Month: May 2018

4 Unconventional Activities To Partake In While In Jabalpur

Madhya Pradesh is called the Heartland of India for a reason. Situated smack in the middle of the country, the state is surrounded by hills, lands, waterbodies and dense forests from all sides. The state offers the perfect respite from the daily struggles and troubles that one finds himself embroiled in, providing a sense of … Continue reading “4 Unconventional Activities To Partake In While In Jabalpur”

Madhya Pradesh is called the Heartland of India for a reason. Situated smack in the middle of the country, the state is surrounded by hills, lands, waterbodies and dense forests from all sides. The state offers the perfect respite from the daily struggles and troubles that one finds himself embroiled in, providing a sense of calm that is longed for. The tourism industry of Madhya Pradesh has been thriving for years now thanks to the numerous attractions and sites that travelers find compelled to fill their itineraries with. Be it the pull of the greens that cover most of the land or the promise of exotic animals that inhabit the national parks and sanctuaries, rest assured knowing that the heart of Incredible India has something on offer for everyone.

One of the most popular cities in Madhya Pradesh is inarguably Jabalpur that has all the sights and sounds that you associate the state with. The place has strong religious affiliations as it finds a mention in the Hindu epic Ramayana. The famous city of Jabalpur has derived its name from Jabali after the wise sage who played a crucial role in the story of Ramayana. Jabalpur fell under the British rule and was called Jabalipuram after it was passed from the hands of the Mauryas, Satavahans, Guptas and the Marathas. The city is well connected through air and land with the Dumna Airport situated almost 20kms from the city and the NH 7 highway that runs throughout the city. Jabalpur tourism packages can be looked into and checked out through travel organisers to make the most of the trip while you are there. Have a look at the sites that you can treat your friends and family with during your days in Jabalpur:

1. Take A Dip To Wash Yourself Off Of Your Sins

You should consider yourself extremely lucky if you manage to partake in the Narmada Pushkaram festival that is stretched over 12 days and is celebrated every 12 years. Thousands of devotees make their way to the River Narmada during this time to take a dip in the holy waters of Narmada that promises to wash away the sins.

2. Ride Through The Marble Rocks

The marble rocks of Bhedaghat are undoubtedly one of the most famous sites to visit for almost every traveler. These marble rocks are naturally formed and a boat ride amidst these rocks makes for a surreal experience. And what’s more, you just might chance upon fossils if you look closely enough.

3. Lose Yourself In The Gwarighat Gurudwara

It is said that Guru Nanak who is the founder of Sikhism had made several stops here to deliver sermons. The Gwarighat has since then earned the status of an extremely important site for the Sikhs and had a Gurudwara ( a Sikh temple) built to mark his visit. Do not forget to witness the mesmerizing “Narmada Aarti” at “Gwarighat”, the bank of the Holy Narmada.

4. Experience The Wonders Inside The Madan Mahal Fort

The Madan Mahal Fort was conceptualised to be a military base with a watchtower in the 11 th Century by Madan Singh, a Gond ruler. It is situated at a height of 500 metres on upon a hill and travelers often find themselves lost amidst the secret passageways, reservoirs and rooms and remain in awe of the spectacular sculptures that serve as a call back to the glorious past.

Enlist the assistance of i4u Travels Services and sift through Jabalpur tourism packages that would suit your needs and be assured of having all your logding and conveyance worries put to rest.

Explore the Rich Heritage of The Buddhist Era At Sanchi

Madhya Pradesh can be said to be the microcosm of India, for the land reflects the glory of India in many ways. These can relate to the architectural grandeur of its palaces, temples and mosques, the natural beauty surrounding the Vindhyas and other regions, the prehistoric art at places like Bhimbetka, the pilgrimage centres of … Continue reading “Explore the Rich Heritage of The Buddhist Era At Sanchi”

Madhya Pradesh can be said to be the microcosm of India, for the land reflects the glory of India in many ways. These can relate to the architectural grandeur of its palaces, temples and mosques, the natural beauty surrounding the Vindhyas and other regions, the prehistoric art at places like Bhimbetka, the pilgrimage centres of Amarkantak, Chitrakoot and others, and the adventure trail of the tiger sanctuaries to name a few. For those with a spiritual bent of mind and in the quest for peace and tranquillity, the land of Sanchi can be an added attraction in the Madhya Pradesh tourism circuit.

How to reach?

The religion of Buddhism started by Lord Buddha had led a trail in India with many centres reflecting the glory of the Lord and his teachings. The town of Sanchi in Madhya Pradesh is one such centre that is well connected by road, railroad and air. If one takes the road then Sanchi can be reached easily from important cities like Bhopal, Indore or Ujjain by buses or cars. The nearest railway station and airport happen to be in the capital city of Bhopal, about 50 kilometres from Sanchi. Located in the Raisen district of the state, the quaint town with an old world charm is known for its beautiful stupas, monuments, and monasteries.

A bit of history

The main attraction of the town is the Buddhist Stupa or a hemispherical dome housing the relics of Lord Buddha. The Stupa was built by Emperor Ashoka, the monarch who reigned during the period from 268 BC to 232 BC. One of the greatest monarchs the world has ever known, Emperor Ashoka had embraced Buddhism and decided to propagate the teachings of the lord after witnessing the wanton destruction wrought by the Kalinga war. As a part of that exercise he had set up many Buddhist monasteries, stupas and pilgrimage centres all across the country, and through his emissaries, even beyond the boundaries of India as well.

The beauty of the Great Stupa at Sanchi

Declared as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, the construction of the Stupa began in the third century BC. The 51 ft high Stupa (mound) or the hemispherical dome consists of a central chamber that contains the relics of Lord Buddha. The archaeological wonder is said to be the oldest stone structure in India built during the Mauryan era. The Stupa is surrounded by four ornately carved gateways or Toranas facing the four directions with each of them representing the eternal and subliminal qualities of love, trust, courage and peace.

The present Stupa is double the size of the original one built by Emperor Ashoka. The expansion of the Stupa was carried out during the Shunga dynasty lorded over by the General of the Mauryan Empire. It was during this period, a chatra or an umbrella measuring 37 meters in diameter and 16 meters tall was erected over the dome.

Other attractions

Interestingly, near the Sanchi Stupa is another important tourist attraction, the Udayagiri Caves.

The magnificence of Udayagiri Caves

These caves consist of an assemblage of twenty rock-cut caves near the ancient town of Vidisha, from the early years of the 5th century CE. These contain some of the oldest surviving Hindu temples and iconography in India. As one of India’s most important archaeological sites, the Udayagiri hills and its caves are protected monuments managed by the Archaeological Survey of India.

Udayagiri caves are notable for the ancient monumental relief sculpture of Vishnu in his incarnation as the man-boar Varaha, rescuing the earth symbolically represented by Bhudevi clinging to the boar’s tusk as described in Hindu mythology ( Cave No 5 ).

Besides the great Stupa and the magnificence of Udayagiri caves, Sanchi has other places of interest as well such as the famous Ashoka Pillar, a number of Viharas (places where Buddhist monks used to stay,) Gupta Temple and others.

If you want to see these architectural wonders of ancient India and other popular destinations in the Madhya Pradesh tourism circuit, engage the services of i4utravels.com.

Pave Your Way Through The Pristine Lands Of Panchmarhi

Located in the district of Hoshangabad, Panchmarhi is an exclusive gem of Madhya Pradesh that can be found tucked in the Satpura ranges. This pristine peace of land is also known as the the “Satpura Ki Rani” as it is the crowning jewel of the region. Expect to be bowled over by the beauty that … Continue reading “Pave Your Way Through The Pristine Lands Of Panchmarhi”

Located in the district of Hoshangabad, Panchmarhi is an exclusive gem of Madhya Pradesh that can be found tucked in the Satpura ranges. This pristine peace of land is also known as the the “Satpura Ki Rani” as it is the crowning jewel of the region. Expect to be bowled over by the beauty that the place exudes and be assured that a single visit would definitely not do the place any justice. Away from the chaotic everyday life and the constant bustle, the hills in Panchmarhi indeed offer a welcome respite from the daily struggles. The land is also considered a holy pilgrimmage site as it is believed that the Pandava brothers (from the epic tale of Mahabharata) had spent part of their years in exile here.

MP tourism packages stress on the importance of visiting these tranquil lands that are cut-off from the urban civilisation. The tourism department had undertaken painstaking methods  to build tracks that carry visitors through the dense forests of bamboo and sal forests. The land of Panchmarhi that sits at a height of 1100 mts has been declared by the UNESCO a popular biosphere reserve for its rich flora and fauna. Indeed, you would be hard pressed to come out of these lands without being inspired and thankful for the bountiful nature that surrounds us.

Take a look at a few of the many offerings that Panchmarhi provides for the weary soul:

1. Chauragarh

It is located around 4kms away from the famous caves of Mahadev and is usually overshadowed by the might of the other touristy locations. The landmark is a beautiful place to be in and makes for quite an experience after a hectic day’s schedule.

2. Handi Kho

This is one of the many eye catching tourist locations that draw travellers from all over the world making them feast their eyes on the spectacle. Handi Kho is a gorge that is tapered that has extremely steep edges. It stands at a height of almost 300 feet and makes quite a sight for sore eyes.

3. Jatashankar

The place is another one of the many sacred caves present in Panchmarhi and is can be found situated under a huge but loose stone. “Jata” is Hindi implies the tangles of hair and the cave of Jatashankar is thus named because it has an uncanny resemblance to the tangles and knots present in Lord Shiva’s hair.

4. Apsara Vihar

In the mood for a round of picnic? Apasara Vihar has got you covered. The pool can be accessed from Jai Stambh. Although the pool is a shallow one it makes for quite an experience when you reach the place with you friends and family.

5. Pandava Caves

The Pandava Caves are arguably one of the most popular sites to visit, thanks to the legend of the brave Pandava brothers making the place their home during their years of exile. The caves are naturally made of sandstone and are now considered sacred. The site has been conserved as part of the heritage culture and steps are taken to safeguard it.

Enlist the help of i4u Travels Services and have access to tailor made MP tourism packages. Rest assured knowing that you would have the perfect lodging and sight-seeing experience letting you create memories for a lifetime.