AMARKANTAK - THE KING OF PILGRIMAGES (TIRTHRAJ ).

One can simply relate the name AMARKANTAK  , as the birthplace of river Narmada and Sone river....various mythological  stories run with the name of these 2 rivers.The place is an unique natural heritage area and is the meeting point of Vindhya and Satpura ranges with the maikal hills being the fulcrum. The small town of Amarkantak is surrounded by a rich varieties  of  medicinal plants and lush  green Shal forest  belt which is part of Achanakmar -Amarkantak  Biosphere Reserve.
    Besides the Narmada kund and Sonmuda,  it's home of the ancient temples of Kalachuri period  and the Sriyantra  temple.

My visit : Long I heard stories about Amarkantak and Barfani  sadhu  from my late father in law. ...so , this time,when I and my husband  planned for Madhya Pradesh  trip,I thought to include Amarkantak to our itenary. ..it was more a curiosity, to see the place and corelate with all those stories I heard from my father in law.
 We were to drive from Kahna national park  to Amarkantak, which is more than 275kms drive or so....our driver asked  us that immediately after we should start as early as possible.  We left Gawa Kahna resort, were we stayed ,by 12pm. ....and then onto a long long drive...via Mandla.  By the time we reach our MPTDC  resort  at Amarkantak, it was almost 7/7.30pm. ...very chilling outside...but it's a very beautiful resort with lovely  tents  stay,provided with all sorts of amenities, besides standard rooms too available.  We  were too exausted by then and just wanted to go off to sleep after dinner...No nonveg  meals are available in this town....So simple sabji, dal and roti for dinner and we were off to sleep. Tomorrow morning is our 18th Anniversary and to celebrate in this holy town was a great feeling  I had in my heart as I went off to sleep.
  Woke up early to see the sunrise and enjoy the chill in the air....it's just too beautiful  property,it's thought in mind...i took walk up and down the resort ,while enlisting what all to see  around the town. Soon it got cloudy  and my mood and excitement was off ..i kept praying ,so that it clears up soon.

It was time for sight seeing and it started poring heavily....Can't help....as nature cannot be controlled. ...just had to hold patience. By the time we reached the gates of the beautiful  KALACHURI  GROUP OF TEMPLES, the rains s stopped....we were so so happy. It's under archilogical survey of India. ..so no pujo is performed here but very well maintained.  It was great capturing different angles of the temple site.

Now it was time for our narmada temple /kund visit....no cameras allowed inside though photography is not prohibited. ....We went inside the temple complex , which is just adjustened  to Kalachuri group of temple site....The Narmada kund /temple complex is well maintained. ...it's very beautiful indeed. Remembered ,long time back we went to see Talacavery, which is the birthplace of  Cavery river in karnataka  state......After our darshan here ,we planned to see the SriYantra  temple and Sonmuda  (kund of Sone river),before we head for Jabalpur. .....The monkeys are a real nuisance in this region as now a days even they snatch away people's mobile phones...so need to be very careful as one go around the town....nothing much to do in this tiny place except enjoy the beautiful weather and free fresh oxygen......hardly any pollution.....The Shal jungle is seen all around.....few waterfalls to enjoy before one leaves the town.....No doubt , the Narmada kund was too good for a visit....Sone Kund looked bit neglected but surely roads are good and it's just 3kms away from Narmada temple. Went up to see the Jain  Temple, which is still under construction. ...overall , worth visiting.

As we drove away from Amarkantak town and completed our check at state checkpoint. .we had to drive thru those so called TREE CAVES...it's very beautiful and naturally formed....last night when we drove in thru it , I had it in my mind to video graph  the stretch as we drove thru....loved it ....and there after almost 250 kms drive upto jabalpur was too good and beautiful. ...lovely smooth drive across....roads are adorned on both sides by tall eucalyptus tree.....it's a pleasure drive thru.....loved  it all.

T he Route :KAHNA -MUKKI-BAIHAR-LAMTA-CHIRAIDONGRI-MANDLA-CHABI-DINDORI-GARHSARAI-AMARKANAK. 
TOTAL -----300 kms stretch.