Things To Do In Achanakmar Wildlife Sanctuary
Planning A Trip To Achanakmar Wildlife Sanctuary? Here's our list of top things to do in Achanakmar Wildlife Sanctuary
Achanakmar Wildlife Sanctuary is a vast sanctuary and also a tiger reserve that is divided into two states namely Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh. Most part of it is in Chhattisgarh and there are buffer zones for the animals as well. This sanctuary is breathtaking and has so much to explore inside; dotted with a variety of flora as well as fauna, this sanctuary is an important one in the state. The sanctuary houses several varieties of animals, reptiles, birds and is also home to migrant birds during winters. There are several things to do in Achanakmar Wildlife Sanctuary and that is the reason lot of people plan their vacation here. This is the best place for nature enthusiast to enjoy and observe animals. Let’s have a look at some of the things you can do in during this trip.
Visit Temples in Malhar
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Malhar in Chhattisgarh used to be known as Saravpur in the past and used to be the capital of the state once upon a time. Some of the famous temples in Malhar are Dindeshwari Temple and Pataleshwar Temple. Malhar is full of excavation sites and you will find a lot of ancient temple ruins in the region. All the temples in Malhar date back to the 11th and 12th century and you can even find ruins of Jain temples that existed a long time ago. The main attraction here is a statue of Lord Vishnu that has four hands; this is what people come to see and pray to. The Pataleshwar Mandir is a cave temple and is well decorated during festivals like Navratri and is deifinetely worth a visit.
Explore the Jungle on a Safari
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If you are a nature enthusiast, going on a safari in Achanakmar Wildlife Sanctuary is something that you would definitely want to do. Going on a safari lets you be one with nature and get personal and up close with wildlife, their habits and habitat. A safari is a great way to explore the jungle, click photographs and see these magnificent creatures in their natural state. The sanctuary has safari provisions and they will take you on a jeep to explore the forest area, the guide in the care will give you detailed information about animals, birds and plants that you will see.
See the Beauty of Doodh Dhara Waterfall
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If you are visiting in the summer season, Doodh Dhara Waterfall is a great place to visit. Thereason for this name is the fact that when the cascade of water falls from a height on to the water body below, the colour of the water is as white as milk. Located in Amarkantak, this waterfall is a number one attraction in the region. The water falls from a height of 70 ft and is absolutely beautiful to witness. You can spend a day here by having a picnic and rehabilitating yourself in the area. The real beauty of the waterfall is seen in the monsoon season.
Engage in Photography
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Achanakmar Wildlife Sanctuary has some of the most endangered species of animals, birds and a wide variety of plants as well. If you want a memory of everything you have seen and are interested in wildlife photography, this is your chance. Take your lenses out because you will click some of the most endangered creatures like the Bengal Tiger. It doesn’t matter if you are an amateur or a professional, you can always snap animals and birds that you see. This is a good way to brag about everything you see back home.
Visit Kabir Chabutara
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Located a distance of 5 km form Amarkantak, Kabir Chabutara is a holy place. It is said that at this place, Sant Kabir achieved Moksha. The local people in the vicinity known as Panikas respect the place a lot and believe it is religious as this was a meditation ground for Sant Kabir for a very long time. This is also the place where Sant Kabir and Guru Nanak had come to conclusions about humans, their personality and better ways of living one’s life. In front of Kabir Chabitara there is a small water body where you can see a film of foggy air every morning and evening.
Set up Camp
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Inside the premises of Achanakmar Wildlife Sanctuary, you can indulge in various activities, one of them being camping. You can go up to the authorities to ask for camping equipment and they will direct you to people who can help with the same. Carry most of your camping items, as everything might not be available. The authorities then will direct you to safe spot where you can set up your tent and enjoy the night sky full of stars. If you go camping in winter, you can see a lot of wildlife activity as well.
See the Kapildhara Waterfall
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Another famous waterfall in the area near Achanakmar Wildlife Sanctuary is the Kapildhara Waterfalls. The best season to visit this waterfall is monsoon or winters. The waterfall looks the best during monsoons when the pleasant weather is accompanied by rains. There is a bridge that leads to the waterfall and there you can see monkey families roaming around as well. The best part about this waterfall is that you view it from both bottom and the top. Visit Kapildhara Waterfall for a scenic view of a waterfall.
Ride on a Bicycle Trail
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Achanakmar Wildlife Sanctuary is a place where you can explore nature and its elements. You can explore the jungle by walking in groups or riding bicycles in groups as well. A guide will accompany you on the trails and show you different paths that are unique with a variety of different plants and flowers growing in every nook and cranny. A good time to do this activity is during the first half of monsoon when there are light showers and the climate is perfect. You can see the landscape in its full bloom with green meadows and hills hiding behind dark clouds.
Seek Blessing at Mahamaya Devi Temple
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There are several temples in the region around Achanakmar Wildlife Sanctuary and some of them are really special for a lot people and communities. The Mahamaya Devi Temple in Bilaspur is one of them; the locals there have a lot of faith on the shrine of Devi that is inside the temple. Tourists visit this temple to see the shrine of Mahamaya Devi and offer their prayers to her. The best time to visit this temple is during Navaratri when it is decorated with lights and flowers and the locals celebrate the festival with full enthusiasm.
Visit Neighbouring Villages
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If you have a keen interest in knowing more about the culture and lifestyle of the tribal people in this region, then you must surely visit the villages in the region. There are 27 communities consisting of both tribal and non-tribal who live in 418 villages in this region. Villages like Akaltari, Rajki, Khingsara, Mangli, Kenda, Nagoi and many other villages in the area are worth visiting. Learn more about life from their simple style of living and rich culture. You can even do a home stay in a house in the village to know more about them.