VANAMCOVE 
Amarkantak
Source of the Narmada
Why this weekend?
The day-by-day plan
- Dawn at Narmada Kund
- Mai ki Bagiya
- Sonmuda drive
- Temple stroll + sunset hill
Geography & terrain
Amarkantak is the sacred ridge town of the Maikal hills in Anuppur district, Madhya Pradesh, at 1,048 m — the source point from which the Narmada, the Son and the Johila set out on their separate journeys. The town sits in a bowl of sal, khair and banyan forest above the Son valley.
History & culture
The Narmada Kund — the holy pool where the river is said to be born from a tap beneath the ancient temple — has drawn pilgrims since the Kalachuri age; the Mai ki Bagiya gardens, the Kalachuri-era Shiva shrines and the town's old mathas make it a living 'Teerthraj' of central India. Amarkantak also stands in the frontier story of the medieval Kalachuri and Baghela kingdoms that held the Maikal passes.
Where to stay
Budget
₹800–2,000/nightMid-range
₹2,000–4,000/nightComfort
₹4,000+/nightThings to do
Narmada Kund
Mai ki Bagiya
Sonmuda viewpoint
Ancient temples
Maikal ridges
Eat & drink
- Dal bafla
- Poha jalebi
- Bhopali murgh
- Bhutte ka kees
- Malpua with rabri
Getting there
- Fly
- Bhopal (BHO) / Indore (IDR)
- Train
- Bhopal, Gwalior, Jabalpur junctions
- Road from Bhopal
- varies by district — 50–500 km
- Getting around
- Autos and city buses
Budget snapshot
- Total
- ₹2,500–6,500 (1 days)
- Per day · Stay
- ₹800–4,000/night
- Per day · Food
- ₹600–1,000
- Per day · Transport
- ₹500–900
- Per day · Activities
- ₹400–800
Month by month
Practical info
- Language: Hindi (English understood in tourist spots)
- Best window: Oct–Mar
- Connectivity: good 4G in towns
- UPI/cards widely accepted; keep small cash for hill and market stops
Practical tips
- The Kund rituals start early — arrive before 7 am for the calm
- Forest routes need permits/gates — clear at entry
- Winter nights are cold at 1,048 m — pack a layer
Frequently asked questions
This is its source — the Kund is the river's pil-ritual beginning, one of the most sacred spots of central India.
October–March; the temple festival of the Narmada Jayanti (Jan) is the high season.
The rail head at Pendra Road (35 km) or buses from Jabalpur and Anuppur; the forest roads are good in the dry season.
Source of the Narmada
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