About Jabalpur

Located at the centre of the State of Madhya Pradesh in India, Jabalpur District, is one of thr most important cities in the State. It is situated in the 'Mahakaushal' Region of the State and gets its name from history being the native land of the great 'Jabali Rishi'. The holy 'Narmada' river flows through the District which is the major drinking water source for the District.There is a multipurpose 'Bargi Dam' Project on this river. Known world-over for its 'Marble Rocks' and the 'Dhuandhar' water falls, the tourist site 'Bhedaghat' is also located in the district. The 'Madan Mahal fort' is also located in the district (Interactive map of Jabalpur).

History of Jabalpur 

The city of Jabalpur was the capital of the erstwhile medieval Gond   rulers. It is not only an important historical place, but it is also famous for the Marble Rocks gorge on Narmada  River, near it. It is an administrative and educational center and is the gateway to important wildlife sanctuaries around it. It is one of the largest cities in the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh. The origin of Jabalpur goes back to ancient times. It was then known as Tripuri and was governed by Hayahaya rulers. The ancient Indian epic of Mahabharata has references to his city. It became a part of the great Mauryan and the Gupta Empires. In ad 875, it was taken over by the Kalchuri dynasty who made Jabalpur their capital. In the 13th century, the Gonds seized it and made it their capital. By the early 16th century, it had become the powerful kingdom of Gondwana. From time to time, the Mughal rulers tried to overrun it. The legendary Gond Queen Rani Durgavati died fighting the Mughal forces led by the great Mughal Emperor Akbar. It finally fell to the Marathas in 1789 and was taken over by the British in 1817, when they defeated the Marathas. The British made Jabalpur the commission headquarters of the Narmada territories and established a cantonment here.

Places of Interest

Madan Mahal Fort

 Built by the Gond  ruler,Raja Madan Shah, in 1116 atop a rocky hill, the fort dominates the skyline and provides a panoramic view of the town and the country-side around it. 

Sangram Sagar and Bajana Math 

These medieval constructions were built by the famous Gond  king,Sangram Shah between 1480-1540. 

Tilwaraghat 

The place from where Mahatma Gandhi's ashes were immersed in the Narmada, and venue of the opensession of the Tripuri Congress in 1939;the 12^th century Mala Devi Mandir; Pisan Hari Jain Temples and Roopnath are some of the other places in and around Jabalpur. 

Bedaghat 

The Small village of Jabalpur tehsil situated on the bank of river Narmada and widely famous for its marble Rocks is at a distance about 21 Km from Jabalpur by road. Soaring in glittering splendour, the Marble Rocks at Bhedaghat rise to a hundred feet on either side of the Narmada. The serene loveliness of the scene is one of cool quiet, the sunlight sparkling on the marble-white pinnacles and casting dappled shadows on the pellucid waters. It has a serene beautiful nature.

 Dhuandhar 

The Narmada, making its way through the Marble Rocks, Narrows down and then plunges in a waterfall Rocks,narrow down and then plinges in a waterfall known as Dhuandhar or the smoke cascade. So powerful is the plunge that its roar is heard from a far distance, The falls and the breaking of the volume of water at the crest present an awesome spectacle of Nature's power unleashed. 

Chausat Yogini  Temple  

Situated atop a hillock and approached by a long flight of steps,the Chausat Yogini Temple commands a singularly beautiful view of the Narmada flowing through the jagged Marble Rocks. Dedicated to Goddess Durga, this 10^th century temple has exquisitely carved stone figures of deities belonging to the Kalchuri period. According to a local legend,this ancient temple is connected to the Gond Queen Durgavati's palace through an undergroung passage. 

Rani  Durgavati Memorial and Museum 

Dedicated to the memory of the great Queen Durgavati is her memorial and a museum which houses a fine collection of sculptures, inscriptions and prehistoric relics.