Pleasure resort and capital of the Gond kings during the 12th century, Jabalpur was later the seat of the Kalchuri dynasty. The Marathas held sway over Jabalpur until 1817, when the British wrested it from them and left their impression on the spacious cantonment with its colonial residences and barracks. Today Jabalpur is an important administrative centre, abustle with commercial activity.

Madan Mahal Fort: Built by the Gond ruler, Raja Madan Shah, in 1116 atop a rocky hill, the fort dominates the skyline and provides a panoramic view of the town and the country-side around it.

Rani Durgavati Memorial and Museum: Dedicated to the memory of the great Queen Durgavati is her memorial and a museum which houses a fine collection of sculptures, inscriptions and prehistoric relics.
Tilwara Ghat from where Mahatma Gandhi's ashes were immersed in the Narmada, and venue of the open session of the Tripuri Congress in 1939; the 12th century Mala Devi Mandir, Pisan Hari Jain Temples, and Roopnath are some of the other places in and around Jabalpur which merita visit En route Kanha and Bandhavgarh. Jabalpur is the most convenient base for visits to the famous Kanha (165 km) and Bandhavgarh (190km) National Parks.

MARBLE ROCKS AT BHEDAGHAT
Soaring in glittering splendour, the Marble Rocks at Bhedaghat rise to a hundred feet on either side of the Narmada. The serene loveliness of the scene is one of cool quiet, the sunlight sparkling on the marble white pinnacles and casting dappled shadows on the pellucid waters.  In his Highlands of Central India, Captain J. Forsyth speaks eloquently about the infinitely varied beauty of the rocks.

'The eye never wearies of the.... effect produced by the broken and reflected sunlight, now glancing from a pinnacle of snow-white marble reared against the deep blue of the sky as from a point of silver; touching here and there with bright lights the prominences of the middle heights; and again losing itself in the soft bluish greys of their recesses.Here and there the white saccharine limestone is seamed by veins of dark green or black volcanic rock; a contrast which only enhances, like a setting of jet the purity of the surrounding marble.

Marble Rocks: The perpendicular magnesium limestone rocks fringe the crystal clear placid waters of the Narmada providing a fascinating site. Boating facilities are available between November-May. Boating on a moonlit night when the whole stretch of water is transformed into a sheet of liquid silver is absolutely magical. In the narrow channel of the mighty river, there is a place approached so closely from the opposite banks that the local people have aptly named it the "Monkey's Leap" (Bundar Kudni) Dhuandhar Falls: The Narmada, making its way through the Marble Rocks, narrows down and then plunges in a waterfall known as Dhundhar or the smoke cascade. So powerful is the plunge that its roar is heard from a far distance. The falls and the breaking of the volume of water at the crest present an awesome spectacle of Nature's power unleashed.

Chausat Yogini Temple: Situated atop a hillock and approached by long flight of steps, the Chausat Yogini Temple commands a singularly beautiful view of the Narmada flowing through the jagged Marble Rocks. Dedicated to goddess Durga, this 10th Century temple has exquisitely carved stone figures of deities belonging to the Kalchuri period. According to a local legend, this ancienttemple is connected to the Gond Queen Durgavati's palace through an underground passage.
Soapstone Artefacts: The soapstone revealed by the Narmada provides occupation to families of carvers of gods and goddesses, lingas, crosses, madonnas, ashtrays and trinket boxes.

ByAir: Jabalpur(23km) is the nearest airport
By Rail: Jabalpur, on the Mumbai-Howrah via Allahabad main line, is the main railhead. All mail, express and passenger trains halt here.
By Road: Frequent buses, tempos and taxis are available from Jabalpur.
Best Season: October to May

For More Information: www.incredibleindia.org; www.mptourism.com