Located amidst the Vindhyachal and Satpura mountain ranges in central India, Amarkantak is a hidden gem waiting to be explored. This small town, often referred to as "The King of Pilgrimages, or Teerthraj" holds great significance for both religious and nature enthusiasts. It's a hill station, perched at a height of 1,065 metres, offers its visitors some amazing ancient temples, holy rivers, forests and waterfalls to explore.
Amarkantak, located in the state of Madhya Pradesh, is the birthplace of the holy river Narmada. Along with that, it's also the confluence point of the rivers Narmada, Sone and Johila. The Narmada Udgam Temple, which is the epicentre of spiritual activities in the town, signifies the origin of the River Narmada. Pilgrims come from far and wide to take a dip in the Narmada Kund, believing that it cleanses their sins. The ancient temples, especially the Kalachuri Group of temples, with their intricate architecture, add to the town's spiritual charm. The Sarvodaya Jain Temple, dedicated to the first Jain Tirthankar, Adinath, is another architectural masterpiece.
Amarkantak is not only a place of worship but also a paradise for nature lovers. The town is surrounded by lush green forests, and the Kapildhara and Dudh Dhara waterfalls stand as the crowning jewels of this natural bounty. Kapildhara, in particular, is a sight to behold, with its cascading waters and serene surroundings. A trek to these waterfalls is a must for anyone visiting Amarkantak.
Moreover, for the wildlife enthusiasts, Amarkantak is a gateway to the Achanakmar Wildlife Sanctuary, which is home to a diverse range of flora and fauna. From tigers to leopards, antelopes to wild boars, the sanctuary provides a thrilling opportunity to experience nature at its best.
In a world often characterised by hustle and bustle, Amarkantak is an ideal place of serenity and spirituality. Whether you seek a religious tour, a rendezvous with nature, or a glimpse of history, this charming town has it all. Amarkantak, with its blend of spirituality and natural beauty, leaves an unforgettable mark on every traveller's heart.
Popular Tourist Places to Explore in & around Amarkantak
Ancient Temples of Kalachuri Group
The ancient temples of Kalachuri group are located opposite to the Narmada Udgam Temple Complex, which is one of the top tourist destinations in the whole Amarkantak. The temples were constructed during the period between 1042 and 1072 AD, under the reign of Kalachuri King Karnadeva. This group of temples are located next to an ancient water body which has several architectures that belong to the Nagara style of architecture. Karna Temple is the most prominent and the largest one among these ancient groups of temples. Other than the Karna Temple, the complex also includes several other temples such as Johila Temple, Shiva Temple, Vishnu Temple and Pancha Math Temple.
Sarvodaya Digambar Jain Temple
Sarvodaya Digambar Jain Temple is going to be one of the must-visit places on the Amarkantak tourism circuit after completion. Situated within the Narmada Kund Temple Complex, which is undoubtedly one of the popular tourist places in Amarkantak, Sarvodaya Jain Temple houses the world's biggest ashtadhatu Jain idol of Bhagwan Adinath, who is one of the Jains Tirthankaras. The construction of this temple was started in the year 2006 under the supervision of Acharya Vidyasagar, who is a Digambar Jain Acharya. The foundation stone was laid by Bhairon Singh Shekhawat, the former Vice President of India. The height, width and length of the temple will be 151 feet, 125 feet and 490 feet, respectively. It is being constructed by preserved stones and lime, without cement and iron. On March 25, 2023, the inauguration of the statue of Bhagwan Adinath was done by Jain Guruvar, Vidyasagar Ji Maharaj.
Shiv Mandir
Shri Amareshwar Mandir or Shiv Mandir is one of the best places to visit in Amarkantak, Madhya Pradesh. It is located at a distance of eight kilometres, near the border of Madhya Pradesh and Chattisgarh. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, the temple houses the country's 12 jyotirlingas' replicas. The construction was started in 2009 and it has a 11-feet high Shiva Lingam which weighs 51-tonne. It is believed that the Shiva Lingam here was brought from Omkareshwar Temple. Shiv Mandir remains open from 6 AM to 6 PM, every day.
Amarkantak Temple
Amarkantak Temple is a revered destination in Amarkantak, cherished for its breathtaking location nestled amidst the rugged Metal hills in the Anuppur district of Madhya Pradesh and the Pushprajgarh tehsil of Shahdol. Situated at an elevation of 1,065 metres, this temple's beauty is further accentuated by its idyllic setting, perched amidst the mountains and dense forests, that evoke a sense of serenity and uniqueness. Moreover, it shares its boundaries with Chhattisgarh, marking a significant geographical intersection. The meeting point of the Vindhya, Satpura, and Maidar hills here creates some stunning views to remember forever.
Kapil Dhara
After visiting the temples, one of the best things to do in Amarkantak is to visit Kapil Dhara, which is known to be the first waterfall of the River Narmada. The waterfall is named after Kapil Muni, as per legends who meditated here. Kapil Dhara is a prominent part of non-religious tourism in Amarkantak and it is located around six kilometres north-west towards the Narmadakund Temple. The plunging force of water stands tall of about 100 feet and perched at a verdant landscape. Undoubtedly, monsoon or post-monsoon is the best time to visit this place.
Dugdh Dhara
After Kapil Dhata, an Amarkantak sightseeing tour generally includes visiting Dudh Dhara Waterfall, the second waterfall on the River Narmada. The waterfall is 10 feet high and descends from Kapil Dhara, around 200 metres away. It is perched amidst the verdant Amarkantak valley, on the western edge. Moreover, there is also a cave which houses a Shiva Lingam. Dudh Dhara Waterfall is accessible by road or one has to walk a few metres from Kapil Dhara Waterfall. Like Kapil Dhara, monsoon is also the best time to visit this place.
Narmada Udgam
Narmada Udgam or Narmada Kund, located in the centre of Amarkantak, is one of the most prominent attractions in the whole of Madhya Pradesh. It's a temple complex which was built to signify the origin of the River Narmada. Spread across an area of six acres, the complex houses 16 stone temples including Narmada Temple, Annapurna Temple, Lord Shiva Temple, Guru Gorakhnath Temple, Shri Ram Janki Temple and Shri Radha Krishna Temple. It also comprises more than 23 statues of various idols.
Shri Yantra Mandir
Shri Yantra Mandir is one of the popular attractions in Amarkantak, situated atop a hill. The prominent feature of this temple is its huge sculpture at the entrance that showcases four heads, representing faces of Laxmi, Saraswati, Kali and Bhuvaneshwari. Beneath the sculpture, there are sculpted figures of 64 yoginis along with Lord Kartik and Ganesha. The temple is built as a 3D projection of Sri Chakra or Sri Yantra, which refers to the core form of Sri Vidya worship in Hinduism.
Mai Ki Bagiya
In simple terms, "Mai ki Bagiya'' means Mother's Garden in English. It's like a special place filled with trees to honour the Goddess Narmada. Located about five kilometres away from Narmada Kund, the garden has mango trees, banana trees, and other fruit trees, as well as beautiful flowers like Gulbakavli and roses. People who go on a religious journey along the Narmada River, called "Parikrama," often stop here for a night.
Kalyan Sewa Ashram
Located atop Maikal Parwat, Kalyan Sewa Ashram in Amarkantak is a holy pilgrimage, attracting people from all over the country since 1981. The foundation stone of this place was laid by Baba Shri Kalyan Das Ji in 1978. Moreover, in May 1984, on the day of Baisakh Purnima, the Aachary Peeth was founded. It houses an idol of Lord Narmada, which is honoured by eminent saints of the country. Apart from being a holy place, Kalyan Sewa Ashram is also a nice place to stay while visiting Amarkantak.
Best Time to Visit Amarkantak
The best time to visit Amarkantak is between September and February. On one hand, post monsoon brings greenery to the landscapes and on the other, the pleasant weather makes it comfortable to explore the place. Moreover, festivals like Makar Sankranti, Narmada Jayanti and Shiv Chaturdashi make the time delightful.
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