BHIMBETKA - SATPURA PARK - PACHMARHI - SANCHI (FROM BHOPAL)

At a distance of 3 km from Bhimbetka Bus Stop, Auditorium Cave is an ancient rock-cut cave situated in Bhimbetka, Madhya Pradesh. It is one of the prominent caves in the Bhimbetka Rock Shelters Complex, and among the must-include places in Bhimbetka tour packages.

Among the 15 rock shelters opened for the public, the Auditorium Cave or Cave 3 is the largest shelter, as well as the significant features of the archaeological site of Bhimbetka midst its 750 numbered shelters spread over 10 kilometers on either side and nearly 500 locations where rock paintings can be found. Surrounded by quartzite towers which are visible from several kilometers, the Auditorium Cave comprises a large horizontal tunnel roughly 25 m long leading to a cavernous high-ceilinged chamber with three passageway exits.

The whole cave gallery resembling a 'cathedral-like' atmosphere, with its Gothic arches and soaring spaces. The main entry points to the east. At the entrance, there is a boulder with a .....

At a distance of 3 km from Bhimbetka Bus Stop, the Bhimbetka Rock Shelters & Cave Paintings is an archaeological site situated in Bhimbetka, Madhya Pradesh. It is one of the top places of heritage in Madhya Pradesh, and among the must-include places in Bhimbetka Packages.

Designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2003, the archaeological site of Bhimbetka is situated inside the Ratapani Wildlife Sanctuary, embedded in sandstone rocks, in the foothills of the Vindhya Range. It was discovered in the year 1957, but only in the 1970s that the scale and true significance of the Bhimbetka was discovered and reported. It came under the management of the Archaeological Survey of India in 1990 and was declared a World Heritage Site in 2003.

The site consists of around 750 rock shelters distributed over 10 km (6.2 mi). The Bhimbetka group contains 243 of these, while the Lakha Juar group nearby has 178 shelters. The rock shelters and caves provide evidence of a 'rare glimpse' into .....

At a distance of 3 km from Bhimbetka Bus Stop, the Zoo Rock Shelter is a cave situated in Bhimbetka, Madhya Pradesh. It is one of the prominent caves in the Bhimbetka Rock Shelters Complex, and among the top places to visit in Bhimbetka as part of Bhopal Tour Packages.

Among the 15 rock shelters opened for the public, the Zoo Rock Shelter was the most exciting of all, as well as the significant features of the archaeological site of Bhimbetka midst its 750 numbered shelters spread over 10 kilometers on either side and nearly 500 locations where rock paintings can be found. Also known as Cave 4, it has a large number of animal paintings of all the caves.

There are 453 figures in this shelter comprising 252 animals of 16 different species and 90 human figures. It contains paintings from 10,000 BC - made by lime and from 5,000 - 3,000 BC that were made by vegetable colors and iron. These drawings depict an array of animals that comprise Elephants, Bison, Sambhar, all varieties .....

At a distance of 3 km from Bhimbetka Bus Stop, Turtle Rock is a natural rock formation situated in Bhimbetka, Madhya Pradesh. It is one of the prominent attractions in the Bhimbetka Rock Shelters Complex.

Turtle Rock in Bhimbetka is not a cave or painting of a turtle in the cave. This is a natural rock formation in the form of a turtle. Located in the middle of a wildlife sanctuary, the wilderness surrounding it is breathtaking. From this rock, one can gaze at wide stretches of the wildlife sanctuary. Looking out, one begins to imagine why this was an ideal settlement ground for the earliest inhabitants of our country. The rock shelters provided ideal vantage points to observe the nearby surrounding forests, to search for food, and also to prepare against any incoming danger.

The viewpoint holds an incredible panoramic view of the countryside below which was once a thick Jungle and Bheembetka Caves were Man's refuge from the forest and animals. Only once you come here and .....

At a distance of 3 km from Bhimbetka Bus Stop, the Bhimbetka Kuldevi Temple is an ancient temple situated in Bhimbetka, Madhya Pradesh. It is one of the top places to visit in Bhimbetka as part of Bhopal Packages.

Kuldevi Temple at Bhimbetka is dedicated to the goddess Vaishno Devi. According to history, the temple was set up by the Pandavas during their exile for their Kul-Devi, Maa Vaishno Devi. It is a large cave-temple inside a mountain. Outside the temple is a large Rock-seat that overlooks the entire valley, termed 'Bheem ki baithak'or seat of Bheem used by him, while he was in exile.

Today, the importance of the temple is that the first bonfire of Holi is lit here and when it is spotted in the plains below, the rest of Holi festivities commence. It is also known for the annual Ram Navami fair. A large number of devotees visited the temple during this time to get the blessings of Maa Vaishno Devi.

Timings: 7 AM - 6 PM

Bhimbetka Rock Shelter Entry: Rs. 25 .....

At a distance of 1 km from Madhai, Madhai Zone is the core zone of Satpura National Park. This zone is one of the popular safari zones of Satpura and is primarily visited through the Madhai entrance gate, located near Madhai village.

Madhai Gate is the most popular of all the entry gates of Satpura National Park, the other being Jamani Dev Gate, Pachmarhi, Churna, and Parsapani gate. Madhai zone comprises all kinds of landscapes like valleys, plains, meadow areas, some hilly terrains, water bodies, etc. Located in the core zone, Madhai is the center for wildlife tourism in Satpura Tiger Reserve. The density of the tiger population in this zone is high.

Madhai entrance gate is situated amid of Pipariya-Bhopal route, just before Sohagpur. To access the Madhai entry gate, a boat is used to cross the Denwa River where the jeep waits for the tourists and takes them further into the jungle. There is a Forest Department Ticket counter located on the banks of Denwa River, in Madhai .....

At a distance of 1 km from Madhai, Madhai Zone is the core zone of Satpura National Park. This zone is one of the popular safari zones of Satpura and is primarily visited through the Madhai entrance gate, located near Madhai village.

Besides Jeep Safari, tourists can go for elephant safari on a pre-decided route which has been marked by Park Authorities. Also known as Elephant Joy Ride, this safari makes the tour more enjoyable as it allows one to get access to those forested areas which are not accessible by normal jeeps. The probability of spotting a tiger during the elephant safari is usually higher than a jeep safari. This is booked on first cum first serve basis.

A special safari organized by the park management, this safari has its own charm and is available only at the core zone of Madhai. The tourists are led by a Mahout and they get to view the jungle by sitting on an elephant's back. An adult elephant can accommodate 4 visitors at a time in the seat fastened on its .....

At a distance of 2 km from Pachmarhi Bus Station, Bison Lodge Museum is a museum located in Pachmarhi, Madhya Pradesh. Situated in the heart of the town, it is one of the oldest museums in Madhya Pradesh, and among the top tourist places in Pachmarhi.

Bison Lodge once used to be the resident of British man Captain Forsyth, who came across Pachmarhi in 1857 while leading his troop to Jhansi and settled down here. Built-in 1862, it is one of the oldest buildings in the pristine hill town of Pachmarhi. This has been turned into a lodge which is famous among the tourists who visit the forest of Satpura Hills. On the other hand, there is also a museum which is known for displaying pictures, models, and samples of flora and fauna.

The Bison Lodge Museum displays the flora and fauna of Panchmarhi in a nutshell with life-size stuffed animals like Lions, Tigers, Bison, and Crocodiles. The museum houses several pictures, models, maps, graphs, and samples of the flora and fauna on the .....

At a distance of 2 km from Pachmarhi Bus Station, Pandava Caves are ancient caves located in Pachmarhi, Madhya Pradesh. Situated on a hillock, it is one of the must-visit tourist places in Pachmarhi.

Pandav Caves is a group of five-rock cut temples adorned with naturally grown gardens and roughly carved columns and pilasters and is among the most sought-after Pachmarhi places to visit. According to the legend, these caves are believed to provide shelter to the Pandavas during their exile period. These attractive caves are shrouded with many stories belonging to various eras and were lastly hewn by Buddhist monks who used these caves for meditation during the 1st century AD. It is now a protected monument and tourists flock from all over India to see this place.

According to the legend, these five caves were made for each of the brothers - Yudhishthira, Arjuna, Nakul, Sahdeo, Bhima, and for their wife - Draupadi. Amongst all the five caves, 'Draupadi Kuti' is the cleanest .....

At a distance of 5 km from Pachmarhi Bus Station, Bee Falls is a natural waterfall located in the pristine hill station of Pachmarhi, Madhya Pradesh. Popularly known as Jamuna Prapat, it is one of the beautiful waterfalls in Madhya Pradesh, and among the must include places in Pachmarhi Tour Packages.

The hill station of Pachmarhi is endowed with multiple picturesque waterfalls, of which the Bee falls really stands out. More commonly known as Jamuna Prapat, the Bee Falls is cascading down from a height of about 35m and is famous for supplying water to the whole of Pachmarhi. It is named as such because from a distance the waterfall sounds like a bee.

There is a pool below and another one above the waterfall. It one of the favorite picnic spots amongst both locals and tourists and is a hotspot for swimming. Stand under the cool shower or take a quick dip in one of the many rocky pools to enjoy the refreshing experience. The view of the waterfall cascading down the luxuriant .....

At a distance of 11 km from Pachmarhi Bus Station, Dhoopgarh is the highest point in the Satpura range of Madhya Pradesh. Also spelt as Dhupgarh, it is one of the picturesque places to visit in Pachmarhi.

Dhoopgarh, originally known as Harvatsa Kot, is the tallest peak of Madhya Pradesh, and so they give undoubtedly the best views of the entire town of Pachmarhi along with the surrounding lesser Satpura ranges and Vindhya range. Situated at an altitude of 1352 m, this is a beautiful spot famous for spellbinding sunrises and sunsets. The best season to visit Dhupgarh is during the monsoon season when the place is enveloped by thin monsoon clouds and lush green foliage.

The only way to reach Dhoopgarh is by hiring a jeep followed by trekking, however, the path can be a tough one as it involves going through valleys and waterfalls. The serene ecosystem and the Dhupgarh Fall are a few of the main attractions here.

Timings: 6 AM - 6 PM

Entry: Free

At a distance of 3 km from Pachmarhi Bus Stand, Boat Club Lake is a famous lake located in Pachmarhi, Madhya Pradesh. Situated near Bison Lodge Museum, it is one of the popular tourist attractions in Pachmarhi.

Pachmarhi Boat Club is a small lake where tourists can enjoy boating for a couple of hours. One can choose speed boating, pedal boating, zip-lining, ATV ride, etc here. The bordering restaurants and eateries are the main highlights of this place where people can enjoy snacks with a view of the lake. For a breezy evening, the lake can serve as an ultimate escape spot.

Timings: 10 AM - 6 PM

Entry: Free

At a distance of 5 km from Pachmarhi Bus Station, Handi Khoh is a deep valley located in Pachmarhi, Madhya Pradesh. It is one of the most spectacular ravines in Central India, and among the best places to visit in Pachmarhi.

Surrounded by verdant forests and hills, Handi Khoh is a V-shaped ravine that is 300-feet deep and is constituted by two massive hills in the middle of a dense forest. The place has a mythological history and is believed to be closely associated with Lord Shiva. It is believed that once it was a huge lake but the devilish snake who was guarding the lake was destroyed by the fury of Lord Shiva and the event dried up the lake and it took the shape of a handi(pot).

Famous for its quaint serenity and its old-world charm, the canyon now serves as a natural abode for many floral species. It is a quiet place where you can go to get a close brush with nature. Besides, this place is famous for trekking, hiking, photography, and horse riding.

Timings: 7 AM .....

At a distance of 6 km from Pachmarhi Bus Station, Priyadarshini Point is a vantage point located in Pachmarhi, Madhya Pradesh. Situated near Handi Khoh, it is one of the popular viewpoints in Panchmarhi, and among the top places to visit as part of Pachmarhi Packages.

Priyadarshini Point is the hilltop from where you get an eagle's eye view of the entire town. This is the place from where Captain James Forsyth discovered Pachmarhi in the year 1857. Earlier it was known as Forsyth Point and was renamed as Priyadarshini Point after Indira Gandhi, the then Prime Minister of India who visited the spot. Priyadarshini Point is one of the best places to visit in Pachmarhi which is usually a highlight amongst nature lovers.

One can get a beautiful view of the entire Pachmarhi valley and especially Handi Khoh from here. The entire place has hills rolling on each other and surrounded by clouds and mist, the entire scenery is worth enjoying. Also, it is an ideal place to see the .....

At a distance of 11 km from Pachmarhi Bus Station, Bade Mahadev Temple is a cave temple located in Pachmarhi, Madhya Pradesh. Situated on the way to Chauragarh Temple, it is one of the revered shrines in the region, and among the best Pachmarhi places to visit.

Bada Mahadev is one of the ancient temples in Pachmarhi and is dedicated to Lord Shiva. According to the mythology, Bada Mahadev Cave is the place where Lord Vishnu killed Demon Bhasmasura taking the form of Mohini, a celestial beauty. Hence, this cave is an important pilgrimage site as well as a symbol for goodness prevailing over evil.

The cave is about 60 feet long and houses the idols of Lord Brahma, Lord Vishnu, and Lord Ganesha along with a Shivalinga. It can only accommodate one person to get through the cave at a time and is wider around the place of worship. Water keeps dropping through the walls of the cave and there is a pool in the center which is frequented by pilgrims during Nag Panchami and Maha Shivaratri .....

At a distance of 13 km from Pachmarhi Bus Station, Gupt Mahadev is another cave temple located in Mahadeo Hills of Pachmarhi, Madhya Pradesh. Situated near Bada Mahadev Cave, it is one of the ancient cave temples in Pachmarhi, and among the top attractions of Pachmarhi.

Gupt Mahadev is a 40 feet long cave dedicated to Lord Shiva. Snuggled cozily amidst the Mahadeo Hills, this temple houses a Shivalinga, and Lord Ganesha. With a Lord Hanuman Statue at the entrance, the path is narrow and meandering where only 7 to 8 people can get inside at a time. One has to literally squeeze or move sideways to go inside. The place is quite an interesting and mysterious spot near Pachmarhi where spirituality meets adventure.

Timings: 6 AM - 6 PM

Entry: Free

At a distance of 9 km from Priyadarshini Point, and 15 km from Pachmarhi Bus Station, Chauragarh Temple is a revered Hindu shrine located in Pachmarhi, Madhya Pradesh. Also known as Chota Mahadeo, it is one of the prominent places of Pilgrimage in Madhya Pradesh, and among the top places to visit in Pachmarhi.

The Chauragarh Temple is situated atop the Chauragarh Hill, the third highest peak of Pachmarhi at an altitude of 1330 m. Surrounded by spectacular hills and verdant valleys, this age-old temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. The temple complex comprises the main temple, a Dharamshala, and a natural pond. The temple is known for the thousands of tridents stuck in the temple premises, offered by devotees over the years.

Devotees need to climb 1300 steps to reach this holy place. During Nag Panchami and Maha Shivratri festivals, devotees are seen climbing this steep path, carrying heavy Trishuls as a part of religious norms. Offering a Trishul is considered auspicious and .....

At a distance of 5 km from Pachmarhi Bus Station, Rajendragiri is a viewpoint located in Pachmarhi, Madhya Pradesh. It is one of the stunning vantage points in Pachmarhi, and among the must include places in Pachmarhi Tour.

Rajendragiri is a spectacular sunset viewpoint in Pachmarhi that offers an extraordinary view of nature, particularly at dusk. The place is named after the first president of India, Dr. Rajendra Prasad as he was a frequent visitor to this spot. As the sun sets beyond the distant hills, you can simply take in the ambiance of the place or get busy with your camera to capture the moment. One can have a panoramic view of Panchmari standing in this place.

There is also a well-maintained garden with a variety of trees and flowering plants. It has a tree planted by the first President of India Dr. Rajendran Prasad. There is a large parking lot outside. The place is an ideal spot to visit with family and friends.

Timings: 9 AM - 5.30 PM

Entry: Fre .....

At a distance of 1.5 km from Sanchi Railway Station, Sanchi Stupa or the Great Stupa is a Buddhist monument located inside the historic site of Sanchi in Madhya Pradesh. Situated atop a small hillock, it is one of the oldest Buddhist monuments in India, and among the must include places in Sanchi tour Packages.

Designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1989, the Great Stupa is the largest stupa as well as the most noteworthy of the structures at the historic site of Sanchi and counted among the best conserved ancient Stupas of central India. Also called Stupa No. 1, the Sanchi Stupa was originally built in the 3rd century BCE by the Mauryan king Ashoka and is believed to house the ashes of the Buddha and his disciples. The stupa was originally a low structure of brick, half the diameter of the present edifice hemispherical in shape with raised terraces at the base. It was damaged in the 2nd century BCE during the rule of Shunga Emperor Pushyamitra Shunga and later his son Agnimitra .....

At a distance of 1.5 km from Sanchi Railway Station, Ashoka Pillar is one of the pillars built by Ashoka. Situated close to the Southern gateway of the Great Stupa in Sanchi, it is one of the must-visit places as part of Sanchi Packages.

Known for its aesthetic proportions and exquisite structural balance, Ashoka Pillar is one of the most popular attractions in Sanchi. The Pillar erected in the 3rd century BC consists of a shaft and a crown of four lions that stand back to back. It is rather unfortunate but the total Ashoka Pillar does not stand here now. The shaft of the pillar can only be seen at the gateway and the crown has been kept in the Sanchi Museum. The figure of these lions was later adopted as the National Emblem of India.

The structure of the pillar is influenced by the Greco Buddhist style. It also resembles the Sarnath pillar a The sandstone out of which the pillar is carved came from the quarries of Chunar. The pillar is 42 feet tall and consisted of a round .....

At a distance of 1.5 km from Sanchi Railway Station, Sanchi Stupa 3 or Stupa No.3 is a Buddhist stupa located in Sanchi, Madhya Pradesh. It is one of the Buddhist monuments in the historic site of Sanchi and among the top Sanchi tourist places.

Stupa 3 is located just 100 m north of the Great Stupa, and in the 2nd century BC during the time of the Shunga rule complete with the staircase and the balustrade. As the diameter of its pedestal is about 15m, its scale is nearly the same as Stupa 2 as a whole. It is similar in design to the Great Stupa, though smaller, with a single, rather fine gateway. However, the outer wall has been lost and there remains no more than the South Torana among those of the four cardinal points at present.

The Stupa 3 has a crown on the hemispherical dome which has special religious importance. It has an umbrella made of polished stone. The single torana gateway oriented to the south is not Shunga and was built later under the Satavahanas, probably .....

At a distance of 1.5 km from Sanchi Railway Station, Great Bowl & Buddhist Monasteries are among the ancient ruins within the historical site of Sanchi, Madhya Pradesh. Situated on the way to Stupa No.2, it is one of the must include places in Sanchi Tour Packages.

Amongst the various historical monuments which stand tall in Sanchi after centuries of being constructed, the Great Bowl or the Grand Gumbha is a monolithic stone bowl carved from a single huge rock that collected offerings monks received in the Ashokan Era. The Sanchi group of monuments used to house monasteries for a great number of Buddhist monks. At day-end, all the food offerings collected by them used to be poured into this huge stone basin and each was given a portion from it. This was their passage to detachment and community living.

As for Buddhist monasteries, there were seven, one of which is Monastery 51, located in a place situated partway down the hill towards Stupa 2. It has a typical plan with an .....

At a distance of 500 m from the Great Stupa, and 2 km from Sanchi Railway Station, Sanchi Stupa 2 or Stupa No.2 is a Buddhist stupa located in Sanchi, Madhya Pradesh. It is one of the Buddhist monuments in the historic site of Sanci, and among the top places to visit in Sanchi.

Stupa 2 stands on the hillside about to the west of the Great Stupa and is one of the oldest existing Buddhist stupas in India. It is believed to have been constructed during the end of the 2nd century to the 1st century BCE and is the oldest of the three Stupas from the Shunga period. It is of particular interest since it has the earliest known important displays of decorative reliefs in India, probably anterior to the reliefs at the Mahabodhi Temple in Bodh Gaya, or the reliefs of Bharhut.

The diameter of the dome is about 14 m. It has no Harmika or Chhatra and has been cut flat on top. The excavation found a relic chamber holding four caskets for ashes made of steatite, on which the names of ten .....

At a distance of 1 km from Sanchi Railway Station, Archaeological Museum is a museum located within the historic site of Sanchi, Madhya Pradesh. Situated near the famous Sanchi Stupa, it is one of the must-visit places as part of the Sanchi Tour.

Also known as Sanchi Museum, the Archaeological Museum was established on the hilltop in 1919 by Sir John Marshall. Later, the Archaeological Survey of India acquired a college building at the foothill of Sanchi Stupa and got the exhibits shifted to the new building in the year 1966. The museum exhibits a large number of astonishing leftovers and artworks discovered during excavations at Sanchi itself while the rest are from its neighboring villages including Vidisha, Gulgaon, Gyaraspur, and Murelkhurd. The amazing carvings and tools made of metal showcased in the museum are around 2000 years old.

With a single floored white building, the museum comprises the main hall and four galleries besides exhibits in the verandah and a few .....

At a distance of 9 km from Sanchi Railway Station, Bijamandal is an ancient temple located in Vidisha near Sanchi, Madhya Pradesh. Popularly known as Vijayamandira Temple, it is one of the must-visit places near Sanchi.

Bijamandal or Bija Mandal was an enormous temple built in the 11th century during the reign of Parmara King Naravarman. The incomplete architectural design and the foundation stones suggest that the construction remained unfinished. This soaring Brahmanical temple was dedicated to the Goddess Charchika also known as Vijaya. The temple was demolished on the orders of the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb in 1682 and constructed a mosque called Alamgiri Masjid in the same site.

As per the legend, the great temple was 35 m high and 39 m wide. What remains on the site would just have been the base for a much larger structure full of columns and ornately-carved statues. Fascinating carvings from the temple are arranged on the grounds, awaiting classification and display .....