Bhedaghat
In his Highlands of
Central India Captain J. Forsyth speaks eloquently about the infinitely varied
beauty of the rocks :
"the eye never wearies of the . . . effect produced by the broken
and reflected 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 prominence of the middle heights and again losing
itself in the soft bluish grays of their recesses. . .
Here and there the white saccharine limestone is seamed by veins of dark green
or black volcanic rock; a contrast which only enhances like a setting of jet,
the purity of the surrounding marble."
The holy river flows by tranquilly flanked by the towering cliffs which
reflect in it like a mirror the changing moods of nature. A little distance
away, it becomes turbulent as it plunges in a mighty water fall known as
Dhuandhar.
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What to see :
Dhuandhar Falls :
The
Narmada, making its way through the marble rocks, narrows down and then plunges
in a waterfall known as Dhuandhar or Smoke Cascade. So powerful is the plunge
that its roar is heard from a far distance. The falls and the breaking of the
volume of water at the crest present an awesome spectacle of Nature's power
unleashed.
Chaunsat Yogini Temple
:
Situated
atop a hillock and approached by a long flight of steps, the Chaunsat Yogini
Temple commands a singularly beautiful view of the Narmada flowing through the
jagged Marble Rocks. Dedicated to goddess Durga, 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.
Marble Rocks :
Boating facilities
are available from November to May and while boating by moonlight is a thrilling
experience, the Marble Rocks have recently been floodlit, adding a new dimension
to their splendour.
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