Travel back in history with a visit to the spectacular town of Jabalpur
In the humble state of Madhya Pradesh, lies its humble capital – Jabalpur. Not really popular or ‘marketed’ as a tourist location, Jabalpur still hosts several tourist families and groups. The best time to visit the place is from September to February. There are several tourist locations in the city, like the Dhuandar Falls, the Marble Rocks, Bhedaghat and so on. But some of them hold key pieces to the history of India and contribute to the rich past of Jabalpur as we know it today.
Here is a list of the Historical tourist places that you must visit when in Jabalpur:
Madan Mahal Fort
The Gond rulers reigned in and around Jabalpur, during in the 11th century, when the Madan Mahal Fort was built. Sitting atop a hill of the same name, the majestic fort gives a beautiful view of the country side and the city of Jabalpur. The fort was built for the purposes of vigilance so that if there was a danger approaching the vicinity, the Royals and the army could be alarmed on time. The fort is rumoured to incubate gold bricks and treasure which is inaccessible to anyone. It is also known to house an underground pathway which was meant to be an escape route at the times of an emergency in the state of Gonds.
Rani Durgavati, the Gond queen back in time, and her son, Madan Singh, have a strong association with the fort. The city also hosts a Madan Mahal railways station.
Balancing Rock
As an act of nature, one large rock balances itself over another, known as the balancing rock of Jabalpur. The attraction is visible while you are on your way to the Madan Mahal Fort. These rocks are believed to be formed out of volcanic eruptions that happened millions of years ago. The rock has survived through an earthquake which read 6.5 on the Richter scale and still hasn’t moved. It is an ancient historic marvel that amazes tourists, locals and geologists alike.
Bastar Palace
One of the most frequently visited places of all the tourist locations in Jabalpur, the Bastar Palace or the Jagdalpur Palace is home to exquisite carvings on its walls and ceilings. It was the headquarters of the Bastar Kingdom before the capital was moved to Barsur.
The beauty of the palace enhances multifold during Dussehra when multiple lamps are lit for the celebration.
Pisanhari Ki Madiya
Pisanhar ki Madiya is known as a pilgrim spot for the followers of Jainism. It is believed that the temple was built by a poor woman 500 years ago. She was inspired by the preaching of Jain monks and since she did not have any Gold or expensive material to decorate the temple, she put her grindstones on the top of the temple. The lady was a ‘pisanhari’ meaning someone who earned a living by grinding wheat in a grindstone.
The fact that the poor lady put her only source of income as decoration for the temple enhances its value multifold.
Chausath Yogini Temple
The Chausath Yogini Temple was built in the 10th century and is a perfect example of the beautiful and skilful architecture of ancient times. There are 3 images placed on the pedestals within the temple, and amazingly all 3 belong to different eras. One belongs to the Kushana period, the other belongs to the post – Gupta period and the third belongs to the Kalachuri style which was popular during the 10-13th century.
This temple is one of the two Chausath Yogini Temples of Madhya Pradesh, where one is near Jabalpur and the other is in Khajuraho. It is made of coarse Granite with an idol of Lord Shiva residing in the middle of the temple complex.
The temple attracts devotees and tourists alike, who need to climb a series of 108 steps to reach the temple. Phew!
Rani Durgavati Museum
The museum of Rani Durgavati was built in the year 1964, whereas the artefacts and collectables in the museum date back to the 10th century when Rani Durgavati reigned over the vicinity. The museum comprises of sculptures and artefacts of the Gond dynasty of the 10th century. It also houses some sculptures that date back to prehistoric times. It is known to be one of the best Museums in Madhya Pradesh.
With the Dhuandhar Falls, Bedhaghat, and other such attractions of the city, the historical monuments get fairly lesser tourists but these monuments tell tales like none other. They are far less commercialized, which in a way helps keep their beauty intact. Visiting these monuments is a fun excursion enjoyed by believers, tourist, young and the old!
While you are here, complement your vacation with a memorable stay at Sterling Kanha and treat your family and friends to unbeatable luxury and comfort.
