Bhedaghat

Bhedaghat is a small town situated near Jabalpur. It was my destination for the weekend, my friends - Alok and Rahul joined me from Indore and Mandla respectively. Jabalpur is the entry point for Bhedaghat (situated around 28 Km from the city). Jabalpur is known as the Sanskaar Dhaani or the cultural capital of Madhya Pradesh. Public buses (fare INR 20) ply from Jabalpur Bus stand to Bhedaghat at regular interval. Auto Rickshaw or cabs are also available for Bhedaghat.

Alok and Rahul reached the fall earlier in the morning and i joined them later in the evening. One can have a day long stay in the beautiful vicinity of the Dhuandhar (named due to the creation of white smoke like particles formed by the powerful fall) water fall at Bhedaghat.

There are well maintained view points with railings to have closer view of the waterfall. The minute particles flying out of the fall can be felt up close and personal . River Narmada which can be seen in it's fury here originates from Amarkantak situated at a distance of 250 Km from here.

We purchased tickets of the rope-way to have an aerial look of the fall. The cost is around INR 75 both ways. We hooked up near the windows to enjoy the view with camera in hand. 

First view from the Rope-way

In rope-way just above the river

The mesmerizing waterfall

Tilt-shift version of the supporting falls at Bhedaghat

Rahul and Alok glancing the natural beauty through the trolley-window of the rope-way

River Narmada flowing through the marble rocks

It seems these rocks have been negotiating with the water from eternity

Another view of the rapid flow of river Narmada

The best thing about Indian culture is it's association with nature. Rivers and mountains are considered sacred which they surely are.
A closer view of the magnificent marble rocks in a boat is a must at Bhedaghat. On full moon night the scene becomes rather heavenly. I can very well imagine that. Unfortunately we didn't had the luxury of neither a night stay nor the full moon so we decided to enjoy the dusk time in the water.

Sunset as seen from the boat club at Bhedaghat

We got into a small boat with capacity of 20 people with 5 crew member. The cost was INR 50 per person for a half an hour trip. There was a guide on the boat who described the passing locations in form of small rhymes. He informed us about the various types of marble rocks present in the valley, the locations where many movies have been shot, and other true and fictitious details about the whole terrain. The experience was magical, the rocks were very close to our boats. At one point we were informed that the depth is around 450 feet which was really very comforting :P

entrance to the narrow valleys made of marble rocks

A marble rock with it's reflection in the river

Water hitting the rocks

Wooden Oars used in the boats

The placid Narmada valley

The rendezvous with the holy river and the splendid mountains ended soon and we were lucky to reach back on the bank at the time of the evening prayer.The priest and the other crowd gathered around sang in unison the prayer for River Narmada. Unfortunately I was unable to understand the words used in the prayer but it was soulful enough the capture my attention.

Evening prayer at the ghat of river Narmada

Chausath Yogini temple is another famous attraction at Bhedaghat situated very near to the Dhuandhar waterfall.. It is an ancient temple built in tenth century having carvings of 64 female yoga mystics. A large variety of statues and other marble products are available all around Bhedaghat.

Alok and Rahul at the end of trip

The place can be visited at any time of the year, except in rains when the water level increases to such an extent that the whole fall vanishes beneath the heavy flow of the river.