Amarkantak , Madhya Pradesh

by INDRAJEET SINGH CHAUHAN ***

Majestically located in the midst of the magnificent Vindhya and Satpura ranges at an elevation of 1065 meters, Amarkantak in the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh wraps up the beauty and charm of a typical sylvan environment. This lovely tract of land is a major pilgrim centre in the entire central province and is famed as the source of two pretty rivers, the Narmada and the Sone.

Amarkantak is a Sanskrit word with much mythological significance, which gains it the prestigious sobriquet as Theertharaja. Holiness of Amarkantak is greatly associated with the holy river Narmada. Perhaps it is due to the presence of this holy river that this locale in the Vindhyans gets much popularity as a devout centre. As per the Holy Scriptures, River Narmada transcends all other sacred rivers with her indomitable virtue as the daughter of Lord Shiva. Legends has it that a mere glance of this beloved daughter of the destroyer God would fetch innumerable boons and the devotees strongly believe that who ever dies at Amarkantak would fetch salvation.

A land with a vivid history, Amarkantak narrates the tales of various dynasties, right from the Pandavas to the foreign rule of the modern times. Each edifice in Amarkantak portrays diverse styles that recount the period during which these architectural grandeurs were materialized. This stunning facade of Amarkantak gently adds the magnificence of this legendary spot to a great extent.

Internationally acclaimed as a natural heritage zone, the dense forests of Amarkantak depict a unique ecosystem. Its far-off valleys and atolls showcase an exceedingly diverse floristic genre, where ratio between species to genera is comparatively minimal.

A relatively off track destination Amarkantak is a veritable paradise, with a salubrious climate and most pictorial environs. Its ever-pervading air of composure, the grassy hills, woody backgrounds and the bewitching cascades makes it a popular wacky destination.

At Amarkantak one can feel the pristine nature in its full bloom and the place is all set to enthrall the onlooker with its sacred ponds, glittering streams, snooty knolls and the dense woods.