Jabalpur, with the beautiful Narmada flowing by, is among the most famous of all the cities in Madhya Pradesh. In ancient times, Jabalpur was ruled by firstly the Mauryas and then the Satavahans, followed by the Guptas and then the Gonds and finally the Marathas. The city thereafter came under the British and became a smart cantonment with its share of Defence oriented industries. There are a lot of places to see in and around the city and a lot of things to do in Jabalpur, as well. Today it is being developed by the government as a Smart City.

Of the five holy rivers in India, the Narmada is one of the holiest. Once every twelve years Narmada Pushkaram, a festival lasting twelve days, is celebrated. One of the most popular places where devotees take a dip is the Omkareshwar Temple where people believe their sins are washed away. According to folk lore Narmada is the result of the sweat from Lord Shiva’s body. Any way you look at it, a dip in the Narmada River is refreshing.

Your trip to Jabalpur can never be complete unless you take the amazing boat ride on the Narmada through the ravine with the marble rocks on your sides. It is truly a most enjoyable ride, one that would be difficult to replicate anywhere else. Boating facility is available round the year except at the time of the monsoons (July to September). The timing for the boat ride is between 10am and 5pm. Boat rides can also be arranged during full moon nights.

The cable car ride over the Dhuandhar Falls is a wonderful experience especially when you are over the falls and can see the water cascading down while hearing the crashing sound of the water. The ride on the ropeway begins at one point and you are transported to the opposite side of the river. This way you are able to see the crashing waterfall from up front. The timing for the cable car is 6:30am to 8:30pm and the charge is Rs. 60/ for a round trip.

It is believed that Guru Nanak stopped here for delivering his sermons on his way back to Punjab. A beautiful gurudwara has been made at this popular ghat of Jabalpur to commemorate the visit by Guru Nanak. There is a regular Guru ka Langar at the Gurudwara and the complex also has accommodation for pilgrims and travellers to stay here.

There is a 76’ high statue of Lord Shiva made at Kachnar City, a new and posh locality of Jabalpur. This is one of the latest attractions with the statue placed under the open sky on top. There is a cavern as well with several models of Shiva Lingams from various parts of the country. The temple was built in 2006 and it has beautiful idols of Saptarishi and Lord Ganesha. There is also an attractive statue of the Lord’s Vaahan, Nandi.

Bargi Dam is one of the most attractive spots in the vicinity of Jabalpur. Roughly 40 km from the bus stand, the dam on the Narmada River is popular both as a getaway during weekends as well as a picnic spot where one can spend some time with family and friends. The dam has the backwaters where there are several activities that you could enjoy such as the water scooter, cruise ride, paddle and speed boating. The place is also ideal for nature photographers and bird watching enthusiasts. The timing for cruise ride is between 10am and 6pm. The charges are Rs. 90/ per person. One can also see the 103" tall statue of Goddess Mahakali in the vicinity.

Constructed by Madan Singh, the Gond King in the 11^th century, the Madan Mahal Fort is absolutely gorgeous. Originally the purpose of the fort must have been to serve as a post for the military. It has a watchtower, secret passages, war rooms and a stable. The architecture and the sculptures within are most striking. There are reservoirs as well. Situated at a height of around 500 m on a hill, the fort is open all round the year.

The beautiful idol of Lord Adinatha in black stone is the major attraction in the Hanumantal Jain Mandir in Jabalpur. The name Hanumantal is taken from the adjoining lake of the same name. The temple’s environment is very charming and the mandir appears to be a palace in pure white. There are 22 shrines within the temple. The temple was built in the form of a fortress in 1686 and thereafter renovated later in 19th century. The images within the temple range right from the reign of the Kalchuris (10th century till 12th century AD) to the present day. This is the largest Jain temple in the country.