Day 1 – June 24, 2011

The Kolkata Mail came to a screeching halt at Jabalpur Station at its scheduled 13:20, marking the beginning of our Jabalpur-Kanha-Ujjain trip. Jabalpur welcomed it’s tourist with mild showers. Kanha National Park was the sole purpose of the trip. Jabalpur and Ujjain got added as complimentary gifts which in turn consummated the trip.

15:00

After a quick ‘Thali’ lunch at the Panchavati Gaurav, we loaded our bags in cars that were arranged for the rest of our road journey from Jabalpur to Kanha and back. At three hours past noon, three cars zoomed their way through the streets of Jabalpur to the much acclaimed and talked about Dhuandhara Falls and Marble Rocks at Bedaghat.

17:00

The roar of gushing waters and the aroma caused by the blend of water and soil was enough to ascertain where we were. The Narmada, fondly known as Maa Rewa, having its source at the Amarkantak hills, makes her way through these rocks, narrows down and plunges into a waterfall. So powerful and ferocious is the plunge that it appears as a plume of smoke from distance and is known as the Smoke Cascade or Dhuandhara Falls. The holy Ganges, who is known to rid anyone of their sins, is said to purify herself in the Narmada. After spending quality time at the falls and with the river, we proceeded to Marble Rocks which equally mesmerized us.

Once again three cars loaded with people and their bag packs raced the roads, the next destination being Gwarighat. Our stay for the night was planned at a Gurudwara there. Gurudwara Gwarighat Sahib was built on the picturesque bank of the Narmada River to commemorate the revered Guru Nanak’s visit. The Gurdwara complex included a Guru ka Langar, a Serai with rooms for pilgrims and travelers to stay, a small museum with paintings to explain the history of Sikh and a homoeopathic dispensary to provide free medical care for the sick and infirm. We spent the night in the tranquil place. Narmada reflected the dark sky with its twinkling stars and the pearly moon. There were temples on the opposite bank, which were propagating low rhythmic and soothing hymn. The whole atmosphere seemed charged with holy presence. And we felt elevated after a tiring day.

(to be continued..)