Pachmarhi

Looking for an unspoilt hill station showcasing abundant greenery? Pachmarhi, in Madhya Pradesh, is the right place to visit. The place is steeped in mythology and history. Places to visit in Pachmarhi include caves, waterfalls and ancient temples. Many of these places have interesting stories attached to them. A Pachmarhi waterfall gushes round the year. Many of these scenic places to visit in Pachmarhi now offer adventure activities to add to the experience.

Pachmarhi enjoys the reputation of queen of Satpura Ranges. The lush greenery that you encounter in most places to visit in Pachmarhi is home to indigenous wildlife and unique flora including medicinal plants. Under British rule, this was an army cantonment area, established in 1872. Now there is a civilian population creating a small town near the tip of the lake. The quaint town doesnt have any large hotels or shopping malls. The places to stay are small with 15-30 rooms. Small shops sell necessities and small, local souvenirs. Pachmarhi food is mostly vegetarian and delicious. Most places to visit in Pachmarhi are located away from the places to eat. You should carry food and water when sightseeing.

Pachmarhi Overview

When to Visit Pachmarhi?

The best time to visit Pachmarhi is the summertime. Even on the hottest days, Pachmarhi temperature never exceeds 35 degrees and the nights are cool. You can tour the places to visit in Pachmarhi without any heat exhaustion. This tourist place is often flaunted as an all-year-round destination. This is because every season lends a special charm to Pachmarhi. During monsoons, Pachmarhi weather turns cool. The surrounding becomes verdant with a profusion of colours. The waterfalls are glorious and wildlife turns lively. For photographers and nature enthusiasts, the monsoon is the best time to visit Pachmarhi. Those who love to chill out with outdoor activities, prefer to explore the places to visit in Pachmarhi during the winter season. Unlike other hill stations, the lowest Pachmarhi temperature never reaches sub-zero levels but remains pleasantly wintry.

How to Reach Pachmarhi?

The small town of Pachmarhi is well-connected by road with major cities such as Bhopal, Indore, Jabalpur and Nagpur. You can avail these roads to go to the places to visit in Pachmarhi and other locations around it. 54 km from Pachmarhi is Pipariya, the nearest railway station. Pipariya receives trains from Delhi, Agra, Varanasi, Kanpur, Patna, Kolkata, Nagpur, Pune, Ahmedabad and Surat. Book a cab or take a bus from Pipariya for the different places to visit in Pachmarhi. Raja Bhoj Airport in Bhopal is the nearest airport to Pachmarhi, about 200 km away. Dumna Airport in Jabalpur is the next alternative at about 250 km distance. You can take the road route from Bhopal or Jabalpur.

What are the Things to See & Do in Pachmarhi?

The terrain in Pachmarhi coaxes you to trek around. Whether you want to visit a Pachmarhi temple or visit a picnic spot, you must hike to the destination. So trekking is a must activity here. Photography will be another activity since some of the places to visit in Pachmarhi are a visual treat. Most temples are functional and every Pachmarhi temple has a revered chief deity. Make time to pray and worship in these temples. Waterfalls are some of the coveted places to visit in Pachmarhi. You can go for a bath or a swim in the safer zones. Explore caves and ancient ruins. Appreciate wildlife in their natural habitat at Satpura National Park and other reserved forests.

Places to Visit in Pachmarhi

Jatashankar Temple

Jatashankar Temple is one of the prime tourist destinations for devotees and nature lovers. Located inside a limestone cave in the Pachmarhi hills, this destination has an interesting story connected to it. It is believed that Lord Shiva hid in this cave to avoid the demon Bhasmasurs anger. The underground cave has stalactite and stalagmite formations giving the natural Shivalingam a matted hair look. Also, one of the rock formations looks like Sheshnag, the celestial serpent. This is one of the most-explored places to visit in Pachmarhi.

Apsara Vihar

Apsara Vihar is a set of spectacular waterfalls which cascades down to a shallow pool. This Pachmarhi waterfall owes its name to a hilarious situation. After Pachmarhi became a British cantonment, the British ladies would often visit this location for a bath. The locals thought the fair ladies were celestial bodies or fairies (Apsara) and named this Pachmarhi waterfall Apsara Vihar.

Bee Falls

One of the most intriguing places to visit in Pachmarhi, Bee waterfall is a great picnic spot. Bee Falls gets its name from the buzzing sound of bees that the cascading water makes from a distance. Just 5 km away from the Pachmarhi bus stand, this is one of the most popular places to visit in Pachmarhi. This waterfall also provides drinking water to the Pachmarhi town.

Dhoopgarh

Offering a spell-binding vista of sunrise and sunset, Dhoopgarh is the highest point in the Satpura Ranges. This scenic location will amaze tourists trekking to places to visit in Pachmarhi. At an elevation of 1352 m, this most iconic of all Pachmarhi hills offers a view that is a photographers delight.

Priyadarshini Point

Priyadarshini Point is also called the Forsyth Point after Captain Forsyth, the first visitor here in 1857. This is one of the most tranquil places to visit in Pachmarhi. A trek to the summit will reward you with the endless panorama of emerald-green hills folding onto each other. The views will include the ravines of Handi Khoh and a birds eye view of the town.

Satpura National Park

About 118 km away from Pachmarhi town is the district of Hoshangabad (Narmadapuram). It houses the Satpura National Park with its indigenous flora and fauna. One of the places meant for nature lovers and tourists with kids, this location is often included in the itinerary for places to visit in Pachmarhi. Jeep, elephant or boat safaris take you to the interior of the forest for birdwatching or spotting reni-pani vines (a plant), tigers, sloth bears, leopards, Indian gaur or giant squirrels.

Food to Try in Pachmarhi

Dal BaflaWhen you are busy touring the places to visit in Pachmarhi, you must sample Dal Bafla, a speciality of Madhya Pradesh. These are flour dough balls cooked to perfection and served with tempered lentil curry (dal).

Bhutte ki Kees Another special Pachmarhi food, Bhutte ki Kees is a savoury dish made from mashed/grated corn. Served as street food all over Madhya Pradesh, this is a must-try when touring places to visit in Pachmarhi.

Poha- Jalebi Here is a combination of two food items, poha (cooked flattened rice) and jalebi (syrup steeped in fried coils) served together. This is an ideal breakfast before starting for places to visit in Pachmarhi.

Thali Thali is very popular as Pachmarhi food. It is a meal platter that has various courses served during the meal. In Pachmarhi, you will find restaurants serving, Gujarati, Maharashtrian and Jain thalis. Some places even serve Bengali food.

Things to Buy in Pachmarhi

After sightseeing at the various places to visit in Pachmarhi, you would like to carry the memories back. Buy paintings made with vegetable dyes showing the Mughal period. This area has a tradition of cave painting from pre-historic times. Home décor items or knick-knacks made of metal or bamboo are also great shopping options. The many places to visit in Pachmarhi will introduce you to medicinal plants and herbs. Pick out some ayurvedic medicines and herbal supplements for your requirements. Natural, organic forest honey is a real catch when you are shopping in Pachmarhi hill station.

Conclusion

Pachmarhi hill station is a destination that is still untouched by modernisation. The small town is surrounded by many elements of vibrant nature forests, hill ranges, waterfalls and caves. These elements make up the numerous places to visit in Pachmarhi. Add to that the temples and other places of worship, and you have a spiritual vibe in this serene location. Trek, swim or pray. Sample the simple fresh and delicious Pachmarhi food and enjoy your vacation.