The Chausat Yogini Temple Jabalpur in Madhya Pradesh

The Chausat Yogini Temple, or the temple of 64 yoginis, is located atop a hill in Bedaghat, some 20 km from Jabalpur in Madhya Pradesh

A land with scattered stones, Jabalpur (Jabal means stones), was ruled by many kings of various dynasties, such as, Maurya, Kushan, Gupta etc previously. It’s evident that the city has plenty of historic monuments around. The city, however, attracts throngs of tourists every year for manifold reasons.

But, the main enticement which soothes the soul of the entire groups of holiday makers is definitely the Marble Rocks. The natural locus of Jabalpur would be an additional charm of the city. Plenty of red lotuses flourish on the surface of the water body around. The well embellished water body looks even more astounding as the dotted granite stones of the tiny hills act like the ornaments of the water body. It seems that you are approaching towards a batch of elephants if you are moving towards the beguiling water body. The scenic beauty of the places around along with the charm of the water body would offer you an unmatched experience altogether, especially in the moon light.

The grandeur of the city had been demolished to large extent by the looters earlier. However, the city is safe now from them at least. The Bengali cultures and traditions are significantly visible on the lifestyles of the city dwellers. Durga Puja, Raksha Bandhan and Diwali are the famous festive occasions which pull huge crowds at one place every year.

The city is also very popular as a junction station which has an immense important in connecting the National Park Kanha and Bandhavgarh.

Located at an altitude on 496 meters, Jabalpur is a hugely popular city as the third largest city of India. Approximately 9 lakhs of inhabitants live and explore the city of Jabalpur regularly.

One of the prime allurements of Jabalpur, the Marble Rocks, is located at a distance of 23 km towards the western side of the city. Blue color of the sky reflects on the crystal clear blue water of the Narmada River. 300 feet tall Hills of Magnesium limestone on both the sides uplift the spirits of the swarms of nature lovers. It’s truly a heavenly experience to watch the nature around. The hard stone at the top most peak of the hill looks marvelous when it enjoys a bath in the evening with the moon light. The reflection of the bright sunlight creates various colors. The spectacle is mesmerizing. Tourists who are able to watch the splendor of this place can definitely count themselves in the batch of the lucky people.

A number of crocodiles swim in the water of the Narmada River. The depth of the River here varies between 400 to 700 feet. But, make sure that you don’t ever try to play with the homes of the bees.

Bhedaghat of Jabalpur can be accessed by availing an auto or taxi or bus. Riding on a boat and travelling through the Narmada River for 3 km during November- May are enchanting experience for all. You can watch the charm of the Marble Rocks at both the side of the Narmada River while enjoying the boat ride. You have to spend 18 rupees per head for this trip though. You can, however, hire an entire yacht if you have 10/20 family members.

The end point of the hill is renowned as Monkey's Leap. Here the rocks are so close to each other that a monkey can leap across, hence the name. The cave of the saint Dattatreya is situated in front of the Monkey's Leap at the right hand side of the River. It is said that the saint Bhrinda had meditated on the slope of the hill. The deity Shiva, established by the queen Ahilyabai, resides on an adjoining stone of the hill.

You would love to watch the impressive structure of the Elephant Feet and Horses Feet. Their structures had taken these kinds of shapes due to the continuous erosion caused by the water streams. During full moon, a half an hour boating would encourage you to come back to Jabalpur once again. The splendor of the Marble Rocks is worth watching under the flood lights.

A Jain temple and a Kali temple are also there in the vicinity.

Motel Marble Rocks, Upper Rest House, Lower Rest House, Hotel Samdariya, Hotel Rahul Tourist Home and Dharamsala are there for the tourists in Bhedaghat. A number of shops are scattered in and around the place as well.

Chousat Yogini Temple, on the way to the Marble Rocks, on the protracted Narmada River banks, can be accessed through 108 stair steps. Inscriptions had revealed the history of 10^th century. The Golki Math, built by Keyur Barsha (the follower of Shiva), houses 298 deities, such as, Hara Patvati on Nandi, Surya Dev, Ganesha and Vishnu. Most of the idols of the deities of the temple, however, are in ruins. 64 yoginis, friends of the Kali devi, look attractive as well. The idols of yoginis were brought all the way from Khajuraho. It is opined that this particular temple had a well established link with the Rani Durgavati Palace.

One of the most absorbing and agreeable enticements of Jabalpur is an effervescent waterfall, called the Dhuandhar Waterfall. The untamed water stream of Narmada River jumps on the valley fiercely from an altitude of 100 feet. The fetal stream of the entire Narmada River then marks its way through the lingering gorge. Watching the sight of the free flowing water stream is an eye soothing experience. Hordes of holiday makers spend hours watching the vista around sitting quietly on the banks of the River. Take a walk for one mile alongside the Narmada River to reach the waterfall. It is popularly known as Dhumadhar waterfall. The reflection of the sunlight on the water would offer you a pleasing view as well. A number of shops at the roadsides amuse the swarms of tourists. But, don’t forget to bargain.

The striking Madan Mohan Fort, about 7 km away from the city of Jabalpur, was the palace of Gond dynasty and is located on the way to the Marbles Rocks. Raja Madan Shah had built the palace marvelously on a huge flanked granite stone atop the hill in 1116. The name of the palace had been derived from the name of the king. The palace is also known in the proximity as the palace of Rani Durgavati. Even though the depicted architectures of the windows, roof and balcony of the palace are not treats to the eyes but the excellence in structuring is notable. The queen had committed suicide when she could foresee the defeat against the strong force of the emperor, Akbar. To recall that historical tale and the bravery of the queen a commemorative had also been built on the palace premise. The sprinkling ruins of the palace still recollect the old memories of primeval era.

The bird’s eye view of the entire city would enthrall everybody who climbs up the palace. The Balancing Rocks, on the way to the elevated palace, are flanked startlingly one after the other.

Hire a car from the city to the foothill of the palace. Willing tourists, however, have to take a long walk to the palace from the foothill to watch the grandeur around.

Pisan Hari Jain Temple is not very far away as well. Cross the fort and the medical college on the same way to the Marble Rocks to access the holy Pisan Hari Jain temple.

Motilal Park, Rani Durgavati museum, Sangram Sagar, temple of Mangala Devi and Bajna Math are the other coveted tourists’ destinations. The Rani Durgavati museum has an assortment of ancient architectural objects and sculptures. The Sangram Sagar was built by the Gond king Sangram Shah during 1480-1540.

Tourists can avail a car from the city bus stand, about 3 km from the railway station, to the Dhumadhar waterfall. Take a walk to the Chousath Yogini temple and marble rocks from the Dhumadhar waterfall. If you hire a car, then the tour of the entire city can be completed in 4/5 hours. For any assistance you can contact MP State Tourism Office on the 1 no Railway Platform (@0761-2677690).

Located at a distance of 9 km towards the western side of the city of Jabalpur, the Tilwara ghat, on the banks of the Narmada River, is a holy destination for the Hindu devotees. A holy bath here would shed the sins of the devotees.

The sanctified Tilbhandeshwar Shiva temple, on the River banks of Narmada, is another sought after attraction. It is believed that the Shiva idol of the temple is still growing. If you give foods then you would be able to watch a number of animated fishes in the Narmada River. This is the historical place where the ashes of the Indian patriot Mahatma Gandhi had been immersed in the Narmada River. The Gandhi memorial museum in the close hinterland recalls the old memories of Mahatma Gandhi.

Hordes of holiday makers, who love the quietness of the village, should walk around the Tripuri village, on the way to the Gandhi museum. This particular village had also included its name in the pages of history for another Indian freedom fighter and the world famous leader Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose. A conference of Congress was organized in 1939 in Tripuri village and great Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose was the president of the conference.

The divine Rupnath Shiva (about 84 km from Jabalpur towards Allahabad) and Maihar (about 157 km away from Jabalpur on the Jabalpur- Satna road) can be accessed from Jabalpur both by bus and by train. Tourists must enjoy the trips to Kanha (165 km) and Bandhabgarh (164 km) from Jabalpur. Satna acts as a connecting railway station between Jabalpur and Khajuraho.

While at Jabalpur, you can perform aarti of Narmada at Bhedaghat on any evening. The scene resembles that of Brahmakund, Haridwar.

How to reach: Jabalpur railway station is linked with Kolkata, Mumbai, Allahabad, Satna, Jhansi, Agra Cant, Nizamuddin, Lcuknow, Bhopal and many more cities by trains. Tourists can access Jabalpur regularly by buses as well from Khajuraho, Bhopal, Gwalior, Kanha, Bandhabgarh, Satna, Indore, Bilaspur, Allahabad and Nagpur.