Tourist Places To Visit In Amarkantak

Amarkantak is a religious town for the Hindus in MP. It finds mention in both the epics, the Mahabharata and the Ramayana as well as the Puranas. As summer is too hot and the monsoon period too wet, the best time to visit Amarkantak is the winter period. However, Amarkantak is accessible to visitors all round the year. There are several tourist places to visit in Amarkantak and one may need 2-3 days to do all the sightseeing. The important places to visit are now discussed.

Kapil Dhara waterfall or just Kapil Waterfall is about 6km from the Narmadakund Temples. 100’ tall, this beautiful waterfall has mountains and dense forests all around. Kapil Waterfall is named after the revered Kapil Muni who is said to have performed his meditations in this place. There is an ashram nearby built so that one can worship sage Kapil Muni besides Lord Kapileshwar Shiva. There is a garden nearby as well.

Amarkantak Temple is a temple built in the 11th century where the Vindhya and the Satpura Mountain ranges meet. A popular Hindu centre for pilgrimage, the temple has an architecture which exhibits the unique style that was prevailing in those days. Situated at the altitude of about 3500’ in the Maikal Hills, the temple has excellent traditional value.

Dedicated to the Goddess Narmada, the Mai Ki Bagiya, situated about 5km from Narmadakund, is a natural cluster of trees where one will find fruit trees such as mangoes and banana besides several flowering plants. According to a local legend, Mother Narmada used to visit this garden to pluck flowers. This is a fine orchard with a good trail for walking in total quiet. The place has shrines and trees beside a kund which is rain-fed. There are several varieties of medicinal plants and herbs.

The ancient temples of the Kalachuri period were constructed between 1042AD and 1072AD. These temples are located behind the Narmadakund to the South. This form of architecture is indeed very popular. The temples comprise of the Machhendranath Temple and the Pataleshwar Mahadev Temple. It is worth your while to see these temples and admire the architecture of the period.

Narmadakund is the location where Narmada has its origin. The place has 16 stone temples of significance. A few of those temples that are more important comprise of Lord Shiva Temple and Narmada Temple. This temple complex is right at the heart of the town and therefore very convenient to visit.

Sonemuda is one more place of significance in Amarkantak. This place is important since it is the point where the Sone River has its inception. Located only 1.5km away from the famous Narmadakund, Sonemuda is a popular destination. Visitors flock to see the Sone River plunge hundreds of feet down from the Maikal Mountains thereby making the fall both majestic and picturesque. The name Sone is adopted from the equivalent of gold in Hindi owing to the gold dust that is found in the river. 

Dudh Dhara Waterfalls is located only 1km away from Kapil Dhara. Though there are several such waterfalls in and around Amarkantak, each is supposed to be special in its own way. Therefore, Dudh Dhara got its name from the way the waterfall looks like milk when it crashes from its height. You must carry an umbrella or a hat to protect against the hot sun, even for only 1km walk. You could also take the option of using the rope car to reach the other side. The view from the rope car is supposed to be great.

Kabir Chabutra, located 5km from Amarkantak is on the way to Bilaspur. It is here that people say Sant Kabir achieved his deliverance. Kabir Chabutra is considered by the local people to be among the holiest of places since Sant Kabir is said to have spent several years here during the time when he meditated. The Chabutra is where Guru Nanak and Sant Kabir had a meet and where they discussed human beings and the right way to live.