Jabalpur (Madhya Pradesh)

Jabalpur is situated on the banks of holy river Narmada and is surrounded by rocky hills, hence it is also called as the “the city of the rocks." It got its name from Saint Jabali Pattanam or Jabal (in Arabic meaning rocks). It was the capital of the medieval Gond rulers during the 12th century but later it became the capital of the Kalchuri Kings and the Marathas until the British seized it. Saint Binoba Bhave named it as Sanskardhani (Cultural Capital) of Madhya Pradesh, as it is a major educational & cultural center.

The holy 'Narmada' river flows through the District, which is the major drinking water source for the District. Today Jabalpur is an important administrative centre, abustle with commercial activity.

Places of Interest

Madan Mahal Fort
The fort dominates the skyline and provides a panoramic view of the town and the countryside around it, built by the Gond ruler, Raja Madan Shah, in 1116 atop a rocky hill. The fort is very simple structure with out any ornamentation.

Sangram Sagar
The famous Gond King, Sangram Shah, built these medieval constructions between 1480-1540. The red crested pochards, coots, and pin-tailed ducks from central western Asia could be seen in the Sangram Sagar Lake here.

Tilware Ghat
From where Mahatma Gandhi's ashes were immersed in the Narmada, and venue of the open session of the tripuri Congress in 1939; the 12th century Mala Devi Mandir; Pisan Hari Jain Temples, and roopnath are some of the other places in the around jabalpur which merit a visit.

Mala Devi Temple
The Mala Devi Temple was built in the 12th century, and houses a beautiful image of Mala Devi or Laxmi.

Rani Durgavati Museum
Dedicated to the memory of the great Queen Durgavati is her memorial and a museum, which houses a fine collection of sculptures, inscriptions and prehistoric relics. The museum has a good collection of artifacts and also has a section dedicated to artifacts and photos related to Mahatma Gandhi.

Excursion

Bilhari
Bilhari is situated at about 14 km from Katni. Many pieces of ancient sculpture have been found here.

Mandla
95 km south of Jabalpur, Mandla is known for its fort which is situated in a loop of the Narmada river so that the river protects it from three sides, with a ditch on the fourth. Built in the late 17th century, the fort is now subsiding into the jungle, although some of the towers still stand.

National Park of Fossils
Established in the year1983. The fossil National park is located in the district of Mandala in an area of 0.27sq.km. The park contains botanical fossils. The best time to visit the park is from November to May.

Nohta
Nohta, located 31 km from Jabalpur, is believed to have been the capital of the Chandela kings in the early 12th century. There is a Lord Shiva temple, where a Kartik fair is held annually. A few Jain ruins can also be seen in Nohta.

Rookhand
Rookhand is a wildlife sanctuary adjacent to the Pench National Park; it is situated at a distance of 101 km from Nagpur on N.H. No 7 (26 km from Seoni) lies Rookhand, a charming retreat in Bison country.

Roopnath
Roopnath, 84 km from Jabalpur, is famous for a lingam dedicated to Lord Shiva and placed in the cleft of a rock.

Pench National Park
This park was established in 1979 in the district of Seoni in an area of 293sq.km The Park contains dry mixed deciduous forest. The fauna of the park comprises tiger, leopard, sloth bear, sambar, gaur, chital, barking deer four horned antelope wild dog and wild boar. The best time to visit the park is from March to June.

How to get there

Air:
There are regular airlines services to Jabalpur from Delhi and Mumbai.

Rail:
Jabalpur is a main railhead on the Mumbai-Howrah line. It is well connected to Delhi also.

Road:
Well connected to the rest of the country.