Mandla Tourism

Forming a section of the Satpura mountain ranges, Mandla is a district, located in the central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh. The district finds itself surrounded by the Narmada River, part of which also runs across it. The capital of the Garha - Mandla kingdom of Gondwana in the past, Mandla is home to several tribes with the prominent ones being the Gond, and Baiga. Rich with history and culture, Mandla provides serenity for its visitors with a landscape of hills, valleys, plateau and river tributaries. The district provides a glimpse of the past with its monumental structures with their own stories to tell. At Mandla you will also find one of the prominent habitats of the Bengal tigers as well, that makes for a truly thrilling experience. A mix of history, nature, and tribes, Mandla is a less explored tourism escapade in Madhya Pradesh.

Best Places to Visit in and around Mandla

• Kanha National Park
• Sahastradhara
• Moti Mahal, Ramnagar
• Begum Mahal
• Garam Pani Kund

Kanha National Park

Located in the districts of Mandla and Balaghat, Kanha National Park is the top tourist attraction of Mandla. Covering an area of 940 sq. km, the park is a major tiger reserve of India and houses a sizable population of the Bengal tigers. Cruising through the jungle on a jeep or canter safari is one of the best things to do at Kanha, where the tourists can observe wildlife such as tigers, leopards, sloth bears, and various deer species in their natural habitat. The largest national park in Madhya Pradesh, tourists can also choose to explore it through cycling, and guided nature walks.

Sahastradhara

Situated on the bank of River Narmada, Sahastradhara is a popular tourist place at Mandla which translates to 'a thousand streams'. Visited by devotees during the Narmada Parikrama, sits a temple dedicated to Lord Shiva- the Sahastradhara Temple. The temple, located on the Narmada River itself has been made using an Indo-Islamic style of architecture and is even more beautified with the surrounding scenery of Sahastradhara.

Moti Mahal, Ramnagar

Constructed by the Gond King Hriday Shah, Moti Mahal at Mandla is one of the best places to visit on a Mandla tour. Moti Mahal is a palace that stands on the banks of Mandla's life line- the Narmada River. The palace is a 3-storeyed structure which borrows influences from Mughal architecture, and has elephant and horse stables, dungeons, balconies, and mazes that make the palace an interesting place to explore. The palace gives a glimpse into the lives of the royals of the Gond Kingdom through what remains of its past.

Begum Mahal

The Begum Mahal is another beautiful palace located in Mandla that should be included for a sightseeing tour of the district. The palace has been built for the 'Chimney Rani', the queen of King Hriday Shah, using black stones from the Kala Pahad nearby, which has an abundance of them. A top tourist attraction at Mandla, the Begum Mahal is a 3-storeyed structure that follows the Mughal style of architecture and is situated at a distance of just 3 kilometers from Moti Mahal.

Garam Pani Kund

Located near the Mandla district, the Garam Pani Kund is one of the best places to explore on the Mandla tour. Rich in sulfur, the Garam Pani Kund is a well which produces warm water naturally, throughout the year. Taking a bath with its water is said to cure any skin diseases one might have. The water of the well is also believed to have been blessed by Lord Vishnu and therefore holds religious value as well.

Top Things to Do in Mandla

• Take a jungle safari through the Kanha National Park and spot wildlife like tigers, wild dogs, sloth bears, Indian leopards, gaur, and wild boars, among many others.
• Hike up to the Kala Pahad and spot the rare black rocks of Madhya Pradesh.
• Attend the Narmada Jayanti celebrated at Mandla in praise of River Narmada, on Shukla Paksha Saptami, during the month of Magha according to the Hindu calendar.
• Visit the Mandla Plant Fossils National Park and observe plant fossils from millions of years ago.
• Explore the majestic Moti Mahal and learn about the Gond Kingdom and their lives.
• Indulge in tribal culture and enjoy the traditional dance and music of the Gond Tribe.

Best Time to Visit Mandla

The months between October and February are perfect to plan a holiday to Mandla since the weather remains pleasant and is ideal for travel with the average temperature ranging at 18°C.

Mandla experiences summer between the months of March to June with an average temperature of 31°C.

Between the months of July to September the state experiences monsoon with an average temperature of 27°C but the weather remains very humid and might be uncomfortable to travel.

How to Reach Mandla ?

• By Air : The nearest airport is the Jabalpur Airport, located at a distance of 100 km from Mandla which operates domestic flights from the cities of Bilaspur, Delhi, Hyderabad, Indore, and Mumbai.
• By Rail : The nearest railway station to Mandla is the Jabalpur Junction, located 93 km away and operates regular trains from Pune, Kanpur, Lucknow, Haridwar, Vijayawada, Tirunelveli, Delhi, Amritsar, and Ajmer.
• By Road : There are regular bus services available from Jabalpur to Mandla. Mandla can be reached by cabs from the neighboring cities. The drive from Nagpur to Mandla takes around 6 hours by car.

Get the best deals on Mandla and Madhya Pradesh tour packages. Book a customized package today and get the best of Mandla at best prices according to your requirements. Plan your incredible trip to Mandla, a popular tourist destination in Madhya Pradesh, with this comprehensive travel guide. Here, we provide all the information on places to see and things to do during your visit to Mandla.