered as lingams
Now-a-days Jata Shankar is famous destination for tourists. People appreciate the tangency of religion and natural beauties. Pilgrims come here during Maha Shivaratri festival in February – March. Path towards the cave shrine is filled with shops selling herbs of medicinal value. Near the cave there are two small ponds fed by springs. Here originates Jambu dwip stream.
Then we returned back to hotel. We had our evening snacks and went to Discotheque organized by the tour operator. We all had fun there dancing on the beats. We then moved back to hotel at around 10:30 pm at night.
13th July 2013
Early morning after having the breakfast, we boarded the bus at 6:45 am and moved back to Bhopal from Pachmarhi. We were to board the Shatabdi Express for returning back to Delhi at 2:35 pm. We just reached on time to board our train which was at 2:45 pm, just 10 minutes later.
Finally we reached our destination New Delhi junction at 10:45 pm in the night.
Overall its an ideal location for your holidays whether you want to come here with family or with friends, in a group of four or forty, there is no substitute of the scenic beauty and admirable cultural heritage of our country.
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