Jabalpur

An important cantonment and administrative centre, Jabalpur was once the pleasure resort of the Gond Kings. When the Gond Empire was at its peak, in the 12th century, King Madan Shah built the Madan Mahal, which still overlooks the city. Later, Jabalpur became the capital of the Kalchuri Kings and the Marathas until it was seized by the British in 1857.

ACCESS

Nearest airport is Bhopal. Jabalpur (294 km) has flights from Delhi, Mumbai, Indore, and Gwalior. It is an important railway station on the Mumbai-Howrah-via Allahabad main line. Buses ply regularly between Jabalpur and important cities of the region.

PLACES OF INTEREST

Madan Mahal Fort - built in 1116 on top of a rocky prominence from where a panoramic view of the city is obtained; Pisan Hari Jain Temples - about 150 yr. old, these temples got their name from the woman who started them with money earned from milling flour.

Tilwara Ghat and Gwarighat - ideal picnic sports on the banks of the Narmada; Mala Devi Mandir; Sangram Sagar and Bajnamath - the former a tank and the latter a Temple, are medieval constructions which are now in ruins.

EXCURSIONS

Marble Rocks (Bhedaghat) - 23 km from Jabalpur. These rocks rise on either side of a mile-long gorge through which the Narmada flows. Boating amist these rocks - more than 100 feet high - in moonlight is a magical experience;

Bilhari - 157 km. Many pieces of ancient sculpture have been found here.

Bandhavgarh National Park - 194 km. The park area is hilly and is dominated by the majestic Bandhavgarh fort, built in the 14th century; Kanha National Park (173 km) - home to a large variety of animals like the tiger, sambhar, cheetal, black buck, and the last preserve of the barasingha.

ACCOMMODATION

Rishi Regency (3-star), Opposite SBI, civil lines, Jabalpur. Phone: 321804. Fax: 323903-4-5.

Kalchuri (M.P. Tourism) Near Railway Station. Phone: 321491-93.