INTRODUCTION
Bandhavgarh is located in Vindhya hills of Umaria District. Bandhavadheesh Temple is situated in Bandhavgarh national park, at hill-top site, on height of 811 meters from sea level. This hill-top location lies in Tala zone of Bandhavgarh national park. It is situated adjacent to Bandhavgarh Fort. There is a lot of history hidden in the forests of Bandhavgarh. The Bandhavgarh Fort inside the national park is considered over 2000 years old. There is a mention of the Bandhavgarh Fort in Narad Panch Ratra, and Valmiki’s Ramayana. It is Recognized that after killing the demon King Ravana Of Lanka, when Lord Rama was returning to Ayodhya. Lord Rama stopped here. He asked Nal and Neel, the two monkey architects to make this fort. It was these two who had also made the bridge to go to Lanka in the Indian ocean. The idea came in mind to make this fort was basically to keep an eye on Lanka from here, as this is one of the highest hills of central India. He made his younger brother Lakshmana as resident deity of the fort. So the fort gifted to a brother (Bandhu in Hindi), came to be known as Bandhavgarh. Bandhavgarh Means Brother’s fort. So due to the history of Brothers it is called as Bandhavgarh. This are also has a huge forest, So it also has a Tiger Reserve. Lakshmana was the resident deity of this place. Lakshmana is also called as Bandhavdeesh after this.
Main deity of Bandhavadheesh Temple is Lakshmana, brother of Lord Rama. In addition to this, many other Hindu Gods are worshiped here. Although Bandhavgarh fort and other monuments are in abandoned condition but Bandhavdheesh temple is still active and priest remain available their in all seasons. This temple is build by sandstone with simple architecture. The priest of the temple is serving here from generations. Adjacent to temple is Rani tank, cut out of sandstone. Close to this we can find Rani Mahal, also known as Moti Mahal. Apart from all this, their are many other structures and statues like Kabir temple, Machli temple, Varah statue, Vishnu statue, Treasury. There are 12 incarnation statues of Vishnu is on the hill. Earlier, Bandhavdheesh temple is open for tourists but now a days, tourists are not allowed to visit this temple. Although, during Kabir festival of 02 days, normal public is allowed (on foot) to visit Kabir temple and thus they may visit Bandhavdheesh temple also.
HOW TO REACH
Reaching Amarkantak by Air :-
The nearest airport to Bandhavdheesh temple is Jabalpur Airport at a distance of 180kms. Second option is Khajuraho Airport at a distance of 260kms.
DISTANCE CHART
|
LOCATION MAP
|
From
|
Distance
(in Kms)
|
|
Jabalpur |
180 |
Khajuraho |
260 |
Umaria |
37 |
Katni |
100 |
Kanha National Park |
260 |
Amarkantak |
240 |
By Train/ Railways
The nearest railhead to Bandhavdheesh temple is Umaria station, at a distance of 37 kms. Second option is Katni railway station, at a distance of 100kms. After this, guest may opt Jabalpur as the best option.
By Road
For reaching Bandhavdheesh temple by road option, reach Umaria town. From here, regular bus service is available in day-time. Buses are not available in night hours. Those who want to travel by taxi option, may reach Jabalpur or Katni cities and undertake taxi transfer towards Bandhavgarh.
TOURIST ATTRACTIONS
Bandhavdheesh temple itself a popular tourist attraction but unfortunately, tourists are not allowed to visit this temple. Surrounded by dense forest area, at hill-top, it offers magnificent view of Bandhavgarh safari area. Apart from Bandhavdheesh temple, we may visit to various water tanks, Moti Mahal, treasury, well, Kabir temple, Shesh-shaiya etc.
CLIMATE & WEATHER
Months
|
Jan
|
Feb
|
Mar
|
Apr
|
May
|
Jun
|
Jul
|
Aug
|
Sep
|
Oct
|
Nov
|
Dec
|
Minimum (°C)
|
05
|
14
|
22
|
28
|
30
|
36
|
25
|
23
|
22
|
22
|
18
|
10
|
Maximum(°C)
|
18
|
31
|
35
|
40
|
44
|
45
|
36
|
34
|
32
|
34
|
30
|
20
|
Bandhavdheesh temple is closed for visitors. It lies in Bandhavgarh thus, remain accessible from October to June month. In monsoon months (July-Sept), whole national park remains closed for tourists. Here winters can be experienced from November to February where summers season prevails from March to June month.
BEST TIME TO VISIT
August is the best time to visit Bandhavdheesh temple, when it is open for two days, for general public, during Kabir fair. In this fair, Kabir followers gather here and park gates remain open for them.
ACCOMMODATION
If you are visiting this temple site then good accommodation options are available in the form of resorts spread in and around Tala village. Number of accommodation options in different categories are available here.
NEXT TO
After visiting Bandhavdheesh temple, tourists may undertake jungle safari or proceed to other nearby destinations like Amarkantak, Khajuraho, Kanha national park, Panna national park etc.