Holy Pilgrimage
Amarkantak is a holy pilgrimage, located at the source of Narmada Son and Jo hila rivers in Anuppur district of Madhya Pradesh state of India. Which is also known as Sri Jaleswar Mahadev Temple. Amarkantak is considered one of the best pilgrimage sites in the world by the Hindu community. This temple is located at a height of about 3838 feet and 1065 meters above sea level. Bindu Pahar, Satpura Pahar and Mayedar Pahar meet at this holy place on the border of Chhattisgarh. Surroundings here are rolling hills, waterfalls, pleasant climate and serene scenery. This temple was built in the 11th century during the rule of Kalachuri Maharaja Karna Deva. The history of Amarkantak dates back to about six thousand years when Suryavanshi Emperor Mandhata founded the city of Mandhata and there are many temples for religious lovers and tourists to visit. Apart from the Amarkantak temple, the main temple here is the temple of Narmada Devi, the daughter of Lord Shiva, which was built in the twelfth century. There are tourist centers like Kal Churi Kalin Mandir Dudh Dhara, Son Muda, Kapildhara Falls, Jain Temple, Sri Yant Mandir, Amareshwar Mahadev Mandir, Narmada Kund Ma Ki Bagia, Kabir Chatur, Dhuni Pani Falls. In history many sages Moni and Tirthankar came here for penance. He attained Siddhi after whom most of the waterfalls and caves are named. There is a temple of Ashta Dhatu idol of Adinath, the world’s first Tirthankara weighing 52 thousand kg.
The region is famous for Ayurvedic plants which are rich in properties responsible for human life. Also, Priti Dasha and Mangal Dosha are cut here at a short distance from Kapildhara Falls, which is believed by devotees. Usually during October to March this winter season, Amarkant is thronged with tourists and devotees. Narada Jayanti is celebrated on Makar Sankranti where various handicrafts, herbs, small saplings etc. are sold. During the rainy season, one can see the original view of Dudh Dhara waterfall in remembrance of Sage Durba Sa. The temple is open for visitors from morning to evening.
The nearest railway station to Amarkantak is Prenda Road Railway Station. The distance from Pendra Road to Amarkantak is about 45 km. The distance from Kolkata to Amarkantak is about 900 km. Only express from Shalimar to Amarkantak is among the express Udaipur-city Express (It takes a day)and the nearest airports are Jabalpur and Raipur.
