Seven off-the-beaten-track destinations

During the past seven years since this pioneer publication hesitantly ventured forth from the printing press to newsstand, tourism — particularly domestic tourism — has become big business. While the number of foreign tourists visiting India has remained stagnant at 3-3.5 million per year, the number of Indians visiting abroad annually has risen to almost twice the inflow. But more impressively, following augmented capacity in the railways, civil aviation and the completion of major multi-lane highway projects, the number of domestic tourists travelling within India has more than doubled to 40 million annually. For the past quinquennium EducationWorld has been providing detailed information on tourism destinations in India with some sorties abroad. In our seventh anniversary issue we feature seven off-the-beaten track domestic destinations for rest and recreation. Jabalpur Sited in the geographic near centre of India, Jabalpur (pop. 1.1 million) is one of the major cities of the Hindi heartland state of Madhya Pradesh (pop. 39.6 million) and its defence related industries apart, is famous for Marble Rocks, a rocky gorge through which the river Narmada flows in profound silence. At Bhedaghat 22 km from Jabalpur, the rocks rise a hundred feet on either side of the river presenting a fascinating vista during the day, and on moonlit nights when expert oarsmen row tourists across the silver nightscape. The sunlight reflects off the marble-white magnesium limestone pinnacles in the daytime, prompting them to cast dappled shadows on the pellucid waters, while on moonlit nights the white rocks produce a luminous effect, transforming the river waters into a sheet of liquid silver. The Narmada enters Marble Rocks by dropping several metres, creating the Dhuan Dhar waterfall. To the north and south of the Narmada are the sylvan Vindhyachal and Satpura mountain ranges. Jabalpur also has a considerable heritage of monuments and sites. Among them: the hilltop Madan Mahal Fort built by the Gond ruler, Raja Madan Shah, in 1116; Tilwaraghat, where Mahatma Gandhi’s ashes were immersed in the Narmada, and venue of the open session of the Tripuri Congress in 1939; Rani Durgavati Memorial and Museum with its fine collection of sculptures, inscriptions and prehistoric relics. Also worth a visit is the Chausat Jogini or Sixty-Four Goddesses temple atop a hillock accessible via a steep flight of rock cut steps. The temple offers a singularly beautiful view of the Narmada flowing through the jagged Marble Rocks. Excursions. Ex Jabalpur, an interesting getaway is the Kanha National Forest Reserve (160 km), a well-preserved forest mass and sanctuary. Pachmarhi (90 km) is a scenic hill resort in Madhya Pradesh. Accommodation. A small town, Jabalpur doesn’t offer many options in terms of hotel accommodation. Among the more popular are: Hotel Kalchuri (Rs.800-1,000 per night), Hotel Vijan Palace (Rs.550-750), Hotel Mayur (Rs.175-225), Hotel Rahul (Rs.125-175). Belum Caves Down south in Andhra Pradesh (pop. 75.7 million), the state’s tourism development corporation is aggressively promoting the Belum Caves, an underground 3.25 km long subterranean labyrinth below the limestone plains of Kurnool district. The caves are famous for several natural wonders including 4,000-year-old stalactite and stalagmite formations. Belum is derived from the Sanskrit word bilum which translates into cave. The main entrance to the caves is via a concrete…