Jabalpur is one of the most important cities in the state of Madhya Pradesh. Jabalpur is the administrative and educational center in Madhya Pradesh. Jabalpur is also important because it is the gateway to important wildlife sanctuaries around it. Interestingly, the name Jabalpur is derived from the Arabic word 'Jabal'which means 'mountain' pointing to the ancient trade connection with Arab countries.

The origin of Jabalpur goes back to ancient times. It was then known as Tripuri and was governed by Hayahaya rulers. The ancient Indian epic of Mahabharata has references to his city. It became a part of the great Mauryan and the Gupta Empires. In ad 875, it was taken over by the Kalchuri dynasty who made Jabalpur their capital. In the 13th century, the Gonds seized it and made it their capital. By the early 16th century, it had become the powerful kingdom of Gondwana. From time to time, the Mughal rulers tried to overrun it. The legendary Gond Queen Rani Durgavati died fighting the Mughal forces led by the great Mughal Emperor Akbar. It finally fell to the Marathas in 1789 and was taken over by the British in 1817, when they defeated the Marathas.

Places to see in Jabalpur:

•Tilwara Ghat

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 the around jabalpur which merit a visit.

•Dla and Ramnagar

Mandla is known for its fort, built in the late 1600s by Gond Kings. The fort is now subsiding into the jungle although some of the towers still stand. Places worth seeing around Mandla are Ramnagar (about 15 km), with its ruined 3-storey palace overlooking the Narmada and the temples dotting the riverbank of Narmada.

•Chausatyogini

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 gorge of Marble Rocks (Bhedaghat). Dedicated to Lord Shiva, 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 underground passage.

•Bargi Dam

It is a multipurpose project on river Narmada. It's also a tourist spot, recently the local authorities have started a cruise boat which runs on the reservoir of Bargi dam.

•Bandhavgarh Fort

This fort is believed to be nearly 2000 years old. It lies right in the middle of the wilderness on the highest point of Bandhavgarh Hill. There are references of this fort in the ancient books, the Narad Panch-Ratna and the Shiva Puran.

•Rani Durgavati Memorial and Museum

Dedicated to the memory of the great Queen Durgavati, it is her memorial and museum, which houses a fine collection of sculptures, inscriptions and prehistoric relics. The museum has a good collection of artifacts and also has a section dedicated to artifacts and photos related to Mahatma Gandhi.

•Kanha Kisli national park

Jabalpur is nearest big city to go to Kanha Kisli national park which is one of the biggest national parks in India and has the distinction of successfully implemented Project Tiger, as tiger conservation program in India. The park is also the birth place of the Jungle Book by Rudyard Kipling. Jabalpur also has 'Bandhavgarh' and 'Pench' national reserve forest very close by, and well connected through road.

Excursions from Jabalpur:

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 splendor, 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.

Dhuandhar

The famous waterfall is located just 25 km from Jabalpur. The waterfall is known as Dhuandhar ('Dhuan' is the Hindi word for smoke) since the water droplets at the fall go above in concentrated mass and crete illusion of vapours.

How to get Jabalpur:

By Air

Jabalpur has an airstrip called Dumna Airport capable of landing most of the aircraft but the regular flights are yet not started.

By Train

Jabalpur is well-connected with super fast trains from Mumbai, Bhopal and New Delhi.

By Road

Jabalpur has an excellent road connection with Nagpur, Bhopal and several other important cities in the country. There are two national highways namely NH-7 & HN-12 passing through Jabalpur.