• Dhuadhar waterfall at Bheraghat
• Boat ride at Bheraghat
• Cable Car across Dhuadhar waterfall
• Madan Mahal Fort
• Balancing Rock
• Chausath Yogini temple
• Bargi Dam
• Rani Durgawati museum
• Pisanhari Ki Madaiya
• Dumna Nature Park
• Path Baba Mandir
• Tilwara ghat
• Gwarighat & evening Narmada aarti
• Bhanwartal garden
• Hanumantal Bada jain Temple
• Shiv statue at Kachnar city
• Tilwadeshwar temple
• Shopping
Apart from a few sites within the city, Jabalpur is best experienced as a base to explore several interesting attraction close by.
A trip to Jabalpur is incomplete without visiting Bhedaghat, 21 km from town, known for its glittering marble rocks, which rise to 100 ft on both sides of the Narmada. These marble rocks have taken various shapes and can be seen in shades of pink, golden, blue and grey. The tranquil Narmada reflecting these giant rock formations increases the beauty of the spot manifold. Take a boat ride along the river and listen to the interesting hilarious stories the boatmen narrate, while admiring the rocky ridges en route. Note that boating is closed during the rainy season.
Other fascinating archaeological sites situated near Bhedaghat are Panchmatha (14th-15th century) and Nachghar (19th century).
Dhuandhar Falls : Close to the calm and scenic Bhedaghat, River Narmada becomes turbulent and plunges in the mighty waterfall known as Dhuandhar Falls. Water gushing forth from a higher plain gives it a smoke-like appearance and hence the name Dhuandhar, meaning a deluge of smoke. This waterfall, though it may seem mighty, falls from a height of just 9m. take the ropeway, in service from 10.30am to 6.30pm, for an aerial view.
Chausath Yogini Temple : At the confluence of Narmada and Bawanganga, a rock rises into a small circular hill. On top of this hillock is the beautiful Chausath Yogini Temple, which was built by the Kalchuri king Yuvrajdev I in the 10th century CE. This temple, which holds the shrine of Gauri Shankar in it, is the largest Yogini temple of India – Yoginis are the attendants of the Mother Goddess – and can be approached by climbing up 108 steps through a wooded hillside. It is dedicated to the 64 yoginis. An ASI board outside the temple indicates that there are a total of 81 images of different Brahmanical goddesses, though you may not be able to see all 81, as these sculptures often get sent away to various exhibitions.
The architecture of the temple is unique, with a circular plane 125 ft in diameter, and images from the Kushana and Gond periods in Kalchurian style. The temple also bears an inscription stating that the Queen Gosaldevi of Kalchuri Kingdom visited this temple daily.
Tripura Sundari Temple : Tripura Sundary Temple, another site of major religious significance, is at a distance of 12 km from Jabalpur city. Located in the village of Tewar, this temple is dedicated to the Tripura Sundari, a goddess patronized by the Kalchuri dynasty. It is believed that the rock shrine self-manifested by emerging from the ground, it has been a place of worship since the 11th century CE.
Bajnamath : Located 15 km away from Jabalpur is Bajnamath, one of the most sought-after tourist spots in the state. A fine blend of history and nature, Bajnamath is famous for its medieval structures, including a famous temple of Baba Bhairavnath. Constructed in the tantic tradition the Bajnamath Bhairav Mandir is located near a water body.
The Gond king Sangram Singh constructed the Sangram Lake, which lies close to Bajnamath. The lake is rich in avi fauna, and many migratory birds such as pin-tailed ducks, coots and red-perched pilchards are easily spotted here.
Balancing Rock : The Balancing Rock, a geological marvel, is visible as your drive along Garha Road in Jabalpur. It is located near the base of the Madan Mahal Fort. The rock`s position may seem extremely precarious but in fact it has withstood violent earthquakes and remains perched in its place. This rock is an example or eroded volcanic rock formation.
Pisanhari ki Madiya : Pisanhari ki Madiya is a Jain pilgrimage site on the Jabalpur-Nagpur Road, located about 6 km from the city. It is situated on a hillock that is 300 ft high. This 500-year-old spot has a unique story associated with its creation. A devout woman, after hearing the preaching of a monk, decided to build a temple. It is said that the used all her money, earned from grinding flour in a stone grinder, to build this temple. But since she had nothing left to decorate the temple with, she put the only things she was left with the two stones of her grinder. Those grinding stones are still present on top of the temple`s pinnacle. This spot is known as Pisanhari Ki Madiya in honor of that woman. An alternative story purports that 500 years ago, a Jain Peshwa came to serve a Gond Rajput and constructed a temple on this hillock. So, it has come to be known as Peshwa ki Madiya also. This serene place is a perfect meditation spot.
Rani Durgawati Museum : This museum, located right next to Bhanwartal Park, commemorates the valiant Gond queen, Rani Durgawati. Built in 1964, the collection includes a stone replica of the goddess Durga, said to represent the valour of the martyred queen. The galleries display sculptures belonging to the Kalachuri dynasty. One of the most popular attractions here is a statue of Shiva with Parvati engaged in a game of Chausar.
Dumna Nature Reserve : Dumna Nature Reserve, an ecotourism spot near the airport, is a must-visit. It is spread over an area of 10.58sq km and includes a reservoir and dense green cover, along with plenty of wildlife. Cheetal, wild boar, jackal and porcupine cab be spotted here. Facilities such as boating in the Khandhari Dam, a toy train and a hanging bridge make a visit to this park enjoyable. Swimming, however, si not allowed because of the presence of crocodiles.
Ghughua Fossil National Park : A little farther away from the city and most other sites, almost 95 km away, is the Ghughua Fossil National Park. It was founded in the year 1970 and has a unique collection of plant fossils belonging to 31 genera and 18 plant families. Ghughua provides visitors with the rare opportunity to see well-preserved fossils of various trees, leaves, climbers and fruits. It is altogether a wonderful experience, especially for children. This spot can be covered in about five-six hours, depending on travel time.
Constructed by the Gond ruler Raja Madan Shah in the 11th century CE, stands atop a hillock and dominated the skyline of this city. Its strategic location helped keep an eye on the movement of invading armies. The fort provides a panoramic view of the city and the areas adjacent to it. To get here, your will have to climb a faily trying path winding along the hill. It is a good idea to carry a stick to help you climb as well as to ward of invading hordes of langurs.
Bargi Dam, built on River Narmada, is another beautiful tourist spot. It is located on NH7, 40 km away from Jabalpur. You can take a long river cruises between 9.00am and 6.00pm. in addition to this, there are speed boating and water scooter paddle boating facilities also available here. Adventure sports like banana rides, bunging balls, hot-air balloons and much more are organized here in the month of December. Take a short detour on your way back from Bargi Dam to visit the Rani Durgavati Samadhi, the memorial of the martyred Gond queen. The Samadhi is located in Barela, about 20 km from Jabalpur.
From the inspiring love legends of Mandu to the formidable regality of Gwalior,
from the civilization testimonies of Bhimbetka to the architectural eroticism of Khajuraho, from the spiritual mysticism of Omkareshwar and Chitrakoot to the unblemished biodiversity of the national parks at Kanha and Bandhavgarh,
Madhya Pradesh is a microcosm of “Incredible India”.