Pachmarhi

Pachmarhi is a hill station in Hoshangabad district of Madhya Pradesh state of central India. It has been the location of a cantonment (Pachmarhi Cantonment) since British Raj.[2] It is widely known as Satpura ki Rani ("Queen of Satpura"), situated at a height of 1067 m in a valley of the Satpura Range in Hoshangabad district. Dhupgarh, the highest point (1,352 m) in Madhya Pradesh and the Satpura range, is located here. It is a part of Pachmarhi Biosphere Reserve. Pachmarhi is a hill station of central India. It is also famous for Satpura Tiger Reserve, Satpura National Park, Lord Shiva, Pandavas of Mahabharata.

Pachmari
Hill station
Handi khoh Pachmarhi
Nickname(s): 
Queen of Satpura
Pachmari
Pachmari
Coordinates: 22.4667°N 78.4333°E / 22.4667; 78.4333
CountryIndia
StateMadhya Pradesh
DistrictHoshangabad
Elevation1,067 m (3,501 ft)
Languages
 • OfficialHindi
Time zoneUTC+5:30 (IST)
PIN
461881
Telephone code+91 7578
Vehicle registrationMP-05
Nearest cityPipariya

History

The name Pachmarhi is believed to be derived from the Hindi words Panch ("five") and Marhi ("caves"). According to a legend, these caves were built by five Pandava brothers of Mahabharatha era during their thirteen years of exile. The caves are situated on a hilltop and provide an excellent vantage point.

Before British the Pachmarhi region came under the kingdom of the Gond king Bhawut Singh, although it was not a populated village or town at that time. Captain James Forsyth of the British Army along with Subhedar Major Nathoo Ramji Powar who was later made the Kotwal (Incharge of the armoury (Koth)of Pachmarhi, spotted the plateau in the Pachmarhi region in 1857, while leading his troops on the way to Jhansi.[3] It quickly developed into hill station and sanatorium for British troops in the Central Provinces of India.

The population in 1901 was 3,020, rising to double that number in the hot summer months. Pachmarhi also served as the summer capital for the Central Provinces.

The forest around the town is home to many rare varieties of plants. UNESCO added Pachmarhi park to its list of Biosphere Reserves in May 2009. The total area of Pachmarhi Biosphere Reserve is 4981.72 km2. It is located at longitude 22° 11’ to 22° 50’N and latitude 77° 47’ to 78° 52’E. It covers parts of three civil districts, viz., Hoshangabad (59.55%), Chhindwara (29.19%) and Betul (11.26%). It includes three wildlife conservation units viz., Bori Sanctuary 485.72 km2), Satpura National Park (524.37 km2) and Pachmarhi Sanctuary (491.63 km2).[4][5]

Town

The town is not very large, and most of its area is under the administration of the Pachmarhi Cantonment Board, serving the Indian Army. It is the center of the Army's Education core (AEC). The population of Pachmarhi is about 12,062 as per the report released by Census India 2011, most of whom are connected with the Army installations, tourism, and forest department.

A rarely used airstrip is situated on way to Dhupgarh. It is overrun with grass and is seldom used. A Helipad is also there near the airstrip. Tigers and Bisons are known to have been sighted near the airstrip. Leopard sightings are common along the edge of the Pachmarhi Cantonment.

Climate

The climate here is mild, and generally warm and temperate. When compared with winter, the summers have much more rainfall. This location is classified as Cwa by Köppen and Geiger. The temperature here averages 21.7 °C. The rainfall here averages 2012 mm. At an average temperature of 30.3 °C, May is the hottest month of the year. At 15.5 °C on average, December is the coldest month of the year.[6]

Climate data for Pachmarhi
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °C (°F) 30.6
(87.1)		 33
(91)		 36.1
(97.0)		 40
(104)		 40.6
(105.1)		 40.6
(105.1)		 37.4
(99.3)		 31
(88)		 35.6
(96.1)		 31.9
(89.4)		 29.5
(85.1)		 27.8
(82.0)		 40.6
(105.1)
Average high °C (°F) 22.7
(72.9)		 25
(77)		 29.2
(84.6)		 33.7
(92.7)		 36.3
(97.3)		 31.7
(89.1)		 24.6
(76.3)		 24.1
(75.4)		 25.6
(78.1)		 26.5
(79.7)		 24.5
(76.1)		 23.2
(73.8)		 27.3
(81.1)
Average low °C (°F) 8.9
(48.0)		 10.6
(51.1)		 15
(59)		 20.1
(68.2)		 24.3
(75.7)		 22.6
(72.7)		 19.9
(67.8)		 19.7
(67.5)		 19.2
(66.6)		 15
(59)		 9.9
(49.8)		 7.8
(46.0)		 16.1
(61.0)
Record low °C (°F) −2.8
(27.0)		 −0.6
(30.9)		 3.3
(37.9)		 8.9
(48.0)		 13
(55)		 15.2
(59.4)		 12.2
(54.0)		 13.4
(56.1)		 12.4
(54.3)		 6.7
(44.1)		 1.3
(34.3)		 −1.4
(29.5)		 −2.8
(27.0)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 23
(0.9)		 16
(0.6)		 17
(0.7)		 9
(0.4)		 12
(0.5)		 173
(6.8)		 640
(25.2)		 616
(24.3)		 423
(16.7)		 62
(2.4)		 13
(0.5)		 8
(0.3)		 2,012
(79.3)
Source: Climate data[6][7]

Tourism
Pandav Caves Pachmarhi
Sunset Point at Pachmarhi
Anglican Church at Pachmarhi
Bee Fall
Sitting spot at Pachmarhi Lake

Pachmarhi is a tourist retreat. Tourists visit Pachmarhi throughout the year. There are many hotels mostly situated near the market. Only a few cottages, resorts and mp tourism hotels are situated in the area of Pachmarhi 2 or 3 km from the bus stand.

Pachmarhi has a lot of cave paintings in the forests, some of which have been estimated to be as much as 10,000 years old. Shown in the picture is the garden at the base of a tourist attraction called Pandava Caves. The caves are Buddhist in origin but the name persists. The place has rich timber reserves including teak, but being a part of a reserve no new construction or felling of trees is allowed. Having a rich and rare flora as well as fauna, Pachmarhi needs central and state government approval for any new construction outside the town area.

Some of the places of tourist interest here are:

  • Rajat Prapat (large waterfall)
  • Bee Fall
  • Bada Mahadev
  • Gupt Mahadev
  • Chauragarh (Shiv devotees come here in huge numbers during Mahashivratri)
  • Dhupgarh (the highest peak of the Satpuras and Madhya Pradesh)
  • Handi Khoh (deep valley)
  • Apsara Falls (fairy pool)
  • Jatashankar (stalagmite-filled cave in a deep ravine)
  • Dutchess Fall
  • Pachmarhi Hill (whole view of Pachmarhi City)
  • Pansy Pool
  • Waters Meet
  • Picadilly Circus
  • Patharchatta
  • Crumps Crag
  • Lady Robertson's View
  • Colletin Crag
  • Mount Rosa
  • Handi Khoh
  • Reechgarh
  • Rajendra Giri (gardens with natural scenery)
  • Bansri Vihar
  • Little Fall
  • Naagdwari
  • Draupadi Kund
  • Twynham Pool
  • Chhota Mahadev

Pachmarhi has numerous nature spots, boating at the lake, paragliding, greenery, views, waterfalls, mountain streams and wildlife. National Adventure Institute is also situated in Pachmarhi, where various adventure training camps are organized. Bharat Scout & Guides also situated there.

Wildlife

“ Satpura Tiger Réserve “ Large mammal species include tiger, leopard, wild boar, gaur (Bos gaurus), chital deer (Axis axis), muntjac deer, sambar deer (Cervus unicolor), and rhesus macaques.

The endemic fauna includes chinkara, nilgai, wild dogs, the Indian wolf, bison, Indian giant squirrels, and flying squirrels.

Biosphere

The forests of Pachmarhi, particularly in summer, are full of fruit trees such as mangoes, jamun, custard fruit and lesser-known but very delicious local fruits such khatua, tendu, chunna, khinni and chaar. The forest is also known for its richness in medicinal plants and herbs. The forest of Pachmari is also having thick oak and blue pine forests.

Dhupgarh

Highest point of Satpura ranges at 1352 m. It is known for sunrise and sunset view point. At night one can see the lights of the neighboring towns such as Itarsi. At the day time the view of the lush green valley offers a captivating view. One can reach the top either by road or by trekking.

Chauragarh
Trishuls at Chauragarh

This is the third highest peak. It is a pilgrimage site with Lord Siva's temple at the top. There is a Chauragarh fort there built by the king Sangram Shah of Gond dynasty It is also a very well known spot for sunrise viewing. The sunrising scene seen here is breathtaking and climbing 1365 steps to reach the point makes it worth.During the festivity of Nagpanchami and Mahashivratri, devotees flock to chauragarh temple in large numbers, heaving up massive near about 2 lakh trishuls as offerings which are kept in front of the temple and also in the way of the temple.

Bee Hill and Bee Falls

This is a waterfall in Pachmarhi. It is named as such because from a distance the waterfall sounds like a bee.

Dutchess Fall

This waterfall is the most remote. There are Doctor Fish in the pool made by the waterfall. The road to this waterfall is extreme, with very steep inclinations. There is straight downward trekking of 1 km.

PanarPani

Panarpani has a natural fresh water lake with forest around.

Sangam

This is a conflux of mountain streams behind Dhupgarh. The water in these streams is crystal clear in all seasons except of course autumn.

Jatashankar and Mahadev caves

These are mountain caves with fresh water dripping from them. One can witness ecosystem at work out here with mountains feeding the streams with fresh water, the water that they soak-in during autumn. As the name suggests, these caves and many others like these are the abode of lord Siva.

Silver Falls

Also called Rajat Prapat/Big Fall. The falls comes 2800+ feet roaring down the gorge creating a silver streak that gives its name. The view of dense, serene, virgin forest and stream is simply mesmerizing.

Apsara Vihar

This is a mountain stream that creates a natural water pool, cascades and waterfall in its course.

Other waterfalls

Pachmarhi's ecosystem includes other waterfalls such as Little Fall.

New year event in Pachmarhi utsav

Every year from 25 to 31 Dec pachmarhi utsav is organized by govt. Of Mp. In which various celebrateies has been called to perform stage shows at utsav ground and various places.at the end of 31 an event is organized by local assosication pachmarhi partyan Mitra and MARRS

Film location

Access

Pachmarhi is well connected from Bhopal, Itarsi, Chhindwara, Gadarwara, Narsinghpur, Indore, Jabalpur. Buses start from Habibganj ISBT of Bhopal and generally take close to 5–6 hours and from Indore it takes 10–11 hours via Bhopal to reach Pachmarhi. The buses move through different towns like Chhindwara, Babai, Sohagpur and Pipariya. The Road name is State Highway 19 and change its name State Highway 19A from village Matkuli to pachmarhi, Matkuli is trijunction of Pipariya-Chhindwara-Pachmarhi way and pachmarhi is nearest from here about 28KM. Pipariya is the nearest railhead, many trains on Mumbai-Kolkata route stop at Pipariya. Itarsi Junction is also a major railhead near pachmari. Madhya Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation buses are available for Pachmarhi from Indore, Bhopal. These buses are air conditioned

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References
  1. http://www.traveldest.org/destinations/asia/india/pachmarhi
  2. Pachmarhi, Jewel in the crown of Central India
  3. Pachmarhi Travel Guide. Goodearth Publications. 2009. p. 6. ISBN 978-81-87780-95-3.
  4. "Three Indian sites added to UNESCO list of biosphere reserves". Sify. 27 May 2009. Archived from the original on 28 October 2014. Retrieved 30 May 2009.
  5. "UNESCO Designates 22 New Biosphere Reserves". Environment News Service. 27 May 2009. Retrieved 30 May 2009.
  6. https://en.climate-data.org/location/796784/
  7. "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 16 March 2014. Retrieved 25 January 2014.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
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