Pachmarhi is a hill station in Madhya Pradesh’s Satpura Ranges. It is situated at an average height of 1100 m in the valley of the Dhupgarh. Its name is supposed to have a Mahabharata connection. It is said that the five (panch) Pandava brothers built five caves (marhis) here during their 14-year exile and stayed in them. Local residents continue to point out the Pandava caves on a hilltop. The British found the place in 1857 and developed it as a hill station and sanatorium for British troops. It was also the summer capital for the Central Provinces.

Rare plants

The rare plants in the forests around it have led to the 4982-square-km Pachmarhi park being included in the list of biosphere reserves. The biosphere covers parts of Hoshangabad, Chhindwara and Betul districts. Satpura National Park, Bori Sanctuary, and Pachmarhi Sanctuary are included in the biosphere reserves.

Wonderful spots

Pachmarhi is rich in flora and fauna. Around it is an unending series of beautiful spots, streams, amazing views, countless waterfalls, and rare wildlife. Tourists visit Pachmarhi throughout the year. The places of tourist interest include Dhoot Akhilesh, Gupt Mahadev, Bada Mahadev, Chauragarh thronged by Shiv devotees on Mahashivratri, Satpura’s tallest peak Dhupgarh, Deep Valley, Fairy Pool, Jatashankar, Duchess Fall and Pachmarhi Hill, which offers a complete view of Pachmarhi. Pandava caves, sunset point, Boat Club Lake, and Pachmarhi Lake are other spots of interest. There are many other points from where one can have breath-taking views of the Satpura peaks and valleys.

Pachmarhi specials

Jatashankar and Mahadeo caves have fresh water dripping from them. These caves are believed to have been the abode of Shiva. Silver Falls or the Rajat Prapat comes 2800+ feet down. It produces a slivery impression which has given the fall its name.

Wildlife

The forest has fruit trees like mango, jamun, custard apple and delicious fruits called khatua, chunna, and khinni. It has wild bamboo, sal trees and bamboo thickets. The forest also has medicinal plants and herbs. There are tigers, panthers, deer, bison, bear, and many types of birds in the Pachmarhi forest. The forest has many teak trees. As it is a biosphere reserve, central and state government clearance are mandatory for new construction outside the town area. The Pachmarhi forests have many cave paintings. According to experts, some of them are over 10,000 years old. Most of them, however, are from the period of 500-800 AD.

Connectivity

Pachmarhi has excellent road connections with Bhopal and Chhindwara. Dhupgarh has a rarely-used airstrip. Chhindwara, Babai, Sohagpur and Pipariya are the railheads close by.

Climate

The maximum summer temperature at Pachmarhi does not exceed 35 degree Celsius. This is a good season for visiting the hill station. In winter, the minimum temperature drops to 4 degree Celsius. The average rainfall is 785 mm. There often is fog during the rainy season. It is always cloudy.

Light winter clothes

So if families decide to visit the hill station of Pachmarhi in winter, it should be well equipped with winter clothes. For other phases of the year, men should be able to manage with simple jackets. They can try and get sleeveless winter jackets for men for such a trip.