Things to Do in Pachmarhi

Top Things to Do in Pachmarhi

Things to Do in Pachmarhi


Book these experiences for a close-up look at Pachmarhi.

Top Attractions in Pachmarhi

These rankings are informed by traveler reviews—we consider the quality, quantity, recency, consistency of reviews, and the number of page views over time.
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What travelers are saying

  • ishwar j
    Gurugram (Gurgaon), India32 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Must visit. And, hire a guide - they charge no more than Rs 100. Completely worth it. Other temples are difficult to reach.
    Written July 18, 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Vivek
    Ahmedabad District, India34 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Good view, nice drive. It can only e approached in hired Gypsies with a guide as per the laid down rules. The point is high in the hills and a great place to visit
    Written March 15, 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Rachna Bhattacharya
    New Delhi, India4 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Pachnarhi is a beautiful place. This bee fall is one of the must visit place in Pachnarhi. This is the highest fall of MP. Must visit !!
    Written January 15, 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • P M V
    Nagpur, India3,884 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Handi Khoh.
    Handi Khoh and Bada Mahadev Caves were pre-planned to be visited on the very first day.
    After lunch and some rest left for Handi Khoh.
    Handi Khoh is a narrow deep gorge with a sheer drop of almost 300 feet. The sides and bottom of the Handi Khoh ravine are thickly forested. Due to the forest and the sheer drop one can not see the bottom of the ravine.
    The drop of the gorge and the sheer depth is so sudden and sharp that the safety railing is the only thing saving one from an accidental fall.
    Handi Khoh gorge presents a silent as well as fascinating vista.
    As to the origin of Handi Khoh, one hears two stories depending on the Guide one has employed. Our guide told us one Britisher committed suicide by jumping off the precipice. The name of the Britisher Was Mr Handi. In another version, the same Mr Handi had a terrible accident as the car in which he was travelling fell in the gorge and he was killed. As Me Handi was killed in this place it came to be known as Handi Khoh.
    Another story has a mythological twist to it. As per the mythological legend, there was a huge deep lake at this location. A demon snake resided in the lake. This devilish snake was killed by Lord Mahadev. It is said that the battle was so fierce and violent that by the time the snake was killed all the water of the lake had evaporated and the shape of the gorge looked like a “handi” (a pot with a narrow opening and wide body).
    However, it came about its name, today Handi Khoh is a tourist attraction and a source of livelihood for the people hiring out binoculars and telescopes to view distant objects and for those offering horse rides for ₹100/- per ride.
    Written July 20, 2022
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Bhaskar
    New Delhi, India16 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Great place , needs 5-6 hours . Extremely exhausting & equally rewarding. The scenic beauty from the top is awesome . The temple is very divine .
    Written January 6, 2020
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Lincy Mathews
    Pune, India1 contribution
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Deep in the jungles of the Satpura mountain ranges near Panchmarhi, Madhya Pradesh lies the Reechgadh caves.

    Here there are 2 huge rocks which rest on each other. An empty space has been created below where one can stay to avoid rain and sun. Because of this shape, cool air can always be felt here, irrespective of the temperature outside, due to which it is like a natural AC.

    This place is the abode of bears which took shelter in these caves during the rains. The locals thus named it Reechgadh, reech meaning bear.

    The Britishers named it Ridgegadh as the two rocks joining each other looks like a ridge.

    Since these caves fall under the restricted forest region, one needs to get the passes/permit from the forest department before visiting this place. The pass/permit needs to be bought from the Bison museum at Panchmarhi.
    One can obtain a combined pass/ permit for multiple restricted zones including Bee fall, Reechgadh and Dhoopgadh.

    The ghat roads leading to these places are steep and narrow, and cannot be travelled on,in smaller cars, which are anyway not allowed beyond a certain check point. A Maruti Gypsy and guide must be hired to visit locations in restricted zones. This too can be booked at the Bison museum.

    There is about a 400 metre walk to reach these caves - an easy climb uphill, followed by a descent to the caves.

    A good place to visit, for nature lovers.
    Written November 22, 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • P M V
    Nagpur, India3,884 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Pandav Caves.
    Some background info on Pandav caves.
    Capt. James Forsyth discovered Pachmarhi in 1857. That was also the time when he located five caves on a hill. In the local language, five means ‘Pach; and a cave means ‘Marhi’. So the town came to be known as Pachmarhi. Later Britishers developed the town as the only hill station in central India, for their stay during hot Indian summers.
    Pandav Caves is a very popular tourist attraction in Pachmarhi. It is a hill feature about 150 to 200 feet high, where around six room-shaped caves have been carved out of solid rock. As per the local folklore/legends, these caves are the ones where the Pandavas had spent time during their exile Five caves were for five brothers and the sixth cave was for Draupadi. Wife of Pandavas. A comparatively bigger and best-ventilated cave which also has beautiful carvings on the wall was occupied by Draupadi. The darkest cave was occupied by Bhima the toughest of them all.
    As per another and more credible version, these caves were carved out of solid rock by Buddhist monks around the 10th – 11th century for their stay and meditation. This version acquires more credibility as a remain of a brick-made stupa on top of the hill can still be seen.
    Our visit.
    Parking is not too far from the Pandav caves. The road from the parking to the garden at the base of the hill is lined on both sides by the usual street food, soft drink, tea coffee vendors and shops selling toys for kids and other small knickknacks.
    At the end of the street, we entered a beautifully laid-out and maintained garden. The full beauty can really be seen and appreciated only when viewed from the top of the hill.
    The path from the garden exits in an open space from where steps with safety railings have been made to facilitate climbing the hill which lead to Pandav Caves. One can make out that originally the steps were carved out from solid rock. Administration replaces all the damaged/worn out and unsafe steps with proper concrete steps. Steps and the railing make the climb quite comfortable and tourist-friendly.
    Caves are not too big or deep. Some caves have pillar support. Three of the cave which were adjacent to each other were closed and locked we could not see them at all. There was one more cave a little away which was also locked. So all I can say is that we did not see or know which was Drupadi or Bhima Caves.
    Remains of a Buddhist stupa brick structure can be seen right at the top.
    From the top of the hill, one can see a breathtaking and amazing panoramic view of the natural beauty of Pachmarhi hills and forests. The garden at the base and its artistic layout of the hill also look very beautiful.
    I personally feel that I enjoyed the view from the top much more that the Pandava Caves.
    Written August 1, 2022
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Ankita
    New Delhi, India81 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    A hidden gem in the Satpura range.The fall stream down in three levels and make for a great scene for photographs.

    The majestic falls call for a scenic trek of about 4 kms through the rocks and boulders of the hills. The trek to reach the base is very adventurous through of lushes and greens of Satpura National Green park.

    Tidbits:
    Please wear hiking booths or trekking shoes
    Please carry water bottles and munchies
    Additional pair of cloths in case you want to take a splash in the water
    Midway on the trek, there is a small shop (makeshift) selling Lime soda, lemon water (Nimbu pani)
    Written January 6, 2019
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • ParthUdayShah
    Rajkot District, India325 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Mahadeo temple, is a good bike ride. The temple itself is very quiet and peaceful. Beware of monkeys.
    Written August 3, 2019
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • P M V
    Nagpur, India3,884 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Bada Mahadev Caves.
    As per the legend, Lord Shiva had blessed a demon giving him the power to incinerate/burn anyone by placing his hand over their head. After getting the boon the demon came to be known as “Bhasmasur”. Bhasm means ash, so Bhasmasur means an Asur who could reduce anyone to ash.
    The power went to his head and he wanted to try it out on Lord Shiv. To save himself Lord Shiv had to evade him eventually he entered a cave and vanished. That cave and temple is known as Gupt Mahadev cave.
    Eventually, Lord Vishnu took the form of a celestial Apsara, Mohini and tricked Bhasmasur to place his hand over his own head and reduce himself to ash.
    The place where Bhasmasur was killed became Bada Mahadev Cave.
    Near Bada Mahadev Cave little further up and higher on the hill there is a smaller cave with a red vermilion-coated idol of Hanuman which can be seen from Bada Mahadev cave.
    This way, there is a cluster of three caves in close proximity of each other and collectively the place is called Bada Mahadev ‘caves’

    From Handi Khoh we proceeded to Bada Mahadev Caves.
    After about 8 KMs and half, an hour or so reached the parking lot of Bada Mahadev Caves.
    Last few miles the road is narrow and the condition is not too good. It descends quite sharply with steep winding road and hairpin bends. Both sides of the road and the hillsides are thickly forested, from the hairpin bends one can also have a panoramic view of the hill ranges. All in all, nature lovers, as well as others, can enjoy the scenic beauty along the route.
    From the parking, Bada Mahadev Cave is about 500 meters or so. The approach is paved and can be negotiated very easily.
    As is customary, A Nandi statue is installed right at the entrance of the cave. The floor of the cave is also paved. There is constant seepage of water from the cave ceiling and the walls. The seepage of water is substantial so as to dampen the whole cave and flow along the flooring, it also fills up a water “Kund” and eventually flows out of the cave. It seems on auspicious days devotees take a bath in this Kund.
    The cave is 60 feet deep. It is quite dark. Lone light installed near the main idols seems to be fighting a losing battle. However, the paved flooring and the railing are of great help to negotiate the dark, damp and wet flooring of the cave. At the end is the main deity. Along with a Shiv ling, there are idols of Lord Brahma, Lord Vishnu and Lord Ganesa. Looking closely one can spot a smaller shiv ling carved out of the cave rock. I feel it must have been the original Shiv ling when the temple was established and bier more prominent shiv ling was installed much later. This of course is just a conjecture on my part.
    After taking darshan of Bada Mahadev others were tired and in no mood to see the other two caves. Sadly, we did not see the smaller cave nor the Gupta Mahadev cave.
    Written July 21, 2022
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Let's Go Sightseeing
    Noida, India2,825 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Apsara Vihar Fairy Pool is an enjoyable small waterfall. Surrounded by trees, the rocks make for an inviting place to dip your toes in. The Fairy Pool is shallow & popular with locals & travelers.

    However, due to this, there is a fair amount of trash here.
    Written September 4, 2020
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Karthik R
    Chennai (Madras), India7,698 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Rajendragiri park - this gives another view of the Satpura range of hills. This is a sunset point. Importantly, one gets to see the highest point - Chauragarh from there. The views definitely spell bound. When we went, it was close to 4 PM and sunset was far from this time. This is named after the first President of India.
    Written September 13, 2019
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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