Jabalpur district General information

Jabalpur is a district of Madhya Pradesh state in central India. The city of Jabalpur is the administrative headquarters of the district. Located at the centre of the State of Madhya Pradesh in India , Jabalpur District, is one of thr most important cities in the State . It is situated in the 'Mahakaushal ' Region of the State and gets its name from history being the native land of the great 'Jabali Rishi'. The holy 'Narmada' river flows through the District which is the major drinking water source for the District.There is a multipurpose 'Bargi Dam' Project on this river. Known world-over for its 'Marble Rocks' and the 'Dhuandhar' water falls,the tourist site 'Bhedaghat' is also located in the district. The 'Madan Mahal fort' is located in the City.

Topography

The topography of Jabalpur is unique. The city is surrounded by low, rocky, and barren hillocks. Some of which form a barrier for continuous development of urban form and restrict inter-links between various parts of the city. Kariapather hillock to the north-east, Sita Pahad and Kandhari hills to the east, Madan Mahal hills and rocks outcrops to the south-west. Railway line girding the city like a "horse shoe" had its due influence in the growth of urban form. The main water reservoir of Khandari and Pariyat are located to the north-east direction of the city. Recently water is also drawn from Narmada River by Public Health Dept.

Economy

The main crops are wheat, rice, pulses, oilseeds, maize etc. Nearby is Bargi Dam on the river Narmada for irrigation, water supply and power generation. The town is surrounded by several lakes and water tank used for culture in them and in rivers. Besides the area is rich in limestone, refractory clay, bauxite, iron ore, manganese and other deposits. Three Cement plants several fireclay refractories lime stone kilns and good industrial estates nearby. Beside defence factories like GCF, Vehicle factory, G.I.F. and Ordnance factory depot.

Origin of Name

The name is said to be derived from Saint Jabali Pattanam or Jabal (in Arabic meaning rocks). It is Geologist and Archeologists paradise as all sorts of rocks and monuments are present. The excavation by Archeological department dates back to 4000 years and in 1930 full skeleton of Dinosaur was found. In vedic language and also in Ramayana and Mahabharat the Tripuri is described (Near Jabalpur) and according to some ancient historians the Lanka of Ramayana was in this area. The area had been earlier ruled by Chedies and Kalchuries. The famous temple of 64 yoginies near Bheraghat marble rocks is testimony of earlier education and civilisation

Tourist Place

Madan Mahal Fort: Built by the Gond ruler,Raja Madan Shah, in 1116 atop a rocky hill, the fort dominates the skyline and provides a panoramic view of the town and the country-side around it.

Sangram Sagar and Bajana Math: These medieval constructions were built by the famous Gond king,Sangram Shah between 1480-1540.

Tilwaraghat: The place from where Mahatma Gandhi's ashes were immersed in the Narmada, and venue of the open session of the Tripuri Congress in 1939;the 12th century Mala Devi Mandir; Pisan Hari Jain Temples and Roopnath are some of the other places in and around Jabalpur which merit a visit.

Bedaghat: The Small village of Jabalpur tehsil situated on the bank of river Narmada and widely famous for its marble Rocks is at a distance about 21 Km from Jabalpur by road. Soaring in glittering splendour, the Marble Rocks at Bhedaghat rise to a hundred feet on either side of the Narmada. The serene loveliness of the scene is one of cool quiet, the sunlight sparkling on the marble-white pinnacles and casting dappled shadows on the pellucid waters. Sunlight, now glancing from a pinnacle of snow-white marble reared against the deep blue of the sky as from a point of silver ; touching here and there with bright lights the prominences of the middle heights; and again losing itself in the soft bluish grays of their recesses….. Here and there the white saccharine limestone is seamed by veins of dark green or black volcanic rock; a contrast which only enhances, like a setting of jet, the purity of the surrounding marble."

Dhuandhar: The Narmada, making its way through the Marble Rocks, Narrows down and then plunges in a waterfall Rocks,narrow down and then plinges in a waterfall known as Dhuandhar or the smoke cascade. So powerful is the plunge that its roar is heard from a far distance, The falls and the breaking of the volume of water at the crest present an awesome spectacle of Nature's power unleashed.

Chausat Yogini Temple: Situated atop a hill rock and approached by a long flight of steps,the Chausat Yogini Temple commands a singularly beautiful view of the Narmada flowing through the jagged Marble Rocks. Dedicated to Goddess Durga, this 10th century temple has exquisitely carved stone figures of deities belonging to the Kalchuri period. According to a local legend,this ancient temple is connected to the Gond Queen Durgavati's palace through an undergroung passage.

Tripur Sundari Temple: About 12 kms from city on bhedaghat road in village Tewar "Tripur Sundari Temple" is situated.

Rani Durgavati Memorial and Museum: Dedicated to the memory of the great Queen Durgavati is her memorial and a museaum which houses a fine collection of sculptures, inscriptions and prehistoric relics.

Vishnu Barha Mandir: This is another very famous temple in Sihora Tehsil of this District.Some other interesting places are . Jain Temple(Pisanhari ki Madiya) ,Pariyat Tank, Bargi Dam, Lamheta Ghat, Devtal, Bhadbhada.