pachmadi-bedaghat-kanha-pench

This is the travelogue of our trip to pachmadi-bedaghat-kanha-pench.

 We left Mumbai on the 12th at 7.00 p.m. by Vidarbha Express train.The journey was very relaxing and luxurious.We had 1st class tickets!We reached Ajni station in the morning at 10.00a.m.and immediately left for Pachmarhi in a Tata Winger.
The Paranjpe's had given us a packed lunch .Around 1.30 p.m. we had lunch on the wayside underneath some trees .Oh it was awesome!.We were all tremendously hungry and the food was excellent .Sushama had given us everything including some fruit.

We reached Pachmarhi at about 3.30 in the evening. We had tea and left to see a lake nearby.When we came back we actually saw the hotel'GLEN VIEW' which had old British colonial kind of bungalows.The rooms were clean,hot and cold water was aplenty,good sheets and covers. The weather was excellent on the colder side but good.I managed with sweater ,socks and shoes.

On the 14th that is next morning we visited the Pandav goomphas.Of the 5 goomphas only 3 could be seen of which only the 4th was better maintained with carvings on it.One room had superb acoustics and if one sang there ,others standing outside could get excellent sound quality.There were 2 bricks of the olden days measuring 1' by 1 1/2'[huge].From the top we got a superb view of the circular garden below.We bought some seeds at the nursery and returned to Glen View.On the way to the goomphas we saw a baby 'giant squirrel'got some very good photos.Next we went to see a silk manufacturing unit. Silk worms are bred on huge plantations of mulberry trees.The worms are fed and they make the silk which is woven into sarees and other materials.

From there we went to see Bee Falls. The road was winding through forest which had saag trees and the route was difficult-up-down twisting mud roads. We had to walk from a certain point all the way down to the Bee Falls. They are thus known because the water stings like the sting of a bee.We did not go all the way as we could see the waterfalls and there was also the sound of the water falling from a height.While going back up we saw a snake under a boulder. got a good photo.We had nimbu pani and left in the vehicle for the market.just window shopping!. Later got back to the hotel for dinner.

reechgad

15th Got up a bit late and left for reechgad after a hearty breakfast ---omlette,cornflakes, milk, upma, toast jam-wonderful.Again the jeeps could go only upto a point . From there we had to walk.Guide kept encouraging by saying it isnt far ,just round the next corner and we kept climbing and finally reached a place
where two huge rocks met leaving a gap in between.The sight was wonderful.We were all happy we could do that kind of climbing and getting down.There were goomphas where you had to crawl in to get inside. There were relics inside.We then returned to where the jeeps were parked. On the way back to the hotel Neena bought a pant and two t shirts from the market.

marble rocks

marble rocks

16th We got up early and left the hotel with a packed breakfast,went to Bedaghat.Everyone enjoyed the breakfast and the journey but I was carsick.We reached Bedaghat at 2p.m. After lunch at 3p.m. we left the hotel at 4.45 p.m. to see the Marble rocks. The Rocks are a sight worth seeing-with the narmada flowing quietly. The boat ride was good as our guide was a talkative boy -very entertaining with rhyming poetry in his narration.We took photos of 'the little cormorant ,blue kingfisher.The ride was for an hour. We then went to see the Dhurandhar falls with strong gushing Narmada-frightening, inviting and spellbinding!water sprays were felt by all of us.We could not photograph as light was insufficient and water droplets were getting onto the lens.
17th We left for Kanha.. We got a little lost at Narsingpur after Jabalpur and lost one hour in the process.Reached Kanha at 1.30p.m.We stayed at Bagheera huts. Food was good-roti,chawal,two sabjis-bhara hua tamatar,patta gobi, sprouts,salad and a lovely pudding with custard and fruits.Left for nature trail near Kanha Nature Park.Got a guide[300rs]and went walking along a path in the jungle. Saw a variety of  trees-crocodile bark,palas,charoli,ashta,beheda,harda and bandar phool.Saw birds,animals.insects--a tree pie,racket tail          drongo ,some bison a lovely spider's web called "funnel"because of its shape,termite hillsThe walk was 8 kms. It took us two hours.It was very refreshing.

18th Left at 6.45 a.m. for safari with packed breakfast.Saw spotted deer, wild boar, sloth bear,sambar, jungle fowl.The ride was till 11am. We went on elephants to see tigers .We saw a tigress relaxing in the bush.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             

fox walking with us

spotted deer

At 3 pm we left for another safari.This time the light was different and we saw a fox which kept walking in front of us, bisons at close range eagle posing for us, indian rollers,barasingha, tree pie, racket tail drongo,spotted-deer.

19th morning left for Pench.

Route through Seoni by-pass. Reached Pench at 1.30 p.m. Went for a walk in the evening in and around the hotel. It was peaceful.Next morning we left for jungle safari .This time we saw some birds and a tiger in the bushes. We could not get photos as they were sleeping inside bushes.

All in all a very good trip.

termite hill

hotel at pench.