Often known as Satpura ki Rani, Pachmarhi is a beautiful hill station in District Hoshangabad, Madhya Pradesh. Situated at an altitude of 1,067 feet, this region is also a part of the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve which is home to a great number of leopards and bison.
According to the legends, it is believed to be the place where the Pandavas stayed during their exile. Pachmarhi is also a treasure trove for archeologists as it is adorned with ancient caves with beautiful rock paintings.
Pachmarhi is a popular tourist destination in Madhya Pradesh that offers spectacular vistas of magnificent Satpura ranges along with enchanting waterfalls and verdant terrains. Along with many Hindu temples, there are a number of churches built in colonial architectural style.
Best Time to Visit Pachmarhi
The best time to visit Pachmarhi is between the months of October and June. The overall weather conditions are very pleasant during these months and you won’t be disappointed with your sojourn here.
History Of Pachmarhi
Going by its etymology, the name Pachmarhi is derived from two Hindi words i.e. Panch and Marhi which means five caves. According to mythological legends, these caves were built by the Pandavas during their exile. However, geologists claim these caves to be of Buddhist or Jain origin.
Talking about the pre-colonial period, Pachmarhi was under the rule of Gond King Bhawut Singh. Then with the coming of Britishers, the Captain named James Forsyth discovered this beautiful hill station in 1857. He then developed Pachmarhi as a health resort because this place in Madhya Pradesh offers tranquil vibes.
Major Attractions In And Around Pachmarhi
1. Bee Falls
The ethereal beauty of these waterfalls will simply captivate your mind. Here you get to experience some of the most amazing views of the natural scenery. Thus, if you visit Pachmarhi you shouldn’t definitely miss this one out.
2. Jata Shankar Caves
Jata Shankar Caves located in Pachmarhi are considered to be quite sacred. Perhaps this might be so as it is believed to be the place where Lord Shiva concealed himself from Bhasmasur.
3. Pandava Caves
It is believed that these were the caves where the Pandavas took shelter during their exile, along with their wife Draupadi. However, now this place is a popular tourist attraction and sees a great number of tourists all year round.
4. Mahadeo Hill
These hills are located in Madhya Pradesh and are one of the most incredible tourist attractions to explore with lots of bubbling excitement. The holy shrine of Lord Shiva holds immense significance as people hold great reverence for it.
How To Reach Pachmarhi
Pachmarhi is a beautiful hill station and is a must-visit if you want to escape the stress of city life. To travel here, you will need to cover a total distance of about 912, 897, 1,367, 1,318 km from Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, and Bengaluru respectively. Here are the details on how you can reach here by the following means of transportation.
- Closest Major City. Bhopal
- Best Route. Bhopal - Hoshangabad - Pachmarhi
- Distance From Bhopal. 206km
- Distance From Jabalpur. 251km
- Distance From Nagpur. 292km
- Distance From Raja Bhoj Airport. 195km
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By Air
The nearest airport from Pachmarhi is the Bhopal Airport aka Raja Bhoj Airport (BHO) situated at a distance of about 200-250 km. As the name suggests, it was named after the 10th-century king Raja Bhoj. It is located within 15 km to the Bhopal Junction as well, thus if you want to travel somewhere further by train, you won’t have to travel long distances. Overall, this aerodrome has good flight connectivity with direct and connecting flights from various cities and towns. After deboarding, your flight considers booking a cab or take some other means of transportation to reach your destination.
Here is a list of Indian cities from where flights are available to Pachmarhi
By Train
If you plan to travel via train, then deboard at the Pipariya Railway Station situated 50-60 km away. It majorly serves the Pipariya town in Madhya Pradesh and is considered to be an A category station of the West Central Railway Zone. After deboarding here, consider booking a taxi or some other means of local transportation to reach here.
- From Guwahati - Board GHY LTT SPECIAL from and deboard at Pipariya Station
- From Bhopal - Board Janshatabdi Spl from Habibganj Station and deboard at Pipariya Station
By Road
Pachmarhi has overall good road connectivity with other cities. There are regular state-run buses which you can easily board and reach here. You can also book taxis or self-drive here according to your convenience and budget.
Frequently Asked Questions about Pachmarhi
Q. What are the popular tourist attractions in Pachmarhi?
A. Some of the popular tourist attractions in Pachmarhi include Raj-era bungalows, Mahadeo Hill, Apsara Vihar waterfall, Jatashankar Temple, the Dhoopgarh, Priyadarshini Point, and Bee Falls.
