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Marble Rocks at Bhedaghat
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.
In his Highlands of Central India Caption J. Forsyth speaks eloquently
about the infinitely varied beauty of the rocks : "The eye never
wearies of the ... effect produced by the broken and reflected sunlight,
now glancing from a pinnacle of snow-white marble reared against the deep
blue of the sky as from a point of silver; touching here and there with
bright the prominences to the middle heights; and again losing itself in
the soft bluish greys of their recesses...
Here and there the white saccharine limestone is seamed by veins of dark
green or black volcanic rock; a contrast which only enhances, like a
setting of jet, the purity of the surrounding marble".
What to See
Marble Rocks
The perpendicular magnesium limestone rocks fringe the crystal clear
placid waters of the Narmada providing a fascinating site. Boating
facilities are available between November - May. Boating on a moonlit
night, when the whole stretch of water is transformed into a sheet of
liquid silver is absolutely magical. In the narrow channel of the mighty
river, there is a place approached so closely from the opposite banks that
the local people have aptly named it the "Monkey's leap" (Bundar
Kundi).
Dhuandhar Falls
The Narmada, making its way through the Marble Rocks, narrows down and
then plunges in a water fall known as Dhundhar or the smoke cascade. So
powerful is the plunge that its roar is head 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 stop 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
10th 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 underground passage.
Soapstone Artefacts
The soapstone revealed by the Narmada provides occupation to families of
carvers of gods and goddesses, lingas, crosses, madonnas, ashtrays and
trinket boxes.
How to Reach
By Air : Jabalpur (23 km) is the nearest airport.
By Rail : Jabalpur, on the Mumbai-Howrah via Allahabad main line,
is the main railhead. All mail, express and passenger trains halt here.
By Road : Frequent buses, tempos and taxis are available from
Jabalpur.