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| Texan Landscape - Dhupgarh |
Pachmarhi is a very well known hill station in Central India. It boasts of verdant forests, rolling hills and murmuring brooks.However the jewel in Pachmarhi's crown is definitely Dhupgarh - the highest point of Satpura, which is also the highest point in Central India.
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| The Towering Dhoopgarh Peak |
We visited Pachmarhi this October & no matter wherever we go, for sightscene, our day wouldn't have been complete without a visit to Dhupgarh on the afternoon. It's almost 9 kilometers from Pachmarhi, and almost couple of thousands higher in altitude. So once you come to Dhupgarh, you can feel the chill, and get to see the vast expanse of Satpura's.
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| Road to Dhupgarh via Satpura NP |
The road to Dhupgarh is stunning. It slowly climbs uphill through the forested slopes of Satpura national park. Apart from the very touristy seasons, this road remains relatively silent, and on the wee hours gives a possibility of an encounter with the wildlife at Dhupgarh. Our Guide, narrated how couple of years back, he met with a raging Bison, on the way back from Dhupgarh in the evening.
He also mentioned that to protect the wildlife, from 2011 the forest department has banned entry of vehicle before 9.30 a.m., which means people can't enjoy the sunrise from Dhupgarh anymore :(
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| After a short hike |
The last 3-4 kilometers of the road is quite steep, and gains height considerably. Once you reach a certain height, there are points, which gives a brilliant panorama of the Satpura hills. We were prepared for some short hikes, and found a real vantage point to enjoy the Sapura's.
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| Rolling forested hills - Satpura |
The verdant rolling hills of Satpura, just after the monsoon, was really a treat to the eyes. We enjoyed the beauty from every nook and corner.
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| Nagaphani Peak |
Just before reaching Dhupgarh, we came across the famous Nagaphani peak. This is a sacred peak for the local people. During Nagpanchami, people from central India, flock to this place for a 12 kilometer hike down to the valley, which is famously known as 'Nagdwari Piligrim Trek'.
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| The Flats - on the top |
Once we reach the top of Dhupgarh, we were utterly surprised. It's a complete flat land. Walking down this forested path, you will never realize, you are actually on top of 4500 feet above MSL. That's the beauty of the Step Mountains.
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| The Nature Interpretation Center |
On the top, there's a nature interpretation center, which boasts of some stunning photographs of the landscape in and around Pachmarhi. It also gives you a glimpse of the lifestyle of the Khorku tribes, which dwells in sleepy villages inside the Satpura National Park.
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| The famous Sunset with behind the rolling hills |
Dhupgarh is famous for its stunning sunsets. After visiting the Nature Interpretation Center, we came to the sunset point, which has a very well laid out gallery, to sit and enjoy the day's end, sipping on a hot cuppa. The sun was already started to go down, and the nip in the air certainly made us realize that we are on a ridge @4500 feet.
The rolling hills on that twilight looked absolutely surreal. As far as we could see, It was the mighty Satpura with its vast expanse.
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| Satpura @Dusk |
As the sun dipped below the horizon, it marked a perfect end to an amazing few hours at the roof of Central India!!
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| One Last time for the day |
