10 Lovely places to visit in Pachmarhi, Madhya Pradesh

Last Updated on October 12, 2022 by admin

Pachmarhi is probably one of the favourite locations in the state to unwind among nature. But there are many places to visit in Pachmarhi that are perfect for a solo traveller, a family or a honeymoon. Pachmarhi Hill Station has something to offer to all kinds of tourists.

Pachmarhi sits in the lap of nature and is blessed with amazing hills, beautiful waterfalls and a variety of flora and fauna. It is preferred by tourists travelling to Bhopal, as well as Indore.

Located in the Satpura range of mountains, it is rightly nicknamed The queen of Satpura, as it is the tallest place in this range. 

It is serene and peaceful and the most remarkable tourist destination in recent times with many sightseeing options. Not only nature lovers and photographers but also adventure lovers can make the most out of their trip to Pachmarhi.

About Pachmarhi

Pachmarhi was a lesser-known and hidden place until Capt James Forsythe, a British Army officer, founded it in 1857. It is placed at a height of 1067 metres and has a divine connection with Lord Shiva the shrines of whom have been located in the caves here. It is also said that Pandavas came here to spend their days of exile with their wife Draupadi. So, backpackers and travel enthusiasts dig into the realms of Pachmarhi tourism. 

Places to visit in Pachmarhi

Bison Lodge Interpretation Centre

The name of Capt Fedrick Forsythe is very significant to Pachmarhi. 

Bison Lodge and Interpretation Centre was once his house which is now converted into a museum and depicts life-size models of the flora and fauna. 

It also houses various pictures, models, graphs and maps which give an exact impression of the actual animals and birds found here. It has marked its place in history as it is one of the oldest museums in Madhya Pradesh. 

Located around 2 km away from the main Bus Station, this is the first place in Pachmarhi to visit to obtain tourist permits for various Pachmarhi tourist places. One can also book jeeps and guides for the Pachmarhi sightseeing. The tour guides take visitors to all the places to visit in Pachmarhi guiding you for the full course of the day. 

Bison Lodge Interpretation Centre is open from 8 am to 6 pm every day.

Pandav Caves

If you are a history buff and legends interest you, then this is a place for you. 

According to a legend, Pandavas came to this place along with their wife, Draupadi. During their exile, they excavated five caves meaning ‘Panch’ in Hindi, for them to lay low and to pass their time in anonymity.

Along the premises of this place is a beautifully done-up garden with all the seasonal flowers and other local flora. The greenery here is a treat to watch. 

Pandav Caves are open from 7 am to 7 pm, every day.

Dhoopgarh

Dhoopgarh is the highest point in Pachmarhi at a height of 1350 metres and the views from here are breathtaking. 

People come here for the picturesque views of Sunrise and Sunsets. 

At night, the lights of neighbouring towns like Itarsi are visible from here which gives a mesmerising look and is a photographer’s delight. This place looks beautiful all year through however the best season to visit is monsoons as the place gets filled up with soft cottony clouds and engulfs itself in the greens. 

It is possible to trek to Dhoopgarh or reach it by vehicle. 

Dhoppgarh is open from 8 am to 6 pm, all days of the week. 

Jata Shankar Caves

One gets enchanted with the beauty and gets mesmerised by the magnificence of Jata Shankar Caves. 

In order to reach the caves, there is a flight of steps going into the depth of a ravine between the huge rocks. Moving towards the end of the steps is Trishul of Lord Shiva and naturally formed Lingam. 

I have visited caves having a Shiva lingam at Badami Cave Temples which also has beautiful sculptures and carvings.

If you are interested in Geology and are interested in various formations on the surface and beneath the earth, this place is a must-visit as the caves house the stalactites. I have seen stalactites formation in Meghalaya in India and Halong Bay in Vietnam and the formations are breathtaking!

As per the legend, Lord Shiva hid in this place from Bhramasur. One can find two ponds here, which are enriched by seasonal springs, one with cold water and the other with hot water. The structure of this cave resembles Sheshnag which is a Snake god with 1000 heads. This shrine holds great importance for the locals and the people staying around.

Rajat Pratap Falls

Emerging from the trek of a small Apsara Vihar waterfall through the rocky terrain is a tall waterfall of height 350 feet and stands 30th in India for its height. 

Raja Parapat Waterfalls seems like a silver lining emerging from beautiful greens which is why it is also called Silver Falls. 

This place is best for photography, videography, trekking and bird watching too. It is open throughout the day and the best time to visit is during or after monsoons. This fall is one of the biggest of the many waterfalls Pachmarhi tourism is blessed with which is why it is one of the best places to visit in Pachmarhi.

Bee Falls 

The name itself suggests a connection with the Bees. 

It is named Bee Falls as it sounds like a buzzing bee from a distance. It is the most visited waterfall in Pachmarhi, highly subscribed by locals and tourists. 

This natural waterfall is sourced by nearby perennial small streams which are in full during monsoons. The place is very scenic. Not only is the waterfall beautiful but also the trek to reach the place is very beautiful. One can even reach the pool of this waterfall and a take dip there. 

There are other waterfalls in Pachmarhi as well like the Duchess Fall and Apsara Falls which also form an important part of Pachmarhi famous places.

Reechgarh

Reech means Bear.

The name itself suggests it’s an abode of Bears.

With its huge rock-like and cave-like shelters, it boasts of being home to the magnificent animal, the Bear. One has to hike around a kilometre to reach this place. One has to go up and down huge boulders to move around this place which reminds us of our Bollywood movies. One can click lots of photographs here as the views are outstanding.

Chauragarh Temple

Chauragarh temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. 

There is a tradition to offer Trishul to the Lord in this temple. On the day of Shivratri, many devotees come here and offer Trishul as heavy as 150 kg and as long as 15 feet in height. 

These offerings on Shivratri are considered to be auspicious and a thanksgiving gesture to the Lord for fulfilling their wishes. The trek is tough however the scenes from the temple are breathtaking and photography worthy.

Priyadarshini Point/ Forsythe Point  

Places to visit in Pachmarhi are all close to nature – green clad mountains, waterfalls and numerous nature trails. 

Forsythe Point gets its name as Capt Forsythe first came to this place and discovered Pachmarhi. It’s a beautiful viewpoint with various ranges of hills overlapping each other and clad with soft clouds creating a mist in the area. 

Taking a camera to this point is a must. One can reach this point after a trek of about 400 metres and view one of the most exquisite sites in Pachmarhi.

Mahadeo Hills & Gupt Mahadev 

Pachmarhi in monsoon is breathtakingly beautiful and serene. 

Located at around 10-12 km from the Pachmarhi town, Mahadeo Hills is the northern part of the Satpura range. 

These hills are one of the three highest peaks in Pachmarhi and house two ancient temples of Bada Mahadev and Gupt Mahadev. It is 40 feet long and happens to be one of the ancient cave temples in Pachmarhi. 

The inner Sanctorum of this temple is very narrow, one has to actually squeeze in to get there and can accommodate only 7-8 people at a time.  This is a place where spirituality and adventure go hand in hand.

Best Places to visit near Pachmarhi 

There are two places which cannot be ignored when we talk about Pachmarhi sightseeing. They are Tawa Dam and Satpura National Park in Madhai.

Tawa Dam and Reservoir

Tawa Dam has been constructed on the confluence of two rivers Tawa and Denwa. 

Tawa river is a tributary of the Narmada river and Denwa is a tributary of the Tawa river. This dam was constructed keeping in mind the water and hydropower supply to the people of Madhya Pradesh. The confluence is encircled by the Satpura ranges making it extremely panoramic. This reservoir is always full as the rivers that feed it are perennial rivers. 

Sunsets viewed from the dam site are loved by tourists and photographers. Adjacent to the dam is a beautiful resort of Madhya Pradesh Tourism. 

One can also go for a cruise on the river which is organised by them. While cruising, one can spot marsh crocodiles. Boating and bird watching are other attractions here which keep tourists glued to the property. 

Satpura National Park, Madhai

Also known as Satpura Tiger Reserve, it is included in Project Tiger since the year 2000. 

It covers both Bori and Pachmarhi National Parks and covers Hoshangabad and Chinnwara districts of Madhya Pradesh. 

It is home to various animals like Leopard, Sambar, Cheetal, Nilgai, Bear, Black Buck etc. It is also home to various birds and innumerable plant species. One can approach the Park from Madhai which is a part of Satpura Bioreserve. 

There is a Madhya Pradesh Tourism resort at the edge of Denwa River in Madhai. Tickets for Jungle Safari can be booked here. One has to boat across to reach the National Park and stay at the Forest resort there as well. The calm and serene water, scenic beauty and the location of this place rightly explain why it is on the top of the tourism map of Pachmarhi as also Madhya Pradesh.  

Pachmarhi as a whole gives peace and ensures rejuvenation from the hustle and bustle of a city. One gets transformed after experiencing the beautiful escapades of nature and refreshes to take on new challenges.

Experiencing Adventure in Pachmarhi

Pachmarhi sightseeing is not only about nature and photography but also about adventure and thrill. Adventure tourism is possible and one of the best things to do in Pachmarhi. 

Cycling 

Properties of Madhya Pradesh Tourism like Champak Bungalows and Amaltas provide cycles to their guests to go on a cycle ride from the lake within the city to the Catholic Church which is of the Britisher’s era. The lake here is housed within the city limits and gives a calming experience sitting beside it.

Trekking

One can go trekking en route to various waterfalls in Pachmarhi which are its lifeline. The scenery here becomes breathtaking during the monsoon.

Ziplining & Parasailing 

Satpura Adventure Club offers various adventure activities like Zip Lining and Parasailing. They also offer various other activities like Jungle camping and Bungee Jumping.

Satpura Adventure Club is an adventure institute recognised by Madhya Pradesh Tourism located at Patel Road in Pachmarhi. It offers all kinds of adventure activities from water adventure, Jungle safari and camping and aero activities as well. 

Best season to visit Pachmarhi

Pachmarhi hill station is one of its kind in Madhya Pradesh. Owing to its restorative and rehabilitative weather, any season is great to visit. 

However, if you want to enjoy all the waterfalls and the engulfed greens, monsoons are the time. Pachmarhi monsoon gives the best scenery that one may have seen only in pictures and paintings.  

Summers are very pleasant and the temperature ranges from 20 to 30 degrees Celsius. When the whole country is troubled by rising in temperatures and heat waves, Pachmarhi offers cool and pleasant weather with blue skies and fresh breathable air. 

Pachmarhi is located at a height, winters are chilly here and tourists are advised to carry thick woollens to protect themselves from the cold. Temperature ranges from 4 to 14 degrees Celsius during this time.

How to reach Pachmarhi 

See below the distance chart of Pachmarhi in kilometres from various important cities of Madhya Pradesh.

By Road 

Pachmarhi is connected with all major cities and towns of Madhya Pradesh. Pachmarhi to Bhopal is 210 km away and can be reached by bus. Pachmarhi’s bus service is also connected to Nagpur, Hoshangabad, Pipariya and Chhindwara. Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra State Transport Development Corporation have regular bus services to Pachmarhi from both states. 

By Train

The shortest distance from Pachmarhi is Pipariya. From there, one can get taxis which take approximately 50 minutes to reach Pachmarhi. Pipariya is an important railway station on Itarsi – Jabalpur Mainline in Madhya Pradesh and can be reached through all the above stations which are in turn well connected to the metros and other big cities. 

By Flight

Bhopal and Jabalpur are the nearest airports to Pachmarhi. Flights in and out of these places are available from all leading metros as also from class A cities. 

One can also take a combination of rail, road and air to reach this splendid place. 

Where to stay in Pachmarhi

MP Tourism hotels are the best places to stay in Panchmarhi not only because of their hospitality but also for their beautiful locations.

The WelcomHeritage Golf View is the most beautiful and high-end property there.

There are also many private hotels available in the market area.

FAQs about Places to visit in Pachmarhi

Is Pachmarhi worth visiting?

Yes! Pachmarhi is a charming hill station away from the city. It is a perfect weekend destination. Being home to a number of waterfalls and several trekking routes it is a must-visit in Madhya Pradesh.

How many days are required to visit Pachmarhi?

Ideally, 2 days are enough to cover the entire stretch. 

Is mobile connectivity available in Pachmarhi?

Yes! All major network providers have decent connectivity. There won’t be any lag to post photos and videos on social media.

Which month is best for Pachmarhi?

Depending upon tourist preference Pachmarhi is an all-season destination. Pachmarhi is especially beautiful during the monsoon because of the waterfalls and greenery all around. The best time to visit Pachmarhi is October to March for the pleasant and enjoyable weather.

How can I reach Pachmarhi from Pipariya?

Visitors can take a bus or shared taxi from Pipariya to Panchmarhi, which is 50 km away and the duration is 2 hours. One can also rent a cab for the journey.

Why is Pachmarhi famous?

Pachmarhi is a hill station in central India. It is also famous for Satpura Tiger Reserve, Satpura National Park, waterfalls, treks and temples.

Is Pachmarhi safe?

Yes, it is safe. 

Sustainable Tips for Places to visit in Pachmarhi

• Respect the ancient structures of temples, caves and mosques by not sitting on them.
• Do not harm the structures by carving or writing on them.
• Do not litter any of the tourist areas.

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